Popcorn Kernel Jar Diversion Safe

I recently visited a spy shop for the very first time and was very intrigued by their line of secret diversion safes. Most of them were cool but on the pricy side. Some of the objects were rather enticing, making me think they'd be taken if found (I know I'd take some WD-40). Others, like a can of Pringles, I'd probably toss right in the bin. (Goodbye, valuables!) Enter my cheap-as-hell jar of popcorn kernels. Just the right mix of "meh" to be looked over, and nice enough that only a meanie-goat with just throw it away.

Step 1: Gather Your Materials

You will need:

• 1 empty water bottle
• 1 jar with a wide top opening
• 1 marker
• scissors
• popcorn kernels

Step 2: Prepare the Water Bottle

Peel the label off the bottle and dry the insides. Stick it inside the jar and use your marker to draw a line on it right at the lip of the jar. Cut the bottle right below the line. Discard (or recycle) the top of the bottle.

Step 3: Fill 'er Up!

Place the lower half of the cut bottle into the jar. Use your fingers to push the bottle inwards, then pour some popcorn kernels into the sides of the jar. Shake it in circular motions to fill any gaps. Keep filling until it looks 100% full.

Step 4: Store Your Valuables

You can now safely insert your valuables: money, jewels, keys, that 1st series Garbage Pail Kid.

Step 5:

Comments

[DonM126]

can you even buy popcorn like that anymore? all I see in the shop now is microwave popcorn.

[michael.campbell]

They still sell it at Walmart, Target, Dillon's, and at least a few others that I am aware of. I know it's not the healthiest option, but I love to use bacon grease to pop it. It's so much better tasting than microwave or vegitable oils.

[ericadamson08]

Bacon grease is far healthier than the blend of inflammatory, GMO, chemically-extracted seed oils (aka "vegetable oils") often used in microwave popcorn (and the buttery carcinogen, diacetyl -- just use butter!) Some brands use palm oil, which is slightly better. For a slightly healthier option try coconut oil. (Even lard would be better than vegetable oil.)

The medical community is slowly realizing that saturated fats are not inherently evil -- they are an important source of essential fatty acids. Problems arise, however, in the context of metabolic syndrome -- a constellation of conditions (insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, fatty liver, high blood pressure, impaired glucose metabolism, and more) that correlate more closely to excessive sugar intake & carbohydrate consumption, combined with sedentary lifestyle.

[attosa]

But of course. They never stopped carrying it, especially for those of us who are terrified of micro-pop ;) You will find it on the bottom shelves at most stores. Looks like this:

https://www.target.com/p/all-natural-popping-corn-yellow-kernels-market-pantry-30oz-market-pantry-153/-/A-14723317

[twelveoaks]

You can!
I still buy loose popcorn because I much prefer the taste of the stuff I popped using oil over the microwave version.

[Dumbphone]

This is sooooo coool! I love it.

[bobbiness]

Just reading along, couldn’t wait to try it, and laughed so hard at the GPK reference! Thank you

[Paxman5]

This is a brilliant idea!

I have been trying to come up with a better place to hide the key to our safe and have been thinking of doing the empty spray can version...but to me that is a little to much hassle.

Your popcorn version is perfect for hiding stuff in the kitchen...but the jar would look pretty out of place in any other place in the house. I won't tell you where our safe is ( ;-) )but it's not in the kitchen and I want the key to be close. So I'm thinking one could swap the kernels for washing powder in the laundry room, nuts (the ones that fits on bols that is) in the garage/workshop, the smallest Lego pieces in a play room, sand in the bedroom (label it "Barbados 2017" or something), pretty pebbles in the living room and so on. If using sand or other fine material you can seal between the bottle and the jar with hot glue.

Obviously the goal is to camouflage the hiding jar in plain sight in the home so a burglar or "stealing" family member/visitor doesn't really notice it and if it is noticed it won't spark any interest...so filling it with coins or diamonds is probably not the best choice. :-)

[attosa]

If you were in a position to fill up a jar with diamonds, I'd hope you just have a whole other setup completely- haha!! Good luck coming up with something. Just make sure to keep some sort of private notes or communication with a family member about where you end up hiding it. Sometimes secret hiding places can ruin ya :D

[Paxman5]

Good point attosa. :) It's also good to inform next of kin if something were to happen to the owner of the hidden things. Imagine how much money and valuables have been thrown away in books and other secret hiding places when people clean out estates.

[maxman]

Excellent idea. I'm the only one who eats popcorn in this house, so no one will be the wiser....

[attosa]

Same! Although, I have now come up with new safes since my family and friends have all been over looking for my expensive popcorn ;)

[jec0435]

Dang, I only have the 3rd series garbage pail kids, not the 1st. Not AS valuable. lol ;)

[attosa]

Hahaha- not AS, but still good. I have all the 1st. I don't hide them in this little jar, obvs. Definitely a much bigger safe. ;)

[upandrunning]

I'll be using rice !

[attosa]

That is a fantastic version- enjoy! :)

[annfill]

Thanks for this inspirational idea. I love it.

There are a couple of things I'd like to keep in mind if making this safe. The first is that the weight still feels about right. My curiosity would be aroused if I picked up the popcorn and it was too light but looked full. The second is to wrap objects that might rattle or move around if the bottle is moved. These are only considerations if you think someone will be searching for your valluables as I think it unlikely a burglar would take the time to look too hard.

[dleland71]

Stuff a tissue or two down in the center. That would stop the rattle and help camouflage it's contents.

[attosa]

It's still heavy enough in this version, but good idea with the rattling!

[Emerald04]

This is a very smart idea! Great job!