Where do you come up with milk jugs?

[francismilker]

It seems with the invention of plastic products, glass 1 gallon jars are getting harder to come by. I use them, as some of you probably do , to send milk with my customers. When I was a kid everything came in glass, so it wasn't a problem. I'm wandering where you guys get your glass jars. I've tried buying large pickle jars, but the vlasic pickle jars made today aren't a full gallon. Maybe they're 3\4 or something like that. I've tried going to school cafeterias and restuarants that get their food from a bulk supplier and most of them don't have glass either. They are primarily getting plastic containered foods these days. Any insight?

[matt_man]

There are a lot of suppliers online where you can buy them by the case. Specialtybottle.com is one of them. Shipping gets to be expensive though because of their weight.

I personally use 1/2 gallon canning jars because they are readily available in most stores that sell other canning supplies and they are easier for the kids to handle on their own. I do have 4 gallon jars but only use them when I run out of 1/2 gallons. I have found those at thrift stores and rummage sales.

Rachel K

[saramark]

we also use the 1/2 gallon jars. people seem to like them better, they are easier to handle and pour out of for kids especially. we just swap them out and clean them ourselves to make sure it is clean for the next customer.

[Up North]

Looky Here Francis

http://www.freundcontainer.com/product.asp_Q_pn_E_38004

Credit goes to Heather she keeps all this stuff bookmarked. I just drink coffee and talk smart. She does all the work, LOL.

[jerzeygurl]

i have gotten a few at auction, look for the sun tea type jar with out spigot

but i use the plastic sterilite pitchers for milk and the glass for cream.

[Ken Scharabok]

Cheap wine comes in one-gallon glass jars. Check with local wine sellers. If they known of a regular buyer they may be able to put the two of you in touch.

I save suitable glass jugs for a guy who makes a good bit of homemade wine.

[dk_40207]

We got 1/2 gallon jars at the family dollar store. They are a lot easier to handle.

DK

[Jcran]

here on the west coast we have a coop order company called "Mountain People's Warehouse". You can order gallon glass jars from them. I use them for polenta, flour and the like, but a friend turned me on to the 1/2 gallon canning jars for milk(here its goat milk) and I like the way they fit into the fridge easier.

[65284]

Originally Posted by jerzeygurl

i have gotten a few at auction, look for the sun tea type jar with out spigot

but i use the plastic sterilite pitchers for milk and the glass for cream.

I use a sun tea jar with a spigot for a cream separator. Let the cream rise and drain off the skimmed mild through the spigot, tip the jar and about all of the milk can be removed. If done carefully it works very well.

[jerzeygurl]

Originally Posted by 65284

I use a sun tea jar with a spigot for a cream separator. Let the cream rise and drain off the skimmed mild through the spigot, tip the jar and about all of the milk can be removed. If done carefully it works very well.

I had thought about doing that, but decided it was just an extra part for me to clean, I skim with a laddle and that leaves enough cream in the milk to keep everybody happy.

[francismilker]

The sun tea jar with spigot sounds like a great idea! They say, "neccessity is the mother of invention". Thanks for all the avenues on where to find jars everyone!

[Marjorie Dickso]

I don't intend to bad-mouth my loyal customers. But there are some others that just will not return the jugs I've gave them milk in WITH the speech that the jars are hard to come by and to PLEASE return them whether or not they continue to buy milk. I've gone thru at least 50 glass jars, most are still out.

So, in the future, new customers will have to bring their own container. I thought about buying more, then thought how stupid of me. I get jars from the school. Having them buy the tea or the 1/2 gallon jars is a good idea. Thanks

[jerzeygurl]

every one has to bring one to get one,

or charge a deposit

[dezeeuwgoats]

Check local restaurants - they go through quite a few of them. A friend of mine works at a local restaurant and saves them for me - he says they just throw them away.
Niki

[francismilker]

Back when I first got into selling milk to a few loyal customers, they all had their own jars and would bring an empty clean one and pick up a full one. They were all older folks who realized the importance and responsibility of keeping up with glass jars. The folks who come by these days would let me put milk into a farm diesel fuel tank if I'd do it! I just want them to understand the importance of good sanitation and longevity in the jug. I guess you could put milk in about any kind of container, but it'll stay fresh longer in glass or stainless steel.......

[MullersLaneFarm]

Originally Posted by 65284

I use a sun tea jar with a spigot for a cream separator. Let the cream rise and drain off the skimmed mild through the spigot, tip the jar and about all of the milk can be removed. If done carefully it works very well.

We did this for a while, but we must have been buying some cheap jars. The spigot would begin to leak after a couple weeks, even with good cleaning.

I got gobs from my auntie in OK. She worked the consession stand at the local highschool football stadium.

Our milk customers are required to bring their own containers.

For cow's milk, I highly recommend a wide mouth jar so you can skim the cream (unless you're using a cream separator or just shake up the whole milk)

[MullersLaneFarm]

Originally Posted by Marjorie Dickso

I don't intend to bad-mouth my loyal customers. But there are some others that just will not return the jugs I've gave them milk in WITH the speech that the jars are hard to come by and to PLEASE return them whether or not they continue to buy milk. I've gone thru at least 50 glass jars, most are still out.

So, in the future, new customers will have to bring their own container. I thought about buying more, then thought how stupid of me. I get jars from the school. Having them buy the tea or the 1/2 gallon jars is a good idea. Thanks

OR charge them a high dollar deposit on those jars.