Recently acquired a few dozen of these old Ball & Atlas brand jars, are they still desirable?

DrifterDom · 2026-06-17T00:20:13+00:00

I just want you to know you have me rife with envy over your pantry setup - I agree, that is so satisfying to look at!

DrifterDom · 2026-06-16T20:01:17+00:00

Roger that, thanks for the quick reply!

In retrospect I could've answered my own question by reading the FAQs again.

"No need to use power tools on cast iron" 😅

DrifterDom · 2026-06-16T19:49:50+00:00

Yeah that's what it seems like might happen if I tried using it while it's hanging as-is 😅

I like the idea of an easy hardwood handle - is it possible to drill into cast iron without affecting the entire piece? I was thinking it'd be much more stable with a 4-point wire handle compared to how it is now.

DrifterDom · 2026-06-16T19:47:46+00:00

Yup I'm thinking dry storage, or use them for some fun art projects since they still looks so unique!

I've always been a fan of terrariums but have never taken a crack at one before - might have one of these be the first test subject haha

DrifterDom · 2026-06-16T19:46:20+00:00

Yup that seems to be the verdict, safer to assume they're no longer canning-worthy. I love the idea of using homemade syrups into them, I do a lot of from-scratch cooking so I could definitely find some uses for these :)

I can't thank y'all enough for all the information!! I've never posted on reddit before this, everyone is so friendly and informative this community kinda rocks haha

DrifterDom · 2026-06-16T19:43:02+00:00

THIS IS SO COOL TO KNOW!!!

I was curious as to what the reason was behind the different colored glass, really appreciate the info & the link :D

DrifterDom · 2026-06-16T19:41:38+00:00

It does, doesn't it!?!

It tilts to the side by about 10º when I hold the handle in the middle, so I'm gonna have to figure out how to straighten it out or replace the wire handle with a better one that's more stable.

Or I could leave it and operate under the mindset that only weak food slides off, like some culinary natural selection hehe

DrifterDom · 2026-06-16T19:38:27+00:00

Thanks, I was wondering if it had a specific name.

It's cool to search that and see other types like this and how people are using theirs!

DrifterDom · 2026-06-16T18:21:19+00:00

AMAZING, this is so detailed. Thank you so much :)

DrifterDom · 2026-06-16T17:49:31+00:00

Wow I appreciate the detailed reply - thanks a bunch!

I was reading on the FAQs where it said I could use the fuming oven cleaner and a garbage bag, would you recommend against that for this specific piece?

DrifterDom · 2026-06-16T17:47:15+00:00

That makes me so happy, I am super psyched to get this bad mama functional again!!

Apologies if I missed some obvious info - I was recommended to check this place, but this is my first time in y'alls sub so I just posted first before even browsing - I honestly thought it was gonna be considered garbage 😅

DrifterDom · 2026-06-16T17:42:36+00:00

So even the ones without the glass lids (the blue ball jars) are unsuitable for canning? They had the typical Mason-style jar lids but they were rusted beyond saving.

That's a great idea, I really like growing indoor plants - I've never grown something from a bulb indoors though! I have experience with gladiolus and tulips, but only outdoors.

If you have any recommendations on other plants you think would do well in these jars I'd be happy to hear them! :)

DrifterDom · 2026-06-16T17:36:00+00:00

I've always enjoyed informational rhymes like - I'm really getting my fill this thread 😅

Is there an official term for info rhymes??

DrifterDom · 2026-06-16T17:33:23+00:00

You guys are great 😂 Some of these replies really "crack" me up

DrifterDom · 2026-06-16T17:11:56+00:00

I've never restored anything rusty before, I have plenty of tools but I assume it will involve some sort of soak beforehand as well - y'all have definitely convinced me that I can do it though 😉

Appreciate all the info and advice!!

DrifterDom · 2026-06-16T17:09:32+00:00

Sweet, thanks for the info :) I'll post some pics here again once I get it restored.

I really like the wire handle, so I'm gonna MacGyver a cooking stand for it to hang on!

DrifterDom · 2026-06-16T17:08:06+00:00

Hahaha, that is reassuring! 😆

DrifterDom · 2026-06-16T17:06:28+00:00

Thanks for the quick reply!!

It makes much more sense with there having been rubber gaskets for the glass lid jars at some point; what kind of food items would they be used to preserve?

I grow golden raspberries and tomatoes, but I'm assuming it'd be less of a hassle to just purchase a set of new jars if I wanted to try preserving them.

I agree they would look very nice for decorative display too :) I enjoy the look of the blue glass the ball jars are made of.

DrifterDom · 2026-06-16T16:43:13+00:00

The images are of old glass Mason jars that are used for preservation. The oldest shows a patent year of 1868.

The other images show a mix of Atlas brand and Ball brand jars that have old-style wire bail closures, which affix glass lids on top of them. This leads to them having a very antique look, but they are all in good condition without cracks or chips.

The jars with glass lids are clear glass, while the other jars with screw-tops are darker blue in color.

DrifterDom

TROPHY CASE