Care & use of your spice containers

Your new SpiceCare System is designed to keep your spices fresh, accessible and perfectly organized. Have fun adding a little kick to your food--SpiceCare puts it all at your fingertips, rather than lost in the back of a cupboard. Once arranged, your spices will stay organized even after you use them.

SpiceCare's modular design accommodates every spice collection, large or small, and easily adapts to any kitchen space. If you want to expand your collection, SpiceCare Singles are available for individual purchase. Your SpiceCare collection can be stored in a cupboard, on a counter, lying flat in a drawer, or in multiple locations--whatever suits your style best.

We love SpiceCare containers, but we also love the spices we store in them. Here are a few tips on buying and storing spices.

Caring for your spices

• Spices lose their flavor and aroma over time, so discard any ground spices more than six months old and any whole spices more than a year old.
• Buy fresh spices in small quantities from a busy store that turns their spice inventory frequently.
• Transfer newly purchased spices into airtight SpiceCare containers right away.
• Use the proper size container for the amount of spice you have. Less exposure to air keeps spices more fresh.
• Store spices away from direct light and heat.
• Create connected collections of the groups of spices you tend to use together. Grab one collection and have everything at your fingertips. See the Connected Collections page for grouping ideas.
• The potent oils in ground clove can etch the interior of a container and create a permanent foggy look. We suggest using a different type of container to store ground cloves. Better yet, buy whole cloves which are fine to store in SpiceCare containers and will stay fresh much longer than ground clove.

Connecting your spices

SpiceCare containers snap together and won't come apart until you take them apart. This gives you the freedom to create connected collections of the spices you use together. Plus, the collections won't topple over when you dig to the back of your cupboard for other ingredients.

• To separate the containers, tip the top container back to release it.
• To connect containers, seat the back edge and press down on the front to snap them together.

Opening and closing containers

• To open a container, press up on the tab with your thumb. Note: only the hinged lid opens; the entire black top does not come off.
• When closing a container, brush away any spice that may have collected around the edge to help create a better seal.

Cleaning your spice containers

Empty SpiceCare containers can be hand washed or placed in the top rack of your dishwasher. Before washing, remove the label and screens. You can remove the lids or leave them attached--just be sure the lids remain open and will not be bumped closed during the wash cycle.

• The lids, shaker screens, and label clips can be placed in the utensil basket in the dishwasher.
• Be sure the containers are completely dry before refilling with spices.
• For light cleaning, wipe the outside of the containers with a damp sponge or towel.
• Avoid wiping the inside of the lid when the container is full. Any moisture introduced to the inside of the container could ruin your spice. If the lid is dirty, simply remove it and snap on a clean lid in its place.
• The potent oils in ground clove can etch the interior of a container and create a permanent foggy look. We suggest using a different type of container to store ground cloves. Better yet, buy whole cloves which are fine to store in SpiceCare containers and will stay fresh much longer than ground clove.

Adding and changing labels

SpiceCare's flexible labeling system makes it quick and easy to move spices to larger or smaller containers. We have provided a set of laminated pre-printed labels of many popular spices.

We've included some blank labels you can write on using a permanent marker (on the laminated side) or ballpoint pen (on the non-laminated side). Cover writing with a piece of clear tape to keep the ink from smearing. We do not recommend putting the blank labels in your computer printer.

Changing a label is a three-step process:

1. Slide the faceplate off the container.
2. Place the label inside the faceplate.
3. Snap the faceplate back into place.

Remove the faceplate

The faceplates are held in place by four small tabs that rest in grooves along the edges of the containers.

• Remove the faceplate by grasping the container as shown.
• Press firmly in the center of the faceplate while sliding it down with your thumbs. Pressure in the center of the faceplate releases the clips so it will slide.

Position the label

• Place the label inside the faceplate so the spice name shows through the window.
• The label should be held in position by the curve of the faceplate; if it doesn't stay put, you can apply a small piece of tape to hold it.

Snap the faceplate into place

• Position the tabs of one edge of the faceplate in the vertical groove on one side of the container.
• Set the other side of the faceplate on the container and make any necessary adjustments to the label before snapping it in place.
• Press on the unclipped edge to pop it into the corresponding groove.

Remember: slide it off, snap it on.

Stuck faceplate? Sometimes the faceplate can be stubborn, especially if it's the first time you are trying to remove it (they're easier after they've been removed once). Here are a couple tricks:

• Adjust your grip so that you can press down on the faceplate with the palm of one hand. Often this will be enough to loosen it.
• Place the container in your refrigerator for about 15 minutes and then try removing it.
• Snap a small container to the bottom of another container to make it easier to remove the small faceplate. This will give you a larger area to grip.

If you are having trouble getting a faceplate back onto a small container, you might have the faceplate upside-down. If you take a close look at it, you'll see that the small faceplate has a slight taper, so it will only fit one way. The top tabs are also slightly larger.

• Make a temporary note of the date purchased on the back of the label to track the freshness of the spice.
• Want to make your own custom labels on different color paper? Use our Label Maker tool.

Removing and installing lids

Your SpiceCare containers come with handy built-in leveler lids to make measuring accurate and quick. You can swap out the leveler lid for a flat lid if desired, or if you are installing a shaker screen.

Removing a lid

• Open lid so that it is pointing straight up.
• Grasp firmly and twist as shown until the pin snaps out. Don't worry, it won't break, just twist. After the first few times you will have the feel for it and the lids will snap right out. You can place your thumb across the leveling fin and bend it out of the way to get a good grip.

Attaching a lid

• Clean out any spices or powder that may have gotten into the groove that the lid snaps into.
• With the container facing toward you, set it upright on a counter or other firm surface for the best leverage.
• Orient the lid so the soft rubber side will be on the inside of the container when the lid is closed.
• With the lid in the fully open position, align the two pins on the lid to rest right in front of the groove opening on the container.
• Position one thumb over each pin and with your fingers on the back of the container for leverage. Press firmly with your thumb to snap one pin in place, then the other.

Attaching and removing shaker screens

Install a shaker screen for any spice you prefer to sprinkle rather than scoop. There are three different sizes of holes: large is perfect for red chile flakes; medium works well with most ground spices; small delivers an elegant dusting of fine powders. (Additional screens and flat lids are available for purchase.)

Attaching a screen

Install a shaker screen for any spice you prefer to sprinkle rather than scoop. There are three different sizes of holes: large is perfect for red chili flakes, medium works well with most ground spices, small delivers an elegant dusting of fine powders. (Additional screens and flat lids are available for purchase as the SpiceCare Shaker Pack.)

Attaching a screen

• Remove the lid. (If a lid with a leveling fin is already attached, you'll have to remove it so you can replace it with a flat lid.)
• Notice the set of small tabs around the front of the opening on the container. Position the tip of the screen so that it rests under the two front round tabs and on top of the side rectangular tabs.
• Secure the screen by pressing gently on one of the back corners until it snaps into place beneath the rear tab. Then press on the other corner to snap it into place.
• Attach a flat lid.

Removing a screen

• Remove the lid.
• Use the tab on the front of the lid to pop up the back of the screen and remove it. If you gently pinch the screen between the prying tab and the edge of your thumb, you can easily lift it out of the container once it is released.

Important notice

SpiceCare containers are designed and intended exclusively for the storage of spices, herbs, seasonings and other similar food products. They should not be used to store any flammable, corrosive or otherwise volatile materials, including anything that might expand over time and create pressure within the airtight container. We recommend you test your product, container and process for compatibility prior to using SpiceCare containers for anything other than the stated intended purpose.