I was planning on a completely different topic, but the I got an interesting email from Ikea. I just opened a new email from Ikea featuring the Hemsmak collection. How much am I loving this collection? I try to avoid using plastic for food preparation and storage at all costs.
Here is what Ikea says on their site:
HEMSMAK collection –limited edition
The HEMSMAK limited edition collection celebrates the world of pickling and preserving. It consists of lots and lots of jars, tins, buckets, carafes and bottles that can be filled with all your favorites. Labels and tags in different shapes and sizes, designed by Reykjavík Letterpress, will help you keep track of all your delicacies as well as making your projects more fun. For a few summer weeks you will be able to find all of this under one roof.
AVAILABLE from AUGUST 2015
I have to leave the country and drive an hour to shop at Ikea, so, sadly, I don’t think I will get the chance to try any of the Ikea Hemsmak Collection items out, but here is what I am loving and why:
The labels.
This collection has some really cool features like these awesome tags. They are really cute and practical. The last set works like a perpetual calendar and allows you to just quickly circle the date. There are even coordinating tags and string for gift packaging.
The bottles.
I love the assorted colors. Even without the labels, you can color code the contents of the bottles. Everyone in the family will know which iced tea or juice is where once you establish a coded system. These are also an attractive way to serve beverages at a party.
The funnel.
I already have a stainless steal funnel like this and it is awesome. I am glad to see it a such a mass retailer and at a fair price. Anyone who uses canning jars for food should have one of these. It has a nice wide opening and fits inside the jar nicely, keeping things really tidy.
Easy to wash. Easy to see the contents. No worries of chemical leaching or staining. Yes glass is breakable, but really, it does not break that often even around my house. And it is something that you can actually leave on the counter or place on the shelf and enjoy the way it looks.
More craftable.Is that a word? The jars are nice and smooth, without any logos or labels. This make a nice canvas for vinyl die cuts, stickers and paint designs.
Now, I do have a couple of questions and concerns.
- It is not very clear as to weather or not these jars can be subjected to extreme temperatures that occur in freezing and canning. The website says “The jar has an airtight seal, which makes it perfect for preserving…”, but there are no instructions so it is hard to know for sure what level of preserving they are referring to.
- Also they are available for a limited time, then they are gone. I would definitely take a standard mason jar lid and/ or rubber ring with me to the store and try to ascertain if there is any compatibility. I am not saying that is a deal breaker, but best to know what you are getting going in to the situation and plan your use of the jars and bottles accordingly.
- Why the limited time? Are they testing the waters for future longer term or year round roll out? These items can and should be used year round. With a stronger seasonal emphasis. I use my Ball canning jars all year for food storage, gift giving and freezer meals.
I have looked for more in depth information, but can’t find any. I was sure there was a blogger out there that would have beaten me to the punch, but I am not seeing the information. I will keep an eye out for thoughts and pine away for a trip to my Ikea store.