I love to cook and, as such, I have a huge collection of spices. About a year ago I got tired of having to dig through my pile of spice jars to find the one I was looking for, so I decided to change it up. Pulling some inspiration from Alton Brown and some commercial products that I'd seen I settled on a magnetic spice rack. In looking around it would seem that I'm not the only one that came to this solution. In fact, there's even another Instructable on the same topic.
Step 1: Equipment and Supplies
To do this project you're going to need some supplies and equipment.
4 oz Round Clear Top Tins [Pic 1]
1/4" x 1/16" Neodymium Magnets (3 per tin) [Pic 2]
Paper Work Surface
JB Weld (or Other Epoxy)
Toothpicks
Paper for Mixing Epoxy
100 Grit Sandpaper (or Similar)
Damp Paper Towel
Label Maker
Pocket Knife Tweezers [Pic 4]
4 oz Round Clear Top Tins [Pic 1]
1/4" x 1/16" Neodymium Magnets (3 per tin) [Pic 2]
Paper Work Surface
JB Weld (or Other Epoxy)
Toothpicks
Paper for Mixing Epoxy
100 Grit Sandpaper (or Similar)
Damp Paper Towel
Label Maker
Pocket Knife Tweezers [Pic 4]
Step 2: Preparing the Tins
Okay, to get started on the assembly we'll start by prepping the tins.
1) Start with a clean tin. You want them free of oils and other debris so clean if necessary. [Pic 1]
2) Rough the back of each tin with the sandpaper. You don't have to get the entire back sanded, you just want to add some texture for the JB Weld to stick to. [Pic 2]
3) Wipe the sanded tins on the damp paper towel to remove the dust. [Pic 3]
4) Let the tins dry briefly so any remaining moisture can evaporate. [Pic 4]
1) Start with a clean tin. You want them free of oils and other debris so clean if necessary. [Pic 1]
2) Rough the back of each tin with the sandpaper. You don't have to get the entire back sanded, you just want to add some texture for the JB Weld to stick to. [Pic 2]
3) Wipe the sanded tins on the damp paper towel to remove the dust. [Pic 3]
4) Let the tins dry briefly so any remaining moisture can evaporate. [Pic 4]
Step 3: Applying the Magnets
With the tins prepped it's time to affix the magnets.
1) Apply equal parts of the JB Weld Steel (black) and Hardener (gray) to your mixing surface. [Pic 1]
2) Mix the epoxy with a toothpick until it is a consistently colored paste. [Pic 2]
3) Apply three small dabs of the epoxy about the size of a sesame seed on the back of the tin using the tip of a toothpick. This seems like too little epoxy at first but it is plenty to keep the magnets affixed. Also, the JB Weld is magnetic. So, if you add too much it will crawl up the side of the magnet and begin to coat the top. If this happens wipe the excess off with the damp paper towel. [Pic 3]
4) Using the tweezers pick up a single magnet. [Pic 4]
5) Apply the magnet to the dab of epoxy. Make sure your aim is true. Since the tins are metal they'll attract the magnets as you get close. [Pic 5]
6) Repeat for each of the tins you're making. [Pic 6]
Allow the JB Weld to cure for 24 hours before you continue with the rest of the steps.
1) Apply equal parts of the JB Weld Steel (black) and Hardener (gray) to your mixing surface. [Pic 1]
2) Mix the epoxy with a toothpick until it is a consistently colored paste. [Pic 2]
3) Apply three small dabs of the epoxy about the size of a sesame seed on the back of the tin using the tip of a toothpick. This seems like too little epoxy at first but it is plenty to keep the magnets affixed. Also, the JB Weld is magnetic. So, if you add too much it will crawl up the side of the magnet and begin to coat the top. If this happens wipe the excess off with the damp paper towel. [Pic 3]
4) Using the tweezers pick up a single magnet. [Pic 4]
5) Apply the magnet to the dab of epoxy. Make sure your aim is true. Since the tins are metal they'll attract the magnets as you get close. [Pic 5]
6) Repeat for each of the tins you're making. [Pic 6]
Allow the JB Weld to cure for 24 hours before you continue with the rest of the steps.
Step 4: Labeling the Tins
Now that the epoxy is dry you can label the tins, fill them up and stick them to a metal surface. For the labels I used a label maker loaded with clear labels with black ink. [Pic 1] I find that these look the cleanest when applied to the tins. You could certainly use any other label you like or simply write directly on the tins. On that note, you definitely need to label the tins. Once you get them up it's very hard to tell the difference between some of them, especially the leafy herbs.
Finally, when you're applying the labels make sure you place them with the top of the letters facing the bottom of the tin. [Pic 2] That way when they're stuck on the metal surface you can read them easily from the top.
Finally, when you're applying the labels make sure you place them with the top of the letters facing the bottom of the tin. [Pic 2] That way when they're stuck on the metal surface you can read them easily from the top.
Step 5: Finished Spice Rack
For my spice rack I decided to stick all the tins to the front of my refrigerator. There is room for 70 tins; 80 if I cram them a touch closer. With the neodymium magnets they don't budge a bit when you open or close the door, no matter how hard you try.
Instead of your refrigerator door you could also stick them to a sheet of tin hung from the wall, strips of metal affixed to the inside of your cabinet doors or a magnetic whiteboard.
Instead of your refrigerator door you could also stick them to a sheet of tin hung from the wall, strips of metal affixed to the inside of your cabinet doors or a magnetic whiteboard.
Step 6: Final Thoughts
Lastly, some tips and pitfalls from someone who's on version 2.0 of this idea.
Tins - There are quite a few different options for tins available. There are both round and square versions and you can also pick various sizes. For the size I've found that 4oz tins work best. First, these tins are compact which maximizes the number you can pack in a space. Second, they hold nearly the exact amount of contents that are included in a commercial spice jar. Finally, buy a few extras in case you have some get badly dented.
Magnets - Speaking of dented tins let me give a bit of an explanation as to why this is version 2.0. When I first did this project I used regular strength magnet tape that I was able to buy in a huge roll. It was much simpler to apply to the tins but the pull force was much less. What ended up happening is that heavier contents, salt for example, would slide down the refrigerator. Also, if a tin was bumped it would fall, often taking others with it. I'm betting I'll never get all of that Old Bay from under my refrigerator. [Pic 1] That said, there is an option if you'd prefer to take the magnet tape route; use high energy magnet tape. This product has double the pull strength of standard tape and should hold much better.
As for neodymium magnets there are lots of options. I think the ones I chose for this project work great. They easily support even the heaviest load (my test was a tin full of large crystal sea salt). However, since I've only used three you can tip the tins and pull them right off without a problem. If you're looking for another option instead of epoxy you could also try the self adhesive discs that K&J Magnetics offers.
Bulk Production - When I first re-did my spice rack for version 2.0 I processed 65 tins in one go. [Pic 2] Some quick pointers for working with this many. First, do one step at a time to every tin. For example, sand every tin, then wipe every tin, etc. To manage the JB Weld a little easier I used a dixie cup to mix it in. Another note on the JB Weld, make sure you move fairly quickly. It took me about 45 minutes to glue all the tins and the JB Weld was beginning to get fairly viscous by the time I finished.
Tins - There are quite a few different options for tins available. There are both round and square versions and you can also pick various sizes. For the size I've found that 4oz tins work best. First, these tins are compact which maximizes the number you can pack in a space. Second, they hold nearly the exact amount of contents that are included in a commercial spice jar. Finally, buy a few extras in case you have some get badly dented.
Magnets - Speaking of dented tins let me give a bit of an explanation as to why this is version 2.0. When I first did this project I used regular strength magnet tape that I was able to buy in a huge roll. It was much simpler to apply to the tins but the pull force was much less. What ended up happening is that heavier contents, salt for example, would slide down the refrigerator. Also, if a tin was bumped it would fall, often taking others with it. I'm betting I'll never get all of that Old Bay from under my refrigerator. [Pic 1] That said, there is an option if you'd prefer to take the magnet tape route; use high energy magnet tape. This product has double the pull strength of standard tape and should hold much better.
As for neodymium magnets there are lots of options. I think the ones I chose for this project work great. They easily support even the heaviest load (my test was a tin full of large crystal sea salt). However, since I've only used three you can tip the tins and pull them right off without a problem. If you're looking for another option instead of epoxy you could also try the self adhesive discs that K&J Magnetics offers.
Bulk Production - When I first re-did my spice rack for version 2.0 I processed 65 tins in one go. [Pic 2] Some quick pointers for working with this many. First, do one step at a time to every tin. For example, sand every tin, then wipe every tin, etc. To manage the JB Weld a little easier I used a dixie cup to mix it in. Another note on the JB Weld, make sure you move fairly quickly. It took me about 45 minutes to glue all the tins and the JB Weld was beginning to get fairly viscous by the time I finished.
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I used super glue and decided to use two magnets. Sometimes I just have to learn the hard way. For the really heavy spices (think salt), two magnets was not enough. They would slide down the fridge. Also, after a few months, the superglue started to fail and the magnets started to come off the tins. I used JB Weld now and they are rock solid.
The really fine, ground spices (cinnamon for example) are giving me major problems. The fine dust gets between the lid and the rim of the tin and this makes it almost impossible to get the lid off. I definitely can't pull the lid off, and usually I can't twist it off either. I now have a pair of channel locks (pliers) in my kitchen that I use to get the lids off the ground spices. Anyone else having this problem? How do you keep the lids from binding?
Anyone else have a tip?
I'm still trying to find a solution to this problem, so I'd like to understand your idea better.
Stainless steel is steel with 10.5% chromium added.
Some steel has carbon added to make it stiffer and others have nickel added.
Nickel makes to steel non-magnetic but isn't added to all stainless.
Great ible. I plan to duplicate it.
Airtight dark container and keep the whole spice if possible as the ground will age quicker.
The rest of the idea is great. I came to this solution myself. JB weld works best but like all epoxies it's messy good idea on the paper work surface. I use a small paper Dixie Cup to mix in when use epoxy.
1) if you have trouble opening things (like pill bottles and jar tops), make sure you get screw top canisters. You can find them here:
http://www.specialtybottle.com/screwtoptincontainersmi.aspx
2) Unless you want to replace your spices every six months, don't get the clear top canisters. Get a solid top. They aren't as pretty (unless you make a pretty label for the top) but your spices will keep fresh much longer not being exposed to light.
3) Instead of the small round magnets, go to a local craft store and get some magnetic tape (do a Google search for "magnetic tape" and you'll find lots of suppliers on-line). You just cut off a square, peel off the backing and stick the gummy side to the back to the canister. No muss, no fuss.
http://www.magnetsupplier.com/Magnetic_Tape.htm?gclid=CIzs3Yex5bACFYNuQgodXXLMqg
Second - if the freshness of your spices is important to you, you might want to consider using tins that are not clear topped. The problem with the clear top is that it lets light in and light degrades spices very quickly. Your spices will remain strong and fresh much longer if you store them in tins with closed lids.
Also, if you are like me and suffer from some arthritis in the hands, you might want to invest in twist off caps rather than the slide off tops. I was having a very tough time getting the tops off the slide off kind of tin and once or twice the spices went flying when the top finally came off. Using a twist off top helps with this immensely.
However, I got some of the 8oz and 16oz containers for larger amounts of dried herbs and spices (both the "deep" variety with clear slip-on lids), and the lids on those are pretty loose-fitting; I wouldn't trust hanging them up with spices in them. The lids seem like they'd even come loose on their own over time if you hung them up. I think I'll use a punch to make a few indentations on the sides of the lids so they fit more snugly. Hopefully that works out.
So, to anyone wanting containers larger than the smallish 4oz size: either get ones with the screw-on lids, or come up with a way to modify the lids and make them fit more snugly.
I would also use twist locking tins if you can get them. I love the instructable but the first time i did something like this, the problems came from the tops of the tins being loosely attached and not screw tops.
-R
Thanks for the wonderful idea!
For housekeeping's sake, the link leads you to the wrong section on Specialty Bottle.
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/80102919/
I love the spice idea!
Great DIY! Thanks!
I'm adopting this idea for my business by the way; I sell fine loose leaf tea and this is the concept I'm using for my display of samples.
-R
Would a fourth in the center help with heavier items?
-R
Certainly worth experimenting with. Thanks for the idea!
I also recall that Tap Plastics used to carry the sheet magnets.