Information About Five Gallon Mason Jars

History

• Canning jars started being produced in the late 1890s and were developed by glass manufacturers into Mason jars made by machines. At the time, the fact that the jars were made by machine was quite significant; the machine-made quality was evidenced in the neck and mouth of the bottle, as they were wider than glass bottles blown by humans.

Size and Description

• The 5-gallon Mason jar is not very common and is quite large for a Mason jar. Most Mason jars are pint or cup sized, and quart and half-gallon sizes are also available, in addition to the larger sizes.

  Jars are either wide-mouthed or regular-mouthed. Regular mouthed have a smaller opening and are better for liquids, since pouring can be controlled.

  Mason jars are usually made with clear glass. Depending on the brand, some may have an inscription or a raised design on the glass. Mason jars are made of thick glass, so they are sturdy and stable.

Uses

• A 5-gallon mason jar is quite large, so it won't be practical to use for juices or water in the fridge. Rather, it could be used to collect rainwater outdoors, used as a planter or used as dry storage for something like dog food.

  Mason jars are also popular as house decorations. Five-gallon jars could be used for toy storage, in a candle display, or even utilized as a trash bin. Since a 5-gallon jar is so large, it can also fit bath towels, kitchen towels, place mats, tablecloths or similar linens.

Where to Find Them

• Due to their size, 5-gallon Mason jars are harder to find than their counterparts. Antique stores and yard sales are some options for browsing for these giant jars, but it is more likely that one could be found easily on the Internet. Antiques sites and large shopping sites such as Amazon.com, eBay, and Nextag have such jars, and similar jars, available. Cooking supply sites and canning supply sites also have a variety of Mason jars available, with a wide choice of brands and size. Canningpantry.com, specialtybottle.com and freshpreservingstore.com are the most common of these sites.

Eco-Friendly Benefits

• Plastic storage totes are easier to find than jumbo-size Mason jars, which are often touted for their eco-friendly benefits. Such jars, being glass, are recyclable. In addition, they can often be bought used and reused many times without wearing out. Glass also does not emit chemicals, as plastic does, when heated, making it a healthier candidate for food storage. They are also made from natural material found in sand, as opposed to plastic, which is fabricated and manufactured. While both plastic jars and glass jars provide the same uses and some of the same options, some people prefer glass for their eco-friendly benefits and style.