Do you decant all your dry foods in to containers? What sort do you have?

[linspins]

My poor food cupboard needs a good sort out and I'm wondering whether to buy containers to pour stuff in to: rice, pasta, flour etc. Do you have nice matching ones? Or any old tupperware? Is it worth the bother? And what about the cooking instructions - do you cut these out and put it inside? I'm guessing they need to be really airtight.

[PhyllisDiller]

I bought this make of boxes in a few sizes and then this and a couple of these.

My kitchen is v v small, but with one (good old) Lakeland order I managed to double what I could fit into the cupboards, the catalogue is better as they seem to have more of the boxes. I don't decant ready made cereal, but I do put rice, oats, pasta etc. Most stuff I use a lot so I don't need the instructions as it were.

[AKMD]

I keep dry goods in bog-standard tupperware boxes. They stack easily and I don't spill half the contents when the re-sealable seals lose their stick. TBH you don't really need to keep the instructions for dry goods unless they are artisan ingredients that need special TLC. I do label different flours and sugars on the outside though as it's a bit hard to tell the difference between plain and self-raising!

[AKMD]

Oh and yes, they do need to be really airtight. The boxes that have flaps to keep the seal very tight are great.

[linspins]

Phyllis, I've got a few of those lockable boxes already for picnics, snacks etc but hadn't appreciated how many there are in the range. I like the look of the onion one!
I'm worried I'd forget whether it was 5 minute quick cook pasta or the stuff that takes 15 mins...and I know I could just taste it as it cooks but yes, it would be better to write what it was. AKMD what do you write on your boxes with?

[BizzeeBee]

I cut the cooking instructions from the packet and just put them in the jar as a reminder of how long it needs to be cooked, or to help me know if it is basmati rice or jasmine rice etc

You just have to remember to not let it fall into your saucepan of boiling water...

[queenmaeve]

bizzieebee i love that tip!

[Zwitterion]

I use old Kilner jars, either screw top jam jars or the wire clip jobs. I use a sharpie to write the contents on if not obvious, this usually comes off in the dishwasher when the jar is empty so I can start again with new contents.

I've also got some lovely 1970's fridge door jugs with red lids that we store rice, lentils in etc. I love them but only have 5 so far!