Updated May 2022
The Penley jars discussed in the post below are no longer in production. This post is originally from 2011. If you are looking to purchase canning jars that aren’t made by Ball Canning, I recommend you look to a jar distributor like Fillmore Container. They sell a wide variety of mason jars.
Canning jars, at least as we know them now, have been around since 1868. John L. Mason developed the system of a threaded jar with a lid designed for sealing (he used lead lids with a rubber seal, not exactly the two-piece lid we know now, but very close). The technology hasn’t change much since then.
It used to be that there were a number of canning jar manufacturers. Ball. Kerr. Atlas. Drey. Mason. Globe. Mom’s. Knox. Golden Harvest. However, as so often happens, through a process of competition and consolidation, the number of jar producers grew fewer over the years.
In 1993, the Ball Corporation (which by that time was the only domestic canning jar manufacturer) spun off their canning jar sector into the company that is now known at Jarden Home Brands. They make all the Ball, Kerr and Golden Harvest jars currently available in stores. One of the reasons that canning jars can be so pricey is that there’s been no competition in this sector of the market.*
However, thanks to the growing popularity of canning in recent years, we’re finally going to start seeing some new canning jars hit the market this season. Walmart has a line of mason jars called Mainstays, as well as a fancier variety branded with the Better Homes and Garden name. And soon, a variety of stores will be carrying Penley Mason jars (these are not the jars that Walmart is carrying). Those Penley jars are the ones I want to talk about today.
I recently had an opportunity to preview the line of jars made by the Penley Corporation. Up until now, they’ve been in the business of making and distributing clothespins, matches, toothpicks, plastic cutlery and drinking straws. Canning jars are a departure for them, but from the examples I’ve seen, they are doing an amazingly good job with their new product.
In most respects, they are physically nearly identical to the jars most of us currently use. They make pints and quarts in both regular and wide mouth and an embossed half pint in a regular mouth. Lids and rings are interchangeable between Ball, Kerr and Penley, which is fabulous for those of us who already have a stash of lids or who are planning on using Tattler lids this season.
When I met with the Penley rep, he pointed out the fact that they intentionally left the back of their pints and quarts smooth to better accommodate the labels that so many canners apply to their jars. I was happy to see that particularly since I’ve always hated the round of wheat and fruit on the back of the Ball jars (in researching this post, I learned that it’s been there since 1970).
As far as performance goes, I’ve canned in these jars several times now and they’ve been perfect, not a failed seal among them. What’s more, they just feel good in the hand. They are sturdy and solid, just the way I expect a good canning jar to be. As you can see from the picture above, there’s a water spot left on that jar from a run through the dishwasher, there because I’ve used this jar for leftover storage and the transportation of iced coffee to work. They’ve seamlessly become part of my collection of working jars.
Finally (and best of all), they are going to be less expensive than Ball or Kerr jars. While it will only be a dollar or two difference, if you do a lot of canning, that can add up quickly.
As far as I can see, there are only two drawbacks to these jars. The first is that they’ve left no space on the lid for writing. As someone who always writes on the lids of my preserves with a Sharpie, this is a minor annoyance. Second is that the jars are made in China. I pass no judgment on Penley for making this choice as in today’s market it is really the only way to make a lower cost product. If you are someone who avoids things made outside of the U.S. I wanted to make sure you were aware (and as you can see, they’ve clearly printed the origin on the bottom of all the Penley jars).
Disclosure: The Penley Corp. gave me an assortment of jars and lids to try. However, all thoughts and opinions expresses herein are my own and untainted by the free loot.
*There are the Leifheit jars, but they are so much more expensive (around $20 for six jars) than Ball and Kerr jars, that I don’t see them as a viable alternative for people who do more than the most basic recreational canning.
I use jars to hold sewing supplies — bobbins, buttons, bits of ribbon, etc.
Most of my use is conventional, but I do have a quart jar that I use for hand soap — bought a conversion kit with a pump and lid, filled with hand soap and …….presto!
I’ve only just begun canning, so I have no unusual uses for my jars yet. These would sure help me as I start my second canning season!
New jars are good news, especially with the insane garden I am growing this year. I put in 54 tomato plants yesterday. I guess my most unconventional use of a canning jar is the lamp I made from one in my reading area.
I use jars for my lunch containers. I love to put salads in them and when it’s time to dress the salad I pour some in and shake it up. PERFECT.
TEA…I love loose tea and I see no point in keeping them in a plastic zip bag or cannister. Loose tea is so pretty with all the leaves,flowers and fruit peels. I put my tea in mason jars on display with my extra tea pots.
Using them to transport liquids with a minimum of mess
I would love to win a new set of caning jars. I get most of my canning jars from yard sales and auctions. Brand new would be a novelty to me, lol.
I getcha on the fruit on the ball mason jars…would love to label my jars especially ones I gift. And speaking of gifting, would love to have a cheaper jar as I never seem to get them back, even when I promise refills! What’s with that?
Am just recently getting into canning, but I use mason jars for literally everything! I’m in college and just took a course “The environment and human health”…I got out of class one day and sped out to a local farm to grab raw milk and [tried to] process yogurt after I had learned on the dangers of storing food in plastic! But anyways, I really use them for anything and everything; absolutely love opening the fridge to see 3 shelves of assorted jars full of different colors and textures (sauces, various pickles, jams, that morning’s coffee, roasted red peppers, beans, soups–carrot and ginger, ah!–chutney, milk, oatmeal……), the sign of a productive day! I’m also really looking forward to my second summer gardening, this year I’m making it my goal to try and preserve as much as I possibly can for the following fall/winter. Love your blog (just used your dilly bean recipe!) and thanks for the opportunity to enter!
Lauren
I am new to canning so it may not be unconventional but baking in jars is such a neat idea-it’s a dessert and a gift in one!
I like to use jars to feed one of my other obsessions – knitting. I use the jars to hand dye yarn!
I eat my oatmeal out of a jar on the bus when I’m running late.
I store loose tea in mine! Also I’ve used canning rings to make crumpets.
I store my baking soda in an old half-pint mason jar so it stays fresh and doesn’t pick up funky flavors or odors. I also use a lot of jars for leftovers (especially half-used cans of beans or tomatoes).
Would love to try these out. What a great giveaway!
favorite unconventional use of canning jars? there are so many! just a few: to hold pencils/markers/scissors (art supplies); small jars fit in my yogurt maker; to hold fresh flowers and herbs; big jars for brewing sun tea. I could go on, but I won’t. thanks for the giveaway. no such thing as too many jars!
I attempted to make rock candy using a mason jar.
I am also very conventional, but I recently used a jar to store my lemon curd, and, because of your blog, used it on Greek yogurt. MMMMM.
My most unconventional use of canning jars is a homemade moss terrarium. I like to collect the moss in the fall, and all winter you can watch your bit of green nature when its so white and dreary outside. Broken pottery bits on the bottom are good to look at and add drainage.
Most unusual use for a canning jar for me: as a chick fount!
Hokay, so, I’m pretty conventional with my jars, but a few have been pressed into service for leftovers, and there is one in regular rotation holding my cold brew coffee concentrate. Yum. I have found with the plastic lids, the seal is not water tight, which is why I don’t transport with them, otherwise I totally would, as I try to avoid heating plastic, and all my ‘tupperware’ is plastic, so that means bringing a second dish. 🙁
I use canning jars for everything……..would love more. I’m glad there is some competition. I would love to see the old 20 oz jars made again.
I soak rolled oats in a jar with a splash of apple cider vinegar and then cook them up in the morning. Helps to neutralize phytates and also makes them quick to cook.
i use canning jars to store my homemade oat/rice milk.
I sort buttons into three jars by color (light, medium and dark) so I can easily find a match.
I keep salt in a pint jar – easier to get to when baking 🙂
I use 1 qt canning jars for my Sourdough starter. When time to replenish I just add old sourdough starter and 1 cup water/1 cup flour and all good to go in a new/clean jar.
I’ve stored marbles in canning jars. Thanks for the chance to win!
I store lots of things in them…mostly food.
I like to use them for drinking glasses.
We too use the jars for everything from loose change to wonderful preserves.
I only use mine for canning. I don’t have that many!!
Excited about new jars! I’m new to canning, so right now I don’t use my jars for anything but canning – I love them all lined up in their boxes, waiting to be filled with delicious treats (like those breakfast cups you posted last week – holy cow, yum).
i use canning jars (with cheesecloth on top) for growing sprouts in my windowsill!
I also use small sizes to take drinks with me instead of a water bottle.
I have a friend who keeps his Mason jars in the freezer for drinking his homemade beer from.
The new jars look great, unfortunate that they are not made in America though. I would be happy to try them and compare them with brands I have used in the past. It is good to know that you had no failed seals when using these jars. I use canning jars for everything from coin jars in the laundry room to storing my dried herbs.
I started canning in 2007 and have not stopped since. My first Mason jars were donated to me. I especially enjoy all the different designs. My neighbor lady gave me some plum jam in the bicentennial jar! The most unconventional method of use would be storage for milk from our goats! That way I always have a glass ready for when I go to work and then the larger jars for in the fridge!
Nice jars & I’m sooo excited to see the book. Today’s fun includes starting ferments for mustard condiment and lemon preserves. Rhubarb, apple and ginger preserves if I get to them. I’m sure I could fill another set of 12 jars. Love that your offering them:)
I have to add, we really do celebrate our jars. There is one jar on the kitchen counter with flowers in it now. (A huge poppy & a orchid) 🙂
I would love to try these. I use Mason jars to store all of my dry goods as well as frozen soups, sauces and stocks.
Cake in a jar! Although, I suppose that’s not so unconventional. Canning jars are so versatile, they can be used in every room of the house. I can always use extras!
I recently hosted a buffet-style brunch at my house (featuring homemade lemon curd and orange marmalade!) and used large canning jars to hold silverware. Very handy and also in keeping with the theme of homemade preserves.
i use them for various things
pen/pencil/marker holder.
leftover food
bulk items in the grocery store
crafts
buttons
compost
herbs
I keep my collection of antique knitting needles in an old, blue, sloped shoulder half gallon jar. My husband also uses my empty quart jars as beer mugs 🙂
My favorite unconventional use came when my oldest son was married. Having grown up it TX, he wanted a traditional TX barbeque for the rehearsal dinner. I used pint canning jars as drink glasses and 1/2 gallon ones for flower arrangements from the farmer’s market.
I am happy that home canning is making a comeback. I freeze liquids (broth/ soup) if I don’t have enough to can.
It is good to see more manufacturers. Hopefully it will lower the price. And although buying American is nice I have to save every penny I can.
not exactly and unconventional use- but very handy. I live in the south where it is hot and humid all summer. I use jars to store everything that might be attractive to the various bugs/gnats/weevils that take over when it gets hot. Regular canisters don’t seal to keep them out, but jars sure do the trick! I keep sugar/flour/cereal/gummy bears/you name it in jars!
I love glass jars and bottles. I’ve never trusted plastic – don’t like how it looks or feels. But glass —- that’s another story. I use “fruit” jars for canning, for water kefir, for milk kefir, for kombucha, for storing dehydrated things, even for decoration(old wooden tread spools look great in a jar!) One can never have enough! Thanks for running this giveaway.
We use ’em for everything storage. They’re here in the house as bulk storage, in the barn as storage for screws, nails & other small items, I’m currently making apple cider vinegar in one!!!
I would love to have the jars. I love making Zuc Relish and tomatoes. The crazies thing that I have done is make candles in jars! They are so pretty!! Thanks for the chance to make more Zuc Relish!!