Experts say this is the worst place to store your spices—and it's probably in your pantry
- Replies 0
Ever feel like your kitchen pantry is more chaotic than it should be?
A surprising new find is making waves online for how effortlessly it transforms cluttered cupboards.
Seniors across Australia are taking notice—especially those looking to reclaim some order in the heart of their home.
There are two kinds of people in this world: those who haphazardly toss their herbs and spices wherever they’ll fit—and those who have an organisational system so meticulous it would make a professional chef proud.
Recently, a humble $7 product from Kmart sparked a stir online, catching the attention of both camps.
It was the kind of item that had shoppers rushing to stores and flooding comment sections with excitement.
The Under Shelf Spice Rack—praised as a ‘game changer’ on social media—was designed to keep herbs and spices both tidy and within reach, using the often-overlooked space beneath kitchen shelves.
It even features a pull-out compartment with a built-in drawer stop for easy access.
Source: TikTok/abby05820
One social media user was so impressed, they shared the find online, prompting a flurry of enthusiastic reactions.
‘Oh wow I feel my life’s changed from this,’ one person wrote.
Another added: ‘Fine I’ll go to Kmart no need to twist my arm.’
‘The speed I sent this to my husband should be a record breaker,’ joked a third.
Someone else declared: ‘This is about to change my life.’
As more shoppers caught wind of the budget-friendly organiser, the debate quickly shifted from admiration to logistics.
Would it actually hold enough jars for the average home cook? And—perhaps more unexpectedly—should herbs and spices even be stored in a spice rack at all?
Some users argued the product wouldn’t be large enough for their collections. Others went further, claiming spices should be kept in the fridge to stop them from clumping and hardening—an opinion that sparked confusion and further discussion.
Leif Lundin, Food Program Research Director at CSIRO, weighed in to clear things up.
‘It’s best to keep them in a cool, dark place to protect them from sunlight and moisture,’ he explained.
‘Also, avoid exposing them to temperature fluctuations; for example, don’t store them in a cupboard next to the stove.’
According to Lundin, temperature, sunlight and moisture are the three main enemies of spice longevity. When conditions are stable and dry, spices retain their flavour longer—thanks to a slowdown in the chemical reactions that degrade taste.
So, should spices ever go in the fridge?
Not really, said Lundin. While it might seem like a good idea, taking jars in and out of the fridge can cause condensation—leading to exactly the kind of moisture you want to avoid.
‘It’s recommended to store spices in sealed, airtight containers, such as glass jars, at a consistent, cool temperature,’ he added. ‘Additionally, whole spices tend to last longer than ground spices. This is because ground spices have a larger surface area, which increases the rate of chemical reactions that lead to flavour degradation.’
Of course, storage solutions don’t just need to be scientifically sound—they also have to fit individual households.
Professional organiser Tash Kraus from Situation Sorted shared her own take, she shared that she personally kept dried herbs and spices in the pantry, but stored garlic and onion powder in the fridge to avoid clumping.
Kraus also recommended a different Kmart product altogether for those with larger collections: the 3 Tier Shelf for $8.
‘Each household is different, and it really depends on the type of cook you are as to how many spices you will have,’ she said.
‘I love having all my spices organised and in the one area, but the Under Shelf Kmart version wouldn’t work for me, as I have approximately 30 spices. It also only works for six jars, whereas some spices also come in packets and larger sizes.’
So, while the Under Shelf Spice Rack might not suit every pantry or every cook, it certainly ignited a conversation about kitchen organisation—and may be the perfect solution for those looking to make the most of tight storage spaces.
Here’s another helpful tip you might enjoy—especially if you loved the idea of maximising kitchen space in clever ways.
A fellow shopper recently upgraded a $15 modular 3‑tier skincare shelf (meant for makeup) into a chic, multi-tiered spice display that’s both smart and stylish.
It’s a real-world example of making small changes around the home with minimal effort…
Read more: Kmart shopper’s handy spice rack tip wows online fans: ‘That’s brilliant!’
Whether you’re a seasoned home cook or just trying to tame a chaotic pantry, finding the right storage setup can make all the difference.
What’s your go-to trick for keeping your herbs and spices neat and easy to find?
A surprising new find is making waves online for how effortlessly it transforms cluttered cupboards.
Seniors across Australia are taking notice—especially those looking to reclaim some order in the heart of their home.
There are two kinds of people in this world: those who haphazardly toss their herbs and spices wherever they’ll fit—and those who have an organisational system so meticulous it would make a professional chef proud.
Recently, a humble $7 product from Kmart sparked a stir online, catching the attention of both camps.
It was the kind of item that had shoppers rushing to stores and flooding comment sections with excitement.
$7 Kmart buy transforms messy kitchens. Image source: Kmart
The Under Shelf Spice Rack—praised as a ‘game changer’ on social media—was designed to keep herbs and spices both tidy and within reach, using the often-overlooked space beneath kitchen shelves.
It even features a pull-out compartment with a built-in drawer stop for easy access.
Source: TikTok/abby05820
One social media user was so impressed, they shared the find online, prompting a flurry of enthusiastic reactions.
‘Oh wow I feel my life’s changed from this,’ one person wrote.
Another added: ‘Fine I’ll go to Kmart no need to twist my arm.’
‘The speed I sent this to my husband should be a record breaker,’ joked a third.
Someone else declared: ‘This is about to change my life.’
As more shoppers caught wind of the budget-friendly organiser, the debate quickly shifted from admiration to logistics.
Would it actually hold enough jars for the average home cook? And—perhaps more unexpectedly—should herbs and spices even be stored in a spice rack at all?
Some users argued the product wouldn’t be large enough for their collections. Others went further, claiming spices should be kept in the fridge to stop them from clumping and hardening—an opinion that sparked confusion and further discussion.
Leif Lundin, Food Program Research Director at CSIRO, weighed in to clear things up.
‘It’s best to keep them in a cool, dark place to protect them from sunlight and moisture,’ he explained.
‘Also, avoid exposing them to temperature fluctuations; for example, don’t store them in a cupboard next to the stove.’
According to Lundin, temperature, sunlight and moisture are the three main enemies of spice longevity. When conditions are stable and dry, spices retain their flavour longer—thanks to a slowdown in the chemical reactions that degrade taste.
So, should spices ever go in the fridge?
Not really, said Lundin. While it might seem like a good idea, taking jars in and out of the fridge can cause condensation—leading to exactly the kind of moisture you want to avoid.
‘It’s recommended to store spices in sealed, airtight containers, such as glass jars, at a consistent, cool temperature,’ he added. ‘Additionally, whole spices tend to last longer than ground spices. This is because ground spices have a larger surface area, which increases the rate of chemical reactions that lead to flavour degradation.’
Of course, storage solutions don’t just need to be scientifically sound—they also have to fit individual households.
Professional organiser Tash Kraus from Situation Sorted shared her own take, she shared that she personally kept dried herbs and spices in the pantry, but stored garlic and onion powder in the fridge to avoid clumping.
Kraus also recommended a different Kmart product altogether for those with larger collections: the 3 Tier Shelf for $8.
‘Each household is different, and it really depends on the type of cook you are as to how many spices you will have,’ she said.
‘I love having all my spices organised and in the one area, but the Under Shelf Kmart version wouldn’t work for me, as I have approximately 30 spices. It also only works for six jars, whereas some spices also come in packets and larger sizes.’
So, while the Under Shelf Spice Rack might not suit every pantry or every cook, it certainly ignited a conversation about kitchen organisation—and may be the perfect solution for those looking to make the most of tight storage spaces.
Here’s another helpful tip you might enjoy—especially if you loved the idea of maximising kitchen space in clever ways.
A fellow shopper recently upgraded a $15 modular 3‑tier skincare shelf (meant for makeup) into a chic, multi-tiered spice display that’s both smart and stylish.
It’s a real-world example of making small changes around the home with minimal effort…
Read more: Kmart shopper’s handy spice rack tip wows online fans: ‘That’s brilliant!’
Whether you’re a seasoned home cook or just trying to tame a chaotic pantry, finding the right storage setup can make all the difference.
What’s your go-to trick for keeping your herbs and spices neat and easy to find?
