Can I re-use my Baby Food Jars?
Can I re-use my Baby Food Jars?
If you want to reuse old baby food jars, ask yourself these three questions first.
- Do you plan to use old baby food jars for a vase or craft project where you’re not expecting the lid to do anything important?
- Do you want to preserve food in old baby food jars?
- Do you want to use old baby food jars for anything that you don’t want leaking or spilling?
If you answered YES to #2 & #3 you’ll want to consider finding different jars for your project. Baby food jars are fine for a vase or craft project, but if you want to store something, or preserve food in these jars please read this post first!
Here’s what you need to know about reusing baby food jars:
Most baby food manufacturers utilize Press-on/Twist-off (PT) closures on their glass jars. In this application, the sealing compound (plastisol) covers more of the lid (which contains no threading) and is pressed into the threads of the jar through a high-speed Vapour-Vacuum System. During that process, the plastisol takes on the shape of the threads on the finish of the glass.
Notice there are multiple threads on the finish of the jar. While this allows for easy lid removal, and claims of easy re-application, it does not allow you to place the lid back on in its original position, and why many a parent has had a leaking or spilling of that partially used jar placed back into your baby bag. It’s almost impossible to get those multiple threads lined up perfectly. See the crooked lid in the image below.
In speaking with a representative from Beechnut, the choice to use this type of closure was purely a safety measure to ensure the safety of the food. Beechnut’s site (as other sites) recommend that opened baby food be refrigerated and eaten within 2 – 3 days.
Even if you are not concerned about the contents “going bad” because they won’t be consumed, it is unwise to attempt to use the lids with the jars. They will not provide a reliable seal because you are unable to replicate the process initially used to apply them.
Because the proper application of the lids requires an automated capper system, the replacement caps are not readily available.
If you have a project in mind that just uses the jar – no problem! We encourage the re-purposing and up-cycling of packaging whenever it’s safely possible. There are many creative and useful ways to just use the jars. But, if your project involves the lid, please consider using a safer option.
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Are baby food jar lids oven safe? I’m wondering for a polymer clay craft idea. Thanks
Hi Danielle,
Using the jars in the oven (and freezing) are out the norm for what glass jars are manufactured for, so both are testing process. With any glass you need to be aware of thermal shock, the possibility of breakage if the glass changes more than 90 degrees within an hour. People do use the glass for oven products, but we can only tell you to test it with your process. Does this answer your question?
Does anyone know if it’s safe to wash the lids of the baby food jars in the dishwasher (top rack only)? I’ve looked everywhere and can’t find info. I use these jars to store my homemade diaper cream. I rarely have an issue with leakage or getting the lids to match back up. I just need to know if I’m stuck handwashing all these lids or if I can put them in my top rack container usually used for bottle pieces.
Hi Claire,
Washing in the dishwasher should be okay, although it will lead to rust and eventually shorten the life of the lids. Please also remember that used baby jars/lids should not be used for preserving food, and will not provide a solid seal for liquid items.
I have Gerber baby food jars with no lids and would like to use them as craft storage – are there lids available that work with the existing threads?
Hi Lynda,
I am sorry, we do not have lids that will work for Gerber baby food jars. Gerber has proprietary packaging that does not fit standard lids, which is what we sell. Gerber uses a unique style lug. Lug is the closure system where the container has multiple threads and the lid has an equal number of lugs or tabs that grip the corresponding threads; also known as “twist-off” closures.
Will baby food jars break over a flame?
Hi Aaron,
We don’t recommend exposing any type of glass jar to abrupt temperature changes.
I want to reuse baby food jars for gifts for jam samples. Is there any way to seal them? Or are there lids that can be applied
Hi Penny,
As indicated in this blog post, we do not recommend re-using baby food jars for any type of food preserve, as they are unable to be sealed properly. Many of our customers do fill small jars filled with jams, here are some jars that are popular with our customers, and are safe to use.
I have a lot of “Earth’s Best” small glass baby food jars, about 20 years old, and would like to find a simple plastic replacement lid. Not for food storage, don’t need an air-tight seal. The jar threads measure 49.8mm (1.96″) outside and are not a continuous thread but are comprised of 10 individual overlapping small threads. Any suggestions? Thanks.
Hi David,
We looked into these jars, and the sizing information you provided, (thank you for providing that) and it is not a standard size lid. We believe that these jars have a proprietary lid, made for that company to match those jars. So, sadly we don’t think that you’ll find a lid that would work on those jars.
Do you sell a lid that fits on a Beechnut baby food jar? Not the classic jar but the newer/taller model. It doesn’t have to fully seal or be air tight.
Hello Connor, Since Beechnut jars have traditionally been very custom, it has made sourcing lids unlikely. If you can provide the measurements and finish details, that would provide a starting point.
Are beech nut baby food jars safe to use for candles?
Hi Erica, We don’t carry them, so we can’t guarantee their safety. Since they are made for food processing, it’s likely that they would be, but since they’re so small, testing for the proper wick would be important to avoid thermal shock.