Food storage containers- what do you use?

[Becky]

It's time to replace my dwindling collection of food containers. I usually buy those Ziploc/Glad disposable resuables, but they're not lasting long enough for my tastes and I'm tired of cleaning up the mess from cracked containers. Time for something sturdier!

So far, my criteria are:

Leakproof! Screw-tops would be nice for soups, fruit, etc.
Microwave-safe
Not fragile- DH and I both commute by bike some days, and we both work outside some days. We need durable stuff.
Easily stackable- I have a small kitchen with only one drawer devoted to food containers.

We pack lunches most days, so I'm looking for an assortment of 1 cup - 3 cup sizes that lend themselves well to leftovers, sandwiches, etc. I only occasionally have huge amounts of food to pack away. Right now, cost is only a minor consideration- I don't mind paying for something really good.

What do you use and like? Thanks in advance!

[sfa]

We have a hodge podge of all kinds of storage containers--the Glad containers, prepared frosting containers (they are always 2 cups and seal really well and are super durable), some odd sized containers we got from various carryout places (Noodles and Co. uses nice containers), and some random things from Ikea.

My favorite ones, though, and the only ones I bought intentionally, are Rubbermaid Take Alongs Twist and Seal containers. I got a set of one cup sized containers that I use for everything--kids' snacks, my daily fruit and cottage cheese, small amounts of leftovers, etc. The plastic is BPA free and is more durable than the Glad containers but lighter and more pliable than most other containers we have. They are textured around the bottom so are easy to grip and don't slip out of your hands. Same texturing on the screw-top lid. They stack easily (although it's hard to keep the lids stacked with them), don't leak, and are microwaveable and dishwasher safe. Their website says they are available in two cup size as well as the one cup version I have.

Rubbermaid also makes other things in the TakeAlongs line, but I haven't tried them. The screw top lids of the ones I have are what really attracted me.

[Pax]

I use something similar to this (http://www.target.com/vacuum-sealing-containers/dp/B002T2B998/ref=sc_pd_gwvub_2_title) when I'm not using glass. They seal well and stack/nest nicely in the drawer.

[Tri Girl]

if you care about BPA and using plastic, how about some stainless steel containers? Durable, long-lasting, won't retain odors. If you get various sizes, you could stack them inside each other for storage.

I have these (and actually the lunch bots container also):
http://www.amazon.com/Kids-Konserve-Stainless-Steel-Containers-Leak-Proof/dp/B0032UXTCG/ref=dp_cp_ob_k_title_0


I also have these screw-top ones:
http://www.amazon.com/LunchBots-Stainless-Leak-Proof-Container-16-Ounce/dp/B0044R7VUM/ref=pd_sbs_k_3

Granted, you can't microwave them, but at work I have a set of stoneware dishes (bowl and plate) that I use to transfer soups and other things to that need to be heated in the microwave.


For sandwiches and things I use these:
http://www.amazon.com/LunchSkins-Reusable-Sandwich-Snack-Bags/dp/B004K1UVMM/ref=pd_sim_k_19

[Blueberry]

I have these (http://lifewithoutplastic.com/boutique/food-storage-airtight-containers-c-66_71.html) and love them. Of course, they can't go in the microwave. But, I still love them (and I don't worry about leaching from them).

[Becky]

These are all great ideas! Keep them coming!

I specifically didn't mention any preferences regarding material because I want to see how many different ideas y'all have, and I've not been disappointed :)

I don't really have an issue with putting stuff in/on other dishes to nuke it. It might be a little harder to sell DH on the idea....

[Crankin]

I use the cheapest Ziplock/Glad containers around. I used to have some Tupperware, but those parties make me ill.
I am about to throw out what I have, because it is getting tired. We just discussed buying some decent food storage containers, but I'll let DH do this. I am lazy about this stuff. And I nuke everything... so, yea, I'll probably be dead from it. I got tired of the science teacher lecturing me about this in my old job ;).

[OakLeaf]

Corningware makes lids for some of their lightweight bowls. You'd have to use a different lid for nuking - those flat silicone lids are great.

Eta: I have to say it - dying isn't what I worry about. I've seen too many people suffer horribly from breast cancer, whether or not that's what they eventually die of. Please everyone be careful.

[malkin]

A couple years ago we ditched all the hodgepodge and got those rubbermaid ones with the base that snaps to the bottom for storage. We had about 4 sizes that we used and we had bunches of each.

Recently we just ditched all of them--ok, converted them to storage for parts and non edible stuff and got glass snap top ones from Costco.

[Melalvai]

We don't like plastic so we have lots of pyrex of all different sizes. The lids are plastic but we don't microwave those. The lids don't do well in the dishwasher or the freezer, so we ordered a bunch of extra lids from the pyrex website.

[Mr. Bloom]

Has there been any progress in eliminating BPA?

[Miranda]

Has there been any progress in eliminating BPA?

Gheez, I know I live under a rock sometimes. OK, so I decided to finally google the ill effects of BPA. Just did a little bit of reading.

OK, which number are safe to use?

Meaning one way suggested is to tell by the recycle number if one present. For example, bottled drinking water is a 1, and I think not said to have BPA.

But what about 4? The first thing I thought of was my beloved cheap water bottles for riding. They are nice and soft and squishy, simple, etc etc. I love em, hope they don't have BPA. Also, I think a number 6 is said to have BPA. Yikes, that's our basic cheap glasses we use regularly (kids don't break em).

TO OP... sorry about slight side track, but I guess imporant to know if you are getting plastic for your containers. We have an assortment atm. Some old Tupperware. Glass Pyrex with rubber lids. Baggies are easy if it works for your food travel. Though not as environmentally friendly, I do try to re-use the baggie if possible.

[Brandi]

I use large glass ball jars with either plastic lids (they make them for ball jars) or the metal ones. I also use chinese take out box's I get at smart and final. Those are really great. And you can easily give them to people with left over's and not care about getting back. They also make great last minute gift box's. (god I sound like Martha Stewart)

[Brandi]

The box's are like 100 for 14.00

[Becky]

This is all good stuff- thanks!

This morning, I tried to pin DH down on his preferences. I find myself leaning towards glass, due to it being both non-plastic and nuke-able. However, DH has concerns about breakage, particularly when he's in the field (see OP). Can anyone comment about durability for the Pyrex/Glasslock/Rubbermaid options? I'm considering stainless steel for field days....it's not like we have a microwave out there!

I'm definitely getting some of those Lunchskins! Hopefully, I can find them locally....

[OakLeaf]

I have a lot of the Pyrex bowls in various sizes. If you keep the lids on, they can be stacked. I've never broken one, but they don't strike me as particularly non-fragile. Sturdier than Mason jars for sure, about the same weight as a glass measuring cup. I don't know if the lids are supposed to be microwaveable or not, but they will distort when heated, so we use the flat silicone lids to heat those too.

I *have* broken a Corningware bowl, but that was by dropping it on a tile floor. I think a tennis ball would have shattered. Hate hate hate tile.

[Becky]

I have a lot of the Pyrex bowls in various sizes. If you keep the lids on, they can be stacked. I've never broken one, but they don't strike me as particularly non-fragile.

Do they "nest" with the lids off? I used the word "stackable" in my OP, but "nest-able" is a better word....I'm concerned about storing the empty ones in the smallest possible space.

I'm coming to the conclusion that there's not going to be one perfect solution for packing lunches....and that's ok. Just have to amend my thinking a little.

[alexis_the_tiny]

I swear by Lock&Lock containers. They're by far the best and most reasonably priced containers I've found and they come in all kinda of sizes. Unfortunately, they're not nestable, just stackable. I've seen my colleagues use glass containers that are similar to the Lock&Lock types so you can try those if you're concerned about BPA. I just don't use them because I'm a klutz.

[sarahkonamojo]

Ball jars. Don't meet most of your requirements. Interested the the pyrex product, but no need right now.
I do have some plastic food containers, but find they don't stack very well and the lids get lost, etc. The jars are more uniform and the lids are interchangeable. I go with wide mouth jars. When the lids get rusty or bent it is easy to get replacements.
No estrogen weird plastics involved with jars.
They also clean very well. I stack them back in the boxes in my garage when not in use.

[Brandi]

I really like the lunch skins idea!

[Melalvai]

I've never broken a pyrex, and I break most of my dishes.

They do nest.

[OakLeaf]

These (http://www.pyrexware.com/index.asp?pageId=14&CatID=380&SubCatID=398&upc=71160173989) are the kind of Pyrex dishes I have. They're available in sets in a lot of the big box stores. They do not nest, except insofar as you can put a smaller sized dish inside a larger one ... I prefer to keep the sizes together and stack them with the lids on, so I can only get two or three high in the cabinet ... but I can get the size I'm looking for without having to take a mixed stack apart.

[deeaimond]

Lock&Lock also. They come in all shapes and sizes, I bring hot coffee, soups salads, rice meals to work and microwave them. As long as its not oily there wont be damage to the container. They don't drip or leak and I only had to replace the coffeecup after a year (almost daily use) because the rubber seal snapped. When used for food storage they also keep food fresh because of the airtight nature. I think they are available on amazon.

[DebSP]

I use canning jars (like Ball) with both plastic and metal screw lids. I make my own soups and chili in big batches and put them in the jars and then freeze them. I can take them out of the freezer at home and microwave them at work. I have lots of one cup size and some odd wide mouth two cup size. They don't really stack so storage could be a problem. I have 30 to 40 and I store them in the basement in boxes. We have 6 Tupperware cereal bowls because I take cold cereal some days. We also have an assortment of plastic food containers such as cottage cheese, cream cheese, margarine etc. I choose ones that stack inside each other from the largest on the bottom to the smallest at the top. And I store the lids standing on their side inside a big margarine container so I can pick them out easily. I use them for salad, fruit, cottage cheese etc. anything I am not microwaving. I can use them a few times before I toss them in the blue bin. I replace them when I empty a new new container. I like those re-usable bags. That is the only item I don't have a real solution for. We wrap sandwiches in plastic bags or wax paper.

[OakLeaf]

At least a third and probably closer to two thirds of the glass jars in which I've frozen liquids have broken from the expansion. Doesn't matter how much headroom I leave, it expands around the middle. Any more I freeze in plastic and transfer for reheating.

[DebSP]

I looked at the box in the basement, I use Bernardin 250ml jars. They come in boxes of 12. I have been making all kinds of soups and I regularly make a batch of Chili which I freeze in these jars. I have been doing this for about 5 years and never had one break. I put the food into them hot, put them in the fridge over night and freeze them the next day. It is so convenient because both my DH and I can just pick one out the night before and take it in our lunch when we don't know what to make or just run out of time!

[Chile Pepper]

At least a third and probably closer to two thirds of the glass jars in which I've frozen liquids have broken from the expansion. Doesn't matter how much headroom I leave, it expands around the middle. Any more I freeze in plastic and transfer for reheating.

Oak, I had this problem too. It helps to put the jar of food in the refrigerator first, then freeze the next day, after it's quite cold. And leave some headspace, of course. I don't think ever broke a jar after I started doing that. A couple of years ago I switched to freezing my stocks in Ziplock bags for convenience, but this thread has me thinking about going back to jars.

[Becky]

I think that I've decided on these (http://www.duralexusa.com/Lys-Square-Bowls-with-Lid-3-piece-Set-plu520010S01.html) glass containers, along with some Lunchskins or Snack Taxis for less messy items. I like the way the bowls taper, which should allow them to nest (I hope!), and the lids look very similar to some Anchor True Seal ones that I really liked.

Very interesting thread, everyone- thanks for your input!

[redrhodie]

It looks like you already decided, but I was looking at the Basil bags on this website, and noticed these, which look like they meet your criteria:

https://www.greenwardshop.com/new/10-pc.-trueseal-glass-food-storage-set

[Becky]

I really liked those True Seal containers when I saw them in my local kitchen store. If they had nested a little better or I had more storage space, I probably would have gone with those. The lids were really secure!

I like that website- thanks for sharing!

[VeganBikeChick]

It looks like you already decided, but I was looking at the Basil bags on this website, and noticed these, which look like they meet your criteria:

https://www.greenwardshop.com/new/10-pc.-trueseal-glass-food-storage-set



I have that set and really like them - they're very durable.

[Becky]

My new dishes and wraps arrived yesterday. I must say that all of that research paid off- they are exactly what I wanted!

The Duralex bowls are awesome! They're lightweight (for glass), but seem really strong. Google tells me Duralex is quite popular for use with kids because its so durable and doesn't break into shards. I'm basically a really big kid with a driver's license and a mortgage, so this is a good thing.

Their lids seal well, and kept my messy yogurt and berries firmly under wraps until lunchtime. Of all the glass I looked at, these definitely nest the best (hee hee!) and fit four-deep in their designated drawer. Amazing! I'm buying more!

The Snack Taxis are cute and functional. I wouldn't use them for long-term storage as they're not air-tight, but they're fine for corralling carrot sticks in my lunch bag.

The jury is still out on durability for everything, but the functionality is top-notch.

Thanks to everyone for your help and ideas :)