Side-by-Side Comparison
Pantry & Food Storage
Food Storage Bags vs. Mason Jars
Comparing 2 standards across 16 specifications. 16 key differences identified.
Comparing:
Food Storage Bags
Mason Jars
Reclosable food storage bags are standardized into Snack, Sandwich, Quart (0.94 L), Gallon (3.78 L), and Two-Gallon sizes. Standard storage bags use 1.5–1.75 mil film, while Heavy Duty Freezer bags use 2.25–2.7 mil polyethylene to prevent freezer burn.
Mason canning jars are standardized by opening diameter into Regular Mouth (70 mm / 2.75") and Wide Mouth (86 mm / 3.38"), with capacities ranging from 4 oz jelly jars to 64 oz half-gallons adhering to strict USDA headspace specifications.
Specification Comparison Table
16 Parameters| Parameter / Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Governing Standards
|
FDA 21 CFR 177.1520 / ASTM D5433 Polyethylene Standards | USDA Complete Guide to Home Canning / Ball-Kerr Specifications |
|
Snack Bag
|
6.5 × 3.25 inches (16.5 × 8.3 cm) | Volume: ~9 fl oz (270 ml) | — |
|
Sandwich Bag
|
6.5 × 5.88 inches (16.5 × 14.9 cm) | Volume: ~24 fl oz (710 ml) | — |
|
Quart Bag
|
7.0 × 7.75 inches (17.8 × 19.7 cm) | Volume: 32 fl oz (1 Quart / 0.94 L) | — |
|
Gallon Bag
|
10.5 × 10.75 inches (26.7 × 27.3 cm) | Volume: 128 fl oz (1 Gallon / 3.78 L) | — |
|
Two-Gallon Bag
|
13.0 × 15.62 inches (33.0 × 39.7 cm) | Volume: 256 fl oz (2 Gallon / 7.57 L) | — |
|
Standard Storage Film Gauge
|
1.50 to 1.75 mil (0.038–0.044 mm) low-density polyethylene (LDPE) | — |
|
Freezer Bag Film Gauge
|
2.25 to 2.70 mil (0.057–0.069 mm) heavy-gauge moisture-barrier LDPE | — |
|
Regular Mouth Diameter
|
— | 70 mm (2.75 inches) outer thread diameter | Classic shoulder profile |
|
Wide Mouth Diameter
|
— | 86 mm (3.38 inches) outer thread diameter | Straight sides for freezing |
|
Quarter-Pint (4 oz)
|
— | 118 ml | Regular Mouth | Jellies, jams, baby food, spices |
|
Half-Pint (8 oz)
|
— | 237 ml | Regular & Wide Mouth | Preserves, sauces, dressings |
|
Pint (16 oz)
|
— | 473 ml | Regular & Wide Mouth | Salsas, pickles, pie fillings |
|
Pint & Half (24 oz)
|
— | 710 ml | Wide Mouth | Asparagus, long vegetables, drinks |
|
Quart (32 oz)
|
— | 946 ml | Regular & Wide Mouth | Tomatoes, broths, whole fruits |
|
Half-Gallon (64 oz)
|
— | 1,892 ml | Wide Mouth only | Juices, dry storage (not for boiling water bath) |