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How Do I Choose the Best Flour Canister?

Mary Ellen Popolo
Mary Ellen Popolo

When choosing a flour canister, one of the first things to consider is whether it needs to match an existing canister set. Other things to think about are the size, type, style, and price of the canister. There are a wide assortment of canisters to choose from, but making the best choice is easier if you factor in all of these criteria.

If you already have a canister set you may want to find a flour canister that matches the set, either as an exact match or just similar in style. Choosing a stand alone canister to hold flour gives you more options than replacing an existing canister or trying to find one that matches a complete canister set.

A person sifting flour.
A person sifting flour.

Size is another choice you will need to make when choosing a flour canister. Consider how much flour you keep on hand to ensure that the canister you purchase will hold a sufficient amount. The amount of space the canister takes up is also important, especially if you keep the flour canister on the counter.

Flour canisters are most commonly made of metal, ceramic, glass, and plastic. How often you use flour and whether you want a decorative canister determines which material to pick. Some people use flour often while others only use it every once in a while. If you only use it occasionally, you will want a canister that will keep the flour fresh for a long period of time, and a plastic or glass container with a seal-tight lid is your best option. On the other hand, if you use flour all the time and keep the canister on your counter you may want a ceramic or metal canister that is decorative and matches your kitchen decor.

Because of flour weevils, it's wise to store flour in a tightly sealed canister.
Because of flour weevils, it's wise to store flour in a tightly sealed canister.

If you do not currently have a complete canister set, buying one is an option. A complete set of canisters usually includes three or four canisters, but some sets have as many as eight. Generally, all of the canisters in the set match, but the size of each canister is different. If you need a container for storing more than just flour, a complete set may be the way to go.

Canisters can be purchased through a variety of online vendors and in department stores as well as stores that sell kitchen items and home goods. Cost fluctuates greatly depending on the style and type you are choosing. A complete set of canisters will generally cost more than a single canister.

Discussion Comments

Wisedly33

All of my kitchen canisters have the mason jar-type lock seals. That helps keep the flour in the canister, even if it's dropped.

I like a good, sturdy stoneware canister that will survive a lot of moving around, and even -- being dropped.

When I first got married, I didn't have a proper canister set, so I used old coffee cans. They had lids and worked pretty well until I could afford a better set of canisters. I was kind of sorry to see those coffee cans go, but I like having an actual canister set for flour, sugar and cornmeal. I don't usually use the smallest one. It's just there for show. But it would make a decent cookie jar, too.

Scrbblchick

Get one with a seal-tight lid and one that can handle being in the fridge or freezer, to help keep it fresh and keep the weevils out.

My preferred flour canisters have wide mouths, so I can dip the flour out easily into the measuring cup. I also keep another flour canister with pre-sifted flour so I don't have to sift flour to measure it and then return it to the regular canister. I can just sift about four or five cups into the extra canister and it's there when I need it. This is especially helpful during the holidays when I'm doing extra baking, and need that sifted flour handy.

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    • A person sifting flour.
      A person sifting flour.
    • Because of flour weevils, it's wise to store flour in a tightly sealed canister.
      By: food pictures studio
      Because of flour weevils, it's wise to store flour in a tightly sealed canister.