Availability and pricing updated: April, 2022
Canning supplies are quite a bit more expensive than they were a couple years ago. The prices spiked during the pandemic and haven't come back down. In fact, some retailers are still increasing prices.
Unless you're familiar with typical prices, it's hard to know if a retailer is overcharging. Below is how much canning jars, lids, and pectin normally cost, before the pandemic.
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What's the price of canning jars?
The current cost of an 8 oz jar in 2022 averages around $1.00 each. In 2019 they were between $0.50 - $0.75 per jar, depending on the source.
Menards, a midwest hardware store, has the cheapest prices (and they ship), at $0.79 per 8 oz jar. Target reduced their price slightly in 2022 and is now also at $0.92 per jar. All other sources are well over $1.00 per jar and sellers on amazon are double that at $2.00.
Price of lids, bands and pectin
Lids cannot be reused, so they are also a hot item. In 2019 they cost about 2.00 per dozen but now most retailers price them at $3.50. Many retailers are no longer selling just lids - instead they are bundling them with the bands (which only need to be replaced if they rusted).
Pectin is also more expensive. It used to be less than $1.00 per ounce, but now hovers around $1.50 per ounce or higher.
Where to buy the cheapest canning jars & lids
Canning jars, lids, and pectin are all hard to find now. Big retailers (Walmart and Target) are either sold out, or allow 3rd parties to sell at ridiculous markups (like Amazon).
The best place to find canning jars is Target and Menards (both ship if there isn't one near you). That said, the prices are all still higher than before the pandemic, and some are even raised prices last summer (2021) and again in early 2022.
If you have a local garden supply store, or a thrift shop, you can check in person for even better pricing.
Last updated: April 2022
Target currently has decent prices & some cute specialty jars
Target did raise some prices after the fall 2021 season. The strike-through prices were from fall 2021, and the listed price is currently as of April, 2022. Their jars are currently low priced, but the lids are quite high ($0.54 each)
- 4 oz regular mouth jelly jar including bands and lids, 12 count for
$8.39$11.99 ($1.00 each) - 8 oz regular mouth jar including bands and lids, 12 count for
$10.99$9.49 ($0.79 each) - Super cute 13.5 oz 'Italian' canning jars, $4.99 each (was $3.99 in fall, 2021 and 2.99 fall 2020)
- Ball Classic Pectin for
$6.49$5.99 (4.7oz container) - this is 30-40% higher than pre-pandemic prices - 12-pack of lids: $6.49
- Canning jars & lids inventory list: check their list for in-store pickup or shipping
Menards has jars at the best price (and they ship!)
Menards didn't raise prices during the pandemic (but then they sold out). They did raise prices after the fall 2021 season, however. Strike-through prices are from fall, 2021. Mendards ships nationwide.
- Several jar sizes, all under $1.00 per jar (including lids and rings)
- 4 oz jars, including lids and bands: 12 count for
$7.99$8.92 / $0.74 each - 8 oz regular mouth jars, including lids and bads: 12 count for
$7.99$9.47 / $0.79 each - 16 oz regular mouth jars, including lids and bands: 12 count for
$8.99$11.99/ $1.00 each - Regular mouth lids, $3.49 for 12 (was $2.09 fall 2020).
- Ball Classic fruit pectin, $4.48 for 4.7 oz jar. Ship to home, or ship to store options available.
- Several other pectins available, for in-store and online shipping.
Amazon is overpriced
Canning jars on Amazon are incredibly overpriced - double what other retailers are charging. A dozen 8 oz jars are selling for $24 or more, compared to $12 (and sometimes less) at other retailers.
Webstaurant Store has raised prices even since the pandemic shortage
They target restaurant owners, but canning supplies are sold in bulk amounts that a home canner would use as well. Currently, their prices are higher than usual and not a great value, even when buying in bulk.
- Canning supplies product page
- 4 oz regular mouth jars, sold by the case, includes rings and lids.
$1.04$1.45 per jar (was $0.66 per jar mid-pandemic) - 8 oz regular mouth jars, sold by the case, includes rings and lids.
$1.20$1.45 per jar. (was $1.13 per jar mid-pandemic). They also have an off brand for $0.87 per jar. - 8 oz regular mouth jars in vintage aqua, sold in packs of 4, includes rings and lids.
$2.87$3.60 per jar (was $1.92 each mid-pandemic) - 16 oz regular mouth jars in vintage aqua, sold in packs of 4 for
$3.25$4.00 per jar (was $2.12 in fall 2020) - 16 oz regular mouth 'spiral' jars, sold in packs of 4 for
$3.25$4.00 per jar (was $2.12 in fall 2020)
Uline has jars, but not great prices
Uline is a shipping supply store, but they happen to have Ball canning jars. Their prices aren't great, even with bulk purchasing.
- 4 oz regular mouth jars including bands and lids: 12 count for
$15.60$18.60/ 1.55 each (was $14.40 fall 2020) - 8 oz regular mouth jars including bands and lids: 12 count for
$14.40$18.69/$1.55 each (same price as during pandemic) - 8 oz wide mouth jars including bands and lids: 12 count for
$19.20$22.80 / 1.90 each ( was $18.00 fall 2020) - 16 oz regular mouth jars including bands and lids: 12 count for
$16.20$20.40 ($1.70 each) - Regular mouth lids and bands: 12 count for
$7.15$8.50, but must buy two boxes for a total of $17.00. (was $6.60 for 12 pre-pandemic) - Regular lids (without bands) are
$3.65$4.75 for 12, must buy 2 packs. $0.40 each - Full list of canning jars & lids
Tractor Supply Co has pint jars
There doesn't seem to be many options, but they currently have 16 oz regular mouth jars for $9.99 $13.99 per dozen (same as during pandemic)
Don't buy 'storage jars'
There are cute, usually small jars by Mason and Ball labeled Storage Jars. These are not meant for canning.
Can't find jars? Try freezing instead
Jams & other food go through the canning process to make them safe for storage at room temperature. But if you're storing something in the freezer, it doesn't have to go through the same sterilization process.
Freezing your jam (etc) doesn't require the glass jars and special lids, either. You can use a plastic container.
For more freezer jam information, visit The Cafe Sucre Farine for resources.
More resources
Do you have a good source for canning supplies not listed here? Leave a comment to help other people.
Looking for other canning-related ideas or help? Check out these resources.
- How to safely can - a look at the roles played by acid, heat, and sugar the canning process.
- Ball's All New Book of Canning and Preserving (review)
- Peach bourbon jam recipe (low sugar, small batch)
Pauline says
Prices on jar lids is ridiculous.
We are cautioned not to reuse lids.
Hard to convince yourself to keep canning when I can get a 15 oz can of tomatoes for $.25 and it costs $.35 for a new lid plus your time, produce and electricity.
Vee says
I need to shop where you are shopping! I haven't seen those low prices by me, but I do see your point. I personally can for two reasons. The first reason is my main motivator: better flavor and quality. The second reason is to use up extra produce I've grown before it goes bad.
Joey says
Hi,
I am looking for glass jars for storage of rice, beans, pasta. What would you recommend at the lowest price. I am in Eastern NC. We do not have Menards.
Thank you,
Vee says
Mendards will ship if that's an option you're interested in. You can also check a Walmart in-person (I've found the online sellers through Walmart.com have such variable prices that are often 3-4x the actual price). What size jars are you looking for? I can check a few online sources for you.