Sprouting in jars

[LemonSlice]

Is it a good idea to sprout in jars? I have been using colanders for sprouting... but I'm wondering if sprouting in jars with those mesh lids is easier and better.

Those sprouting jar lids are so expensive online!!! $5 just for one??? Is there anywhere I can get them for cheaper?

[MysticTree]

Just use some mesh and an elastic band.

[delmar]

Just use some mesh and an elastic band.Yup! you can get a whole lot of nylon window screen at the hardware store for that same $5

[michigan roman]

i had mold problems with jars and have ended up liking big cheap plastic colanders . reason being is they allow you to spread seeds out so air flows around them , where as in jar theyre packed together in a state thats conductive to mold activity . my experience with it anyway

[Juicerguy]

I just started sprouting a few weeks back and went with the mesh screen and jar method. Very cheap and works great! I just rubber band the mesh screen to the top and there ya go. :)

[streetsurfer]

sew your own cotton, hemp, or muslin bags
lg cotton tea bags work great for personal snack sized servings of mung beans and conserve water
cheesecloth on a jar
DebB here introduced us to the idea of lids with a plastic grid placed under standard rings-I think the grid's used in needlepoint- find in a craft store
shop goodwill for inexpensive jars

[Vervain]

Yeah, mesh lids are the best for sprouting-so convenient! My Mum always used one. I really try not to buy plastics, and have been using a tea towel over the top of my jar with equally delicious effects...imagine the mesh lids are pretty easy to make, though.

[Traceyraw]

O.K I found jars at the thrift store like 10 for $1.00 I bought cheese cloth another $1.50 and rubber bands. so cheap. I also ask my neighbors to save any jars they are going to throw away for me. I did but some sprouting lids $3.50 each but you don't have too. Alfalfa and lentils are easy. I am doing mung beans but haven't perfected that yet. Good luck its fun.

[DebB]

Here's what I have made as an alternative to store bought sprouting lids. I buy the plastic canvas at craft stores. They come in sheets about 8" x 11" and are different sizes of holes per inch. These are used for needlepoint and such.

Buy the very small holed plastic canvas for small seeds such as alfalfa. You can buy the larger holed sheets for larger seeds. These work like a charm! And they're cheap. I want to say they're less than $1 per sheet and you can cut several out of one sheet.

Just trace the canning jar ring onto the plastic and cut with a scissors. They give very good air flow.

[SunshineMN]

I've been using flour sack cut into squares and fastened with the metal ring, but they get very stained and yucky looking quite quickly, even being washed in vinegar each time. Even though we're trying to avoid plastic, I may just use the plastic canvas sheets anyhow. I did buy some metal sprouting screens but they are getting a little rusty, they also aren't small enough for alfalfa seeds. The 10 holes per inch plastic canvas would work quite well for tiny seeds and the 7 per inch would work for everything else. The only time I've ever had problems with mold or souring is when I've tried sprouting things that weren't actually sproutable, or the couple times we forgot to rinse them for more than 12 hours.

[Jimmorison]

nothing else needs

[walnutty]

I did buy some metal sprouting screens but they are getting a little rusty


That would really concern me...exposing sprouts to rust!

[The Sproutarian (Mr Raw)]

Is it a good idea to sprout in jars? I have been using colanders for sprouting... but I'm wondering if sprouting in jars with those mesh lids is easier and better.

Those sprouting jar lids are so expensive online!!! $5 just for one??? Is there anywhere I can get them for cheaper?

Jars can be o.k, but it can be a problem. See this link for my most recent post on `problems with sprouting in jars'.
http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/showthread.php?64973-Sprouting!&p=694600#post694600