Using Old Cookie Jars as Kitchen Utensil Storage
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In your household, did you have a cookie jar in the kitchen while growing up?
My mother was a wonderful home cook and baker. We did not have a cookie jar because her cookies and other treats disappeared long before it could be stored in a cookie jar. When I collected cookie jars years later, I realized that cookie jars are attractive to display, but they are not meant to store cookies. There are no seals on the jars to keep the cookies crisp.
Vintage cookie jars made by companies like McCoy, Shawnee, and Roseville are highly collectible, and you will usually find the company’s mark at the bottom of these pieces. If you come across an old cookie jar with a known company label, keep it because of its value as a collectible. You can’t find the whimsical cookie jars from the past all that often. You’ll quickly find that the the cookie jars of today are totally different from the designs of cookie jars from the 30s, 40s, and 50s. The quality and craftsmanship of the cookie jars from the past can’t be compared to what you find now.
There are still newer cookie jars out there, but if you have the chance, make the comparison and pick up cookie jars for the past and present. You will realize that the old cookie jars are heavier, with thicker walls. Some old cookie jars are almost like crockery, and these are the ones which would make better storage for kitchen utensils.
Cookie jars can be found everywhere, including garage sales, thrift stores, swap meets, and antique shops. To store your kitchen utensils, you don’t need a perfect cookie jar in perfect condition. What you need is a cookie jar with or without a lid. If you use a cookie jar for storage, you can always store the lid in your kitchen if your cookie jar is complete. Otherwise, a cookie jar missing a lid will do the job.
Do you have a cookie jar from your past? No matter what condition it is in, consider using it as storage in your kitchen. Over the years, ceramics can get worn down and develop hairline cracks. Keep in mind that these cookie jars are not museum pieces, and no one is going to study them for flaws.
While you cook, one of the most important things you can do to save time is organize your kitchen utensils on your kitchen counter tops for easy access. Most home cooks either store their cooking utensils in drawers near the stove or open heavy crockery or ceramic pieces that are big enough to hold a selection of spoons, spatulas, tongs, etc. Sometimes, it will take more than one of these to use as kitchen storage.
You will always need kitchen storage with it comes to cooking utensils. If you happen to have a cookie jar that you no longer use, this is a way to extend its life. You will do the same when you purchase an old cookie jar and put it to use.
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Comments
This is a wonderful idea! I've recently implemented this in my kitchen and bedroom since my grandmother laid out all sorts of cool things she didn't want anymore. I snagged a couple! Lovely read!
Thank you, tillsontitan. For years, my aunt had this cookie jar displayed at her home. It received plenty of love during its years (numerous chips and cracks). I would have loved to have it. Without knowing it (until I started my collection and did my research), I found out it was an old McCoy cookie jar. She moved, and my cousin said she sold it for $5 at her garage sale. I would have loved to have it for sentimental value, but I had moved away for 10 years by the time she decided to downsize. I love old cookie jars and costume jewelry, and I do know what to look for. But it doesn't mean I'm going back to collecting (sigh). I already had my bout with collecting craziness. No mas! No mas!
Laura, it is wonderful to keep objects around your home that have sentimental value and work for you at the same time. I love my cookie jars because they can double as storage. Not that I have wads to cash to hid in them. I've added more items to my collection of cooking utensils, so I will probably select another cookie jar to house them. All I have to do is remember where I kept the lids.
Arlene, I love the jar on the left. I have a friend who makes garden art (planters and plant stands, etc.) out of glass and ceramic pieces she finds at thrift stores. She had one made with an old whimsical cookie jar on display at a garden show. Some guy told her the cookie jar she used (and paid next to nothing for) would have been worth a couple hundred bucks had it not been incorporated into a planter! Oh well; it was a really cute planter. : )
Thank you, Deborah! My mom put me in ceramics classes right away, so I do appreciate the art pottery and glazes from the 20s, 30s, and 40s. My biggest find was a Roseville hanging planter in the snowberry design. Someone had thrown it in the street as part of the annual community trash dump and haul. I walked up to it, and could not believe it. It still had dirt in it, but once I cleaned it up, it only had fine crazing expected for a ceramic item that old. The piece is a beauty, and I display it in my living room. I run into people all the time who show me things handed down by their grandparents and other relatives. And I do encourage them to keep the art pottery out of the landfill. They don't know what they have. I love old cookie jars. My husband bought me an old Shawnee piggy sheriff and a rocking horse for Christmas when we first met. They are classics and are very heavy. He searched eBay for months before he found those. I also have the one from the McCoy cookie jar from the 80s with a smiley face. I had to have that one because whenever I walk into my kitchen most mornings, I have to smile whenever I look up and see it. It's magical--what cookie jars can do. And, you are so right when you wrote your Hub. The idea is to keep things OUT of landfills. I add cookie jars and art pottery to the list!
yes, cookie jars are convenient for storage.
Yes, they are lovely storage containers. I wouldn't mind having wads of cash to store in my 25 jars, but of course, I'm only dreaming.
Nicely done. We can probably use more things than we ever thought of. Thanks for sharing.
carol, I see a lot of old cookie jars with missing lids, but you can always use the jar portion if it is still in good shape. I tend to hold onto things I love, and this includes my 10-year-old truck. I drive like an old lady, so I hope to still have it at 200,000 miles. As someone who is retired, I don't have the desire to go out and shop for something new. I check out what I already have or try to find something used if I'm serious about buying.
I use all sorts of assorted jars, cups etc. to hold things such a sthe pens by the telephone, utensils, combs, and cotton for cleaning makeup off.
My sister-in-law travels for work most of the year, and she has this collection of Starbuck mugs from most major cities in the United States. I love my coffee cups, so I don't throw them away or give them away. They do double duty for pens, pencils, and office supplies like paper clips and colorful tacks. I love the big Mason jars and find any excuse to use those for storage. That was only after the thrill of canning wasn't with me this year. Too lazy.
Good ideas for cookie jars. Unfortunately, I don't even own any--in part because I don't bake very often. I think cookie jars can be pretty and collecting the vintage ones may be the way to go.
I don't have any cookie jars either. Never did, even when the kids were at home and I baked cookies often. Stored them in empty coffee cans instead. But I DID keep my utensils in an antique-looking crock. After it was stolen (with my favorite utensils inside!), I found a cool forest-green crock-y-looking pitcher at a thrift store, so that's what the replacement utensils are in now. ;D
Cookie jars don't have much of a seal to keep cookies fresh. My cookies never made it to any of my cookie jars. If I have any left, they would go into a Tupperware container or a Ziploc bag. I've managed to find old cookie jars in excellent condition, but I'd never pay the $300.00+ that the dealers want. There are some old pieces that I wouldn't mind having. The designers back then were really creative, and a lot of cookie jars were based on fairy tale characters. Today, you'll find plenty of cartoon and movie characters.
I have an old, #2 crock with a large chip on its lip. My mom used it to cure green olives with lye, and I remember it being in our kitchen when I was a little girl. I think we get away with a lot of sentimental items in the kitchen without even thinking about it. I like antiques and things with sentimental value, including kitchen tools and utensils. I have mismatched pieces of milk glass from my dad and former neighbors. You can't find these pieces anymore, so I keep them around.
You don't want to know, then, that I took a milk glass compote dish (aka pedestal fruit bowl) to Goodwill. Years later, I wished I hadn't!
You don't want to know, then, that I took a milk glass compote dish (aka pedestal fruit bowl) to Goodwill. Years later, I wished I hadn't!
Great idea for the use of cookie jars. I have used pretty pottery pitchers for years. I have two on my counter - one for the metal stuff, and one for the plastic and wooden stuff that I can use with my teflon.
They are kinda interesting, don't you think? I am only saying this because I was in Goodwill today and saw a milk glass pitcher. I was tempted to buy it because it was in perfect condition. My dad left me with jelly jar glasses and a couple of milk glass glasses. I like to use everything I've got. My neighbor left me with a milk glass sugar bowl and creamer, but I haven't had the heart to give it away or donate it. So, it sits.
That is a useful way to organize your kitchen utensils, Cindy. I've returned to no-stick, and I love the ease of cooking and cleaning. All my cooking utensils are mixed up. One of these days, I'll grab a metal turner and scrape the surface of non-stick surfaces. Ewwwww!
My cookie jars are long gone with my childhood, but I do have some nice glass storage jars. Maybe they can be converted to the uses you described. At this time, I am living in a one room rental in a retirement facility. One of the rules is no cooking, so I do not have any utensils right now. Well written hub that will come in handy in my future.
Hound Cat, glass storage jars are just as attractive as cookie jars. The added plus to those? Being able to see what's inside and use its contents! You've got to lift the lids off cookie jars if you don't remember what you stored in there.
tillsontitan 5 months ago
Great idea! There are some beautiful vintage cookie jars, many with missing tops. Voted up and useful.