Some cooks carefully curate their spice collection as a museum director would curate an art collection. Exotic herbs, rare condiments, beloved seasonings – many spices are pricey, and some are difficult to find. We’ll help you with the challenge of packing your spices so they stay protected during your move. Follow these steps!
Moving Supplies You’ll Need to Pack Your Spices
- Small boxes
- Tissue paper
- Zip-top bags
- Plastic wrap
- Packing tape
- Permanent black marker
Steps for Packing Spices for a Move
1. Check with your mover
Before you go to all the trouble of packing them, ask your mover about their policy for transporting spices. If you’re doing a DIY move, no problem, pack your spices and take them with you so that you can enjoy cooking with them in your new home.
2. Purge your pantry
If your moving company will transport your spices, get ready to pack. But first, toss out expired or stale spices, or herbs and seasonings that have lost their punch. After you throw out the contents, recycle the glass and plastic bottles.
3. Seal all containers
Check each jar, bottle, and package to make sure it’s tightly sealed. Tape any open packages closed or place inside a plastic zip-top bag.
4. Cover holes in salt and pepper shakers
Place a piece of tissue paper over salt and pepper shaker holes, then tightly tape over the tissue.
5. Wrap each spice container in tissue paper
Wrap each glass spice bottle with tissue paper.
6. Seal oil and vinegar bottles
Ensure the caps are tightly closed to prevent bottles from leaking during transit. You may want to remove the lid, place a small piece of plastic wrap over the opening, then re-seal the bottle. Wrap bottles individually in several layers of tissue paper. Place the bottles in a zip-top bag and keep them upright. If an oil requires refrigeration, don’t pack it – give it to a friend or neighbor.
7. Place wrapped spice containers in a small box
Make sure the small moving box is well-sealed on the bottom seam. Place crumpled tissue paper inside the bottom of the box, then place each wrapped container in the box. Fill empty spaces with crushed tissue paper, so all contents are completely immobile.
8. Seal and label the box
Tape the box closed and label the contents, ‘Kitchen: Spices & Oils.’
An alternative method to packing spice containers in a small box
Pack wrapped spice containers in Dutch ovens, stockpots, and crockpots. Just as you would with a box, crumple tissue paper into the bottom of the pot to cushion the spice containers. Fill the pot with containers and crumpled tissue paper so nothing can move. Place crumpled paper over the jars and containers before putting the lid on the pot. Wrap the pot in several layers of packing paper and tape to secure it. You can pack the filled spice pot along with your other pots and pans. Be sure to label the box, ‘Kitchen: Pots & Pans and Spices.’