Where Can I Find Mason Jars? Best Places to Shop and What to Look For
Quick Answer
You can find mason jars in most supermarkets (usually near the baking or preserving aisle), hardware and DIY stores, kitchen and homeware shops, farm and garden supply stores, craft shops and online. For canning, buy new jars made from tempered glass with two-piece lids. For storage, crafts or drinking, second-hand and decorative jars are fine as long as they're free of chips and cracks.
Key Takeaways
- Preserving supplies are often seasonal in shops, so stock is best in late summer and autumn.
- Buying a case of 12 is usually much cheaper per jar than buying singles.
- Regular-mouth jars have an opening of about 70 mm, while wide-mouth jars are about 86 mm, which is easier to fill and clean.
- Flat canning lids are designed for a single seal, while the screw bands can be reused.
- Vintage jars look lovely but are best kept for storage and decoration, not pressure canning.
Where to Find Mason Jars
Most people can pick up mason jars without a special trip, though range and price vary a lot by store type. This table shows what to expect from each.
| Where to shop | What you'll find | Good for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supermarkets | Small packs, common sizes, spare lids | Quick top-ups | Limited sizes, seasonal stock |
| Hardware and DIY stores | Cases of jars, canning tools | Bulk canning supplies | Fewer decorative styles |
| Kitchen and homeware shops | Storage jars, airtight lids, pretty designs | Pantry storage, gifts | Some aren't made for canning |
| Farm and garden supply stores | Large quantities, preserving kits | Serious home canners | Not in every town |
| Craft shops | Coloured and decorative jars | Weddings, candles, crafts | Often not food-safe for canning |
| Online stores | Every size and lid type | Specific sizes, bulk buys | Glass can break in transit |
| Charity and second-hand shops | Cheap vintage jars | Decoration, dry storage | Chips, old lids, unknown history |
What to Look For in Mason Jars
- Purpose: canning jars use thicker, tempered glass designed for heat, while storage jars may not be.
- Mouth size: wide-mouth for whole fruit, pickles and easy cleaning, regular for jams and sauces.
- Size: from small 120 ml jelly jars to 1-litre quart jars and larger.
- Lids: two-piece lids for canning, one-piece or airtight lids for everyday storage.
- Condition: run a finger around the rim to check for nicks, which stop lids sealing.
Common Sizes and Uses
- About 120 ml (4 oz): jams, sauces, spices, favours.
- About 240 ml (8 oz, half-pint): jams, chutneys, small salads.
- About 470 ml (16 oz, pint): pickles, salsa, overnight oats, drinks.
- About 950 ml (32 oz, quart): tomatoes, stock, dried goods.
- About 1.9 litres (64 oz, half-gallon): flour, rice, pasta and bulk storage.
If you're using jars to tidy up the kitchen, our guide to home organisation products has more storage ideas, and our step-by-step guide on how to choose a closet organizer covers the rest of the house.
What to Expect at Each Price
| Price (USD) | What you usually get | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Under $15 | Single jars, small packs, spare lids | Gifts, crafts, trying a size |
| $15 to $30 | Cases of 12 standard jars, airtight storage jars | Most home cooks |
| $30 to $60 | Large jars, wide-mouth cases, canning starter kits | Regular preservers |
| $60 and up | Big multipacks, fermentation kits, glass canister sets | Serious canners and bulk storage |
For most people, mason jars bought by the case in the $15 to $30 range give the best value, with lids bought separately as you need them.
Food Safety Tips
If you're canning, follow tested recipes and processing times from a trusted food safety source, use new flat lids each time and check that every lid has sealed before storing. Avoid sudden temperature changes, such as pouring boiling liquid into a cold jar or putting a hot jar on a wet surface, as the glass can crack. For freezing, use straight-sided jars and leave at least 2 to 3 cm of space at the top so contents can expand. Discard any jar with a chipped rim, bulging lid or off smell, and if you're unsure about a preserve, throw it out.
Our Picks From the Global Swanky Store
We don't currently stock true canning-grade mason jars, so these glass storage jars and a mason jar light are the closest useful items in our range.
The Glass Storage Jar with Airtight Vacuum Seal for Fresh Food is $25.14, for keeping coffee, grains and snacks fresh.
A vacuum-style seal suits pantry storage where keeping air out matters, and it's the one I'd choose for everyday kitchen use.
The Glass Jar with Airtight Lid Spoon Clear Glass Candy Jars Wooden Handle Lids Wide Mouth Glass Coffee Storage Canister for Food Kitchen Sugar Cookie Tea Decorative is $13.99, suited to sugar, tea and biscuits on the worktop.
A wide mouth and built-in spoon make it easy to scoop from.
The Acacia Glass Storage Can for Coarse Grain Kitchen Storage Use is $14.99, for rice, oats and lentils.
A wooden lid gives a warmer look than metal, and clear glass shows when you're running low.
The Solar Mason Jar Outdoor Hanging Light - Waterproof LED Lantern for Garden is $23.13, made for gardens, patios and summer parties.
A ready-made mason jar lantern saves the DIY, charging by day and glowing at night.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reuse mason jar lids?
Bands can be reused, but flat canning lids should be replaced for each new canning batch.
Are these jars dishwasher safe?
Most glass jars are, though hand-washing lids helps them last longer.
Can glass jars go in the freezer?
Yes, if they're straight-sided and you leave space at the top for expansion.
Can I use old jam jars for canning?
It's safer not to, as many aren't designed for repeated heat processing.
Are mason jars microwave safe?
The glass usually is, but always remove metal lids and bands first.
Our Recommendation
For canning, buy new mason jars by the case from a hardware, farm or supermarket preserving aisle, choosing wide-mouth jars and fresh flat lids. For storage, crafts or drinks, any clean, chip-free jar will do, so homeware shops and second-hand finds are perfectly good options.