I was reminded of that this morning. My nutella was just about gone. I took a scraper to get most of the nutella out. Well the bottom was such a funny shape that lots of nutella was left in the jar. I know that the nutella jar has a large flat side so that the name can be large and recognizable, but why did the bottom have to have a weird shape.
Another container that I really dislike is a jar of applesauce. The sides of the jar are ridged. No matter how hard you try, much applesauce is left in the container.
Why can't somebody design a jar that would make it very easy to get all the material out?
How about you. Is not being able to easily get out the last material a concern or does it just not matter?
I don't eat Nutella, but I do know that infuriating pointy mountain in the base of a jar. I've not encountered your applesauce brand, but your description would lead me to changing brands. You might try writing to each and explain your complaint. They might send you a free jar to compensate all the good stuff you've had to pitch.
ReplyDeleteIn many cases companies easily give you a certificate for something if you complain.
Delete.
I'm not familiar with a ridged jar but I do like to get every last bit out of a jar. We have a flexible spoon with a bent handle which allows the spoon to get right into the corners. It's great
ReplyDeleteI'm finding out that there are some interesting devices to get to the bottom of things.
DeleteI always scrape out the jar no matter what I have to use, lol. That includes my fingers. I agree with you that they should think about the jar design so they don't waste the product they are trying to sell. Here's a thought for you. If the container is plastic, cut the bottom off and get at the inside that way. If the container is glass that won't work.
ReplyDeleteI think that in some cases the company deliberately makes a container that's hard to clean. Then some material is left and they get to sell more.
DeleteI've never had that problem, but then we don't eat much from jars except peanut butter, jam, and mayo. I wonder if some of the jars, at least, need to be a certain shape to be strong enough to withstand machine filling and handling. Likewise for the jars with a raised place in the bottom - does that allow the stuff to go in the jars without trapping an air bubble at the bottom? Maybe I'm not cynical enough :D
ReplyDeleteYou come up with some good ideas and I'm sure much of the shape is because of handling issues.
DeleteIt is a concern to me because I do not like to waste food! I use a long iced tea spoon on jars like you mentioned and usually I can get most of the food out. What bothers me is certain hand lotions with or without a pump. When they get low you just can't get the last bit out. Now I have resorted to putting the bottle in the microwave for a few seconds to soften it and get it out, but you have to be very careful or you'll get burned. I knew someone that would cut the bottle open and then get lots of lotion out from the sides and bottom. I guess it depends on how far you are willing to go. But yes, this is a universal problem Red!
ReplyDeleteHand lotion containers are the worst . Some detergents are bad too.
DeleteI’ve never tried Nutella, but now you’ve made me curious. Art is fanatical about getting the last drop out of every jar. He does manage to do it. But since he’s the one that takes care of it, I haven’t experienced the frustration.
ReplyDeleteTry nutella but it's first ingredient is sugar?
DeleteYES! This is a pet peeve of mine. I've told Dave to stop buying squeezable mayonnaise because so much mayo stays in the bottle after it's "empty" -- we went back to glass jars, which in that case are marginally better.
ReplyDeleteI've had a few squeezable mayo jars and they're a real pain.
Deletehaha
ReplyDeleteyour post reminded me my early kitchen jars that i had baught without giving much thought and by impressing their intriguing look but when i had to wash them they gave me hard time because of their complicated designed bottom ,i learned my lesson and my nxt set of jars were as simple as my poor brain
There's always something to trick us.
DeleteThis may surprise you greatly, Red, but this is not something that has ever featured a whole lot in my thoughts! I use a spatula at the bottom of the jar, but whether a I get the last bit or not I have no idea, nor does it concern me. As for apple sauce we make our own and as far as I know get it all out of the jar. But if not there are always several more just waiting to be opened!
ReplyDeleteNow it doesn't surprise me at all about getting to the bottom of things. It has surprised me that there are so many people who find this problem aggravating.
DeleteI hear you!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure.
DeleteI feel the same about jars of sunscreen with a pump. They design it so too much of the stuff stays in the jar. We have to cut it in half with a knife to get what seems like at least a quarter of the cream out of the container.
ReplyDeleteYou're right on with lotion containers.
DeleteOh, it drives me crazy! Yesterday it was the last of the peanut butter in a jar. Why do they make a jar the dips in on the bottom, making a hill inside the the jar? I must have spent 15 minutes getting the last of it for my sandwich. :)
ReplyDeleteSome containers are worse than others.
DeleteWhat a spatula doesn’t take out I let go. But it is frustrating!
ReplyDeleteThat's what usually happens here. There's only so much you can get to.
DeleteHello, I love the Nutella. I have a good scraper, it small and bends easily. Enjoy your day!
ReplyDeleteI must find a flexible one.
DeleteIt’s annoying but I do manage to get every bit out of a jar. Yes, I admit here, sometimes I’m reduced to using fingers!
ReplyDeleteI give it a good try and if some is left OK. don't sweat the small stuff.
DeleteI hadn't thought about it, but yes, it annoys me to leave any food left in the container. I try little spoons and anything else I can think of to scrape as much as I can get.
ReplyDeletei wonder if we could devise some kind of food vacuum to do this job!
DeleteYou need a mini silicone spatular. We have one and it takes care of that problem.
ReplyDeleteI must look for this one.
DeleteI have a spatula too, with the catsup and BBQ sauce bottle I add water and pour it in chili or sauces. Peanut Butter we try to get almost all of it out. Some containers are made the way they are to look larger:)
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, I think there are more devious reasons for making containers difficult to clean out.
DeleteIt's a lot of work to get the last of the material.
ReplyDeleteI try but I give up before my wife who really scrapes the jars.
ReplyDeleteI am not eating this stuff on my bread, so I don't know the problem. But when I use another kind of glass potty I us a spoon or a knife to get it out in the end.
ReplyDeleteGlad I read the comments, Red, before posting my own because several others noted that the worst is a peanut butter jar. I am also one who tries to get every bit out of the jar, but there does come a point where one has to give up...and open a new one.
ReplyDeleteI've blogged about this before with Sunpat Peanut Butter jars. Very annoying!
ReplyDeleteI'm with the peanut butter crowd. Jelly too.
ReplyDeleteDon't get me started Red! My pet hate is squeezy bottles for ketchup or mayonnaise. So much sauce is left in those suckers when you cannot squeeze any more. It is a criminal waste of the bounty of the earth.
ReplyDeletevery annoying, worth a good try then, important to know when to give up!
ReplyDeleteYes, it's very annoying! Peanut butter comes to mind.
ReplyDelete“Why can't somebody design a jar that would make it very easy to get all the material out?” My guess is, the producer of the product is more interested in how the jar fits on the shelf in the store, and how much, or how little, of the product they can get in there for the asking price.
ReplyDeleteI routinely cut the toothpaste tube in half and open it up and there is usually enough toothpaste to brush my teeth for at least a week lurking in the creases.
ReplyDelete