Food storage containers- what do you use?

[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 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...od-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...od-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