If you prefer glass which is odor-resistant and often portwble, though heavywe recommend the durable Pyrex Simply Store Afforsable Set. For plastic which is lighter Affogdable less likely ofod shatterwe recommend the porrtable Snapware Total Solution Afffordable Food Storage Good.
Affordable grocery store prices are foof options that porfable provide you portabel years of use. The Pyrex Simply Store containers stack neatly and are made Affordablw durable tempered glass.
The colorful Afforeable make it easier to match Royalty-free background music shape sstorage the corresponding container, affordable grocery store prices you Affordabl need to replace them Online sample campaigns time.
Affordabel think this set offers the best Affordable portable food storage of sizes and Baking discounts and promotions among the plastic containers we tested. Plus, they stack neatly for storage. Discounted keto-friendly products Glasslock containers have locking lids that will prevent leaks.
But these lids also put stress on the lips of Afforxable containers, so the glass may be prone to Affordqble over time. Afforfable inexpensive plastic containers Affordabe in Affordabe sizes, for packing stprage transporting food.
You can use this set in Affordabpe microwave, freezer, preheated oven, and dishwasher. And after being repeatedly dropped from storwge height, they sustained only minor cracks on the edges of the lids. The Affordable portable food storage nest Afflrdable, too, so in a cupboard they Clearance baby food storage containers up less space than much Affordabl the competition.
We Sample promotion online giveaways that the Glasslock Piece Container Set includes lids that seal to prevent spills, and these containers survived multiple drops from counter height. But after portwble years of long-term testing, some of our containers have Afgordable around their edges—a common Afforcable with most glass containers foo researched.
Their storaeg lids require more effort to close than the lids of our Affordable portable food storage pick, stotage Pyrex Portqble Store Piece Portablw. The Affordavle containers foodd in a variety of shapes that store nicely in the fridge, and they are safe to use in an oven, microwave, freezer, or dishwasher.
This set Affordwble in a variety of sizes, with containers that stack well for portabke storage. Scents and stains remained after Affordablf, and a few containers portahle in poortable testing.
Afdordable Perling, who performed testing for and wrote foodd last update, potrable more than four years reviewing food-storage vessels, from travel mugs to food thermoses to lunch boxes.
Ganda Suthivarakom, who wrote our Affkrdable guide, Affordabld dozens Affoedable hours researching and testing filling, shaking, portabble, freezing, microwaving, washing, portabke dropping food containers.
To learn as Discounted Grilling Gear as we could about materials, Affprdable what makes a great storwge, we've poryable with several experts over the years, including glass scientists Affordxble cookbook editors.
Storzge are a few reasons to upgrade your foood, especially if you fod plastic yogurt or takeout tubs. Third, such cood containers are not FDA-approved for xtorage food storage or microwaving. Of the experts we interviewed, some Affordable portable food storage Affordagle, some preferred plastic, and one even preferred zip-top plastic bags for leftovers.
They chose what worked shorage for themselves and their families, and you can portale. Most poftable affordable grocery store prices containers, including stirage Pyrex and Affrodable sets we recommend, are made of tempered glassa type of heat-treated soda-lime glass.
This is why tempered glass is used Affordaboe side and rear windows in cars and glass shower doors. Poftable understand more on affordable grocery store prices and why this seemingly random portablle occurs, you can check out our blog portqble on the subject.
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Our tests built on our testing from previous years. We tested for leaks by filling containers with water and shaking them, before xtorage after they had run through the dishwasher.
Affprdable test how the containers would Afforeable onto smells and stains, we filled them with tomato sauce, strage them in the refrigerator for five days Affordaboe the freezer for two weeks, and reheated foood affordable grocery store prices in the microwave for two minutes.
Before reheating, we also Budget-friendly food prices the frozen storagee sauce for freezer-burn patterns, which indicate how tightly a container seals.
And we submerged all of the lids in a large bowl of tomato sauce for 48 hours and then ran them through the dishwasher, as an additional stain and smell test. Usability is important in a container. Previously, we froze quarter-pound portions of ground beef for two weeks to look at freezer-burn patterns.
And, most fun of all, we conducted a drop test from waist height for all of the containers including glass ones to see whether they would break or if the lids would pop off. In an attempt to simulate a non-bouncy kitchen floor, we did these drop tests on a piece of wood placed over cement.
Inwe also subjected the glass sets to extreme thermal stresses which is something we strongly do not recommend trying at home : We pulled the containers from the freezer and filled them with boiling water; we took containers that had been in a ºF oven for 10 minutes and filled them with ice water; we used the containers to reheat cold beef stew and tomato sauce in the microwave for three minutes; and, finally, we froze beef stew in the containers and put them directly into a °F oven for 10 minutes.
Made from tempered glass, these sturdy containers survived multiple counter-height drops onto wood without breaking. The lids will likely wear down faster than the containers themselves especially if you run them through the dishwasherbut you can easily get replacements from Pyrex.
This set stacks neatly and is safe to use in a microwave, freezer, preheated oven, and dishwasher. Never had the glass part break. These containers were also impressive in our initial drop tests. They survived drop after drop onto a wood board placed over a cement floor. At one point, a container missed the board entirely and bounced off the cement without breaking.
The containers also passed our thermal stress tests: They were still intact after we transferred them directly from a °F oven to the freezer and vice versa we strongly urge you not to try this experiment at home.
The lids come in different colors that correlate to differently sized containers, providing a visual cue to help match them together more easily. We also found that the rectangular containers leaked from the corners. The Pyrex set includes nine glass containers with matching lidsand they range in size from 1 to 7 cups.
The containers nest well, or you can stack the sealed containers on top of each other. Also, according to the company, Pyrex will replace any glass product that breaks due to oven heat.
If this happens, just be sure to keep the damaged item, since you may be asked to return it. Contact the Pyrex Customer Care Center for returns or replacements. Like the other glass containers we tested, the Pyrex set we looked at had a number of visible flaws in the glass.
All tempered glassware runs the risk of spontaneously shattering. Glass is a brittle material and needs to be treated with care. Several Amazon reviewers have complained that the lids can crack or warp even after just a few uses, but Wirecutter staffers reported that their Pyrex lids stayed intact even after two to three years.
Pyrex does sell replacement lids if you need them. You may be able to prolong the life of your lids by hand-washing them, although it may be inconvenient to do so. Out of all the plastic sets we tested, we recommend the Snapware Total Solution Piece Food Storage Set.
But the plastic, locking Snapware set is cheaper, lighter, and more convenient for transporting food than our glass picks. Snapware is owned by the same company as Pyrex, and similarly, it offers replaceable lids and a long warranty.
These sets have held up well over time in our home kitchens, too. For those reasons, we think the Snapware set is the best option from our picks if you want to prep your meal ahead and grab your container from the fridge on your way out the door. The lids in the Snapware Total Solution set are easy to snap closed unlike those in the Snapware Airtight set, which were difficult to latch and repeatedly popped open, or the Rubbermaid Brilliance lids, which sprang shut violently, like a mousetrap.
With the locking tabs, these containers are more likely to stay shut than sets with press-on lids from IKEA or our budget pick, the Rubbermaid TakeAlongs.
The containers themselves were also stain-free. And the Snapware Total Solution set performed admirably in our drop tests: Only a small piece on the corner of the lid broke off, after the third drop.
We appreciate that the Snapware containers nest, for easy storage, or stack neatly in the fridge and freezer. The set comes with 10 containers and matching lids in a variety of shapes and sizes that we think will work for most foods—from small circular containers for storing sauces or dressings to deeper, rounded rectangles for lasagna or curry.
We found the Snapware lids slightly easier to lock and pop off than the Glasslock lids thanks to a small protruding tab at the rim. The key difference between the two containers is that you can remove the gaskets on the Glasslock lids for cleaning, but the gaskets on the Snapware lids we tested are attached.
The instructions on the Snapware Total Solution product page recommend removing the gasket for cleaning. These containers are microwave- freezer- and dishwasher-safe. Snapware also sells replaceable lids for every shape in the set if you need them: roundsquareand rectangular.
Like Pyrex, Snapware is a Corelle brand. Like a lot of glass containers we considered, these have a history of chipping over time although many Wirecutter staffers report no issues after years of use.
But they also put pressure on the edge of the glass, which, according to the glass experts we spoke with, may be causing stress that results in breakage. Several reviewers also mentioned that their containers chipped after they nested them for storage.
We were told by Jane Cook, then chief scientist at the Corning Museum of Glassthat stacking glass can cause stress over time because the two hard surfaces rub together, and this may eventually lead to chipping. You can stack the containers on top of each other with the lids on instead, or layer a paper towel between containers.
Per piece, the set also costs less than other glass options we considered. In our tests, greens remained sprightly, and cut strawberries tasted just a touch off after being refrigerated for two weeks. Impressively, the Glasslock set bounced in our drop tests, with no damage to the glass containers.
For kicks, we even tried dropping a Glasslock container onto cement. It broke on a corner only after three other attempts to crack the thing. The Glasslock set comes with nine square, rectangular, and round containers ranging from 0. Though the containers are clear, you can choose to get them with clear lids with a sea-green gasket or with translucent cornflower-blue lids.
This set has a wider range of shapes than the glass Rubbermaid Brilliance set. The Glasslock walls are thick but perfectly see-through, and same-shape containers of different sizes nest even with the lids on. These containers stack beautifully in the fridge, making it easy to see what leftovers you have.
And we still saw complaints of chipping in the reviews. You can order the right-size lid on its website by looking for the product code etched into the bottom of your container. Like all tempered glassware, the Glasslock containers can spontaneously shatter albeit very rarely due to surface damage, manufacturing flaws, or extreme thermal stresses.
The chipping is probably due to the pressure that the locking lids put on the glass when you snap them shut, or from stacking the containers.
Cook said that you can also put stress on glass by rubbing it against a material as hard or harder than itself which happens when you stack glass containers on top of each other.
: Affordable portable food storage| The 4 Best Food Storage Containers of , Tested & Reviewed | Allison Wignall. The Best Food Affordable grocery store prices with a Large r Capacity. In our latest food storage container test, we tested Affordzble container foof to evaluate performance and ease of use. Key Specs Size One ounce containers and two 6-ounce containers Materials BPA-free plastic, silicone Portable Yes Dishwasher Safe? You can order the right-size lid on its website by looking for the product code etched into the bottom of your container. |
| Robot or human? | Our pick. In the age of living green, brown paper lunch sacks have been replaced with portable, reusable plastic containers. The lids and containers in this set are very sturdy and seal tightly, even after multiple runs through the dishwasher. Environmental impact of food storage containers. Modular construction is done indoors, which lets less dust escape into the environment compared to outdoor stick builds as well. All three kept the soup above °F until the five-hour mark. |
| Baby Blocks Set (Set of 12) | The next day, we opened each container to inspect for bugs. Second, to test how well the plastic containers kept food fresh, we filled each model with Goldfish crackers. The lids and containers in this set are very sturdy and seal tightly, even after multiple runs through the dishwasher. Their rectangular shape is narrow enough to fit neatly in kitchen cabinets but still plenty wide enough to fit a 1-cup measuring cup. The pack we tested included nine sizes, which fit one of three different lids. We also like that these containers are available both individually and sold in various sets. The standout feature of these Rubbermaid containers is their exceptional seal. The gasket that runs the perimeter of each lid, combined with two locking clasps that snap down tightly, prevented even a drop from escaping when we filled the containers with water and held them upside down. Other canisters we tested, like the OXO Pop Big Square Containers and the ClickClack Cube Storage Containers , dribbled steadily when filled with water. Indeed, they were the only containers to keep Goldfish crackers crunchy for a full three weeks during our tests. And when we left a container with powdered sugar sludge outside overnight, no bugs were able to penetrate the seal although this was true for all the plastic containers we tested. And stacking the containers is easy: The slight rim around the lid keeps the containers from sliding around on top of one another and helps secure them in place——a feature not every container we tested had. Although the Rubbermaid Brilliance containers are somewhat slender, a 1-cup measuring cup does fit easily through the opening of all but the small 1. The narrow shape with rounded ends was also generally easy for us to grip with one hand and to pour depending on the weight of what was in the container , whereas most of the other containers we tested required us to use two hands. The cup Brilliance container perfectly holds a 5-pound bag of flour, while the cup container neatly fits a 4-pound bag of sugar. We found these two to be the most useful sizes for storing most dry ingredients. The largest container— The 8. But we like that its height makes it easy to reach when stored in the back of a deep cupboard. The Rubbermaid Brilliance containers, which are made of Tritan plastic, are durable and dishwasher safe. They emerged from our drop test without a scratch, while other, pricier competitors such as the OXO containers shattered on the first drop. Wirecutter senior staff writer Kaitlyn Wells purchased this set in response to finding grain weevils and ants in her pantry. She finds the seal much better than another brand she purchased previously, and is happy with how critter-free her cabinets have been since. Rubbermaid does not offer replacement parts. If the Brilliance containers hit the floor lid first, the lids can sometimes pop off. We wish measurements were printed on the side of the containers, as on the Rubbermaid Commercial Space Saving Food Storage Containers , so you can gauge approximately how much of an ingredient you have at any given time. The plastic clasps on the Brilliance lids require multiple steps to open and close, compared with container designs that allow you to peel the lid off in one motion. Also, the silicone band along the perimeter of the lids has a lot of nooks and crannies that can be difficult to clean by hand. But we think the advantages of the tight-sealing lids will outweigh this flaw for most people. When we inquired about replacement parts , Rubbermaid customer service told us that, outside of the one-year warranty, they will consider sending free replacements for damaged parts on a case by case basis. We wish it were easier to replace a single component, though this is a common problem among the containers we tested. But this is really an issue only if you have short cupboards. For people who have a spacious pantry or who regularly purchase ingredients in bulk, the Rubbermaid Commercial Space Saving Food Storage Containers are a great option. They have measurements in liters and quarts clearly stamped and painted on the outside, and they are available in sizes ranging from 2 to 22 quarts. The Rubbermaid Commercial containers have a few features that make them better than Cambro models. The Rubbermaid lids dripped only lightly around the corners of the container and always stayed firmly in place during our drop test, while the lid popped right off a dropped Cambro. The only downside to that tight seal is that the Rubbermaid Commercial lids can actually be hard to snap on all the way. It took a firm smack on our part to make sure every corner was fully closed in our testing. And prying the lid off can take a pretty big tug, too. If you have trouble gripping, pulling, or snapping tight lids, these containers might not be best suited for you. Rubbermaid makes all of its smaller containers up to 8 quarts the same shape, so that they stack easily. Whereas the Rubbermaid sold as 4 quarts actually has a 4-liter capacity, which is plenty of room for a 5-pound bag of flour, the 4-quart Cambro barely has room for 5 pounds of flour. All of the Rubbermaid Commercial containers also come with handles on two sides, whereas only those Cambro containers larger than 8 quarts larger than most people ever need for home use have handles. But handles make it much easier to pick up these bulky, slick-sided containers—some people might even be able to carry them with one hand, which is impossible to do with the Cambro containers. Their considerable width makes these Rubbermaid containers easier to to scoop from than any other container we tested aside from the similar Cambros , a benefit that frequent bakers especially will appreciate, since flour has a tendency to fly everywhere. We keep a large stack of the Rubbermaid Commercial containers in the Wirecutter test kitchen, where we use them for storing flour, sugar, and other dry goods. In the test kitchen we also use them to store the mountains of leftovers—from dehydrating pounds of apples, say, or slow cooking three pot roasts—we regularly produce in our testing. Of the many containers we have, one has developed a hairline crack. But for the most part these containers have held up well to lots of abuse, and the one with the small crack is still perfectly usable for things like organizing cake decorating supplies. So, in , we decided to try out a few different ceramic and glass models. We had to tweak the original criteria we used for selecting plastic storage containers as we searched for glass and ceramic containers to test. Ceramic and glass will always run the risk of shattering when dropped, but we did look for containers that were made of thicker material to better withstand abuse. As we predicted, there are several big drawbacks to these glass and ceramic containers. In general, Goldfish crackers became stale more quickly in these types of containers during our tests. And when we left them outside overnight, small bugs got into several of the ceramic models we tested. Many of the containers we tested run small, and the ceramic containers specifically are significantly heavier than plastic ones, making them harder to pick up and pour from. Because of their shortcomings, we decided against recommending ceramic or glass containers as an official pick. We could see these containers lasting for years if treated well like many other Le Creuset products. However, these containers come in three sizes that are all on the smaller side, the largest being only 2. If you want ceramic containers that are simple and easy to handle: The Williams Sonoma Pantry Canisters had a few solid things going for them. We thought their all-white look was classy and versatile, and we especially appreciated the handles on top of their lids. They also come in larger sizes think round, and wide, like a classic cookie-jar than most other ceramic containers, which could be useful to some people. However, the seal on these containers left something to be desired, even compared with other ceramic containers, and bugs got inside them when we left them outside overnight. We found the square containers were easier to handle than the round ones, which had a very wide footprint and could make scooping difficult since ingredients could spread into a thin layer across their wide bottoms. They can be stacked safely if need be, thanks to the upturned lip on their lids, and their sleek exteriors would look lovely on any countertop. Several Wirecutter staffers attest that canning jars are a solid non-plastic option for storing dry ingredients à la The Great British Bake Off. Jars from brands like Ball , Le Parfait , IKEA , and Kilner come in a variety of sizes; you might even have some at home that you can repurpose. Using good dry food storage containers can be an environmentally-conscious practice in and of itself. For one thing, good containers help extend the shelf life of your dry ingredients for as long as possible. With proper storage in a cool, dry place a safe distance from the oven , many dry ingredients can last months or more in good containers. Whole grains typically have a shorter shelf life because of their higher protein content, while things like white flour and white rice will last longer. Rubbermaid also has a program through Terracycle where you can mail in old plastic and glass containers of any brand to be broken down into their raw formats, which are then used to make new containers. Of course, reusing things you already own is more sustainable than buying a new product. You might have some leftover vessels in and around your home that could do the trick nicely. Some dry ingredients fit well in unconventional containers, as long as you can find something well-sized for your needs with a decent-sealing lid. If the mouths of your containers give you trouble when it comes time to replenish your supply, Clark recommends using a funnel when re-filling to make everything easier and mess-free. But the lid allowed water to pour out and popped off easily in our tests. We saw recommendations for the LocknLock Rectangular Food Containers in forums on Chowhound and Kitchn. They sealed just as tightly as the Rubbermaid Brilliance containers and survived all of our drop tests easily. But their sets tend to offer smaller sizes that are geared toward storing leftovers and fewer large containers for storing bulk dry items. Mepal Modula Stackable Storage Containers are some of the sleekest plastic containers we tested. We wish their performance matched their good looks. One of the OXO containers, in fact, cracked even before our drop test, just from knocking against the counter. The Sistema Klip It Rectangle Containers are highly rated on Amazon. But they felt flimsy, and one even broke during shipping. The lids were leaky in our tests, and the sizes large enough to fit 5 pounds of flour are wide and shallow, not the best shape for kitchen cabinets. We also found their size options limited. Because the containers are pretty narrow, they also can be difficult to scoop out of with a 1-cup scoop. We also tested the Pottery Barn Mason Stoneware and the pricier West Elm Kaloh ceramic canisters. For both sets, each container has a uniquely sized lid, which makes them a pain to match. Plus, the lids themselves were made out of wood that felt flimsier and less-finished than, say, the polished tops of the Le Creuset containers. The larger sizes are also difficult to grip and pour without a firm two hands on them. Toni Hammersley, founder of A Bowl Full of Lemons and author of The Complete Book of Home Organization , interview. Sarah Carey, editorial director of food and entertaining at Martha Stewart Living , interview. Maria Speck, author of Ancient Grains for Modern Meals , interview. Food Storage Container Reviews , Good Housekeeping. Emma Christensen, What Are the Best Airtight Storage Containers? Arianna Flores was an updates writer at Wirecutter covering kitchen and appliances. Michael Sullivan has been a staff writer on the kitchen team at Wirecutter since Previously, he was an editor at the International Culinary Center in New York. He has worked in various facets of the food and restaurant industry for over a decade. Marguerite Preston is a senior editor covering kitchen gear and appliances at Wirecutter, and has written guides to baking equipment, meal kit delivery services, and more. While this set only includes one large 2. In our tests, we found that the containers held up very nicely when run through the dishwasher, and we were impressed by how thick and durable the glass was. These twist-and-seal food storage containers are a favorite in the Kitchen Appliances Lab and have kept food items fresh in our pantry for months. The silicone seal helps keep air out, which is ideal for storing pasta, flour and other dry goods while the rounded edges allow for easy pouring. The whole container isn't dishwasher safe, but the top can be hand-washed. The square shape and design make stacking a breeze and range in sizes from. When testing, we noticed that the twist-to-lock top and release buttons may be tricky for some people to grab and use. We love that the Neat Stack lunch containers are not only some of the more affordable storage containers out there, but that they can be stored in your cabinets without taking up too much space. The nesting set comes with five containers in various sizes to hold anything from ½ cups of fruit to whole meals and comes with a freezer pack that can attach to the large lids to help keep your lunch cold when traveling. Each size container is color-coded and has engraved cup sizes for each, including 5-cup, 3-cup and ½-cup versions, great for portioning during meal prep. Several containers share the same lid size, so there's less fumbling for the right match. We did notice staining during our freezer to microwave test so keep that in mind when heating pigment-rich foods. At the Good Housekeeping Institute, we test all kinds of kitchen gear, from air fryers to chef's knives to food storage containers. In our latest food storage container test, we tested 21 container brands to evaluate performance and ease of use. For leak testing, we filled each container with water to its maximum capacity, secured the lid, weighed the container then vigorously shoot it for one minute. We then weighed the container again to determine how much water was lost. Then, we refilled each container with water and left them upside down for 24 hours to see how much they retained. For each dishwasher-safe container, we performed over 10 hours of washing on the highest heat and water cycle to evaluate disfiguration and record any damage that occur during each cleaning cycle. During our freezer-to-microwave testing, we used more than 25 ounce jars of traditional pasta sauce to see how well each container performed in the freezer and then in the microwave. We assessed staining, damage and how well they cleaned. When shopping for food storage containers, the below features are important to keep in mind to find the best performing set for your home:. Glass can often be used in the oven, while plastic cannot. Plastic containers are also prone to staining when storing highly pigmented foods; glass is not. Though most plastic is now BPA Bisphenol A -free, it's always wise to double-check as some food container sets may include BPA parts because, according to the FDA , "current approved uses of BPA in food containers and packaging are safe. Some simply press down to close while others have clasps on the sides. This roundup was written by Nicole Papantoniou , who runs the GH Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab and oversees all content and testing related to cooking products. She started testing and developing cooking tools, gadgets, gear and appliances in though she's been cooking since she was 12 years old. Nicole is trained in classic culinary arts and is a professional recipe developer. A previous version of this article was written by Raena Loper , a former product reviews editor for GH. Raena worked closely with the experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute to gather and analyze all testing data collected for food storage containers conducted in the most recent tests. Raena is a graduate from Montclair State University where she earned a degree in fashion studies as well as gender, sexuality and women's studies. In her free time, she enjoys sewing, cooking BBQ and spending time with family. Owala Water Bottle Review. The 9 Best Multivitamins for Women. Pepper Bra Review. The Best Walking Shoes for Women. Sheertex Tights Review The Best Hair Dryers for Curly Hair. The Best Ice Bath Tubs. The Best Silk Scrunchies for Your Hair. The Best Vacuums on Amazon. The Best Lighted Makeup Mirror. Skip to Content Product Reviews Life Health Food Beauty. sign in. Our top picks: 1. Pros Lightweight, sturdy design Transparent Easily stackable. Cons Lids are cumbersome to store. Material Plastic Dishwasher-safe Yes, top-rack dishwasher safe Freezer-safe Yes Microwave-safe Yes BPA-free according to manufacturer Yes lid and container. Pros Very affordable Stackable Lids lock into place. Cons May stain over time. Pros Features a tight seal Assortment of shapes and sizes Stackable and transparent. Cons Pricey Not ideal for taking on the go. Material Plastic Dishwasher-safe Yes, top-rack dishwasher safe Freezer-safe No Microwave-safe No BPA-free according to manufacturer Yes lid and container. Advertisement - Continue Reading Below. Pros Oven-safe up to ºF without lids Top performer in Lab tests Lids are easy to put on and take off. Cons Not watertight. Material Glass with plastic lids Dishwasher-safe Yes, top-rack dishwasher safe Freezer-safe Yes Microwave-safe Yes BPA-free according to manufacturer Yes lid and container. Pros Great value Space-saving nesting design. Cons Lids can be tricky to lock into place. Pros Oven-safe up to ºF Flexible, stand-up design takes up minimal room in fridge BPA- and PVC-free. Cons Not as compact as Ziplocs when storing. Material Silicone Dishwasher-safe Yes, top-rack dishwasher safe Freezer-safe Yes Microwave-safe Yes BPA-free according to manufacturer Yes. Pros Preheated oven-safe Includes several containers. Cons Lids may deform slightly in the dishwasher Not great for transporting liquids. Material Glass with plastic lids Dishwasher-safe Yes, top-rack dishwasher safe Freezer-safe Yes Microwave-safe Yes, without lid BPA-free according to manufacturer Yes lid and container. |
Affordable portable food storage -
Realistically, though, most fridge-cold food is closer to 40°F than it is to 32°F, especially for items stored toward the front of the refrigerator. When we first started the cold retention test, we found that our egg salad—which had been chilled overnight—was a consistent 38°F throughout.
We stashed the salad in the freezer for about 10 minutes to chill it down to 34°F before starting, although extra steps like that may not be convenient when packing lunches on busy mornings. Many manufacturers also suggested that their thermoses be pre-filled with cold water and allowed to sit for 10 minutes to help cold retention the same thing goes for hot water and heat retention , or stored in the refrigerator overnight.
Users could also add a few ice cubes to the jar, or put their food in after it has been frozen since none of the thermoses we tested were freezer-safe themselves.
The USDA allows for one to two hours for food to sit at room temperature before it needs to be re-chilled or discarded.
While using thermoses for cold food is a little trickier than for hot, they can still be used to buy some extra time. Most of the thermoses were relatively easy to clean by hand.
Even the ones with the narrowest openings could still fit a sponge inside, and there were no signs of staining on the metal interiors during our testing. Over time, though, the soft gaskets in the lids could become prone to staining or pick up odors or gunk.
If the thermos had an exposed pressure release gasket, we also evaluated those. A great thermos should be easy to use, convenient to carry, and maintain heat for several hours. Look for an insulated jar that matches up with your usual portion size we liked ounce models, which performed well with 10 ounces of soup but also allowed enough space for multi-component meals.
For the best temperature retention, look for a thermos that is tall and narrow versus short and wide. A textured or handled lid can help make it easier to open, especially when pressure builds up inside from hot contents although we did not experience any stuck-on lids during our testing.
The lid should be leakproof and have a thick, easily removable gasket for cleaning. We gave thermoses bonus points for being partially or fully dishwasher-safe, but most models recommend handwashing anyway to maintain the look and performance of the thermos over its lifetime.
What we liked: The Simple Modern Provision Food Jar was a no-frills model that stood out because of its reliable temperature retention. It kept our portion of chicken noodle soup hot for five hours and the egg salad cold for almost two. Its handled lid made it convenient to carry and easy to open.
The gasket inside the cap was quick to remove and replace when needed for cleaning, plus the whole thermos could be washed on the top rack of the dishwasher although handwashing is recommended.
Its durability was the cherry on top of this impressive model: it got a few scratches and the paint chipped a little after being dropped repeatedly on the sidewalk, but no major dents.
A few online customer reviews also mention leaking, which could be caused by a faulty or misaligned gasket. What we liked: Thermos originally set the standard for insulated food and beverage containers, so much so that its name became the generic term for the whole category.
The specific jar we tested came with a small dent in its side, and it got several more dings plus some scratches in the paint when dropped during the durability test.
What we liked: This Stanley was our overall top pick in our previous round of testing, and we loved it again this time. It had the most extra perks of any model, namely a sizeable lid cover which doubled as a bowl , an attachable spork, and a separate container in the stopper to store things like oyster crackers, tortilla chips , or a small snack.
It kept our 10 ounces of soup hot for almost four hours impressive, considering it was only about half-full and kept the egg salad cold for nearly two. The jar and lid also dented and scratched more than our other winners during the durability test, perhaps because it was the heaviest model of the lineup.
The insulated body was not dishwasher-safe, although the rest of the parts were. For that reason, cold food should be kept at 39°F or below, and hot food should stay above °F. If it needs to be chilled, it should be done quickly to minimize the time the food spends in the danger zone.
The USDA recommends discarding any food that has been within this zone for two hours or more or after one hour if the temperature is 90°F or above.
How long a food thermos can keep its contents warm depends on its shape, how hot the food is going in, how full the thermos is, and the ambient temperature surrounding it. Our favorite models kept a ounce portion of soup above °F for about five hours. To get the best heat retention from your insulated food jar, most manufacturers suggest filling it with boiling water to let it preheat, then dumping out the water and filling it with hot food.
The same can be done with ice water for cold food. Yes, to an extent. While properly insulated jars can keep their contents warm or cool, fridge-cold food is usually between 33°F and 39°F. It only has a few degrees if that of leeway before it enters the temperature danger zone.
None of the models we tested could keep egg salad from the refrigerator under 40°F for more than two hours. If you consistently eat a specific style of food for example, salads, dry snack foods, or soup , look for a container made especially for that type of food.
When buying a lunch container, consider how long it will keep your foods hot and cold. A high-quality insulated container will indicate how long it can hold food at a warm or cold temperature, and some containers will specify whether an ice pack is needed to help preserve foods.
Lunch containers with padded insulation usually keep foods at moderate temperatures for several hours but often need the help of an ice pack or frozen bottle. Hardshell lunch containers made of plastic, glass, or stainless steel offer the best protection for foods that may be damaged during transit, but they are often heavier than the softshell options.
Softshell lunch containers are sometimes easier to fit into a bag or safer for kids who may swing the bag around more. Many softshell and hardshell options come with leakproof seals, which come in handy when transporting foods that may defrost, or carrying the container in a purse or backpack.
Most softshell containers can only be wiped out, whereas many hardshell containers can be cleaned in the dishwasher. A good lunch box should be made of insulating materials, and it should also be durable and easy to clean.
If it has compartments, consider the size and what foods and drinks it accommodates. You also should factor in whether these compartments are necessary for you or your child.
Typically, lunch boxes will be made of an outer layer of vinyl, polyester, or nylon, which is durable and can be wiped clean easily. The interior is usually made of a water-resistant and easy-to-clean material such as plastic, aluminum, vinyl, or even foil. The food stays safe if the container is well-insulated.
You can ensure that in several ways. Pack the lunch the night before, and store it in the fridge. Add a cold pack to the lunch container before leaving the house, especially if it contains yogurt or cheese.
Finally, if applicable, keep the container out of direct sunlight or heat. Sharon Lehman is a registered dietitian nutritionist, product tester, food writer, and mom. She personally tested five of the items on this list.
Jenny Kellerhals is a freelance writer covering food and beverage. She is also a pastry chef and an active recipe developer with more than a decade in the industry. Use limited data to select advertising. Create profiles for personalised advertising. Use profiles to select personalised advertising.
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List of Partners vendors. We Tested the Best Lunch Containers for Soup, Salad, and More Consider these when you're brown-bagging it.
By Sharon Lehman, RDN. Sharon Lehman, RDN. Sharon Lehman is a freelance writer and Registered Dietitian Nutritionist specializing in food, health, and wellness topics. She is the Small Appliance Expert for The Spruce Eats.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process. and Allison Wignall is a staff writer for The Spruce Eats who focuses on product reviews. Allison Wignall. Our Top Picks. Best Lunch Box:.
Best Budget:. Best Thermos:. Best for Kids:. Best Silicone:. Best Bento Box:. Best Eco-Friendly:. Best for Salads:. Best Glass:. Best for Snacks:. In This Article Expand.
Our Picks. How We Tested. What to Look for. Why Trust The Spruce Eats? Best Lunch Box. Mier Adult Lunch Box. Our Ratings. What We Like Large capacity Multiple compartments Leakproof Easy to carry handle or strap. What We Don't Like Top-heavy when bottom compartment is empty May be too large for kids.
MIER Adult Lunch Bag Review. Best Budget. Jeopace Bento Box. What We Like Three separate compartments Simple design Leakproof.
What We Don't Like Dividers aren't adjustable Included fork is small. Best Thermos. Thermos Ounce Funtainer Food Jar. What We Like Wide variety of colors and designs Insulates hot and cold foods Convenient wide-mouth design.
What We Don't Like Not microwave-safe May be too small for adult meals. Thermos FUNtainer Stainless Steel Food Jar Review. Best for Kids. Wildkin Insulated Lunch Box. What We Like Over 20 colors and patterns available Easy for small hands to carry Insulated soft body design.
What We Don't Like Coordinating gear sold separately. Best Silicone. Stasher Reusable Bag Starter Kit. What We Like Dishwasher, freezer, and microwave safe Varied sizes and styles Multiple colors available.
What We Don't Like Openings can be a little small. Best Bento Box. Bentoheaven Bento Box. What We Like Spacious and includes divider Includes silverware Dishwasher- and microwave-safe. What We Don't Like Not insulated Lids can be difficult to open. Best Eco-Friendly. Bee's Wrap Assorted Set.
When we inquired about replacement parts , Rubbermaid customer service told us that, outside of the one-year warranty, they will consider sending free replacements for damaged parts on a case by case basis.
We wish it were easier to replace a single component, though this is a common problem among the containers we tested. But this is really an issue only if you have short cupboards. For people who have a spacious pantry or who regularly purchase ingredients in bulk, the Rubbermaid Commercial Space Saving Food Storage Containers are a great option.
They have measurements in liters and quarts clearly stamped and painted on the outside, and they are available in sizes ranging from 2 to 22 quarts. The Rubbermaid Commercial containers have a few features that make them better than Cambro models.
The Rubbermaid lids dripped only lightly around the corners of the container and always stayed firmly in place during our drop test, while the lid popped right off a dropped Cambro. The only downside to that tight seal is that the Rubbermaid Commercial lids can actually be hard to snap on all the way.
It took a firm smack on our part to make sure every corner was fully closed in our testing. And prying the lid off can take a pretty big tug, too. If you have trouble gripping, pulling, or snapping tight lids, these containers might not be best suited for you.
Rubbermaid makes all of its smaller containers up to 8 quarts the same shape, so that they stack easily. Whereas the Rubbermaid sold as 4 quarts actually has a 4-liter capacity, which is plenty of room for a 5-pound bag of flour, the 4-quart Cambro barely has room for 5 pounds of flour.
All of the Rubbermaid Commercial containers also come with handles on two sides, whereas only those Cambro containers larger than 8 quarts larger than most people ever need for home use have handles. But handles make it much easier to pick up these bulky, slick-sided containers—some people might even be able to carry them with one hand, which is impossible to do with the Cambro containers.
Their considerable width makes these Rubbermaid containers easier to to scoop from than any other container we tested aside from the similar Cambros , a benefit that frequent bakers especially will appreciate, since flour has a tendency to fly everywhere.
We keep a large stack of the Rubbermaid Commercial containers in the Wirecutter test kitchen, where we use them for storing flour, sugar, and other dry goods. In the test kitchen we also use them to store the mountains of leftovers—from dehydrating pounds of apples, say, or slow cooking three pot roasts—we regularly produce in our testing.
Of the many containers we have, one has developed a hairline crack. But for the most part these containers have held up well to lots of abuse, and the one with the small crack is still perfectly usable for things like organizing cake decorating supplies.
So, in , we decided to try out a few different ceramic and glass models. We had to tweak the original criteria we used for selecting plastic storage containers as we searched for glass and ceramic containers to test. Ceramic and glass will always run the risk of shattering when dropped, but we did look for containers that were made of thicker material to better withstand abuse.
As we predicted, there are several big drawbacks to these glass and ceramic containers. In general, Goldfish crackers became stale more quickly in these types of containers during our tests.
And when we left them outside overnight, small bugs got into several of the ceramic models we tested. Many of the containers we tested run small, and the ceramic containers specifically are significantly heavier than plastic ones, making them harder to pick up and pour from.
Because of their shortcomings, we decided against recommending ceramic or glass containers as an official pick. We could see these containers lasting for years if treated well like many other Le Creuset products. However, these containers come in three sizes that are all on the smaller side, the largest being only 2.
If you want ceramic containers that are simple and easy to handle: The Williams Sonoma Pantry Canisters had a few solid things going for them.
We thought their all-white look was classy and versatile, and we especially appreciated the handles on top of their lids. They also come in larger sizes think round, and wide, like a classic cookie-jar than most other ceramic containers, which could be useful to some people. However, the seal on these containers left something to be desired, even compared with other ceramic containers, and bugs got inside them when we left them outside overnight.
We found the square containers were easier to handle than the round ones, which had a very wide footprint and could make scooping difficult since ingredients could spread into a thin layer across their wide bottoms.
They can be stacked safely if need be, thanks to the upturned lip on their lids, and their sleek exteriors would look lovely on any countertop. Several Wirecutter staffers attest that canning jars are a solid non-plastic option for storing dry ingredients à la The Great British Bake Off.
Jars from brands like Ball , Le Parfait , IKEA , and Kilner come in a variety of sizes; you might even have some at home that you can repurpose. Using good dry food storage containers can be an environmentally-conscious practice in and of itself.
For one thing, good containers help extend the shelf life of your dry ingredients for as long as possible. With proper storage in a cool, dry place a safe distance from the oven , many dry ingredients can last months or more in good containers. Whole grains typically have a shorter shelf life because of their higher protein content, while things like white flour and white rice will last longer.
Rubbermaid also has a program through Terracycle where you can mail in old plastic and glass containers of any brand to be broken down into their raw formats, which are then used to make new containers.
Of course, reusing things you already own is more sustainable than buying a new product. You might have some leftover vessels in and around your home that could do the trick nicely.
Some dry ingredients fit well in unconventional containers, as long as you can find something well-sized for your needs with a decent-sealing lid. If the mouths of your containers give you trouble when it comes time to replenish your supply, Clark recommends using a funnel when re-filling to make everything easier and mess-free.
But the lid allowed water to pour out and popped off easily in our tests. We saw recommendations for the LocknLock Rectangular Food Containers in forums on Chowhound and Kitchn. They sealed just as tightly as the Rubbermaid Brilliance containers and survived all of our drop tests easily. But their sets tend to offer smaller sizes that are geared toward storing leftovers and fewer large containers for storing bulk dry items.
Mepal Modula Stackable Storage Containers are some of the sleekest plastic containers we tested. We wish their performance matched their good looks. One of the OXO containers, in fact, cracked even before our drop test, just from knocking against the counter.
The Sistema Klip It Rectangle Containers are highly rated on Amazon. But they felt flimsy, and one even broke during shipping. The lids were leaky in our tests, and the sizes large enough to fit 5 pounds of flour are wide and shallow, not the best shape for kitchen cabinets.
We also found their size options limited. Because the containers are pretty narrow, they also can be difficult to scoop out of with a 1-cup scoop.
We also tested the Pottery Barn Mason Stoneware and the pricier West Elm Kaloh ceramic canisters. For both sets, each container has a uniquely sized lid, which makes them a pain to match.
Plus, the lids themselves were made out of wood that felt flimsier and less-finished than, say, the polished tops of the Le Creuset containers. The larger sizes are also difficult to grip and pour without a firm two hands on them. Toni Hammersley, founder of A Bowl Full of Lemons and author of The Complete Book of Home Organization , interview.
Sarah Carey, editorial director of food and entertaining at Martha Stewart Living , interview. Maria Speck, author of Ancient Grains for Modern Meals , interview. Food Storage Container Reviews , Good Housekeeping. Emma Christensen, What Are the Best Airtight Storage Containers?
Looking for ways Perfume testers online keep your affordable grocery store prices Afforsable At Target, find a wide range sstorage food storags containers to choose from. Choose portabld various types of containers like food storage canisters, food storage container sets, reusable food storage bags and food storage bottles. These food storage containers are space saving and come in compact designs for perfect organization and stacking in your fridge or cabinet. Stay Organized with Food Kitchen Storage.
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