We love pouring onto waffles and pancakes “real” syrup, as we call it. Maple syrup is “real” syrup, as opposed to Log Cabin brand made from high fructose corn syrup, which we call “fake” syrup.
Because real syrup is pricey, we’re stingy with it.
We use real maple syrup we purchase at the local farmer’s market or in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, always investing in big jugs that we hope will last until our next visit.
The Problem with Repurposing Containers
When we break open the first jug, we pour some into a smaller glass or plastic container that we’ve saved for this purpose—one that previously contained syrup. The man at the place in Michigan said that used glass and plastic containers, no matter how well you clean and sterilize them, retain the odor of the previous occupant, so don’t reuse an old pickle jar, for example, or an empty ketchup container, or else your syrup will take on at least a hint of that taste and smell. Reuse only another syrup container or else pick up something brand-new.
Like I said, we’ve reused smaller syrup containers, but the problem is that they pour too fast. No matter how hard we try, we always douse the pancakes with more syrup than intended. It just plops out, even when trying to keep the flow to a trickle. The kids, especially, struggled to control the amount, dumping a veritable wading pool of syrup onto their plates.
Surely there’s a better way to release appropriate amounts of syrup? Surely?
Syrup Dispenser Designs
I saw fancy gadgets on Amazon, like this honey-themed one that releases from the bottom (here’s an Amazon affiliate link if you’re interested in checking out this honey or maple syrup dispenser).
And a retro pitcher I recall from all the breakfast diners of my youth (here’s the Amazon affiliate link for the one below):
The place in Michigan sold some in plastic bottles that they’ve purchased directly from the manufacturer—plastic squeeze bottles that would normally contain ketchup. Clever, eh?
One day, I was cruising down a grocery store aisle I rarely frequent, and spotted something on the bottom shelf: something similar, something retro, something…cheap:
This 50-cent plastic squeeze bottle looked like it had potential. Even though I’ve been trying to phase out plastics from our kitchen—and I would never put this in the microwave—I’m making an exception.
We’ll eat the syrup cool, straight from the fridge.
Most important, it adhered to the advice of the syrup seller: no other product had been in the bottle. Our maple syrup would be free from other flavors or smells.
Syrup in a Squeeze Bottle
After washing and drying the clear container thoroughly, we filled it with maple syrup from one of the big jugs. The next morning, my son made pancakes and we tested it.
Perfect! A small stream of syrup flows through the skinny top. We have control.
Squeezing out enough for a serving takes time, so psychologically it may encourage family members to stop sooner than they would have with the other containers. The result? Modest servings…and big savings!
This will seriously reduce the amount of syrup waste from overpouring, so we might actually make those two jugs last until next summer!
Please let me know if you struggle with maple syrup overpouring…and if you’ve solved it in your own ingenious way!
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Ann,
I remember the middle syrup dispenser too. How perfect for real maple syrup. Thanks for hosting..I linked a recipe for gluten free matzo balls and eggplant ratatouille on the same post.
Kind of nostalgic. I also remember a similar one in a kitchen set I used to play with as a child modeled after this idea. It had some fake brown stuff in it that sloshed around. Or…maybe it was supposed to be a coffee pot?
I’ve got to check out the matzo ball recipe! While I was growing up, my parents used to take me to a Jewish delicatessen and I LOVED the matzo ball soup.
I have fond memories of the middle syrup dispenser! I really like the container you chose though. It looks perfect. I have shared a Brie and Basil strata this week. Thank you for hosting.
Brie and basil? Say no more!
Thanks for the tip on the syrup dispenser! I’m a new linker, and I’ll be back!
Jessica, I’m so glad you’re here! And I hope you can find some clever little solution for yourself. I was at a similar store and saw two more syrup dispensers. I snapped photos on my smart phone, but I don’t know that they’re worth adding.
I linked up some yummy Applesauce & Choco Chip bars. They have a hint of autumn to them, so I thought they’d be perfect (even though our temps are nowhere near fall-ish). Is it possible this dispenser is also dripless?? That’s my biggest complaint with all syrup dispensers. They get so sticky. I understand about the plastic, but sometimes you just have to compromise to get the desired result. And, if it doesn’t work, hopefully it’s recyclable. Have a great weekend.
Applesauce and choco chip? Sounds gooooood.
Yes, it is dripless! When you squeeze it a little, the stream comes out, and when you stop and tilt it up and stop squeezing, the suction kind of pulls it back in. It’s perfect that way, too!
I laughed so hard, Ann! I really wanted to come up with my own confession, but alas, I don’t use syrup. Love that you found a cheap, yet effective solution to that vexing struggle with overpouring. Temptation is overcome and peace reigns again in the Kroeker household.
Ah, you point out a heart-issue regarding the syrup–the temptation to just tilt that old container a littttttle bit too far at the last minute. Those kids!
Your middle photo is like my mother used when we were kids. She made hot syrup with sugar and water and mapleleen flavoring. I have been searching for some REAL maple syrup. I wonder if Trader Joes carries it. None of my grocery stores do, it is not real. My post today is a story as I am very tired . . and still am, but my strength cometh from the Lord.
Yes, Trader Joe’s has real maple syrup, Hazel! They have glass containers and plastic containers. It’s so expensive…that’s why I’m so stingy with it. But it’s sooooo good.
I’ve got to find out about your fatigue!
I just pour a small amount into a small hand made pitcher; it looks wonderful on the table and the small size means there’s no waste.
I have a small pitcher, but even that gets tilted too far and they just pour so much that the next person complains because not enough is left for them. Estimating how much each person will need depends upon how many pancakes they eat. It’s all very confusing. 🙂
We just use it straight from the bottle–whatever light version is on sale! But, your story makes my mouth water for the good stuff. It’s dangerous, you know.
I don’t worry as much about what we call the “fake” syrup. It’s affordable enough that I’m not so concerned about cost (though I suppose we should always worry about our waistlines!).
The good stuff is good. So good. I love it and can’t even stand to use the “fake” kind. But, then again, who’s going to complain about pancakes and syrup? I’ll eat it if someone has gone to the trouble of whipping up gluten-free pancakes for me, even with the fake stuff. 🙂
We use small cream containers from yard sales… but it does nothing to regulate usage because they have no lid for storage so basically whatever (honey, syrup, just-made jam) gets poured into the creamer gets used in its entirety. 😉
(I also use those creamers for home-made salad dressing… for when we have company, otherwise the blender container is what we pour from.)
Good idea with the ketchup dispenser!
Blessings.
Ah, so one per person instead of one on the table? That makes sense.
I think I’m sticking with the ketchup squeeze bottle. For now, it’s solving our problem.
Ann, I don’t understand. Why would you want to stifle the flow of good maple syrup? I typically drown my pancakes or waffles in syrup. You know, just to make sure they are dead before I eat them.
Also, it makes them so wonderfully sweet!
$$$
I use a glass syrup dispenser from Sur La Table. Super cheap, the flow is controlled, and I unscrew the lid and microwave the syrup to heat it. Love it! Plus, my kids feel like they’re eating in a restaurant. 🙂
http://www.surlatable.com/product/PRO-597369/?affsrcid=Aff0001&mr:trackingCode=444C8D3D-AAC1-DF11-98FF-0019B9C043EB&mr:referralID=NA&mr:adType=pla&origin=pla&mr:ad=13512388421&mr:match={matchtype}&mr:filter=24156051701&mr:keyword={keyword}
Nice! And I have a Sur la Table nearby! Thanks for the tip!