Spice storage revisted; magnetic paint, Tupperware, e-bay oh my!

[Phentex]

I decided to reorganize some of my kitchen cabinets and I noticed the spice storage really isn't working out well. I remembered a thread here and found it so I could see what eleny ended up doing. The thread mentions magnetic paint for the little tin spice containers, magnetic spice racks, and Tupperware just to name a few ideas. I have two Tupperware spice carousels already and figured I could pick up a few more on e-bay since they are no longer made.

WOW! Who knew these babies are considered "vintage"? (Frankly, I'm not old enough to own anything vintage!) I COULD NOT believe the price of these things. Some auctions had four of the small spice containers going for close to $30.00. Carousels with a few containers were over fifty bucks! :wow:

Who knew?

So I investigated the magnetic paint and it doesn't sound like it would be strong enough to hold the weight of the spice jar/tin. I'm leaning toward placing a magnetic board on the wall near the stove and using that for my 20 most frequently used spices. The rest I could store inside cabinets on magnetic holders and it would probably free up a ton of space in the cabinets. I've seen a few different kinds of tins but want the kind that have the spice holes in them.

But back to Tupperware. I have at least 50 containers and 2 carousels. I think I could sell them on ebay and more than recoup what I spend on the new magnetic system. For those who sell, would it be better to break up the containers into small amounts or 2 larger sets or the whole blasted thing? I also have extra labels and lids somewhere. And for that matter, I've got stuff in my Tupperware Death Valley cabinet that could also stand to get sold. I never knew Tupperware was in such high demand.

Any tips (ebay, etc.)? Anyone have the magnetic system and love it?

[politicat]

1. I have a sort of similar solution.

We bought velcro and put the soft strips up on the inside of the cabinets. I bought low-profile tins from an online bulk retailer (a gross of .5 inch deep by 3 inch wide tins) and some china markers. Squares of the hard side of the velcro go on the bottom of the tins and then we stick 'em to the strips inside the cabinets. The tins, by the way, come in really handy for other things - like thumbtacks, as a disposal zone for single edged razor blades, travelling ashtrays for my smoker friends.... I don't regret buying so many at all.

I bloody hate Tupperware, so all I can say is good for you! (My mother sold it. When I moved out, she tried for foist a hell of a lot of it on me, and I really, really, really hate plastic in all of its forms. She is disgusted with me because I don't have plastic storage containers at all in my house (mason jars and corning ware and my dinnerware) but such is the damage in which excesses in childhood damage the resulting adult....)

[Phentex]

4. I hadn't thought of velcro....

Do your tins have the spice holes? I've seen some with and some without.

Thanks for the tips.

[politicat]

10. No, they don't have the shaker holes.

I tend to measure things or toast the spices on my own so the holes have never been really useful to me, and I was desperate to find a solution that didn't take up a lot of shelf-space; as spacious and capricious as my kitchen is, it does not have an adequate cabinet network for dishes, and spices and the other things I want to store.

I know they're available, though; and worst case, get the supermarket tins and refill them as needed from bulks.

[Duer 157099]

2. I'm still in spice-organization-limbo

But as far as ebay goes, if you just want to get rid of it fast, do it all in 1 or 2 batches. If you want to maximize your profit, sell them individually. Or, group lesser demand items with high demand items. It will take more time than just selling as a lot, but could be worth it.

[Phentex]

5. Thanks. I guess I need to get my

other storage in place before I even think about selling. Gotta have something to do with the stuff still in the containers.

I also have some of those adjustable shelves but I'm short and they don't seem to help much.

Maybe I just have too many spices..... is it possible? :)

[Rabrrrrrr]

3. I would go with politicat's (and Alton Brown's) method of velcro

and small tins. I don't have cabinet drawers that would let me do that, so all my spices are in a drawer (though that works very well for me). But I love the velcro on the door idea.

[Phentex]

6. I love the velcro idea too!

I have a drawer with nothing but pot holders and dish towels where I could put some spices.

Now, I'm just reminding myself how badly I have things organized. :scared:

[sazemisery]

7. I have the magnetic strips and metal tins

I love them 'cause they are easy to dip your measuring spoon into and a pinch is easily retrieved. I don't really care for the holes on the sides 'cause you gotta make sure when you put it on the wall that they are closed. I put mine on the side of the fridge.

I bought them at Lowe's. Each strip has 8 tins. But look what I found on the INTERNETS!!!

http://www.bayvillagestore.com/sptimasetof3.html

You could get magnetic strips and hang them to attach your tins to any non-magnetic surface

[NMDemDist2]

8. nice store, good selection and great prices! n/t

[Phentex]

9. Never thought of Lowe's. I just saw those at Bed, Bath & Beyond...

for 1.99 each or sets of 12 on a large board.

Thanks for the link!

[Duer 157099]

11. Those are the ones I got too

They stick to the fridge, but I was quite reluctant to put them there, thinking they'd get dislodged too easily.

So, I stuck them onto a cheap metal baking sheet I had and slide that sideways (upright) into a cabinet

Got the tins at World Market for $2/each.