Mason jars from the Newell companies (Ball, Bernardin, Golden Harvest and Kerr) are now shipped to the consumer with an open-topped box, with the entire box wrapped in a tough plastic.
If you are someone who keeps your boxes — and that’s a whole ‘nother debate — many people advise to keep the bottom plastic on.
Leaving the bottom covered in plastic can help to strengthen the box when carrying it loaded with full jars. Also, when putting the box on wet surfaces during canning sessions it helps to keep the bottom of the box dry — because whose kitchen counter stays dry with a canning session in full flight?
To do this, just take a pair of scissors and cut off the top plastic by cutting around the box at the top of the cardboard.
This will leave the bottom plastic wrap on the sides and bottom, to reinforce the box and help keep it dry in kitchens during working sessions.
Some people have suggested going one step further, and wrapping duct tape around them for long-time durability. Good idea!