What Are The Safest Food Storage Containers Made From
With plastic out of the way, now we can discuss the safest food storage container materials
Usually, the best non-plastic food containers come in glass, stainless steel, silicone, and ceramic. All four are safe and non-toxic.
Now, these containers cost more than plastic. But, their safety and durability make for a wiser investment.
So, lets tackle the pros and cons of each.
This way, you better understand all four and gain a better idea of what to pick:
Glass food storage containers are an all-time favorite in the kitchen. We can thank their clean, non-toxic, and non-porous surface for that.
Youll have a tough time finding a material that protects food flavor better than glass.
Pros:
Were just about there!
Next, lets run through a few quick buying considerations.
Then, youll find the best non-toxic food storage containers in each material An option for every purpose!
Is It Safe To Freeze Soup In Plastic Containers
It is safe to freeze your soup in plastic containers, so long as theyre the right containers. Not all plastics are made equal. Always be sure to store food in containers that are made from safe plastics and do not contain polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonate, or polystyrene. These compounds may break down during freezing, causing damage to the container and worse, allowing chemicals to leach into food. Another great option for the better safe than sorry are the plastic containers that are BPA Free.
Other Food Storage Containers We Tested
Our test focused on containers meant for storing leftovers or for throwing packed lunch in your tote we didnt include Oxo Pop containerswhich get their name from their easy-to-open lidsor other pantry storage canisters, which are better designed for storing dry food like flour and grains in your cupboard. We also excluded vacuum-sealing containers, which we consider to be better for fresh-food preservation. As for reusable storage bags, you can check out our test here.
These kept a tight seal, but we found the lids to be somewhat difficult to close.
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Enther Meal Prep Stackable Freezer Containers
These freezer containers from Enther feature elegant black bases along with transparent lids. The package includes 20 containers, each of which holds up to 32 ounces of food. With these all-purpose containers in hand, you can cook a large batch and portion out for the entire week.
Made of food-grade plastic, these containers are easily popped into the microwave to deliver some cozy snacks without much preparation. Each unit is divided into 2, one of which is bigger than the other. Therefore, theres plenty of room for the main course and healthy side dishes for your to-go lunches.
Finally, since these pieces have zero chance of reeking or odors, you neednt concern about that pungent or herbal smell in the office. With proper care, you can reuse these convenient tools up to 30 times, or store plan-ahead meals for a long period of time.
Key Features:
| Feature | Microwave and dishwasher safe |
Take a closer look at these Enther Meal Prep Stackable Freezer Containers in this informative video right here!
What Can You Freeze
You can freeze almost anything. But harsh temperatures can cause physical and chemical damage to cells and tissues, which makes some foods limp or watery after thawing. For example, youll never get the same satisfying bite from a crisp leaf of lettuce after youve frozen it, and cream will never whip to as fluffy a texture. There are many recipes that freeze very well, though: Soups, stews, casseroles, cakes, and cookie dough are just a few examples. Even ingredients such as sour cream, tofu, and eggs can be revived after freezing, and items such as tortillas and bread can be zhuzhed up in a toaster or pan.
For recipe ideas or advice on what will freeze best, NYT Cooking has a guide to freezing many ingredients, as well as several recipe roundups like Recipes to Make and Freeze and Having a Baby? What to Cook and Freeze Now. The National Center for Home Food Preservation also has extensive guidelines for freezing, although some of the recommendations are dated and taste preferences have changed. Andress recommends contacting your local cooperative extension office if you have questions.
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Solo 12oz Take Out Cup & Lid Durable For Soup Ice Cream Frozen Yogurt And To
This food container is one of the best. It comes with 25 white disposable paper food containers and 25 white-vented lids. Besides, it is designed to withstand extreme temperatures. It can be able to hold hot hearty soup and frozen desserts like ice-cream and frozen yoghurt. It is also perfect for carrying packed lunch to school or work.
Best For Soup: Oxo Good Grips 4
Keeping a stash of homemade soup in your freezer is easier when you have the right containerand theres a good reason to do so. Unlike some foods, soups flavor actually improves in the freezer. These containers by OXO are an excellent option for all your soup- and stew-freezing needs. The shatter-resistant borosilicate glass guards against thermal shocks, so you can move a quart of chili directly from the freezer to the oven with no worries of breakage.
What you need most in a container for storing soup is a completely leakproof lid, and this one features four locking tabs that ensure the lid is on tight every time. Beyond that, glass containers like these appeal to those who want to move away from plastics. If your soup only partially fills the container, Truman recommends pressing a piece of plastic wrap against the surface of the food to prevent freezer burn.
As tempting as it might be, you cant put everything in the freezer. Freezing affects the texture and flavor of some foods negatively, including raw eggs in the shell, fresh lettuce and cucumbers, and many dairy-containing foods.
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How To Heat Your Dinner Safely In Pyrex
So, what can you do in this situation? The most sensible thing to do would be to take the Pyrex container out of the freezer and let it sit on the kitchen counter while the oven preheats. This will take around 20 minutes, which will be sufficient for the glass to acclimate to the change in temperature.
After that, you can go on and put your dinner in the oven. In a few minutes, you will have a warm meal and no damage will be done to the container. As a side note, remember not to exceed the temperature of 425 degrees Fahrenheit in the oven, as it is the maximum temperature that Pyrex glass can tolerate.
Take a look at this video below to learn more about the properties that allow Pyrex to be used in so many different ways within your kitchen.
Rubbermaid Brilliance Glass Storage Set Of 4 Containers With Lids
If youre looking for a way to store food that is both versatile and durable, then this Brilliance Glass Containers Set is one of your best options. The BPA-free crystal-clear StainShield lids allow you to easily check what is inside no need to flip them over. The sturdy dishwasher-safe glass bases can withstand high temperatures up until 450 degrees Fahrenheit so you dont have to worry about them breaking during cooking. Because they are freezer-safe, they are perfect for keeping your party leftovers, desserts, and for reheating meals. The glass containers are 100% airtight and leak-proof with a built-in lid vent to allow splatter-free microwaving. The material is also resistant against stains or odors making it easy for cleaning as well! And with the Smart Lid System, the lids can be used with same-sized Brilliance containers of all material types to avoid trouble finding replacements when needed.
Size and Capacities: The set comes in 2 sizes 4.75 x 8 inches at 2 3.2 cups capacity
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Best For Nesting Storage: Anchor Hocking Round Food Storage Containers
This glass food storage container set by Anchor Hocking comes with 13 different round container sizes, perfect for everything from a large salad to a few bites of leftovers. And although there are many containers, they are nested so when not in use they all fit nicely together from largest to smallest taking up minimal space.
Reviewers says they are “really nice and sturdy” and that the “lids are secure and are easy to clean.” The containers are top-shelf dishwasher safe and can be used in the freezer, oven, microwave, and fridge.
Buy it: $42.50
What Kind Of Freezer Bags And Containers Are Best
The first thing youll need are freezer-ready containers made of glass or BPA-free plastic. You have two main choices when it comes to these containers: bento box compartmented style or single dish container.
What you need will depend on how you plan on using them. The bento box style is great if youre creating a homemade freezer meal of several dishes to take to an office or school to heat and eat.
The single bags and containers are better if youre freezing leftovers or bulk cooking items. You can freeze a package of soup, meat, vegetables or nearly anything.
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Rubbermaid Brilliance: Clear Leak
Do you still store liquid food in glass jars? Its safe and handy. But nowadays, more durable and lightweight solutions are available. Brilliance containers by Rubbermaid consist of innovative Tritan plastic. Its crystal-clear and stylish. Tritan containers look like premium glass but perform much better.
If youve got a large family, large Rubbermaid containers meet all your needs. You can use it for your daily meal preps. Freezing a portion of your delicious soup inside is safe. Tritan plastic is non-toxic, BPA-free. Above all, it withstands freezing temperatures up to 14°Fahrenheit. Besides, it doesnt crack or shatter, withstanding temperature shocks. Additionally, an air-tight seal prevents freezer burn issues.
Performance and Applications
Several distinctive features give prominence to Rubbermaid containers.
Verdict
Prep Naturals Glass Meal Prep Freezer Containers
Whether youre planning for a healthy diet or looking for convenient and space-saving food storages, chances are this set of 5 Prep Naturals freezer containers is your best fit. With the leak-proof locking lids, you have the flexibility to use it at home and bring to work or school.
The containers are made of sturdy Borosilicate glass to stand the test of time. Theyre also oven and dishwasher safe, so you can easily warm up your leftovers and make a variety of baked goods straight on these versatile tools. Once the cooking is done, simply toss them in the dishwasher for effortless clean-up.
Finally, their stackability will free up a bunch of space in your fridge and pantry. Thus, you have more room to make a weeks worth of lunches and get your food fresh all the time. The 30-ounce capacity is also ideal for helping you serve the right portion without much guesswork.
Key Features:
| Feature | Microwave, dishwasher, and oven safe |
Check out this cool video for more information about the Prep Naturals Glass Meal Prep Freezer Containers.
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Why Do Glass Bottles Shatter In The Freezer
Why? Originally posed as a question: In the freezer, water-filled glass bottles are prone to cracking. Except for boron, which expands when heated and contracts when cold, water expands when it freezes and transforms into ice. Its also a positive thing since ice would settle to the bottom if the seas and lakes ever froze over.
Are Glass Food Storage Containers Better Than Plastic
This really comes down to a personal decision. Glass is oven safe and heavy-duty, but susceptible to breaking. Plastic is light and easy to store, but stains and can degrade over time with microwave use. Plastics eventually reach the end of their shelf life and must be replaced, but they are lighter and easier to transport. With care, glass can be used for years without replacement, which means less garbage in our landfills.
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Oxo Good Grips Smart Seal Container
This glass container is freezer safe and can easily be taken from the freezer straight to the oven to thaw or heat up soups. It can also be microwaved for faster meal prep and then put directly into the dishwasher for fast cleaning.
Pros
- Rectangular design makes it easy to ladle or pour soup into the container to be frozen
- Made from borosilicate glass that is BPA free and naturally stain proof
- A silicone seal makes this leakproof and locking tabs provide extra security. The silicone is also easy to clean to prevent mold and other damage to the seal.
Cons
The Best Plastic Food Storage Container Set
We love to reuse polypropylene deli containers for leftovers and pantry storage because theyre lightweight and easy to stack. But, with repeated use, they warp, deteriorate, and eventually need to be replaced. In this test, we limited our candidates to high-quality plastic storage containers you can reuse time and again.
High-quality plastic storage container sets overwhelmingly rely on snap-locking lids. But, instead of snaps on the side, these Rubbermaid containers are fitted with flexible silicone lids that you press onto the container. We were skeptical that this wouldnt provide an effective spill-proof seal. But we were pleasantly surprised to find that in our drop test, the lids stayed on well enough to avoid major splatters, even when we dropped the container on its side.
This set really excelled in the stain test, absorbing almost no color from our tomato and turmeric soup the only visible stains appeared on the underside of the lid. We also love the Flex & Seals stacking scheme, which makes it easy to avoid the dreaded storage container cabinet clutter. Speaking of that clutter : The Rubbermaid lids come in four different sizes and most are capable of doing double duty on containers of different volumes.
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Best Food Storage Containers 2021
The best containers for freezing foods are airtight, leak-proof, grease-resistant and wont crack in the cold. They also wont absorb odors or colors from the food or give the frozen food an artificial taste. Rigid plastic containers and flexible zipper bags are the most common types of containers for freezing, but special freezer wrap or even canning jars can also maintain your frozen foods flavor and.
Here are my recommendations for freezer safe containers: Snapware 2 Cup Glass Storage Containers Perfect for portioning out fully cooked meals and freezing. These containers have a durable Pyrex base, which is freezer, dishwasher, microwave and oven-safe.
- Take away food containers. Eva Varga says I just get the cheapest take away containers I can find
- Zip lock bags. Alli Burrows does away with containers altogether, choosing to use zip lock bags
- Tupperware. Rachael Carey is happy to invest in Tupperware containers as Tupperware are the only
- Kmart. Janice Thomas says she loves these Kmart containers. They are $4 for 3 containers for the
- Ikea. If you are heading to Ikea, why not try some of these. Carol Webb swears by these, and get the
- Ebay. Mariana Cocchieralla loves these containers from Ebay. My week got better when these
- Sistema. Jeanine White is a devotee of the Sistema range. Always and only Sistema. They stack
Silicone Molds Ice Cube Trays Or Muffin Tins
You read that right! Muffin tins, ice cube trays, and silicone molds are a brilliant way to freeze single soup servings.
Why do we love this method? It allows you to distribute and store almost any soup into contained serving sizes. One tip to keep in mind: When you’re ready to reheat your frozen soup, set the tins in a tray filled with warm water to help the portions pop out.
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What Is The Best Way To Preserve Prepared Food In The Freezer
Proto suggests having these on hand:
How To Choose The Best Food Storage Container For Your Needs
When choosing new containers for your family, its vital to consider your specific needs:
Do you need a lightweight, unbreakable, and leak-proof food storage container you can travel with?
Pick a stainless steel container with a leak-proof seal . It wont break or spill on bumpy rides.
Need the best plastic-free food storage containers able to go from fridge to oven without exploding?
Pick silicone containers . Stainless steel works too, but be careful when removing it from the oven.
For glass, youll need borosilicate to withstand rapid temperature changes.
Do you want soft and flexible containers for kids snacks? Or to squeeze into cramped cabinets?
Silicone wins again here.
How about a non-plastic, microwavable food container for taking leftovers to work?
Glass containers will suit you best, preferably those with plastic-free lids. .
If the top is plastic, take it off before microwaving. Use a paper towel or plate to cover the food.
Consider size & shape:
Do you need round containers? Or square/ rectangular containers?
Round containers are great for easy stacking and nesting. In contrast, rectangular containers are easier to wedge into open spaces or corners.
If youre cramped on space, consider these collapsible containers.
Consider easy portioning:
Perhaps you want containers for meal prep and portion control? Or for pre-measured baking ingredients?
If so, consider something like #2 or #7 below. The embossed volume markings help you measure foods with ease.
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