Spice Rack

SparciaM

My OH has said that he'll buy me a spice rack as a present. Yet I was wondering what is best.

One with all spices with it, or an empty one and then you fill.

At Argos you can get a 16 spin wheel rack empty for £14.99 and the next best comparable rack I've seen with spices included is around the £30-£40 price tag.

How much are spices nowadays to fill in the jars? Around 50p - £1? As I was thinking it'd probably work out cheaper buying an empty one and then filling as you go.

Anybody have any ideas on a rack, my OH budget is £50 all in, but I'd like to keep it as low as possible.

rachbc

I'd go for empty and fill with what you use rather than what they think you will use - jars of spices are from 50p up depending on the spice - once you have used the first jar full keep it and buy refill bags from an Indian shop if you can - much cheaper

edited to say just realised the rack coomes with empty jars do def get bags from asian shop if you can

sunflower76

I buy all my spices and herbs from a local asian supermarket as the prices are so much lower. As I already had lots of half empty jars of herbs and spices I've re-filled them as needed. Ikea sell little jars from around 90p. I spend around the same amount on a big bag of something in the asian supermaarket as you normally would a little jar in a regular supermarket.

angeltreats

I really want a spice rack too, but I want one that hangs on the wall and would hold at least about 40 jars as I use a lot of different spices and dried herbs.

You just don't seem to see them anymore though in the shops.

thriftlady_2

Don't want to be a wet blanket, but aren't spices best kept in a dark cupboard? I keep all mine in a cupboard or drawer away from the light.

ALIBOBSY

I did have a spice rack for a long time, but I remember reading that chefs recommend you don't use them as the spices stay much fresher in the dark ie the cupboard.

I have been saving up those little paste jars, washing them out and transfering over to them in the cupboard, but I do like those metal "spice wheel" things that seem to be used in asian cookery, and that could be stored out of the sun so protecting the spices/herbs.

ali x

Kimitatsu

angeltreats wrote: »

I really want a spice rack too, but I want one that hangs on the wall and would hold at least about 40 jars as I use a lot of different spices and dried herbs.

You just don't seem to see them anymore though in the shops.

This is the issue I have - there never seems to be any big enough! Thriftlady I cheat and keep mine in the alcove behind the door so when you open the door you can see them, like a cupboard but not!

kinkyjinks

thriftlady wrote: »

Don't want to be a wet blanket, but aren't spices best kept in a dark cupboard? I keep all mine in a cupboard or drawer away from the light.

I agree and used to be a chef. I get fed up looking through all the spices in my cupboard but would rather spend ages searching through them than let the light affect the pungency.

Barneysmom

It depends on how many spices you use, but the Debenhams one looks pretty reasonable considering the jars are full

http://www.debenhams.com/gifts/food-drink?CMP=KNC-GoogleAd&_$ja=kw:spice+rack|cgn:Spice+Racks|cgid:1668797536|tsid:16257|cn:Food+-+Generic|cid:165886006|lid:60048981|mt:Phrase|nw:search|crid:4492041826#storeId=10001&catalogId=10001&lid=%2F%2Fproductsuniverse%2Fen_GB%2Fproduct_online%3DY%2Fcategories%3C%7Bproductsuniverse_18647%7D%2Fcategories%3C%7Bproductsuniverse_18647_17889%7D&txt=spice+&ps=default&sid=

Or there's this one at Argos...

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/8423050/c_1/1%7Ccategory_root%7CKitchen+and+laundry%7C14418476/c_2/3%7C15701295%7CKitchenware%7C14418477/c_3/4%7Ccat_14418477%7CSpice+racks+and+seasoning%7C14418496.htm


They do have the 24 jar Swartz ones at Netto for about £15 or £16 sometimes...

23rdspiral

i'd definately buy the spices you need as you need them. i'd be worried about buying a pre-filled rack as i wouldnt know how long the spices had been sitting there. A supermarket/asian market probably would have a quicker turnover on the goods.

i have a luxury - my oven is in the old chimney breast, so when we did the kitchen i had two little cupboards, about 3inches deep, made to fit the width of the breast walls - it made them the same depth as the regular cupboards and cooker, so no awkward space to sweep and the cupboards are just perfect for my spices!

maman

When we had our kitchen refitted I had a wire spice rack fitted behind one of the cupboard doors. We bought it in Wickes (ordered) and it's great. It has 4 shelves and holds loads of jars/packets of all shapes and sizes. It obviously has the advantage of storing herbs/spices in the dark but personally I wouldn't want on that took up surface space or that had someone else's choice of herbs in.

SparciaM, it depends on whether you're looking at something decorative or not. Personally I'd just buy a range of herbs/spices and store them in a cupboard (ideally in a rack like mine:D) and if you want something decorative as a gift from OH as well go for a nice oil pourer or pepper grinder. HTH