Sites for tea canisters?

[hyakuraiju]

Why are tea canisters so expensive? A large tin from the grocery store costs only $.49 cents, so i'm not sure why tea tins are selling for $4 each. Are there any sites that sell cheap plains ones that I can decorate myself?

[Chip]

Depends on what you are looking for? Size, etc. Decorated?

Tea vendors are often not the best place to score undecorated canisters for storing tea as they likely buy in much smaller quantities than larger outlets.

There are lots of online vendors specializing in bulk sales of containers at really discount prices. But sometimes only a tea vendor will have exactly what you are looking for.

I personally prefer Japanese made canisters in style and decor and function.

[gingkoseto]

Specialtybottles.com has a lot of cans and tins. Their tea can is something like $1.5 as I remember. I prefer to use their screw top tins which are less than $1. Their shipping seems to have got more expensive than before. So it depends on how many you buy, it may or may not be a good deal.

[Streak]

Specialtybottles.com has a lot of cans and tins. Their tea can is something like $1.5 as I remember. I prefer to use their screw top tins which are less than $1. Their shipping seems to have got more expensive than before. So it depends on how many you buy, it may or may not be a good deal.

Another vote here for Specialtybottles.

I have 2 of the tall (cylindrical) tins with the front latch. When asked, the rep didn't know if they were airtight; she encouraged me to test it first. I didn't want to risk letting any of my current supply get stale, so I bought a clear silicone caulk/sealant from Lowe's and added that around the O-ring in the top lid, let it dry for 24 hours, and it has a great seal now.

Ginkoseto, are their screw top tins airtight? I thought about trying some of those, too, but my order was already getting pricey and as you said, their shipping is on the higher side. Didn't seem worth adding another container at the time, especially since I wouldn't know how to make it airtight if it isn't already... I tried the silicone caulk method with another screw-top jar and it didn't work at all.

Hyakurai, do you specifically want tea tins, or are you just looking for something cost effective and customizable?

If you're looking for something functional that you can decorate yourself, you could also consider Ball jars, the type usually used for canning with the 2 piece canning lids. Most of my tea is stored in Ball jars. I keep them in a closed cabinet under the counter and stored individually in brown paper (lunch) bags to avoid light exposure, but I've thought about hitting some craft and fabric stores to see if I can't find something decorative to use as a cover. In the meantime, under the cupboard works fine to protect it from light, and the 2 part lids do seal quite well (obviously not as airtight as when they go through the actual canning process, but it's very sufficient)

[nonc_ron]

Specialtybottles.com has a lot of cans and tins. Their tea can is something like $1.5 as I remember. I prefer to use their screw top tins which are less than $1. Their shipping seems to have got more expensive than before. So it depends on how many you buy, it may or may not be a good deal.

A group buy would solve the shipping problem.
Tin Tea Wide 3.4" by 4.2" w/ Twist Cover $1.28 ea.
4 for $10.81 shipping
8 for $14.56 shipping
12 for $15.09 shipping
24 for $16.70 shipping
When you buy 24 the shipping is only $0.70 ea. tin.

[Marco]

Specialtybottles.com looks great. Does anybody know something like this in Europe? Shipping with air freight gets a little expensive with canisters.

[gingkoseto]

Streak, the screw top steel cans are well sealed but not 100% air tight. I tested it with water before. It can be inverted and hold water inside pretty well, but if I shake the can, water can be shaken out little by little. Their tea cans are quite tightly lidded, but the problem is it can be too tight that opening the can make cause outburst of a lot of tea leaves from the can

Nonc_ron, it's indeed a good idea to group shopping with people in the same town. A girlfriend of mine participated one in her town with people who home-make herb spices.

[Herb_Master]

did someone say herb

[nonc_ron]

Streak, the screw top steel cans are well sealed but not 100% air tight.Their tea cans can be too tight that opening the can cause outburst of a lot of tea leaves from the can

The ones I bought are Twist Tops, More like a pill bottle.
A quarter turn to R, it's on, A quarter turn to L, it's off.
A plastic enter lid would be the next improvement.
I may have to make my own.
I already have a hair dryer and a vacuum. I just need to build a small vacuum box and cut up a few plastic milk bottles.

Yes, they can be used for Herbs, But keep the tins separate.