The hardest part of moving isn’t buying boxes or hiring a moving company. It’s deciding which spices you’re going to take with you.
You can always pick up more salt and pepper when you get to your new home. Other spices, however, are a little more difficult to replace. Cardamom and vanilla bean are notoriously expensive, and the jars are fragile.
If you’re like most people, you’re not sure how to pack spices for moving without breaking the containers. The good news is that there are many methods that can work. Continue reading for tips that will help you pack your kitchen.
Talk to Your Moving Company
If you’re moving to the next town over, you can box up your spices yourself and take them with you. If you’re going to be moving from California to NYC, that’s a different story. You’ll have to hire movers.
It’s a good idea to settle on a company before you begin packing spices for moving. Some businesses will take care of the job for you.
Some have a policy against transporting spices at all. They’re worried it will ruin your items and attract pests.
Out With the Old
Before you begin tossing your spices in a box, it’s a good idea to declutter. You don’t want to waste space by packing expired cardamom.
Set aside containers that are almost empty. You can use them before the move instead of taking them with you.
Again, you don’t need to bother packing old goods. Toss away anything that’s past its expiration date or no longer has any flavor.
If you have any unopened salt and pepper, try gifting them to friends and neighbors. These spices are inexpensive enough for you to replenish your supply when you arrive at your new home.
Remove the spices you want to take with you on your journey and set them off to the side. Keep them separate from the products you plan to toss or give away.
Seal Your Spices
Check all your jars to make sure the lid is on nice and tight, and tape them up. Place your jars in plastic bags. This way, if the containers do break, the spices won’t escape and stain your belongings.
If you are taking your salt and pepper with you, place tissue paper over the shaker holes and tape it in place.
Gourmet oils and vinegar can be almost expensive as exotic spices. If you want to take them along with you rather than replace them, you’ll need to make sure they’re sealed up.
Consider opening them, placing a piece of plastic wrap over the mouth of the bottles, and screwing the caps back on. They could still leak, but taking this extra precaution will make it less likely.
You could also put your oils in a zip-lock bag. If they require refrigeration and you’re moving a great distance, give them to a family member or friend instead of wasting them.
Use Padding
Now that you’ve sealed all your jars, it’s time to wrap them in bubble wrap or packing paper. Doing so will prevent the glass from clinking together during transit.
If you want to kill two birds with one stone, consider wrapping the jars in your kitchen hand towels. That will check another thing off your packing list and protect your spices at the same time.
Invest in Strong Boxes
Invest in a strong box to place your spices in. Be sure to line it with bubble wrap and paper. That will fill the gaps inside the box and prevent your jars from moving around too much on the moving truck.
Be sure to label your spice boxes. This way, you can find them easily when it’s time to prepare the first home-cooked meal in your new place.
Use Your Kitchenware
If you want to save space on the moving truck, consider packing your spices inside your pots and pans instead of using boxes. The principle is pretty much the same.
Line your pots with newspaper and place your spices inside. Fill any gaps in the pots with additional tissue paper to prevent your jars from knocking around too much.
If your jars do clash together and break, the pots will keep the mess confined to one place, so you don’t have to worry about turmeric staining your furniture and clothes.
Consider Space Saving Containers
Packing twelve spice jars will take up a lot of room on the moving truck. That’s why you should pour your spices into space-saving containers.
That will allow you to store several products at once. You can also use pill organizers.
Once again, labeling is important here. Paprika looks a lot like cayenne, and cinnamon looks like cumin. If you’re cooking in a hurry, you might make a very unfortunate and spicy mistake.
How to Pack Spices for Moving Without Breaking Your Jars
If you’re not sure how to pack spices for moving, it can be pretty challenging. It only takes one slip-up to spill cinnamon and turmeric all over the moving truck.
You’ve got to make sure the lids on your spice jars are nice and tight. Don’t be afraid to use plenty of packing paper and bubble wrap. Invest in sturdy boxes or use your cooking pots.
Organize your pantry before you begin packing, so you don’t take along expired spices.
For more tips that will help you prepare for moving day, visit the Lifestyle section of our blog.
