These 7 Amazon Tools Help Keep Food Fresher, Longer—and Prices Start at $12

Most of our pantries could use a good spring cleanout. Chances are, your cabinets and shelves are stocked with boxes and cans that are past their prime—and they may be hiding in plain sight. Foods like cooking oil, flour, rice, baking soda and even sprinkles have a shorter shelf life than you’d think, so it’s time to go through your kitchen and check those expiration dates.

No one likes having to toss out half-used groceries, so if you want to make sure next year’s cleanout is less wasteful, now’s the perfect time to invest in clever tools to preserve the freshness of pantry staples. We found seven easy ways to extend the shelf life of ingredients like nuts and herbs, and prices start at just $12.

Best Amazon Food Preservation Tools

Purelite Olive Oil & Vinegar Glass Cruet

Cooking oils have a limited shelf life, lasting for at most four months unopened. If the oils in your cabinet have been sitting there for years, chances are it’s time to toss them. To avoid wasting unused oils in the future, snag this smart solution from Amazon. The 17-ounce cruet has an airtight seal, keeping oil fresh for longer. Plus, it’s easy to use: The bottle’s wide-mouth spout makes filling and refilling a breeze, and the spout is cleverly designed to catch drips and leaks.

Tenta Kitchen Maple Syrup Dispenser

Did you know that maple syrup can go bad? If you have a slightly sticky container that’s been sitting on your pantry shelf for as long as you can remember, it’s time to throw it in the garbage. Maple syrup can last up to a year on the shelf when unopened. If opened, it can last for about a year in the fridge—unless you have this genius dispenser. The 22-ounce bottle is made from tough glass that won’t easily break, and the lid features a silicone ring to seal in freshness. It might not look as cute as your little bottle of maple syrup, but it will make sure what’s inside stays tasty—and that’s what’s most important, right?

Goodful Herb Keeper

While they don’t technically expire, dried herbs and spices tend to lose their flavor over time. We recommend keeping ground spices for no more than two or three years and whole spices for up to four years. Next time, instead of buying another dried herb you’ll only use once or twice, buy them fresh. Not only can fresh herbs add more flavor to dishes, but they can also last longer than you might expect—as long as you have this clever herb keeper. The tool optimizes airflow and features a water reservoir to keep contents crisp. “The money you save on discarding spoiled herbs more than equates to the purchase of this herb and vegetable holder,” notes one Amazon shopper.

LivLab Flour Container

Unless you’re an avid baker (or you’re currently in a sourdough phase), chances are you have some half-empty bags of flour lying around. You should only hold onto bags of all-purpose flour for about eight months, while gluten-free, nut-based and other alternative flours tend to go bad faster. This container is designed to preserve flour for longer, and its lid automatically opens at the touch of a button for one-handed measuring. The container is also great for storing nuts, which have a relatively short shelf life (just six months). Snag yours while it’s 21% off at Amazon.

Progressive International Prepworks Mini ProKeeper Containers

If your baked goods aren’t rising the way you want them to, chances are your leaveners are past their prime. Stored in their original containers, baking powder lasts for about six months, while baking soda can last up to a year and a half. This 1.5-cup airtight container is designed to keep these ingredients fresh for longer, and it comes with a convenient, removable screen that makes it easier to level measuring spoons and sprinkle spices. According to one customer, the container is large enough to fit a standard container of baking soda.

RoyalHouse Sprinkle Shaker Jars, Set of 6

If you’ve been holding onto the same jar of sprinkles since you baked a birthday cake years ago, it’s time to bid it adieu. Sprinkles can lose their flavor and freshness over time, so if you’ve noticed any discoloration or odd smells, chances are they’ve gone rancid. If you want to preserve them for longer next time, stock up on these sprinkle shaker jars, which seal in freshness to reduce waste. A set of six costs just $14, and best of all, they’re incredibly versatile. You can use them for spices, dried herbs and sugar.

Cosyzone Large Rice Dispenser

Opened bags of rice and grains can go bad quicker than you’d think, which is why this genius dispenser is a must-buy for those who eat a lot of the stuff. This container not only locks in freshness but also makes it easier than ever to measure out the amount you need without making a mess on the countertop. Thanks to its generous capacity, the dispenser can store up to 25 pounds of rice at a time. According to one shopper, the container’s sealing ring creates a “moisture-proof and dust-proof barrier” to keep contents from going stale and stop insects and other pests from getting in.