Photo: rblfmr (Shutterstock)
You may not think about it often, but that cardboard salt container in your kitchen (the one with the handy metal spout) is quite useful. Not only does it allow you to pour out all that fine salt more easily (without using a spoon that can bring in unwanted moisture), but also can be used again even if it is empty-by repurposing it in a mason jar lid. Not only does this give some life that would otherwise be thrown away, but it also allows other ingredients to be poured in, such as spices, condiments, or cornmeal.
How to make a mason jar dispenser
Making a mason jar dispenser with an empty salt container is pretty straightforward. In addition to your empty salt container, you’ll need a mason jar and either scissors or an X-Acto knife. First, remove the top of the salt container, which you cut to fit the ring on the mason jar. I chose scissors because I’ve seen way too many X-Acto knife wounds over the years. (This is what happens when you have an architect brother; all-nighters and cutting balsa wood with an X-Acto knife are NOT a good combination. But you do.)
Photo: Rachel Fairbank
When you have the wide ribbon lid, the salt container lid will fit almost snugly, and all you need to do is trim the edges a little. If you only have the little tape lids, it will help to draw an outline of the lid so you can cut the salt lid to size. It’s important to make sure it fits snugly and covers the entire ring – otherwise your ingredients will spill out if you try to pour them out, which will ruin the purpose.
G / O Media can receive a commission
Great choice for back to school!
Long battery life perfect for students.
When I made my own mason jar dispenser, I used it for the raw sugar I buy in bulk from Costco. Buying Turbinado sugar in this amount is significantly cheaper than buying a smaller box with a metal spout, but not nearly as convenient. In the past I tried pouring the loose sugar into one of the empty boxes, but there was never a good way to open and close the lid. Instead, I had to tape the lid back on, which was painful and also made it difficult to reuse the box multiple times.
As it turned out, reusing an old salt container was the perfect solution to my sugar problems – but you can use it for any condiment or condiment you’d like to pour in small quantities.
