I love mason jars!  They are so handy and sturdy.  Open my cupboard, and you will see mason jars used for drinking glasses and storing bulk foods, as well as canned items.  Here are 5 mason jar hacks that will help you use your jars for more than just canning.

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Mason Jar Hacks #1:  Cook eggs!

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The rings of mason jar lids are great for cooking eggs.  They keep the eggs from spilling out and retain the shape that is perfect for a biscuit or English muffin. Simply heat oil or butter in a pan on medium heat, place the ring in the center,

1. Simply heat oil or butter in a pan on medium heat
2. Place the ring in the center
3. Carefully crack open the egg into the ring
4. Cover with a small plate
5. Cook 4 minutes^[1]http://tiphero.com/mason-jar-egg-trick-for-perfectly-round-eggs/?ref=eov

Likewise, you can poach/coddle an egg by cooking it in a mason jar.

1. Boil water in a pot
2. Crack the egg into a small mason jar
3. Place the jar in the boiling water. Make sure the jar is 3/4 submerged
4. Cook 8 minutes^[2]http://lifehacker.com/poach-eggs-perfectly-in-a-mason-jar-1605260852

Mason Jar Hacks #2: DIY light fixtures

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You have probably seen in catalogs cute sconces made from mason jars. The rustic charm and sturdy quality of mason jars creates a unique lighting experience both inside and out.  You can even dress up old chandeliers found at thrift stores with mason jars.

The simplest way to make mason jar light is to drop an LED tea light into the jar and hang outside. This is a great way to light up your yard when having a party.

To make your own mason jar light, you need to buy a pendant light kit from a hardware store.  You will also need a drill or hammer and nails.  There are many versions online and lots of ideas.  I really like this one on Woonblog (the directions are in German).

Mason Jar Hacks #3: Single serve smoothies!

Depending on the kind of blender you have, you can screw the chopping blades straight onto a mason jar!  This is an amazing way to make a single serve sized smoothie and avoid the plastic blender container.  Make sure you leave room in the jar when filling it up with yummy ingredients.  My favorite smoothie recipe is to combine almonds, almond butter, chia seeds, coconut, almond milk, and vanilla in a jar.  Yum!

Mason Jar Hacks #4: Make shakers for your bulk herbs

ReCap makes great lids to repurpose your mason jars. We use the flip cap on bulk items, like sugar, to make it easier to pour out just a wee bit.  With the reCAP Mason Flip Accessory Kit Canning Regular Mouth Jar Lid, Silver” target=”_blank”>screen accessories, you can choose the size of your holes and turn any mason jar into a shaker for your bulk herbs and spices. Goodbye disorganized pile of little plastic baggies!  The accessories for the flip cap even comes with a counter ring you can track contents. No more mystery bulk spices! These lids are made in the USA and are BPA-free and phthalate-free.

Mason Jar Hacks #5:  Make a Fruit Fly Trap

Last fall, we were inundated with fruit flies.  I purchased a few fruit fly traps, but they didn’t work as well as one my friend suggested we make from a mason jar.

To make a mason jar fruit fly trap:

1. Place apple cider vinegar in the bottom of the jar deep enough to drown a fruit fly
2. Place a drop of dish soap in the vinegar to break the surface tension
3. For extra allure, place a small piece of rotting fruit in the bottom of the jar
4. Roll up a piece of scrap paper into a cone

I was amazed at how well this mason jar hack worked!

Mason Jar Hacks #5: Make PIE!

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The has to be the best mason jar hack of them all!  Did you know you can make pie in a mason jar?  It’s super simple, especially since you don’t have to roll out the dough. Simply press pie crust dough into the bottom and sides of the jar, fill with your favorite filling, then press a small piece of crust on top. Don’t forget to vent the crust before baking. Bake for 35-40 minutes at 375 degrees F.  Here are some complete and slightly more complicated instructions for mason jar pie.