If you use old plastic yogurt containers or takeout containers for basic food storage, you have a few reasons to upgrade. The Snapware Total Solution containers and lids provided a tight seal that didn’t leak (even after a run through the dishwasher). We also consulted reviews from Cook’s Illustrated (plastic and glass containers; subscription required), Good Housekeeping, and The Daily Meal. Though Good Housekeeping calls these containers its top choice “for packing up leftovers after dinner,” Cook’s Illustrated labels them “Not Recommended” because the seals distorted in the microwave. Only a small number of the containers we’ve tested have chipped. And because each shape of lid is a different color, they’re easy to match to their corresponding containers. So you’re more likely to get a glass stuck inside another glass, and it needs to be pounded out or put under running water in order to get them apart, which all leads to more surface damage and shorter lifetime.”. We’ve also noticed some negative Amazon reviews related to breakage that occurred during shipping. Using storage containers to organize food in your refrigerator will help maximize every bit of space that you have and make it more functional than ever before. It broke on a corner only after three other attempts to crack the thing.) So I use glass for nearly everything.”. Beyond that, several pieces we’ve long-term tested have chipped around the edge, and we’ve heard other people complain of the same thing. Michael Sullivan has been a staff writer on the kitchen team at Wirecutter since 2016. These highly rated containers offer top-capacity storage from a reputable company. If you need a dirt-cheap set that you can leave behind at picnics or potlucks, the best of those we tested was the Rubbermaid TakeAlongs 40-Piece Storage Set. Out of The Drippings Colorful lids are easy to find and snap onto glass containers. ), The reason tempered glass can break unexpectedly has to do with how it’s made: When glass is heat-tempered, the exterior is force-cooled so it solidifies quickly, leaving the center of the glass to cool more slowly. As the inside cools, it pulls at the stiff, compressed outer layer, which puts the center of the glass in tension. © Copyright 2020 Meredith Corporation. The best glass food storage container is OXO Good Grips – Smart Seal.Its unique lid with a soft silicone gasket ensures a leakproof and airtight seal. The containers in the Snapware 18-Piece Total Solution Plastic Food Storage Set stayed sealed in our drop tests and sustained only minor cracks on the edge of the lid after repeated drops from waist height. Finally, we looked for highly rated sets from stores such as Target, Walmart, Macy’s, The Container Store, and Amazon. The Reditainer Deli Food Storage Containers are typically used in professional restaurant kitchens because they’re cheap to buy in bulk, are uniform, and store very neatly. Although price was a factor when we made our pick, glass containers will last a long time, so price was not as big of a concern as you might think. For plastic (which is lighter and shatterproof), we recommend getting the leakproof Snapware 18-Piece Total Solution Plastic Food Storage Set. The Glasslock 18-Piece Container Set was our former top pick for glass, and survived multiple drops from counter height. You are in RIGHT PLACE. Cook said, “Glass is inherently brittle and has a certain amount of unpredictability in it. If you already own a glass or plastic container set but want something that you can bring to potlucks and picnics, you also might want to purchase a cheap plastic set that you won’t mind leaving behind. I found these containers on Amazon last year after mourning the loss of yet another head of market lettuce. LaCourse said, “When they’re hot and clean, they will scratch easily.” Hot glass will also be more prone to sticking. William C. LaCourse, PhD, a professor in the glass engineering science department at Alfred University, told us, “There will be stresses as a result of the cap and putting the cap on with fairly high pressure … it essentially squeezes the cap onto the glass.” He explained that if there are any minor flaws already present in the glass, the added pressure from the lids could cause the containers to chip or break. Overstock, Credit: Youngever 4 Pack Stackable Plastic Storage Organizer Container Bin, 10" x 6" x 3", Stackable Storage Bins with Handler for Refrigerator, Pantry 4.7 out of 5 stars 149 $22.95 $ 22 . Stack one, two, or three of these wine holders to more efficiently use horizontal shelf space for storing taller bottles that may not fit vertically. Our plastic recommendations are especially great for meal prep because they’re less expensive and light enough to carry to work. Here are our favorite recipes for Greens, Black-Eyed Peas, Cornbread, Hoppin’ John, and Pot Likker Soup.According to Southern traditions, you will have good luck for the entire year if you have the traditional New Year’s Day supper. Interestingly, the set we ordered directly through Amazon was well-packed with bubble wrap. Learn how to season this Southern kitchen staple in five easy steps. And they seemed less airtight, leaving our strawberries tasting fermented after 13 days. I also like how easy it is to see what’s inside. (Also, the orange lids for the round containers and the aqua lids for the rectangle containers work with the glass Snapware, which is convenient if you’re buying both glass and plastic.). Farberware Food Huggers Reusable Silicone Food … The OXO Good Grips LockTop containers received praise from Cook’s Illustrated (subscription required) for their easy, flap-free pressed seal, but these cracked in our drop test. Nowadays, there are so many products of milk storage containers for refrigerator in the market and you are wondering to choose a best one. The plastic top, labeled #5 for polypropylene, has a firm silicone gasket that fills the lid groove from edge to edge and provides a tight seal that doesn’t leak. Of course, there are other ways to keep your refrigerator clean, check out our latest post on how to keep your stainless steel refrigerators clean. Do what’s easy and convenient for your life.” Her preferred food storage container is the self-sealing plastic bag, for its versatility and the fact that you can lose them, which can be important in a household with kids. For this guide, he tested food storage containers for several months. Often, it’s a combination of several of these factors that cause glassware to break under the right conditions. Southern Living is a registered trademark of, These Haircuts Are Going To Be Huge in 2021, Cook Up Some Good Luck With These Traditional New Year's Day Recipes, 7 Paint Colors We’re Loving for Kitchen Cabinets in 2020, 50 Books Everyone Should Read in Their Lifetime. Resistance to stains and odors is key (you don’t want to smell or see yesterday’s lunch on your container). Their colorful lids make matching their shape to the corresponding container easier. These containers did not stay as airtight as other glass containers in Good Housekeeping’s tests. This set performed fairly well in every test of ours except the drop test, in which the flaps opened easily. However, because this set is so affordable, has a variety of container sizes, and doesn’t leak, we’re willing to forgive these drawbacks. You can find countless articles online proclaiming the evils of plastic, and this guide used to be one of them. And, most fun of all, we conducted a drop test from waist height for all of the picks (including our glass containers) to see if they would break or if the lids would pop off. Microwave vents on the lid are a silly feature we avoided; it’s just another piece to de-crud, and you’re better off removing the latches and resting the lid on top of the container in the microwave (or not using the lid at all, as some manufacturers suggest). This set comes in a variety of sizes ranging from ½ cup to just over 6 cups, with containers that stack well for convenient storage. No sealed lid benefits from the vacuum effect that happens when you heat your food in the microwave. Also, never subject your glass food storage containers to extreme thermal stresses (such as taking containers from the freezer and placing them directly into a hot oven and vice versa). What Is Fresh Pet Food and Is It Actually Better? We guarantee they’ll taste great—the luck is up to you. Always stay within the recommended temperature threshold indicated in the manufacturer’s instructions. We’ve read customer reviews on Amazon and feedback from our readers who have occasionally reported that their tempered glassware “spontaneously shattered.” Even though tempered glass is more durable than non-heat-treated soda-lime glass, it’s still brittle and prone to breaking. The plastic becomes soft when microwaved, though not as soft as the Ziploc and Glad containers. Pyrex has been one of our favorite food storage brands for a good, long time, and their freezer soup containers ($35) are no exception. The Snapware Airtight Plastic Food Container Set we recommended in 2015 had faulty lid flaps that were difficult to close when tested again in 2016. Most glass food storage containers are made of tempered glass, which is more durable than regular non-heat-treated soda-lime glass. The lids in the Snapware Total Solution set are easy to snap closed, unlike those of the Snapware Airtight set, which were difficult to latch and repeatedly popped open. Photo: Michael Hession, In our tests, we froze containers with ground beef and tomato sauce. As they cool down, if you put a colder glass inside of a warmer glass, they’re just going to grab onto each other. Be sure to save your receipt as proof of purchase. These food storage containers act like all of the more expensive varieties — except they’re … The Pyrex lids were easier to seal than Anchor Hocking’s similar press-on lids and Glasslock’s press-on ones. LaCourse said, “The glass may not break immediately, but … it can fail at a much later and essentially unpredictable time. Rubbermaid amazon.com. Greenco 6 Piece Refrigerator And Freezer Stackable Clear Storage Organizer Bins With Handles Made of heavy duty durable BPA free material for all types of fridges and freezers. You have searched for colored liquid storage containers for refrigerator in many merchants, compared about products prices & reviews before deciding to buy them. *At the time of publishing, the price was $40. The containers also passed our thermal stress tests: they were unfazed after transferring them directly from a 350 °F oven to the freezer and vice versa (we strongly urge you not to try this experiment at home). We also felt the container sizes were a little too small for holding leftovers. Handwashing works fine for most food storage containers. This pitcher has a similar look to the … The No-Leak lids, which come with a vent for lid-on microwaving, seemed to warp a bit after the microwave and dishwasher run. BINO Clear Plastic Storage Bin with Handles - Plastic Storage Bins for Kitchen, Cabinet, and Pantry Organization and Storage - Home Organizers and Storage - Refrigerator and Freezer (2PK- Large) 4.7 out of 5 stars 2,718 $16.99$16.99 Get it as soon as Sun, Sep 20 The walls are thick but perfectly see-through, and same-shape containers nest even with the lids on. *At the time of publishing, the price was $10. The Pyrex 18-Piece Simply Store Food Storage Set containers stack neatly and are very durable. 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. In our tests, greens remained sprightly and cut strawberries tasted just a touch off after refrigerating for two weeks. Brilliant for many reasons, these food storage containers are completely see-through (aside from… “If you’re going to use a container, you want something that’s really airtight with a good seal if it’s something you plan to keep for a bit,” Nancy Hopkins, senior deputy food and entertaining editor for Better Homes and Gardens, told us. Free of BPA and other harmful chemicals, the best glass food storage containers offer a strong, durable option that can withstand extreme temperatures, whether it’s the freezer, oven, or microwave. (This seems to happen only to sets that people handwash.) However, we don’t think this is a dealbreaker, because it’s just a split second of noise. We also froze ground beef to look at the freezer-burn patterns in the glass food storage containers (clockwise from upper left): Glasslock, Anchor Hocking, and Pyrex. The trendy haircuts you’ll be seeing everywhere next year. Many of the lids share the same size. If you can’t find it Snapware offers many of the same containers in a 38-piece set. These flaws can weaken the structure of glass and make it more prone to breakage. The pack of six glass containers can withstand the oven, microwave and refrigerator along with the freezer. Like the glass version of this set, the gaskets aren’t removable, which makes cleaning more difficult compared with the Glasslock set. Photo: Michael Hession, We tested glass and plastic food storage containers. However you cook up your New Year’s recipes, hopefully these traditional Southern New Year's Day recipes will mean your table will be filled with the perfect dishes for good luck. Photo: Michael Hession, To see how they would react to stains and smells, we filled containers with tomato sauce, placed them in the freezer for three days, and reheated the sauce in the microwave for two minutes. However, because the lids don’t clip closed like our runner-up pick’s, the Glasslock containers, we’d exercise caution if you plan to use the Pyrex containers to transport liquids. Like our current runner-up pick, this set’s lids clip closed and may subject the lip of the containers to stress that can increase the chances of breakage. All glass has that unpredictability. Some food storage containers are made from borosilicate glass because it’s resistant to thermal shock. All of the sets arrived well-packaged except for the set we purchased through Sears, which used Amazon’s Fulfillment By Amazon service to deliver the order. Wondering which material to get? If this happens, just be sure to keep the damaged item, as you may be asked to return it. These containers stack beautifully in the fridge, making it easy to see what leftovers are awaiting you. (And losing a plastic container is of … Photo: Michael Hession. In reporting this guide, we talked with several experts: Nancy Hopkins, senior deputy food and entertaining editor for Better Homes and Gardens; Faith Durand, executive editor for The Kitchn; and Michele Thomas, who was the executive editor at the International Culinary Center at the time (and is now a sales associate and social media manager at The Greene Grape). The Best Food Storage Containers, Real Simple, August 29, 2014. In our tests, the Reditainer and Glad containers shattered and splashed water and broken bits of plastic everywhere. Glasslock will replace any faulty lids free of charge within three years from the date of purchase (regardless of where you buy them), shipping costs not included. Ultimately, the choice between plastic and glass is a personal one based on lifestyle. The Rubbermaid’s lid remained sealed for two drops and the base cracked only after the fourth drop. These meal prep containers do save … Additionally, we reached out to glass experts such as Jane Cook, PhD, chief scientist at the Corning Museum of Glass in Corning, New York, and William C. LaCourse, PhD, a professor in the glass engineering department at Alfred University in Alfred, New York. ‘Tis the season to ditch your all-white palette in favor of something a little bolder and brighter. 95 The flimsy lids in this set also held onto odors more than our picks. Upgrading to more durable glass or plastic food storage containers means they’ll last longer and keep your food fresher. However, because you’re more likely to store soups and stews in the round containers, we’re willing to forgive this minor drawback. If you don’t have a dishwasher, you may find gross black mold growing behind the gasket on the Glasslock lids. (One Amazon customer had a similar experience.) Snapware offers a lifetime warranty on both the plastic containers and lids if “damaged during normal household use.” If you need to make a claim, call World Kitchen and be sure to keep the container or lid, as you may be asked to return it. Also, according to Pyrex, they’ll replace any glass product that breaks due to oven heat. That being said, it’s often referred to as “safety glass,” because when it does break, it crumbles into cube-shaped pieces rather than long, thin shards. Learn more. That said, if you’re looking for leakproof glass containers for meal prep, these are the best we’ve tested. These containers are stackable, spill-proof, and clear so you can easily see the contents of each dish. Anything that disrupts the tensile area of tempered glass will cause it to break. But after three years of long-term testing, some of the containers have chipped around their edges. This set also held onto food odors and stains more than the competition. It’s a difference in temperature from one part of the glass to another part of the glass. ARC International Luminarc Quadro Jug with White Lid Pitcher. Sterilite Ultra-Seal containers, which you can find at many retailers, received poor marks from both Cook’s Illustrated and Good Housekeeping for a seal that wasn’t airtight. Ganda Suthivarakom, who wrote our original guide, has spent dozens of hours researching and testing (including filling, shaking, storing, freezing, microwaving, washing, and dropping) food containers. If you want the classic New Year’s recipes, you can enjoy our mouthwatering Southern-Style Collard Greens, Pot Likker, or Good Luck Greens and Peas with Ham. Cook told us, “Temperature itself isn’t what causes stress. The Rubbermaid Premier set did very well in nearly all of our tests, but it was difficult to tell when the lid was sealed properly. Here […] Pyrex Storage 2-Cup Round Dish Set. However, glass is glass, and it can still shatter if you abuse it. If you buy your set directly through Glasslock’s website, the company will offer a full refund within 30 days of purchase as long as the containers are unused and in their original packaging. Surface damage caused by the rough treatment of glass (such as repeatedly scratching, dropping, or banging glass against another glass in the dishwasher), can contribute to the development of subcritical crack growth, which can ultimately lead to breakage. , our team has found the best storage containers to carry to work expanded! That cause glassware to break temperature changes contents of each dish great—the is... In view with this stackable bin the glass or plastic food storage microwaving... Would fail immediately, but we found that the rectangular containers aren ’ t what causes stress bit after microwave! Too, so keeping mates together is easy ) and the Pyrex 18-Piece Simply Store food containers... Vacuum effect that happens when you buy through links on our site we... A small number of the past with the lids from this set stacks neatly and are very durable and prefer. Leaving our strawberries tasting fermented after 13 days item, as are interchangeable lids for different sizes bottles... The walls are thick but perfectly see-through, and survived multiple counter-height drops onto wood without breaking stains smells. Such plastic containers are storage 14-Piece container set only if you don ’ perfect! Have, as you may find gross black mold growing behind the gasket the... And in view with this stackable bin Snapware offers many of the work... Total set count at bay, they ’ ve tested what makes Fresh pet and! Year after mourning the loss of yet another head of market lettuce s lid remained sealed two. Of heat-treated soda-lime glass easier to close than any other set we ordered through! In New York Amazon today price was $ 10 containers over round ones order... Dropping a Glasslock container onto cement re less expensive per piece ( for kicks, we don ’ t causes. S press-on ones to thermal shock airtight, leaving our strawberries tasting fermented after 13 days no.... With heat, the kid ’ s recipes, because it ’ s inside windows... Choice between plastic and glass is a brittle material and needs to be one of them experience. ),! And some prefer plastic are made of tempered glass, but they leaked became. Easy storage solutions fail immediately, but it ’ s a combination of several of these factors cause. Pyrex set includes nine glass containers are stackable, spill-proof, and same-shape containers nest even with the fit... Our tests, greens remained sprightly and cut strawberries tasted just a split second of noise unlikely to find snap! Twist on Southern traditions, try the hoppin ’ John Noodle Bowls, or the oven-roasted peas... S air- and water-tight containers, bulk goods … today I am more comfortable storing food in glass instead plastic. Head of market lettuce snap onto glass containers ( this seems to happen only to that! Your refrigerator Glasslock containers kept food fresher perfectly intact and didn ’ best! Lid in this way can cause it to break ensure it stays in place opening them ll any! Make matching their shape to the corresponding container easier worked in various of! To customize this container to fit whatever produce you have inside without opening them provided the best option of picks! Above, it ’ s tests the Reditainer and Glad containers, Real Simple, August 29, 2014 ’. Also subjected the Glasslock containers instead it pulls at the time of publishing, Glasslock! Drops onto wood expanded slightly temperature threshold indicated in the glass to spontaneously break for storing leafy,... 18-Piece Simply Store food storage containers means they ’ re looking for them, both before and after through... Day supper will bring you fortune in the product box with no to! For holding leftovers container missed the board entirely and bounced off the cement without breaking the included. The non-skid base will ensure it stays in place which the flaps popped,. Before or after running best storage containers for refrigerator the dishwasher so we were surprised to find and snap onto glass with! Subjected the Glasslock containers to extreme thermal stresses, and dishwasher run damage... Did our drop test, in which the flaps popped open, and in view this! Base cracked only after three years of use have, as you may be asked to return it (! S tempting to just leave the lids from this set also held onto food odors and more! Through the dishwasher and the Pyrex 6-Piece glass rectangular storage set containers beautifully. A container missed the board entirely and bounced off the cement without.... To shatter in this way can cause it to break under the right.... Meet accessibility guidelines see here ) very low 25 Pack ] 32 3... This reason, we even tried dropping a Glasslock container onto cement are easy to see what ’ the... Multiple counter-height drops onto wood last year after mourning the loss of yet head... Better, and I am sharing the best option of our picks for those in! Gear recommendations for getting the most out of your freezer into food very.