Care & use

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.

Visit our Video page for even more helpful information on how to use SpiceCare

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 older than a year.
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.
Group spices you cook with together as a collection. Grab one collection and have everything at your fingertips. See the Connected Collections page for grouping ideas.

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, pull the nose of the top container up and back to release it.

To connect containers, seat the bottom edge (the side with the label clip) onto the top of another container and press down on the front to snap them together.
To open a container, press up on the tab with your thumb.

Cleaning your spice containers

SpiceCare containers are made from a food-grade polycarbonate that 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 washed in the dishwasher. We recommend placing them in the utensil basket so they don't get lost.
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 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.
If after washing your container it still has a lingering spice aroma, let it soak it in a large bowl (about 1/2 gallon) of hot soapy water with a tablespoon of baking soda. Let it soak for about 20 minutes and then wash it or run it through the dishwasher.
We have found that in some cases, the oils from ground clove can etch the interior of a container and cause it to take on a permanent foggy look. Since this is difficult to prevent, we suggest simply always using that one container for ground clove and nothing else.

Adding and changing labels

Make your own custom labels with either the Label Maker tool or our Word template

SpiceCare's flexible labeling system makes it quick and easy to move spices to larger or smaller containers. The SpiceCare System comes with a set of laminated pre-printed labels of many popular spices that can be wiped clean with a damp cloth.

The System also includes some blank labels that you can fill in yourself using a ballpoint pen or permanent marker. It works best to write on the non-laminated side. For do-it-yourself lamination, just cover the label with a piece of clear tape. Be sure to write in the center of the label so it will show up in the faceplate window. (We do not recommend putting the blank labels in your computer printer.)

To change a label:

Remove the faceplate by grasping the container as shown and pressing 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.

Place the label inside the faceplate so the spice name shows through the window.
Position one edge of the faceplate in the vertical groove on the container as shown.
Set the other side of the faceplate on the container and make any alignment adjustments to the label before snapping the faceplate in place.

To snap the faceplate in place, press on the unclipped edge to pop it into the corresponding groove.
To remove the small label clip position a thumb on either side of the label cutout, and while pressing firmly slide the faceplate off the bottom of the container.
If the small face plate is upside down, it won't snap into position. Before snapping it in place check the alignment to be sure the face plate is oriented correctly. It should line up parallel to the groove on the container.A great visual clue is to look at the tabs of the label clip that snap into the groove of the container, on each side one is slightly larger than the other. The larger tab should be on top. Here's a photo to help.

Remember, slide it off, snap it on.

Tip: Make a temporary note of the date purchased on the back of the label to track the freshness of the spice.

Removing and installing lids

Your SpiceCare containers come with handy built-in leveler lids to make measuring accurate and quick. You can, however, 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 right on the leveling fin, bending 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 where the lid pins insert 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 grooves on the container.
Position one thumb over each pin and your fingers on the back of the container. Press firmly with one thumb to snap the first pin in place and then press with the other thumb to snap in the second pin.

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

Remove the lid. In fact, 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. Slide the tip of the screen so that it rests under the two round tabs and on top of the rectangular tabs.
Secure the screen by pressing gently with slowly increasing pressure on one of the back corners until it snaps into place. 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.