From Disaster to Nirvana – Talking about all things spicy.
I love cooking with spices…I mean spices is what makes a meal taste GREAT (and not so great if you get the balance wrong)
But they are a total pain to keep neat and tidy and you have to dig around looking for the Smoked Paprika as you know you have it “Somewhere”
Most of us have a not so great way of storing these precious flavour wonders.
Do you have yours stored in all different jars, packets, boxes and tins?
Or the name is hard to read or have you even had to open it up to smell if it is nutmeg or cinnamon in the jar ( *Raises her hand…Yes I am guilty of this)
If you would like to do a major Pantry ORGANIZATION overhaul – I have created a post and complete checklists to easily get this job done.
Here is the post and checklists – PANTRY ORGANIZATION
Now this whole topic about spices is close to my heart –Spices was how I got to start owning a Kitchen Brand – Cooking Gods
You see…I had this favorite recipe and it required spices and a lot of them and I had trouble measuring them out as my measure spoons did not fit into the spice jars , so I went searching for a set and realized they were hard to find – The idea was born and I began to sell these amazing spoons and measuring cups on Amazon
Psssst……….I have a limited time 10% coupon for our AMAZING Cut and spoon set on Amazon.
Click on the button below to grab a set and sav
I finally had the right spoons to measure my spices…
But I still had a mishmash of jars and packets that were difficult to read – So I went and created a label set for spice jars and the pantry ,as the second product I sell on Amazon – Pretty cool Huh?
(And yes spice jars are soon to come.
We are just finalizing the last bit of the design)
Psssst…….Another bonus from us
Save 10% on our label set – Limited time coupons so grab a set now
Click on the button below to grab a set on Amazon
So back to the Spice organization -Since we started selling our AMAZING label set. We came into contact with a lot of Professional Organizers and a few of them tried our labels and posted all the beautiful new spice organization set ups in their clients kitchens and pantries. It is exciting to see all the different storage options but it can be confusing to know what will suit your kitchen and pantry the best.
So it made a lot of sense to ask two brilliant Organizers – their 5 tips on how to store your spices and what certain set ups work in different kitchens.
I asked two Professional Organizers – their tips for spice storage solutions
Introducing Ruthie Levy from Simplifized
You can check out her work on Instagram and her account is @simplifized
She is based in New York and does virtual sessions as well.
Her email is [email protected]
First off…a cheeky question – How do you store your spices at home?
I store my many spices on a built in turntable in a corner cabinet in my kitchen. I’ve transferred my spices to uniform spice jars and love how it looks! I don’t mind transferring and replenishing every once in a while, in fact my kids help me with it.
For a small pantry – what is the best way to organize your spices
It’s always best to store your spices at point of use which is generally by your cook top. Even in the case of small kitchen and limited space, I’m not a big fan of contraptions that connect to the inside of the cabinet door. I’d rather leave the basic spices in pretty jars on the counter and have the rest stored away in a less prime location.
For a large kitchen when space is no concern – what is the ULTIMATE way to organize your spices?
When designing custom kitchens, I always recommend creating either a spice drawer within which the spices are stored on a slant in uniform jars or a pull out spice rack. Both are places right by the cook top. Of course there’s always the option of using turntables (check the depth of your cabinet before purchasing!) which allows full view and access of all the spices inside kitchen cabinets. Though I’ve seen stackable shelves used for spices often it isn’t my go-to product as I’m afraid it requires too much maneuvering.
For a busy cook who uses a lot of spices – what system is works best on a kitchen counter or at the food prep area
I always recommend creating either a spice drawer within which the spices are stored on a slant in uniform jars or a pull out spice rack. Both are places right by the cook top
What are your best tips for keeping spices organized and looking great
Uniformity is key to making the space look beautiful and maintaining!
Of course, the right labels can take the spices from looking functional and organized to looking WOW! I personally love chalkboard labels for spices and all areas of the kitchen, they pop and are eye catching. Pre printed labels are the best especially for us organizers who have less than stunning handwriting (to put it mildly!)
Introducing Daria from Your Organized Life
You can follow her on Instagram at @your_organized_life
www.yourorganizedlife.org
She is based in North Carolina
First off…a cheeky question – How do you store your spices at home?
I am lucky enough to have a 3 tier Lazy Susan cabinet in my kitchen. I keep my spices in glass jars with beautiful chalkboard labels (thank you Cooking Gods!) on the lowest level.
For a small pantry – what is the best way to organize your spices
For a small pantry I like the YouCopia Chef's Edition Spice Stack 30 Bottle Organizer
You pull the drawers out and down for easy access to your spices. It holds quite a lot in a small space.
For a large kitchen when space is no concern – what is the ULTIMATE way to organize your spices?
Oh I think having the Rev-a-Shelf built in spice drawers right next to the stove would be the ultimate ideal!
For a busy cook who uses a lot of spices – what system is works best on a kitchen counter or at the food prep area
For those who use a lot of spices, or just prefer the natural, organic look of spices, the Invisible Acrylic Spice Rack
It shows off your spices and keeps them within easy reach.
What are your best tips for keeping spices organized and looking great
The best way to keep your spices organized is to not have too many of them! For recipes with a spice that you probably won't use again for awhile, consider buying just a small amount in bulk from a store like Whole Foods. For spices you use often, just purchase a small jar since spices are at their freshest for six months. Decanting the spices into glass jars with uniform labels like yours is the best way to make spices look not only tidy-but beautiful.
So there we have it!!
Tips from 2 of the best Organizers I have being lucky enough to get to know.
Get your jars clearly labeled, keep only the spices that you use often ( Don't be a spice hoarder)
And keep them where you can easily reach for them.
If you are looking for professional advice to get your kitchen looking SCHMICK – Please reach out to either Daria or Ruthie to get some more ideas or guidance from them.
These are great ideas! I don’t have an ideal space for spices in my kitchen . I love the idea of having uniform sized spice jars, that would make it so much easier and I would haven’t to reach over the bigger spices to get to the ones in the back.
I can totally relate to the struggle with spice organization. A cluttered spice rack can definitely make cooking a bit of a hassle. Uniform-sized spice jars really do streamline the whole process, not to mention they can look pretty nice on the shelf too. I’ve been experimenting with labeling ours based on usage frequency and category—it’s helped me find things faster and keeps the space tidy.
It’s great to hear that you’re tackling the spice organization challenge head-on. A cluttered spice rack can really complicate things, especially when you’re in the middle of cooking and can’t find what you need. Those uniform-sized jars do tend to bring some order to the chaos, and they definitely look nice lined up.
I completely agree with you on how chaotic a cluttered spice rack can be. It’s funny how something as simple as spices can really affect our cooking experience. I like the idea of organizing by usage frequency and category; that practical approach not only saves time but also makes it easier to experiment with new recipes.
I love all these tips! I currently take up two rather large cabinets but it could def use some better organization. Right now I have them on bamboo spice racks.
It sounds like you have a cozy setup with those bamboo spice racks! They can be a great way to keep everything visible. If you’re looking to improve organization, consider grouping similar items together or even labeling sections. It might help to have a clear spot for frequently used spices or herbs, which could save time when you’re cooking. Also, think about height—maybe stack some smaller containers on top of others to make the most of your cabinet space. What kinds of spices are you most excited to use?
Great tips! It’s as if you know my spice cabinet is a hot mess! Thanks for sharing this gem!
These are simple to implement but highly effective. I love the measuring spoons and cups you created. Thank you for sharing.
I’m glad to hear you find them effective! Measuring spoons and cups often seem so basic, but they really can make a world of difference in cooking and baking. I’ve noticed that when I use tools that I enjoy, I’m usually more inclined to experiment in the kitchen.
I really found some great ideas in a recent article that make pantry organization a breeze, and I think you’ll appreciate the simplicity and effectiveness too.
’10 Easy Pantry Organization Ideas’
https://cookinggods.com/10-easy-pantry-organization-ideas/.
I’m glad to hear you find the measuring spoons and cups effective! It’s interesting how something so simple can change the way we experience cooking. A perfect set of measuring tools not only makes baking and meal preparation easier but also turns it into a more enjoyable process. When I first started cooking, I remember struggling with the measurements and often ending up with inconsistent results.
I’m so glad you enjoyed them! If you’re looking to explore more of our kitchen tools, check them out here!
https://cookinggods.com/DigestiveHealth
Spice drawers are a MUCH better way or organizing spices than a spice cabinet! I love these tips.
Spice drawers are a MUCH better way or organizing spices than a spice cabinet! I love these tips.
Having spices readily available on the counter can really change the cooking experience, can’t it? It’s like having little flavor bombs at your fingertips, just waiting to transform a simple dish into something special. I totally get the hustle of juggling different spices while cooking. Sometimes it feels like a mini spice shop in the kitchen, and each one has its own personality.
Great tips for organised kitchen
I like the stackable spice jars and the round plastic dishes (do they rotate?) in your pic. Where can I purchase these items?
Hi Melissa – They are all available on Amazon. Search for Spice tower and you will see the stackable containers and search for Lazy Susans and you will see numerous different options.
Hope that helps 🙂
The stackable spice jars are a fantastic way to save space and keep everything organized in the kitchen. I love how they stack neatly; it makes accessing different spices so much easier. I also appreciate that they come in clear designs, so you can quickly see what you have on hand.
I completely agree with your thoughts on the stackable spice jars. They really do make a difference in kitchen organization. I used to have a cluttered spice rack, and it always felt like a treasure hunt every time I needed a specific spice. Once I switched to stackable jars, it felt like I unlocked a new level of efficiency in my cooking routine.
It’s great to hear that you found such a significant improvement in your kitchen organization after switching to stackable spice jars. I think many of us can relate to that frustrating “treasure hunt” feeling when we’re rummaging through a cluttered spice rack, especially when we’re in the middle of cooking and just need that one specific spice.
I’m glad you spotted the stackable spice jars and the round plastic dishes! Those spice jars are a game changer for keeping things organized and they really do save space. The round plastic dishes do rotate, which is super handy for accessing everything easily.
I’m glad you like them! You can find the stackable spice jars and rotating round plastic dishes at this link—happy organizing!
https://cookinggods.com/ChocolateHealth
I’m glad you like the stackable spice jars and the round plastic dishes! The dishes do have a rotating feature, which makes it easy to access everything you need while cooking.
Thank you for your interest! You can find the stackable spice jars and those handy rotating plastic dishes at this link. Happy shopping!
https://cookinggods.com/DigestiveHealth
I can totally relate to the chaos of spice storage! It’s like a mini scavenger hunt every time I want to add some flavor to my dishes. I’ve found myself lifting jars just to catch a whiff, trying to guess what’s inside!
Oh, I can totally relate to the spice chaos! My spice shelf looks more like an archaeological dig site than a kitchen supply. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had a surprise whiff of something — Is it cinnamon or was that the chili powder I misplaced? My nose could probably lead a scavenger hunt at this point!
I totally get that. A spice shelf can really turn into a mini archaeological site over time. It’s funny how a bit of chaos can come with so much flavor. I sometimes think it reflects our cooking styles too—creative and a bit unpredictable! The surprise whiffs can be both amusing and a little unnerving. I once mistook cumin for cocoa powder in a dessert recipe. Let’s just say the results weren’t what I envisioned.