You’re in the kitchen getting ready for your solo camping trip.  You open up your plastic container cabinet, drawer, find the perfect sized container to hold the chili and pour the chili into the container to find that the lid is missing.  You know what never has missing lids?  Canning jars.

Convenient and Environmentally Friendly

Canning jars are an old fashioned product that need a second look. They are environmentally friendly and come in multiple sizes. Lids are interchangeable, can be used over and over again until they get rusty or damaged. Lids will not come off of the jar unless you want them to.  Other benefits of canning jars are that they are completely recyclable, no questions asked. The only time they become unusable is when they are broken.  Canning jars can be frozen and used in the microwave without leaching unwanted chemicals into your food. Jars and lids can be purchased at almost any grocery, hardware, craft or big chain store. 

Storing Food For Camping

As a solo camper, I like the fact that I can pack my food in single servings and avoid eating the same thing over and over again, I don’t have leftovers  and I can eat right out of the jar.  My typical camping meals include one pot meals like soups and stews.  For this type of meal I’ll use the 2 cup, wide mouthed or wide lidded jar.  As I’m cooking several weeks up to my camping trip I will save a little extra from dinner and put it in the freezer in the canning jars.  For breakfast I will use the same jars and fill them with cereal, pre-cooked sausage, onions and peppers for eggs.  Other items that I may pack in larger canning jars include pre-cut fruit or salads.  The possibilities are endless.

The next time you’re in need of new storage containers, give canning jars a try. They’re a better option for the environment and your body.  You will never not be able to find the lid.