Over the years that I’ve been canning, I’ve acquired a fairly vast assortment of jars. Some of the basic type that can be picked up at any grocery or hardware store, while others are older models that can only be found at yard sales and secondhand shops.
Whenever I take pictures of my preserves in these vintage jars, I’m asked to name the source of these pretty jars. Most of the time, I end up disappointing the questioner when I confess that I picked up the jars in question at a tag sale in rural Pennsylvania some years back.
Happily, today is going to be a little different. The jars I’m showing off in these photos aren’t vintage and impossible to find. These four-ounce, smooth-sided jars are from Fillmore Container, cost just $3.99 a dozen and are quite easy to order (the shipping can get spendy though, so consider pairing up with a friend to keep it affordable).
When I first discovered these jars, I was ridiculously happy (yes, I do realize that it’s a little silly to have one’s joy level attached to the accessibility of a particular canning jar, but it’s me we’re talking about). You see, while I’ve always appreciated having the four-ounce jar as an option in my canning, I’ve never liked the quilted finish that Ball uses on that size. I’d seen photos of these smooth-sided quarter pints in the past, but I wasn’t sure how to get my hands on some.
Then, back in August, Lisa Reinhart from Fillmore Container came to my canning demo at Lemon Street Market in Lancaster City and brought a dozen of these smooth-sided little jars with her. I was over the moon (particularly since she sent me home with the box). I’ve since used them for all manner of things from basic canning projects to spice storage (without the quilting, it’s much easier to tell the dried basil from the oregano with just a glance).
I also love the absence of pattern because it means that there are far fewer limitations when it comes to labeling these jars. Instead of being tethered to a small label, you can devise a longer sticker that bends around the entirety of the jar. Or, you can use one of the new stickers from Ball
As you start to plan your holiday gift giving, consider this size for your projects. I am certain that my Pear Vanilla Jam would look gorgeous in these jars, as would any number of chutneys, jellies and syrups.
As you can see from the photo above, these smooth-sided jars (on the left) are little squatter than the quilted versions. However, they hold the same amount and the conventional two-piece lids fit them perfectly. That said, if you want to go for a different look, Fillmore also sells one-piece lids that are designed for boiling water bath canning as well. They come in red, green, yellow, black, white, silver and gold and are quite easy to use (I’ll have a tutorial on using one-piece lids up later this week).
Thanks to Fillmore Container, I have a case of 12 jars and 12 one-piece lids (winner gets to choose the color) to give away to one reader of this blog. Here’s what you do to enter.
- Leave a comment on this post and tell me how you’d use these four-ounce, smooth-sided jars.
- Comments will close at 11:59 pm east coast time on Friday, September 28, 2012. Winner will be chosen at random and will be posted to the blog over the weekend.
- Giveaway is open to US residents.
- One comment per person, please. Entries must be left via the comment form on the blog, I cannot accept submissions via email.
Finally, make sure to click on over to the Fillmore Container blog. They have a little interview with me up there right now and have a signed copy of my book, along with my favorite blossom trivet, to give away as well.
Disclosure: Fillmore Container gave me a dozen of these jars and lids to try out and they’re also providing the same for this giveaway. However, my opinions are uninfluenced by the gift and my opinions are entirely my own.
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i would use them for some apple butter
These little jars are so adorable! I would use them for homemade apple butter. My father and I use my grandmother’s copper kettle over a fire outside to make the apple butter. It’s an October tradition that we have recently started, and each time I open the jar, I think about the fun we had while making the apple butter. These jars would allow me to share a taste of that experience with friends and family who live farther away.
Jellies, spices, moisturizer, a hundred uses!
Those are great jars! I think I’d use them for jam, because I’m the only one in my house who likes jam and I always like to have a variety of flavors, but have a hard time eating a big jar of jam before it goes bad.
You’re right that they’d also be perfect for spices.
Definitely Apple butter, apple cranberry jam, and something with pear. Perfect for the fall canning I anticipate doing.
I would fill them with homemade ketchup!! We don’t use a lot of it, so these jars would be perfect!
Plum butter! I love those jars. Thanks for the giveaway!
I would make chocolate kahlua raspberry jam to give away for christmas! Or other celebrations!
I would use them to add a jar of jam to Christmas gift baskets for family and friends with jam, homemade granola, applesauce, chutney and homemade sourdough bread.
Marmalade!
this year i discovered mustard making. the little 4oz. jars would have been perfect for gift giving of the 7 different mustards i made. will have to check out filmore’s be cause i NEVER win these contests. waaaaaaaaah
I completely understand why you love these jars! They would hold everything from spices to craft supplies, but I think I want to can tomato paste in them.
I love them- so cute! I would use them as part of my jam gifts this holiday season. Pear and apple pie jams are topping my to do list at the moment.
KK
I will fill these jars with tomato jam and strawberry rhubarb jam. That way I can give more away(and still have some to enjoy!).
Ohhh…I would use these for jams and chutneys…love the small jars!
I would use these next summer to make jams to give out as presents for Christmas 2013. Yes, I’m already thinking ahead!
Oh, I’m always running out of this size…they are perfect for giving away. If I win…more to give away. Hooray! Working with 18 lbs of pears today.
I have a ton of green tomatoes that I don’t think will ripen before the first frost here in Missouri. So, I plan on trying the green tomato chutney recipe from your book.
Love the blog!
ooh, i love making enough jam to share around the holidays, and these are the perfect size for gift-giving!
I would use the jars for my lovely Meyer Lemon Marmalade. It is such a pretty color and would show up better in the smooth sided jars than in the quilted jars I currently use.
That Vanilla Pear Jam recipe looks so good! But I also think this would be a good size to do smaller servings of vegetables in, for those nights when the kids are all busy doing other things & its just me & the hubby. Hope I win!
Gosh, those jars are gorgeous! With a baby on the way, I’ve been dreaming about all the baby food I can pressure can and have ready to go. Living in Alaska the growing season is pretty fast but furious. I have to take advantage of the yummy fruits and veggies.
I would put my grandma’s pear preserves in that beautiful jar. Thanks for the giveaway.
These are adorable! I think I might experiment with apple butter this fall, so that would probably go into these jars to give as gifts (and this might be the first year in many years that I actually give gifts).
So cute! I would use them to make and store some Dulce de Leche !
It is almost time for Cranberry-Thyme butter. Perfect size jars for Thanksgiving place setting gifts!
I would definitely make more of your Meyer Lemon Curd. That stuff was amazing!
Either for spices or small-batch jams!
Pepper jelly!
Those are beyond cute and PERFECT for upcoming holiday gift giving!
Fig Jam, Kumquat Marmalade, spiced teas, spices, single serving brownies or apple pie… Adorable! Thank you for introducing these delightful jars to us!
What wouldn’t I put in those jars?! I think they would be perfect for jam for gifts. So pretty!
Love the jars! I love collecting and using all sorts of jars to include vintage ones. These are too cute! Thanks for another great giveaway!
I want to make the pear vanilla jam. I get so excited when I see such cute jars
I’m planning to make and give jams, butters, and hot sauce to co-workers. These will be the perfect size for everyone to get a taste of everything!
I’ve only recently found the Fillmore company earlier this week. The prices are awesome and the products look fabulous so I am excited to make some purchases either for this holiday season or in anticipation of next year’s canning season. These little gems would look gorgeous with some pretty pink rosehip jelly in them!
I would use these jars for jalapeño jelly. I find that the 4 oz. size is the perfect amount to pour over a block of cream cheese to serve as an appetizer or bring to a hostess for a gift.
I would for sure fill these with my plethora of fig jam! Perfect size for a cheese plate!
These would be really as gifts or for condiments. How much is shipping at Fillmore???
Jam, mustard? Who knows! But they’re wonderful jars—
Mustard. Lots and lots of mustard!
I’m planning to put up some apple butter for gifts. Love these jars. What a great source!
Beet Relish!
I’m trying pickled nasturtium seeds and they would look lovely in these jars.
pumpkin butter! no question.
I’d use them to make a variety of jams and give them as a variety pack as christmas gifts!
I’m about up to my neck, eyeballs, gills, am inundated with, enjoying a surfeit of, and am practically drowning in unripening Sun Gold tomatoes. My plants are dying despite my daily watering and the fruits just keep on comin’! I am not complaining, certainly, but am at the point where, with a cool snap looming, I would really hate to lose all this bounty and am instead thinking green tomato relish, pickle, jam, whatever. These lovely plain jars would be such a blessing, only outdone by this townhouse container garden’s success. Thanks!
These would be great for my pepper jelly. So cute.
I would love these for christmas gifts ….okok I’ll be honest I’d keep some just for me as well! can you imagine all the jelly or pickled garlic? talk about pretty!
I would definitely make my favorite spiced peach jam!