I find that I have grown quite fond of wide-mouth jars. I think it has more to do with personal preference than anything else. But it is easier to get things out of a wide-mouth jar.

As to size: how much will your family eat in a reasonable amount of time. If they're big pickle eaters, then use quarts; if not, then pints.

Wide mouth is now my preferance. Being I have arthritic hands I am more able to navigate the wide mouth jars. I have also noticed that the grandkids do not have as much difficulty getting at the dill pickles that are placed in these jars which makes less mess for me..lol.

I'm a wide-mouth girl too (no comments needed...grin).

Besides the benefits mentioned, they stack better and they are easier to clean (I can get my entire hand into a wide mouth quart).

Deanna

Wide mouth are great for whole pickles as you can pack the a little easier. I like using regular mouth jars for most everyting else, which are usually smaller items and for pickle slices. There are even a few straight sided jar sizes that use the wide mouth and are great for pickling the long string beans.

I gave away all my narrow-mouth quarts and just kept the wide-mouth. There's a little more expense in the lids, but I think the advantages outweigh that.

Carol

The only reason I like regular mouth jars mostly is because they are easier to open when you have athritis in your hands.

maybe it's because I'm a novice, but I find that regular mouth with that nice shoulder keeps larger fruits and veggies (ie, cukes and peaches) from floating.