The Pouring Jar

This tutorial will show you how to convert a canning jar into a jar that pours. This was not my idea. This was the idea of Rachel Bush and I wanted to share it with you.

You will need:

- a canning jar. In the photo is shown a wide mouth half gallon canning jar. If you use a small mouth jar, you may find that you can skip some of the steps. Also, you can use different size canning jars. Since they tend to use the same size rings, you can move your contents to different jars at later times if you need a different size.

-a salt box or other cardboard box with a pour spout.

-hot glue gun

Start by opening the salt container carefully. Using the lid of the canning jar as a template, trace around the lid on the side of the box so there are no fold seams. Also, trace around the spout.

In the photo above, notice that the spout section doesn’t cover a complete circle. That is okay. 

*If you use a small mouth jar, you may only need to trace carefully around the spout. You might be able to skip the prep of the circle section of cardboard completely. Just make sure the spout has enough cardboard to make a snug fit so the contents don't spill out and that pests cannot get in.

Cut out the circle and the spout. They will be too large to fit into the canning ring. Trim the circle section carefully until it will snap into the ring section. It should not fall out or be too loose. To check, add a teaspoon of salt (or whatever will be kept in this jar) and tighten the ring with the cardboard in place. Turn the jar upside down. None of the contents should fall out. This will help prevent pests from getting into your jars. 

Gently remove the circle so the spout section can be cut.

*Leave the salt (or other contents) in the jar. You will use it to test the seal later.

Measure the spout. This one measured an inch and a quarter tall (include the cardboard section below the spout.) It was about three quarters of an inch wide. Mark those measurements onto the back of the circle cardboard section.

Cut out the section. Then mark the glue line. I left plenty of space between the cut section and the hot glue mark.  I wasn’t sure how it would fit. Next time, I won’t use such a wide space.

Glue along the lines and affix the spout so it is facing out. In this tutorial, it won’t matter if the spout opens on the colored part of the cardboard or the back.

I had the spout so that it poured so you could see the blue color of the salt box because this canning jar will hold salt. Next time, I may have the cardboard section facing out and write the contents of the jar on the cardboard.

 Insert the circle cardboard section back into the ring of the canning jar. Then screw the ring onto the canning jar. Keep the spout closed and turn upside down. (You should have left the salt in the jar, if not, add a teaspoon back into the jar.) You should not have any leaks. This helps prevent pests from getting into the jar.

Now you have a pouring jar.