A Glimmer of Hope Amidst the Ball Jar Panic of 2020

[Servant King]

EDIT: Fixed Capitalization in Title (See Rule 9)

Although I am a brand new member here, it was relatively easy to establish a consensus regarding the nationwide difficulty in finding Ball brand canning jars, or a reliable substitute. I do, however, have some good news to report on, from Southern California no less. I live about an hour and a half from Hades a.k.a. Los Angeles city limits, so on yesterday's monthly trip into Valencia (an ugly overpriced stucco suburb just north of LA proper), I decided to check out the local Albertson's store, strictly on a hunch. Payoff! I got the last dozen-set of 12 oz. jars on the shelf...for $15. Even the cashier was visibly surprised with my find. I'm even finding it hard to believe myself! But miracles do happen, so I encourage all my fellow pipe smokers out there to be patient, persistent, and optimistic. No need to resign ourselves to mylar bags necessarily.

I was so stoked, I stopped into Cigars & More (two doors down) and bought myself a tin of CAO's Moontrance, as a treat. Got a raging sweet tooth, what can I say?

 

[gamzultovah]

Just bought a flat of 16 oz. Ball jars on Amazon today. What’s the issue?

 

[Servant King]

Just bought a flat of 16 oz. Ball jars on Amazon today. What’s the issue?

Amazon has them, but they tend to be overpriced. Plus, they are notoriously reckless in terms of shipping. Used to be very easy to get these in any of the major stores, but like TP, just not getting shipped in very much right now.

 

[macaroni]

Walmart and Lowes here got them back in about 10 weeks ago--approx $12 for a dozen/box (pints and quarts--quarts cheaper!).

 

[BarrelProof]

Ball jars are like 22LR ammo. If you don’t buy them when they’re available and have more than enough on hand for 50 shortages, you’re not going it right.

 

[scloyd]

There are three Walmarts all within 15 miles of me. They all have plenty of half-pint Mason/Ball jars.

They also have toilet paper, paper towels and hand sanitizer.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

How is you finding a single case of jars good news for anyone but yourself? I've bought off brand jars on Amazon multiple times without any issues whatsoever. Prices seem reasonable.

 

[Infantry23]

1

Although I am a brand new member here, it was relatively easy to establish a consensus regarding the nationwide difficulty in finding Ball brand canning jars, or a reliable substitute. I do, however, have some good news to report on, from Southern California no less. I live about an hour and a half from Hades a.k.a. Los Angeles city limits, so on yesterday's monthly trip into Valencia (an ugly overpriced stucco suburb just north of LA proper), I decided to check out the local Albertson's store, strictly on a hunch. Payoff! I got the last dozen-set of 12 oz. jars on the shelf...for $15. Even the cashier was visibly surprised with my find. I'm even finding it hard to believe myself! But miracles do happen, so I encourage all my fellow pipe smokers out there to be patient, persistent, and optimistic. No need to resign ourselves to mylar bags necessarily.

I was so stoked, I stopped into Cigars & More (two doors down) and bought myself a tin of CAO's Moontrance, as a treat. Got a raging sweet tooth, what can I say?

Great finds! Moontrance was the first tinned blend I smoked as I got going on the journey. I still have a jar of it and I really like it when the sweet tooth needs satiated. Definitely different than the cigarillos but still enjoyable.

 

[scloyd]

How is you finding a single case of jars good news for anyone but yourself? I've bought off brand jars on Amazon multiple times without any issues whatsoever. Prices seem reasonable.

If jars are so plentiful here, they have to be shipping them out to the stores.

For a while the shelves were bare along with tp and pt. Now the shelves are filling back up...almost back to normal.

 

[cory84]

I got the very last case of half pint jars here about a week ago at Walmart. Haven't seen any since. Hopefully they'll start filling up the shelves here again too.

 

[anotherbob]

How is you finding a single case of jars good news for anyone but yourself? I've bought off brand jars on Amazon multiple times without any issues whatsoever. Prices seem reasonable.

hope? I think.

 

[Pit&Pipes]

I found some at Meijer today. Picked up some pints and 1/2 pints because they had them in stock and probably won’t if I wait.

 

[Richmond B. Funkenhouser]

Just bought a flat of 16 oz. Ball jars on Amazon today. What’s the issue?

The price you paid.. it may be cheaper to just buy tins.

These guys through dough around like they're at the strip club.

 

[gamzultovah]

The price you paid..

You see an issue, I see a blessing.

 

[winton]

My wife used to make jellies and other preserves. Even if I suddenly increased my tobacco stash by 50%, I still would have a surplus of jars.

 

[Peter Peachfuzz]

A couple of weeks ago I bought 48, 8oz ball jars off of Amazon. $55 with free shipping. They arrived safe and sound.

 

[highwaycobbery]

Your problem is you live in California. Move anywhere else and things will be in stock. No problems finding ball jars in North Carolina.

 

[CoffeeAndBourbon]

Well if you think about it, the demand for jars is in the growing and harvest season. I would expect them to be scarce now in December (but not back in Sept./Oct. like they were). I suspect we will see more show up in abundance in the spring.

 

[Servant King]

Well if you think about it, the demand for jars is in the growing and harvest season. I would expect them to be scarce now in December (but not back in Sept./Oct. like they were). I suspect we will see more show up in abundance in the spring.

Whilst that makes sense to me, I look at the people around me and I say to myself: "There's no way these people have the mental capacity to can their own food. They can barely tie their own shoes!" Of course, I live in Southern California, and people here by and large are not exactly captains of industry, if you catch my drift. Still, I appreciate everyone's two cents on the topic, and I wish everyone success in the jar department!