Food containers are something we all tend to overlook. But it’s important to find the best food containers for you. Whether your food isn’t fresh enough, it leaks all over your fridge shelfs or your kitchen cupboards are filled with lost lids – you need to better research food containers!
After reorganizing my small apartment pantry, I figured I’m wasting too much space on the wrong containers. Once researching this I discovered a whole world of things you need to consider when looking for the best food containers for you and your needs.
I’m glad to share my thoughts and finds with you! I feel like I’ve found not only my own perfect food containers, but great options for each and everyone of you!
I hope you’ll find what you’re looking for, I have! 🙂
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Why It’s Important To Have The Best food Containers
This entire part of your life can be easily overlooked as it has in my life for years. I just used cheap plastic containers. From time to time I accumulated them from various sources. Sometimes I had enough and “splurged” on some good looking ones in the store. WITHOUT ANY RESEARCH. Safe to say they didn’t last for long.
Keeps Food Fresh
The main purpose of a food container is to store food, so it better do that job well!
Good food containers are airtight and leakproof. Which means your food is kept at the best terms. So when you get around to eating it, it doesn’t taste like it’s dried out and all flavor has been sucked out.
Keeps Food Clean & Hygienic
Airtight containers also protect your food from contamination.
Especially in humid climate food attacks bugs of all sorts. If your food containers aren’t sealed properly, you can find yourself with a bug issue.
It’s super important in my opinion to store your food properly for it to stay clean and hygienic! You paid good money and there’s no reason for any food to go to waste.
Doesn’t Break Easily
We’ll talk more about the containers material in just a little bit, but no matter what you choose, the material needs to be of quality. Plastic should be sturdy, glass should be strong and so on.
If you get plastic that chips constantly you’ll find yourself stocking on containers forever. Even worse, if you get thin glass, it might break in your food which is dangerous. Good quality food containers are a must.
Saves Space
Living in a small apartment I can’t afford to waste space on different kinds of containers that refuse to stack or stay organized in any way.
A good type of collection will fit together and saves you valuable kitchen cupboard space.
Saves Time
Yes, great food containers can save you time. I got to a point where I had so many different types of containers, they didn’t stack and I was spending too much time looking for lids. Once a month I would also spend valuable time re-organizing the entire cupboard because I couldn’t find what’s matching what!
Having a proper set will ensure you never encounter that issue! Each lid will fit each container! 🙂
Healthier For You
Bad quality of materials have toxins that get absorbed in your food with time. And if there’s a way to avoid it, why not?
Eco-Friendly
Not only healthier for you, it’s better for the environment and all of us. Not only the materiel is not releasing toxins, not buying cheap plastic containers over and over again defiantly makes a difference. It helps maintaining the minimalist approach in which we shouldn’t over buy, and prefer quality over quantity.
What’s The Main Differences You Should Take Into Consideration?
Material
There’s three kinds of materials food containers are usually made of. Each have their pros and cons. Your personal preference also plays a roll here. For example, glass containers are considered the best, but personally I don’t like heavy dishes.
Glass: Glass containers are your best option if you’re looking for an investment container that will last probably forever. These aren’t cheap by any means, but the durability and versatility make up for it.
The advantages are that they are easy to clean, they don’t crack or chip like plastic does (unless you bang them lol), they can be used for baking in the oven and so much more great advantages.
The cons are that it’s heavy, not always fun to pack, and if they break it might be dangerous.
You should look out for those who are too delicate to even withstand a microwave.
Plastic: For much cheaper than glass or stainless steal, this is your best option.
It has more advantages – it’s easy to clean, lightweight, stackable, and safe to use.
If you do go with plastic, make sure it’s FBA free, sturdy material, microwave and dishwasher safe.
If you’re just trying out meal prep and sure how it will go, you might consider plastic the best to start with.
Stainless steal: I actually discovered those recently on a meal prep video and loved the idea so much!!
The advantages are that they are eco-friendly, lightweight like plastic but durable as glass. They are perfect for traveling with, picnics and hikes.
The downside is defiantly the price. These are expensive. It’s up to you if you’re willing to pay that price for high quality.
Versatility in use
I use these containers that are for much more than meal prepping. Usually meal prepping containers are not versatile. They are a very certain size and have compartments. They are not good for all leftovers (Especially if you a small or big amount) and are not great for pantry items.
You should think through and through what are your uses and expectations from food containers.
Do you only want food containers for meal prepping? If so, what do your meals usually consist of?
Are you looking for containers for leftovers? For kids lunches? For pantry items?
Do you need just one, a few, or a whole set with different sizes?
Answer these questions and you’ll know which you should get!
If you don’t know what your expectations are, you might purchase something you regret.
Usability
What you’re planing to do with the food containers has a lot to do with which one’s to choose. There’s a difference if you’re planing on packing soup leftovers or your kids lunch.
They should be SAFE to use in a microwave (not releasing toxins to your food) and hold in a dishwasher. A bonus will be if they’re usable in the freezer and oven.
An extra use for good quality glass containers is that you can put them in the oven! You can cook in them and use them straight away which saves time and dishes 😉
Shape and size
This might be a no-brainer but it’s really important if you’re trying to save space and maximize usage! I would go for only square\ rectangle shapes as round boxes take more space around them that is not being used!
I also love “nesting” containers that can be stored inside other containers. I love saving space! 🙂
So What Are The Best Food Containers?
All of the following containers are BPA free, safe to use in the freezer and the dishwasher.
My personal favorite:
These are plastic, but I have them for a few years now and they’re like new! And with over 10,000 positive reviews, apparently I’m not alone 🙂
Pros: Sturdy plastic, Leakproof, Stackable, Comes in various sizes for different uses. Affordable.
Cons: No compartments. The little containers in the set don’t hold a lot but are still great for snacks like trail mixes.
The bottom line: These are absolutely wonderful if you’re looking for a full set of lightweight, quality containers for a great price!
The best glass container:
A pack of 3 meal-sized glass containers.
Pros: Sturdy material with a Leakproof lid. Glass can be used safely is the dishwasher, freezer and even to bake with in the oven!
Cons: These might break or chip more easily than non-glass containers. Also, there’s no compartments.
The bottom line: If you’re looking for a long term investment these are definitely it! Glass is a sturdy material that can be used for everything!
The glass container runner-up:
5 containers for easy weekly meal prep that you can use for baking as well.
Pros: Sturdy material with a Leakproof lid. Glass can be used safely is the dishwasher, freezer and even to bake with in the oven!
Cons: having the same cons as any glass container, these are also a little more expensive.
The bottom line: If you’re looking into start meal prepping, these can be a great fit since they are come in packs of 5 and sized for one meal.
The best plastic container
A great set that will be good for meal prep, leftovers, dressing and everything else!
Pros: Easy to use, leakproof and air-tight containers and lids. Affordable, versatile set. Dishwasher and freezer safe.
Cons: As opposed to glass containers, these will probably won’t last as long.
The bottom line: For a great price you will get a excellent quality and great variety of containers.
The plastic container runner up
A modern look to your good old plastic containers with many choices when it comes to your preferred set.
Pros: Modern design. Easy to use, leakproof and air-tight containers and lids. Affordable, versatile set. Dishwasher and freezer safe.
Cons: This type of plastic is more easily broken and might chip.
The bottom line: The thin plastic design makes it light-weight and easily stackable, both can make life easier sometimes!
The best stainless-steel container
The new rage when it comes to meal-prep, stainless steal is eco-friendly and perfect for traveling and hikes!
Pros: Sturdy material, Leakproof, Stackable, eco-friendly, super light-weight. Comes with compartments for easy meal-prep.
Cons: This is definitely not affordable for only one container.
The bottom line: If you’re looking for a safe container that will hold up, you might consider this as an investment for the long run.
The stainless-steel container runner-up
Great set to try out stainless steal for a good price!
Pros: Sturdy material, Leakproof, Stackable, eco-friendly, super light-weight. More affordable than other stainless steal options. comes in packs of 3 nesting sizes.
Cons: Though these are more affordable, their lids are plastic, not stainless steal.
The bottom line: These are absolutely wonderful if you’re looking for a full set of lightweight, quality containers for a great price!
There’s no ONE PERFECT FIT for everyone! But there’s a perfect fit FOR YOU! I hope this post helps you in making a better more informed decision while looking for the best good containers.
I would love to hear what is your favorite type of food container!
I use the products as the best glass and plastic listed above and I LOVE THEM! I have used them for years now and just keep buying more (as if I really need more). I have never used stainless steel ones before! May have to try some in the future!
I am going to reorganize my fridge as soon as I am done with the comments. Thanks for sharing.
I have a nice variety of storage containers. I have been moving more towards glass these days.
I don’t remember what brand they are, but I love my glass food containers that have the locking lids. They are great for so many reasons. I only have a few and want to get some more since we are always running out.
This is something I have been struggle with lately. I bought a whole bunch of beautiful class ones and after a month of use the lids just stopped functioning and it’s too late to return. I love class but it’s been a frustration.
This is a great list. I love the items you picked. I’m going to have to try some of these for sure.
Ooh thanks for this in depth article. I use glass but haven’t been completely happy with the Pyrex glass ones I’m using. I’ll give this one a try.
You have such an extension post right there and so helpful. I am switching over to all glass containers and feel they are way more versatile and easy to manage.
That was such an informative article. Loved the different options you have mentioned in your post. I personally love glass containers. I avoid using plastic containers as much as possible.
This is a very detailed blog post and really helpful too. I am trying to switch more to glass and eco firendly options. Steel and glass ones are the best in my opinion 🙂
I never use food containers because – I NEVER HAVE LEFT OVERS LOL!!! I eat… A LOT!