Cereal Decanting 101 - Why to decant dry pantry items & the best containers for the job
You’ve heard about decanting and want to give it a try but don’t know where to begin? Read on for Decanting 101.
by Kelly Pannullo
April 3, 2021
To decant? Or not to decant? Listen, if I had all the money in the world to buy all the glass canisters in the world, I would decant every single dry pantry item I could! I love opening my pantry and being able to see everything I have in stock with one quick glance.
6 REASONS TO DECANT CEREAL AND OTHER DRY PANTRY GOODS
1.
Saves You Money In The End
Putting your dry goods into airtight containers keeps them fresher, longer. Also, being able to see exactly how much you have left of each product prevents you from unnecessarily overbuying. Both points will save you money in the end.
2.
Looks Like A Million Bucks
Let’s face it. In today’s world of reality TV, we have grown accustomed to seeing extravagant homes with extravagant pantries. So, we all know… clear food storage containers look ah-mazing! And you know what? It’s hard not to want everything you see in those celebrity homes! And while many parts of that lifestyle may be out of reach for the majority of us, an organized pantry filled with clear containers is not! Remember, you don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars and redo your entire pantry all at once. Instead, come up with a small budget that you can begin with and perhaps go shelf by shelf. Purchasing three glass canisters at a time is much more manageable and realistic than purchasing 30 all in one shot!
3.
Promotes Independence in Kids
Decanting your family’s dry snacks into see-through containers allows children to make decisions easier, quicker and independently. Also, if you choose to place the containers at eye-level for your kids (and you trust them!), they can even get their own cereal and snacks without bothering you!
4.
Gives Children A Fun Weekly Chore
Every weekend, my kids and I take all the canisters out of the pantry and line them up on the counter. They decide which items are low and need to be refilled, go get the backstock and start refilling. Believe it or not, they look forward to it! (We started doing this chore when my kids were 4 and 6 years old.)
5.
You Can Control How Much Sugar Is In Your Cereal
Here’s exactly what I do for my kids. (Read and then reflect on your own cereal-situation and try to apply this tip however it works for you.) I buy both of these cereals: 365 Morning O’s and 365 Honey O’s. Obviously, the Honey O’s have more sugar than the Morning O’s. I cut the sugar content in half by decanting in an alternating pattern. A little of the Morning O’s, a little of the Honey O’s, a little Morning, a little Honey, and so on until I’ve reached the top. This way, when the cereal gets poured into the bowls at breakfast, it’s nicely mixed.
6.
You'll Never Run Out Of Your Favorite Pantry Item Again
Because clear storage containers allow you to see exactly how much you have left of your favorite snack, when you start to run low, you’ll be reminded every time you open that pantry door: Must order more! Never again be without your beloved Annie’s!
BEST CONTAINERS TO DECANT CEREAL AND OTHER DRY PANTRY GOODS
1.
- I find these are the best containers for storing nuts
- They look so elegant
- I like that they are tall and slender so you can fit many of them in a small pantry space
- They have an excellent, airtight seal to keep everything fresh/extend shelf-life
- Made of food-grade high borosilicate glass, 100% lead-free
- Perfect for storing and preserving a variety of ingredients including preserves, jams, chutneys, rice, sugar, flour, tea, coffee, herbs, spices, biscuits, etc.
2.
- These beautiful French glass canning jars are so versatile, but I like them best for storing coffee, dried beans, raisins and grains
- Authentically made in France since the early 1930’s
- The sealing mechanism is truly the best in the market
- Made with all-natural materials
- Offered in a large range of various sizes and styles
- Simple to clean
3.
- I use these for everything (not just dry food storage): everyday drinking glasses, iced lattes, leftover soup or tomato sauce, washed small fruits like grapes, blueberries or cherries, the list goes on
- Can easily use these with recipes that call for quart-size jars
- Step-by-step canning instructions are included on bottom of package
- BPA-free
- Pro Tip: Watch the fluctuating price on these! Add these to your cart and then click the “save for later” link. If you feel the current price is too high, monitor it for a few days as it will likely decrease. Then, pounce because these are frequently out of stock and hard to find!
4.
- These storage jars are my favorite for baking ingredients such as flour, sugar, rolled oats, etc.
- Available in several different sizes
- Transparent, smooth, and durable glass
- Removable lid for quick access
- Wide mouth design fits more
- Made in the USA
5.
- Check out the different size options — I use the tallest size (80 oz.) for my cereal
- These are stackable (smaller sizes are good for that) and very sturdy while stacked
- Narrow and uniform, these chic-looking jars will display your pasta, cereal, or anything else that you want to keep fresher longer
- Dishwasher safe
- Made in the USA
6.
- I always avoid buying and using plastic but these are very popular and come highly rated
- This particular set includes: 5 POP Containers: (2) 0.4 Qt, (1) 1.1. Qt and (2) 4.4 Qt; 3 POP Accessories: (2) ½ cup Scoops, (1) Brown Sugar Saver
- Sized to fit baking essentials including 1 lb boxes of brown sugar, 5 lb bags of flour and sugar, baking soda, baking powder, chocolate chips, coconut flakes and more
- BPA free
Easy Pantry Containers Resource List:
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If this article helped you, please find me on Instagram at @cleanandtidylife for more tips, inspiration and motivation to get control of your homelife.
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