How to Store Bulk BBQ Seasoning: Why We Went Back to the Old-School Shaker

Buying BBQ seasoning in bulk makes a lot of sense if you grill regularly. You get more seasoning, less packaging, and you don't have to worry about running out halfway through a rack of ribs or a big cook.

But once you buy BBQ seasoning in bulk, there's an obvious question:

What's the best way to store bulk BBQ seasoning and keep it fresh?

At The Lawman Rub Co. here in East Tennessee, we've actually gone back to a pretty simple, old-school approach: keep the bulk seasoning sealed and refill a shaker as you need it.

It's nothing fancy, but it works.

16 oz Shaker Jar

Why We Moved Gun Slinger to Bulk Bags

For years, our Gun Slinger All Purpose Seasoning was sold in traditional shaker bottles. As packaging and production costs continued to increase, we started looking at whether customers were really getting the best value from buying seasoning that way.

Many of our regular customers weren't buying just one shaker anyway. They were buying multiple bottles because they actually use the stuff.

So we simplified things.

Today, our award-winning Gun Slinger All Purpose Seasoning is available in bulk sizes, including our popular 2-pound refill bag.

Instead of continually buying another prefilled plastic bottle, you can keep your shaker and refill it.

And if your old shaker has finally seen its last rack of ribs, we've added empty 16 oz shaker jars with caps to The Lawman Store. They're the same standard-size style of seasoning shaker we've used over the years and make a great add-on when purchasing Gun Slinger in bulk.

What's the Best Way to Store Bulk BBQ Seasoning?

The biggest enemies of dried seasonings are moisture, heat, direct sunlight and air exposure.

For the best results, store your BBQ seasoning:

• In a sealed container or resealable bag

• In a cool, dry location

• Away from your stove, grill or other heat sources

• Away from direct sunlight

• With the lid or bag completely closed between uses

A kitchen pantry or cabinet is usually an excellent location.

One thing we don't recommend is leaving a large container of seasoning outside next to the grill. East Tennessee summers bring plenty of heat and humidity, and neither one is doing your seasoning any favors.

Keep the Bulk Bag Sealed and Refill Your Shaker

One of the easiest ways to use bulk BBQ seasoning is also one of the simplest.

Keep your bulk bag properly sealed and refill a smaller shaker as needed.

You don't need your entire supply sitting next to the smoker every time you cook.

Fill your shaker, seal your bulk bag back up, and put it away in a cool, dry place.

Your shaker becomes the working container that goes to the grill.

When it's getting low, refill it.

Simple.

The Funny Part? That's Pretty Much How Gun Slinger Started

Long before The Lawman Rub Co. was selling seasoning commercially, I was making seasoning for family and friends.

There weren't rows of professionally labeled shaker bottles sitting around.

I kept my seasoning in a flour-style glass storage container in the pantry and scooped out what I needed.

Sometimes the simplest way is still one of the best ways.

That's basically where we've come full circle with Gun Slinger.

Make a good seasoning, keep it properly stored, and put it into a shaker when you're ready to cook.

Should You Store BBQ Seasoning in the Refrigerator?

Generally, no.

Dry BBQ seasoning doesn't need refrigeration. A refrigerator can introduce humidity and condensation, particularly when a cold container is repeatedly opened and returned to storage.

A cool, dry pantry is normally a much better choice.

The same goes for the freezer. There's generally no reason to freeze an everyday dry BBQ seasoning when it can be properly stored in a sealed container at room temperature.

Why Does BBQ Seasoning Sometimes Clump?

If you've ever opened a shaker and found your seasoning starting to stick together, moisture is often the culprit.

Steam can be another problem people don't think about.

You're standing over a hot rack of ribs or chicken and shaking seasoning directly onto the meat. That steam is rising straight toward the openings in your shaker.

Over time, moisture can work its way inside.

One easy solution is to season raw meat away from heavy steam and always make sure your shaker is closed before storing it.

And here's another reason we like using a smaller refillable shaker: your entire bulk supply isn't being exposed every time you cook.

How Much Gun Slinger Should You Buy?

That depends on how much you cook.

Our 2-pound Gun Slinger bag has become a great option for backyard BBQ cooks and customers who previously went through multiple shaker bottles.

For customers cooking considerably more food, we also offer larger bulk options.

The idea is simple: buy the amount that makes sense for how you cook and refill your working shaker as needed.

Gun Slinger is an all-purpose BBQ seasoning, so it doesn't have to sit around waiting for one particular recipe. We use it on ribs, chicken, pulled pork, steaks, tri-tip and more.

Chicken and ribs are still two of my personal favorites.

Do You Need a Special BBQ Seasoning Container?

No.

If you already have one of our old Gun Slinger shaker jars, keep using it.

If you have another clean, dry seasoning shaker you like, use that.

You can also use a sealed pantry container similar to the way I stored my original seasoning years ago.

And for customers who simply want a fresh shaker, we now offer our 16 oz empty shaker jar with cap at The Lawman Store.

The important part isn't having some expensive specialty container.

Keep your bulk seasoning sealed, dry and away from excessive heat and sunlight.

That's what matters.

Bulk Seasoning Is About Keeping BBQ Simple

BBQ doesn't need to be complicated.

Neither does buying seasoning.

Moving Gun Slinger to bulk bags allows us to concentrate on the seasoning itself while giving our customers an easy way to keep their favorite shaker filled.

Grab the bulk bag.

Fill the shaker.

Fire up the grill.

And when that shaker starts getting a little light, you've already got the refill waiting in the pantry.

Gun Slinger All Purpose Seasoning and our new 16 oz refillable shaker jars are available from The Lawman Rub Co. at TheLawmanStore.com.