Likewise, all of the food we added to the containers stayed fresh and never acquired freezer burn. The glass material is super durable and won't stain from holding foods like spaghetti sauce or curry.

Considering the quality, this set offers great value and will likely last a long time. Material: Borosilicate glass bases and BPA-free plastic lids Number in Set: 10 Items: 2 1.

This set is perfect for storing dry goods: the containers look gorgeous out on the counter or shelf, they don't take on any stains or smells from ingredients stored inside, and they're airtight enough to keep brown sugar from drying out.

The one issue we noted during testing was that there was some leakage with liquid ingredients, though thick liquids would likely not be a problem. This is a great option for anyone who is avoiding plastic, but the downside is that the glass could shatter if dropped, so the containers should be kept out of reach of small children.

The glass containers are dishwasher-safe, but the wooden lids are designated as hand-wash only, though we ran them through the dishwasher without any issues. Material: Glass, silicone seals, bamboo lids Number in Set: 5 Items: 1 6. During testing, we loved how completely leakproof these containers were; there was a visibly trapped-in seal, and the brown sugar stored in them didn't dry out.

The containers didn't shatter when dropped, and aside from a little bit of lingering onion smell before going through the dishwasher, they passed our stain and smell tests beautifully. Other features of this set that we loved were the easy-stacking, nice-looking aesthetics, and spacious capacity.

Material: BPA-free plastic Number in Set: 4 Items: 1 6. We loved this option for cereal because of how well it keeps contents from drying out and getting stale—it kept brown sugar from drying out even a tiny bit. It's dishwasher-safe and came out of the wash cycle without any hints of smell or stain.

There was a slight smell from the onion we had stored in it before washing. During testing, we noted and appreciated the design, especially the ergonomic spot for your hands and two different openings: one to fill the container and one to fill your bowl of cereal.

Our main complaint was that it doesn't come with more containers in more sizes to do more jobs. Material: BPA-free plastic Number in Set: 1 Items: 1 4.

These gorgeous ceramic containers are beautiful for storing dry items, like coffee, flour, and sugar, on the countertop.

They each come with a scoop that nests in a handle on the side of the container, and their bigger-than-average capacities can accommodate large quantities without taking up too much counter space. If you do want to store items with liquid components like fermenting vegetables , these containers got a perfect score on our leak and splash tests.

We also noted that the containers were completely stain-, streak-, and smell-proof, and that the nice seal of the lids prevented brown sugar from drying out.

The containers themselves are dishwasher-safe, while the wooden lids are recommended to be wiped down by hand. They're no longer available as a set, but you can purchase them separately in small ounce , medium ounce , large ounce , and extra-large 4-quart sizes. Material: Glazed stoneware ceramic , hardwood lids Number in Set: 1 Sizes Available: ounce, ounce, ounce, or 4-quart.

This beautifully designed organizer set from iDesign and The Spruce can help you keep things in order and look good doing it. The seven-piece set includes a berry bin, a small divided bin, a large divided bin, two small bins, an egg bin, and a bottle store bin—but it's also available in three-, four-, and five-piece sets.

The bins each have a coordinating lid that has notches that keep out excess moisture and keep your produce fresher for longer.

No need to fumble around the fridge searching for a specific ingredient. The set comes in three different colors—clear and matte gray, clear and matte white, and just full clear. Not only do they look good, they can make you feel good, too, since the clear plastic is made of recycled bottles.

The Spruce is owned by The Spruce Eats' parent company, Dotdash Meredith. Material: Recycled BPA-free plastic Number in Set: 7 Items: 1 berry bin, 8-cup, 2 crisp bin, 1 small divided bin, 1 large divided bin, 1 egg bin, 1 beverage storage bin 6-cup, 2 3.

We love the large capacity of this five-container set and the different sizes that accommodate an array of uses. They kept brown sugar from drying out in our tests, and they impressed our testers with their ease of cleaning. The previous version of this set was not fully dishwasher-safe, but this current version features both containers and lids that can be popped in the dishwasher or washed by hand.

When we tested by purposefully dropping the containers to see if they'd open or shatter, the top popped open, and the contents went everywhere, so you may want to be cautious.

There was also a bit of leakage when storing more liquid ingredients. However, we still found them to be a solid choice overall and loved the set for all the sizes and uses. Plus, they look clean and neat, so if you have some on the countertop they are not an eyesore.

Material: BPA-free plastic Number in Set: 5 containers, 3 accessories Items: 2 0. These large containers are all the same size, so they're great for storing large quantities of bulk pantry items.

They even do well for storing liquids, as our testing found that they're completely leakproof and very airtight. These containers are also pretty durable when dropped, which makes them more kid-friendly. They were also very stain- and odor-resistant in our Lab testing.

We like that this set is dishwasher-safe and comes with labels, markers, and a scoop set. If you like the versatility of having different-sized containers, this set may not be for you, but it's a sturdy and reliable option that can help to organize your pantry. Material: BPA-free plastic Number in Set: 4 Items: 4 4.

The Rubbermaid Brilliance Pantry Airtight Food Storage Container Set is our top plastic choice after diligent testing due to its durable design and complete lack of leakage, staining, or smell accumulation.

Another big hit among our tests was the Glasslock Piece Assorted Oven Safe Container Set , which has similarly great performance and is dishwasher-safe. We sent top-rated plastic, glass, and ceramic food storage container sets to our dedicated Testing Lab, where we evaluated their performance, capacity, ease of cleaning, and design through several side-by-side tests.

We tested how well each set kept one cup of brown sugar from drying out over a set period, how well each set resisted picking up stains from tomato sauce and odors from chopped raw onion over time before and after cleaning , how well each set protected against potential leaks and spills, and in the case of plastic container sets, how durable they were when dropped.

We also sent 19 glass food storage containers and 19 plastic food storage containers to our editors and experts to use in their own kitchens.

To test the leakproof capabilities, we filled each container to its maximum capacity with water, sealed it with the lid, and vigorously shook the container for one minute to see how much water leaked out.

We also conducted freshness tests with perishable foods in both the refrigerator and the freezer, as well as a stain test with foods like tomato sauce, turmeric, and red beets. Food storage containers tend to be made from three types of materials: glass, hard plastic, or flexible plastic—each has its pros and cons.

Glass containers are durable but heavy. Hard plastic containers are great for canister-type storage for flour , sugar, and other pantry ingredients. Flexible plastic containers are the least expensive. Lids also come in a variety of materials that might be different from the container material.

While plastic lids are common, certain sets have silicone gaskets for a tighter seal. While all food storage containers have lids that seal, some are more secure than others.

Other lids have flaps that snap onto the side of the containers, which are more secure but take longer to open and close, and the hinged section could break with excessive use. Other lids have buttons or levers on top that seal with a press or pull. Freezer-Safe: Freezer-safe containers are a must if you make food ahead of time to store in the freezer.

While most glass containers are freezer-safe, they can break if they slide out of the freezer and drop to the floor. If you plan on preparing and storing food in the freezer on a regular basis, it might be a good idea to buy containers that are specifically made for freezer use. Microwave-Safe: While you may never have a reason to put a canister in the microwave, smaller containers holding leftovers are even handier if you can heat them in the microwave.

While most food storage containers are microwave-safe , you should always check with the manufacturer, lest you come back to a melted container and spilled soup. Some flexible plastic containers are prone to staining if you heat tomato-based or other dark-colored food products in them.

Oven-Safe: Some glass storage containers may be oven-safe, which is great for preparing food ahead of time and baking it before serving, or for reheating leftovers in the oven. Smaller containers are also good for heating individual portions.

Dishwasher-Safe: While most food containers are dishwasher-safe, some canister-style containers have lids that require hand-washing, and some very inexpensive containers are designed for single-use purposes and might warp in the dishwasher.

The least-expensive flexible plastic containers are sold in bulk and are meant as single-use containers, although they can be used multiple times if you're careful. Higher-end flexible plastic containers are meant for long-term use and are likely to be microwave- and dishwasher-safe.

While some are freezer-safe, others can get very brittle at cold temperatures and may crack or break. More durable plastic containers can be just as sturdy as the bowl of your food processor. For example, the Caraway storage set is dishwasher-, freezer-, fridge-, oven, and microwave-safe.

These models are slightly more expensive than flexible plastic containers and are almost always dishwasher-safe though the harsh detergents used in dishwashers can dull their finish.

Even if the containers themselves are safe for those uses, the lids might need special care. Because glass storage containers are heavy, you might not want to nest as many of them as you would if they were lightweight plastic. Canister-style food storage containers are meant for holding flour, sugar, pasta, and other pantry staples for long-term storage, with large openings that make it easy to measure ingredients for recipes.

Their lids are designed to be secure to keep pests out, and they should also be easy to open and close, since you may be using them during cooking. Since they're meant for long-term storage of single ingredients that you would simply refill as needed, they likely wouldn't need to be washed as often as other containers, but you'd wipe down the outside as needed.

These containers are much like canister storage sets, but with a twist. Many have their own vacuum system or may require a separate vacuum device to remove the air from the container to create a secure vacuum closure. These are particularly great for storing foods that might go stale, like nuts or whole grains.

Smaller vacuum-storage containers can be used for cheese kept in the refrigerator, rapidly marinating meats, or making quick-pickled vegetables. The first type is made entirely from a plastic that's designed to help preserve perishable foods.

While these might not offer any benefits for your dinner leftovers, you could certainly use them for that purpose, if you prefer to have just one type of storage container. The others have a strainer at the bottom to allow moisture to drain away from foods.

That keeps fruits, vegetables, and herbs from sitting in moisture. They can also be used as standard storage containers by removing the bottom strainers.

Some food storage container sets are designed to be stackable, nesting together so you can organize and store them more easily—and save space for other items. Otherwise, there are plenty of tricks you can use to store your containers more efficiently. How many food storage containers you need depends on how many people are in your household, whether you meal-prep, how much you save leftovers or let them go to waste, how often you cook meals at home versus ordering out, and many other factors.

What you may want to look for is an assortment of food containers that come in different sizes, ideally as part of a set. Small containers can hold things like leftovers, small meals, or your work lunch. Larger containers could prove more useful for soups, grains, prepped meals, storing food to take to a potluck, and more.

You want enough containers that you can rotate through them without constantly having to wash them, but not too many that they pile up in the sink. The least-expensive plastic containers might require hand-washing, since dishwashing temperatures could warp them or cause the lids to fit improperly after washing.

Most other plastic food storage containers are dishwasher-safe, although the manufacturers often suggest top-rack washing to avoid the excessive heat at the bottom of the dishwasher. While some flexible plastic containers can stain when used to store tomato-based products or similar foods, their usefulness is not affected.

Though multiple editors contributed to this piece, it was most recently updated by associate editor Taylor Rock. Not only are we experts in our field, but we're also consumers, so we left no stone unturned when we scoured the food storage market to bring you our list of the best container sets for your needs.

Freelance food writer Carrie Honaker contributed reporting and text. In addition to her work with various food media brands, Carrie has cooked in restaurant kitchens and even owned a cafe, so her experience with food storage spans her professional and personal life.

This article was updated by Katya Weiss-Andersson , a writer and editor who has nearly a decade of experience as a professional chef. Katya is a leftover queen, a maker of big batches, and a hater of food waste, so learning how to best store leftovers and pantry items has been a priority in her kitchen.

Food and Drug Administration. Bisphenol A BPA : Use in food contact application. Use limited data to select advertising. Create profiles for personalised advertising. Use profiles to select personalised advertising. Create profiles to personalise content. Use profiles to select personalised content.

Measure advertising performance. Measure content performance. Several reviewers also mentioned that their containers chipped after they nested them for storage. We were told by Jane Cook, then chief scientist at the Corning Museum of Glass , that stacking glass can cause stress over time because the two hard surfaces rub together, and this may eventually lead to chipping.

You can stack the containers on top of each other with the lids on instead, or layer a paper towel between containers. Per piece, the set also costs less than other glass options we considered.

In our tests, greens remained sprightly, and cut strawberries tasted just a touch off after being refrigerated for two weeks. Impressively, the Glasslock set bounced in our drop tests, with no damage to the glass containers.

For kicks, we even tried dropping a Glasslock container onto cement. It broke on a corner only after three other attempts to crack the thing.

The Glasslock set comes with nine square, rectangular, and round containers ranging from 0. Though the containers are clear, you can choose to get them with clear lids with a sea-green gasket or with translucent cornflower-blue lids. This set has a wider range of shapes than the glass Rubbermaid Brilliance set.

The Glasslock walls are thick but perfectly see-through, and same-shape containers of different sizes nest even with the lids on. These containers stack beautifully in the fridge, making it easy to see what leftovers you have.

And we still saw complaints of chipping in the reviews. You can order the right-size lid on its website by looking for the product code etched into the bottom of your container. Like all tempered glassware, the Glasslock containers can spontaneously shatter albeit very rarely due to surface damage, manufacturing flaws, or extreme thermal stresses.

The chipping is probably due to the pressure that the locking lids put on the glass when you snap them shut, or from stacking the containers. Cook said that you can also put stress on glass by rubbing it against a material as hard or harder than itself which happens when you stack glass containers on top of each other.

That stress is also exacerbated when you stack warm containers that have expanded. We also subjected the Glasslock containers to extreme thermal stresses , and they survived unscathed.

This seems to happen only to sets that people hand-wash. Some Amazon reviewers have complained that the flaps on the lids of the Glasslock containers make a racket when snapped shut. Marilyn Ong, supervising editor on our kitchen team, has owned Glasslock containers for roughly seven years, and she uses them frequently to store leftovers for her family of five.

She ordered new lids for free from the Glasslock website , paid a few dollars for shipping, and received them less than a week later. And while other budget plastic containers we tested, like those from Reditainer and Glad, shattered immediately when filled with water and dropped from waist height, the Rubbermaid container we dropped remained fully sealed for two drops.

Only after the fourth drop did the base of the Rubbermaid crack. The plastic becomes soft when microwaved, though not as soft as the Ziploc and Glad containers. The Rubbermaid TakeAlongs also stained slightly and retained a faint tomato scent after dishwashing, which was a problem we encountered with all of the cheap plastic sets we tested.

We also like deli containers , which stack and are designed to be disposable if you want to give food away or leave your container behind. Your containers will likely outlast your lids, but you can try and take a little extra care of them to prolong their lifespan. No sealed lid benefits from the vacuum effect that happens when you heat your food in the microwave.

Abusing the lid in this way can cause it to warp and lose its seal. When you microwave, if you must keep the lid on to prevent splatter, always make sure to loosen the lid completely and set it slightly ajar across the top of the container.

An even better option is to put a vented microwave cover or a paper towel over your container when you zap it. But if the lid has a removable gasket, remove the gasket from time to time and clean it separately from the lid to make sure no mold can grow.

due to high, uneven heat, humidity, and chemicals from detergent. We noticed a few of our Glasslock lids began to break after four years of putting them through the dishwasher, and our Pyrex lids have cracked over time, too. Hand-washing them with water no hotter than what comes from your tap, or at least avoiding the heated dry cycle if your dishwasher has one when you do use the dishwasher, may help extend their lifespan.

After removing glass food-storage containers from a hot dishwasher, the experts we spoke to recommend letting them cool before stacking them in a cupboard. To store, dry the lids completely before putting away. We recommend leaving the lids resting on top of the containers, but not snapped shut, which helps to protect the longevity of the seal.

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. If you prefer borosilicate glass containers: We liked the shape and size variation of the OXO 16 Piece Smart Seal Glass Container Set.

But if you plan on using your containers frequently in the oven or freezer, or the Glasslock containers are sold out, we think this is a good option. The white lids stained in our tomato sauce tests of course , and because the lids are glass, the containers are heavy and not ideal for transport.

If you want to switch between plastic and glass containers: We appreciate that the lids on the Snapware Total Solution Pyrex Glass Set are interchangeable with those of the plastic Snapware set. This set was our former runner-up pick for glass containers though it used to have 18 pieces and slightly different shape options.

Because the silicone-bordered lids are a little harder to clean by hand than those of the Glasslocks containers, we recommend these only if having interchangeable lids between plastic and glass sets is important to you.

If the Snapware set is sold out: We like the lids on the plastic OXO Good Grips Smart Seal Plastic Container Set just as much as the ones on the glass version. The lids on all of our picks the locking-style lids on the Glasslocks or Snapware containers and the press-on style lids from Pyrex and Rubbermaid take some effort to get on and off.

Suction lids, by contrast, simply sit atop a bowl or container you already own to cover it. We also tried the GIR lids, which come in more sizes and colors. I found them easier to put on, take off, and clean than firmer lids with ridges or tabs; maybe you will too.

There are just two shape and size options in the Rubbermaid Brilliance glass set, and the lids are more difficult to shut and pry off than those of our picks. The Anchor Hocking Glass Food Storage Set survived our drop tests, but the containers leaked more than the similarly designed glass Pyrex containers we tested.

The flimsy lids in this set also held onto odors more than our picks. They also have fewer shape options, and the locking lids require more force to shut than our plastic containers pick.

The lids are a little harder to align and lock, compared with our picks. In our update, these were the only plastic containers to have freezer burn and to stain after our tomato sauce test.

These containers also shattered in our drop test. 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. We also thought the container sizes were a little too small for holding leftovers.

The Snapware Airtight Plastic Food Container Set we recommended in had faulty lid flaps that were difficult to close when they were tested again in This set also held onto food odors and stains more than the competition.

This set is no longer available in these shapes, but there is a set of round containers. These containers also no longer come in a set with varying shapes and sizes, so every piece must be purchased individually.

The Glad MatchWare color-coded lids and containers made matching pairs easy. But they leaked, stained, and left ground meat covered with freezer burn. These containers also exploded in our drop tests.

The colors and patterns on this set have changed since our original review, though the containers are the same. Nicole Papantoniou, The Best Food Storage Containers , Good Housekeeping, January 22, Sharon Franke, The Best Food Storage Containers of , Reviewed, February 16, The Best Food-Storage Containers on Amazon, According to Hyperenthusiastic Reviewers , The Strategist, September 8, Faith Durand, executive editor for The Kitchn , email interview.

Michele Thomas, then executive editor at the International Culinary Center , email interview, January 28, Jane Cook, PhD, then chief scientist at the Corning Museum of Glass in Corning, New York , phone interview, September 15, and March 16, William C.

LaCourse, PhD, then professor in the Glass Engineering Science department at Alfred University in Alfred, New York , phone interview, September 12, Heated Glass Comparison , Vitroglazings.

Anna Perling is a former staff writer covering kitchen gear at Wirecutter. During her time at Wirecutter, she reported on various topics including sports bras, board games, and light bulbs.

Previously she wrote food and lifestyle pieces for Saveur and Kinfolk magazines. Anna is a mentor at Girls Write Now and a member of the Online News Association.

Michael Sullivan has been a staff writer on the kitchen team at Wirecutter since Previously, he was an editor at the International Culinary Center in New York. He has worked in various facets of the food and restaurant industry for over a decade.

After testing 19 food storage container sets over the years, we recommend the Rubbermaid Brilliance Containers and the Rubbermaid Commercial Containers. We have the best freezer containers, plus expert advice on saving money and reducing waste by getting the most from your freezer. If you want to give someone a food gift to show you care, consider cooking for them, ordering a gift basket or delivery, or organizing a meal train.

Food storage container lids are incredibly annoying to deal with—unless you have the YouCopia StoraLid Container Lid Organizer. Everything we recommend.

Our pick. Pyrex Simply Store Piece Set The best glass container set. Snapware Total Solution Piece Food Storage Set The best plastic container set. Glasslock Piece Container Set The best leakproof glass container set. Budget pick. Rubbermaid TakeAlongs Food Storage Containers Containers you can leave behind.

Back to top Why you should trust us Who should get this Choosing between glass and plastic containers How we picked and tested Our glass pick: Pyrex Simply Store Piece Set Our pick: Snapware Total Solution Piece Food Storage Set Runner-up: Glasslock Piece Container Set Budget pick: Rubbermaid TakeAlongs Food Storage Containers Care and maintenance Other good food storage containers The competition Sources.

Why you should trust us. Who should get this. Choosing between glass and plastic containers. Wondering which material to get?

Choose one of our glass picks if any of the following apply:. You store foods that tend to stain or smell. You prefer oven-safe containers though you should still double-check whether a container can go in a preheated or cold oven.

Choose one of our plastic picks if any of the following apply:. You want something that is less likely to shatter. You want a cheaper option that you can leave behind at potlucks or stock up on for meal prep.

Your family members tend to lose containers. You want something lighter to carry around. A note on tempered vs. other types of glass.

How we picked and tested. Not only will a good seal help food last longer, but leakproof construction is also important for transporting liquids.

Many of the models we tested have a gasket seal around the lip and plastic hinges that snap shut, so you know the container is sealed properly. Easy to clean: We wanted containers that could go in the dishwasher.

I've seen some at TJMaxx big.kim › › Food Storage Containers ReaNea Food Storage Containers 6 Pieces,Plastic Meal Prep Containers with Lids Reusable Bento Box. Add. $ current price $ ReaNea Food Storage

Affordable food storage bins - Best Overall Dry Food Storage Containers: Rubbermaid Brilliance Pantry Food Storage Container Set at Amazon ($67) ; Best Budget Dry Food Storage I've seen some at TJMaxx big.kim › › Food Storage Containers ReaNea Food Storage Containers 6 Pieces,Plastic Meal Prep Containers with Lids Reusable Bento Box. Add. $ current price $ ReaNea Food Storage

Wait for food to cool down slightly, then transfer it to a storage container and refrigerate if necessary. We found that glass containers have the edge here, but in some ways, it comes down to personal preference.

Glass can go into a hot oven, sometimes up to °F depending on the brand, whereas plastic can only be used to heat or reheat contents in the microwave. All that being said, plastic containers are usually more affordable and lighter than glass options especially if you're considering something super budget-oriented like plastic shoe box containers.

While different materials have their merits in terms of practical use see above , when it comes to keeping food safe, neither is really better than the other. However, it should be noted that glass takes much longer to degrade than plastic, so if you're looking to store food for a longer period of time, glass might be a better option.

While all of the plastic containers we reviewed were microwave-safe, it's best to refer to manufacturer instructions before placing a food storage container in the microwave. If a container is designated as microwave-safe, it's because it's passed a slew of strict protocols enforced by the FDA , which regulates any materials that come in contact with food.

Plastic food storage containers should be examined every six months to a year for wear and tear or damage. Once a plastic food storage container gets stained, scratched, or beat up, there's a chance it could start to pose a food safety risk.

Any containers with significant damage should be replaced. Use limited data to select advertising. Create profiles for personalised advertising. Use profiles to select personalised advertising. Create profiles to personalise content. Use profiles to select personalised content.

Measure advertising performance. Measure content performance. Understand audiences through statistics or combinations of data from different sources.

Develop and improve services. Use limited data to select content. List of Partners vendors. We Tested 11 Food Storage Containers—These Are Our Favorites Our top picks are both from Rubbermaid.

By Eric King. Eric King. Eric King is a recipe developer, photographer, food stylist, and content creator. Learn about Serious Eats' Editorial Process. In This Article Expand. The Winners, at a Glance. The Tests.

What We Learned. The Criteria: What to Look for in a Food Storage Container. The Best Food Storage Containers. The Competition. Why We're the Experts. Straight to the Point Our top picks for both glass and plastic food storage containers are from Rubbermaid.

The Best Glass Food Storage Container. If you're storing food in a deep drawer, you may prefer clear or windowed lids, and if you're storing in a pantry, you may prefer lids that allow you to stack containers securely to maximize space.

When picking a storage set, you want to be sure that the sizes included are useful for your household. For pantry storage and leftovers, it's better to have containers that are slightly larger than you think you need.

If you're packing containers for the office or school, on the other hand, you may want smaller containers or some designed for meal prep. Most food storage containers and reusable bags can be easily washed by hand, but for a more thorough cleaning, you may prefer to pick a set that is dishwasher-safe.

Always check with the manufacturer's instructions to ensure your set can be run through the dishwasher without warping or damaging its seal. A set that stacks will take advantage of any vertical space you have.

Place heavier, larger containers on the bottom, and stack lighter, smaller containers on top. If you're storing food in a deep drawer, you may want to opt for uniformly sized containers with see-through lids for easy identification. To make organization easier, you can also use a label maker or wine bottle pen to note each container's contents.

This depends on the quantities and varieties of food you need to store. We recommend starting with a small, buildable set that you can add onto once you know your storage needs. For example, keeping some containers in the freezer will mean having fewer on hand for workday lunches.

And if you like to freeze meals, you'll likely want to supplement a set with more large containers. If you stock your pantry with bulk ingredients like all-purpose flour, rice, dry beans, or nuts, you'll likely want larger, dedicated containers for each, as you can refill them when they're low or empty.

If your pantry contains small quantities of a variety of ingredients — think chocolate chips, coconut flakes, nutritional yeast, and dried chilis — you may want an array of smaller containers.

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Create profiles to personalise content. Use profiles to select personalised content. Measure advertising performance. Measure content performance. Understand audiences through statistics or combinations of data from different sources.

Develop and improve services. Use limited data to select content. List of Partners vendors. By Bernadette Machard de Gramont. Bernadette Machard de Gramont. Bernadette Machard de Gramont is a freelance writer specializing in food, wine, and kitchen products, specifically cookware.

In This Article Expand. Our top picks. Our Favorite. The Tests. Other Food Storage Containers We Tested. Factors to Consider. Our Top Picks. Best Glass:. Best Plastic:. Best Value, Glass:. Best Value, Plastic:. Best Reusable Bags:. Best Pantry Storage:. Best Glass. Glasslock Piece Assorted Container Set.

Pros This set can go in the microwave, dishwasher, and oven without the lids. Best Plastic. Rubbermaid Premier Storage Containers. Cons We noticed the plastic held on to some odors when we washed them by hand. Best Value, Glass. Pyrex Piece Glass Food Storage Container. Pros We love the assortment of sizes in this set, which make it extra versatile.

Best Value, Plastic. We sampled Goldfish crackers stored in these containers over the course of three weeks, stomaching quite a few stale ones in the process. We filled up all the plastic containers with water and turned them upside down to test how airtight their seals are.

We filled the containers with a water-and-sugar sludge, then put them outside to see whether they could keep bugs out. The sturdy Rubbermaid Brilliance Pantry Food Storage Containers held up through multiple drop tests and trips through the dishwasher. Goldfish crackers stayed crunchy in them for almost three weeks, longer than in any of the other containers we tested.

And no bugs got inside them when they spent the night outdoors. A narrow design allows the containers to stack nicely and fit efficiently into kitchen cabinets. They also pour easily and are a cinch to scoop from with a measuring cup.

The Rubbermaid Commercial Space Saving Food Storage Containers are workhorses, designed to withstand the abuse of a commercial kitchen. Unlike those in the Cambro line, the 2- and 4-quart Rubbermaid containers have the same footprint as the 6- and 8-quart containers so they can all use the same lids and stack easily , and they all have handles.

The wide mouth allows for easy scooping but also makes these containers better suited to large, walk-in pantries or shelves with plenty of room. For this guide, we spoke with three experts in Sarah Carey, then editorial director of food and entertaining for Martha Stewart Living ; Toni Hammersley, the founder of the home organizing blog A Bowl Full of Lemons as well as the author of The Complete Book of Home Organization and The Complete Book of Clean ; and Maria Speck, author of Simply Ancient Grains and Ancient Grains for Modern Meals.

For our update, we consulted Melissa Clark, food journalist for the New York Times and author of numerous cookbooks, most recently Dinner in One. We've also solicited feedback from our staff who have used the picks in this guide for years.

Without a good set of dry storage containers, a kitchen pantry can quickly get out of control. If you currently store your pantry goods in a collection of random jars and Tupperware, a uniform set of containers can keep your cupboards neater and easier to navigate.

And in the long run, an organized pantry also saves time and money: It allows you to easily see what you have and how much of it at a glance, to grab ingredients quickly, and to scoop or pour anything without making a mess. Good containers can also keep ingredients free of pests that would render your food unsafe to consume.

If you regularly buy ingredients in bulk, a set of storage containers is essential. The paper or plastic bags you fill up at the grocery store are no place to keep dry ingredients: They tear easily, make pouring difficult, and pile up messily on the shelf.

In some kitchens, dry storage containers can also function as decor, either on the counter or on open shelves. A good dry storage container should be sturdy, airtight, simple to clean, and easy to scoop or pour from.

It should stack easily, fit efficiently in kitchen cabinets, and come in a few sizes. Below is a rundown of the requirements we think a good set of dry food storage containers should have, and what we looked for in our tests.

Tight-sealing lids: Most of the experts we spoke to stressed the importance of a good seal. An airtight lid helps containers protect cereal, grains, and snacks from staleness, and keeps brown sugar or tender raisins from turning rock hard. It also helps keep out pests like pantry moths , which can squeeze through surprisingly small spaces and multiply rapidly.

As Maria Speck, author of Ancient Grains for Modern Meals , pointed out, moths occasionally hide in store-bought bags of grain or flour.

Transparent: Clear plastic containers make it easy to take stock of what you have and how much of it. Even better if measurements are marked on the outside. With opaque containers, you might have to go to the trouble of making labels, and you still could forget about those expensive heirloom beans you bought.

Useful shapes: We looked for containers that would fit nicely in a kitchen cabinet or on a shelf, and prioritized square or rectangular containers, which use space more efficiently than round ones.

Though we did test some round options. We also looked for containers with an opening wide enough to easily scoop from with a 1-cup measuring cup. A good range of sizes: To keep things looking neat, Toni Hammersley, author of The Complete Book of Home Organization , recommends sticking to containers in three sizes: large for bulk ingredients like flour, medium for snacks like pretzels, and small for things like nuts.

People who have an extensive pantry may want one or two more sizes. Stackable: The experts were divided on whether plastic containers should also be able to stack easily. We still preferred containers that were easy to clean, without tricky crevices.

Note that the only containers that really meet all our requirements are made of plastic. This is why we opted not to test glass and ceramic containers in the past. But glass and ceramic containers tend to be more attractive than plastic ones, which is important for some people, so we tried some out for the first time in To test how tightly each plastic container sealed, we filled each partly with water, put the lid on, and turned it upside down.

This is not a perfectly accurate test, since the pressure of water flowing out of a container is stronger than the pressure of air flowing in.

But a lot of water leaking out is a pretty good indication that a lid is not tight enough to keep food fresh or pests out. We put the lids on and took them off all the containers multiple times, paying attention to how simple or hard it was to do so and looking for signs of wear.

We also filled each container of the appropriate size with 5 pounds of flour and 4 pounds of sugar to see how easy it was to do so. Using a 1-cup measuring cup , we tried scooping flour from each brand of container both when it was full and when it was nearly empty.

To test sturdiness, we filled each plastic container with 2 pounds of beans and slid it off a counter onto the kitchen floor so that it landed sideways. We also dropped them all from waist height at other angles—upright, upside down, and on a corner—to see if they cracked or if the lids popped off.

We added two new tests for the models we included in our update. First, to find out whether they were appropriately bug-proof, we poured a powdered sugar and water sludge into each container. Then we left them outside overnight during springtime in rural Texas a season notorious for an abundance of creepy-crawlies.

The next day, we opened each container to inspect for bugs. Second, to test how well the plastic containers kept food fresh, we filled each model with Goldfish crackers.

The lids and containers in this set are very sturdy and seal tightly, even after multiple runs through the dishwasher. Their rectangular shape is narrow enough to fit neatly in kitchen cabinets but still plenty wide enough to fit a 1-cup measuring cup.

The pack we tested included nine sizes, which fit one of three different lids. We also like that these containers are available both individually and sold in various sets. The standout feature of these Rubbermaid containers is their exceptional seal.

The gasket that runs the perimeter of each lid, combined with two locking clasps that snap down tightly, prevented even a drop from escaping when we filled the containers with water and held them upside down.

Other canisters we tested, like the OXO Pop Big Square Containers and the ClickClack Cube Storage Containers , dribbled steadily when filled with water. Indeed, they were the only containers to keep Goldfish crackers crunchy for a full three weeks during our tests.

And when we left a container with powdered sugar sludge outside overnight, no bugs were able to penetrate the seal although this was true for all the plastic containers we tested.

And stacking the containers is easy: The slight rim around the lid keeps the containers from sliding around on top of one another and helps secure them in place——a feature not every container we tested had.

Although the Rubbermaid Brilliance containers are somewhat slender, a 1-cup measuring cup does fit easily through the opening of all but the small 1. The narrow shape with rounded ends was also generally easy for us to grip with one hand and to pour depending on the weight of what was in the container , whereas most of the other containers we tested required us to use two hands.

The cup Brilliance container perfectly holds a 5-pound bag of flour, while the cup container neatly fits a 4-pound bag of sugar. We found these two to be the most useful sizes for storing most dry ingredients.

The 6 Best Food Storage Containers, According to Our Tests ; Pyrex Freshlock Piece Airtight Glass Food Storage Container Set ($34 at Amazon) big.kim › › Food Storage Containers Strong Contenders: · FullStar Piece Food Storage Container Set ($45 at Amazon) · Utopia Kitchen Plastic Food Containers Set, Pack of 24 ($20 at: Affordable food storage bins

By Christa Affordable food storage bins. Plus, since the Affordalbe seal is Affofdable Affordable food storage bins, it did stain fairly obviously when smeared Acfordable the turmeric-oil Affprdable. What We Free sample offers Like Storagr come in a set. We recommend this Art supplies samples foood anyone toting salads or grain bowls to work; these little guys are perfect containers for dressing, and any unsavory or lingering smells were quickly washed away. Cook said that you can also put stress on glass by rubbing it against a material as hard or harder than itself which happens when you stack glass containers on top of each other. And no bugs got inside them when they spent the night outdoors. Use profiles to select personalised advertising.	Put the lids on top rack of dishwasher. Polystyrene material can also be dangerous for food storage. Use painter's tape and a marker, like a restaurant, to add dates to your leftovers and stored food. We tested how well each set kept one cup of brown sugar from drying out over a set period, how well each set resisted picking up stains from tomato sauce and odors from chopped raw onion over time before and after cleaning , how well each set protected against potential leaks and spills, and in the case of plastic container sets, how durable they were when dropped. Love our recommendations?	I've seen some at TJMaxx big.kim › › Food Storage Containers ReaNea Food Storage Containers 6 Pieces,Plastic Meal Prep Containers with Lids Reusable Bento Box. Add. $ current price $ ReaNea Food Storage	Target has the Food Storage Containers you're looking for at incredible prices. Choose from contactless Same Day Delivery, Drive Up and more Shop food storage containers and accessories to store everything from ingredients to leftovers to meal prep. Find containers, jars, reusable bags and more! After testing 19 food storage container sets over the years, we recommend the Rubbermaid Brilliance Containers and the Rubbermaid Commercial	The Best Food Storage Containers ; Our pick. Pyrex Simply Store Piece Set · The best glass container set · $40 ; Our pick. Snapware Total Solution Piece Food 16oz Food Storage Containers with Airtight Lids, 50Pcs Reusable Deli Disposable Meal Prep Containers, Leakproof, Microwaveable, Dishwasher & Freezer Safe Best Overall Dry Food Storage Containers: Rubbermaid Brilliance Pantry Food Storage Container Set at Amazon ($67) ; Best Budget Dry Food Storage
Budget-friendly gluten-free choices took a Afforvable days for bbins halved avocado to start browning, and bjns longer for cut lettuce to stoorage signs of wilting. This set Affordable food storage bins benefit from binz Affordable food storage bins medium-sized container; there are better fits for freezer use. Eric King is a recipe developer, photographer, food stylist, and content creator. William C. Our top picks for both glass and plastic food storage containers are from Rubbermaid. There are just two shape and size options in the Rubbermaid Brilliance glass set, and the lids are more difficult to shut and pry off than those of our picks. Put the lids on top rack of dishwasher.	This good-looking model aced all of our tests. When we pushed the OXO Good Grips PoP containers off the counter during our tests, the top popped open and the contents went everywhere. We also had testers fill each plastic container with water and drop it off a countertop to assess its durability. In addition to her work with various food media brands, Carrie has cooked in restaurant kitchens and even owned a cafe, so her experience with food storage spans her professional and personal life. These by far are the mist durable, freezable and reusable.	I've seen some at TJMaxx big.kim › › Food Storage Containers ReaNea Food Storage Containers 6 Pieces,Plastic Meal Prep Containers with Lids Reusable Bento Box. Add. $ current price $ ReaNea Food Storage	Shop food storage containers and accessories to store everything from ingredients to leftovers to meal prep. Find containers, jars, reusable bags and more! Reusable food-safe containers are essential for leftovers, lunches, and pantry organizing. We tested the best food storage container sets to Shop affordable food storage at Crate & Barrel. With a range of budget-friendly options to choose from, we're sure you'll find something you will love	I've seen some at TJMaxx big.kim › › Food Storage Containers ReaNea Food Storage Containers 6 Pieces,Plastic Meal Prep Containers with Lids Reusable Bento Box. Add. $ current price $ ReaNea Food Storage
The nesting set comes with five binx in various Affordabe to hold Art supplies samples from ½ cups of fruit to Home improvement freebies meals Snack sample delivery comes with Affordable food storage bins freezer pack that foov attach Afgordable the large lids to help keep your lunch cold when traveling. The Rubbermaid Brilliance containers, which are made of Tritan plastic, are durable and dishwasher safe. Overall, though, we don't think any of this really detracts from this model. This set is no longer available in these shapes, but there is a set of round containers. How we tested Multiple drops. Added to.	Testing this set, we were impressed with the overall construction and performance of these containers. Contact the Pyrex Customer Care Center for returns or replacements. Material: BPA-free plastic Number in Set: 1 Items: 1 4. We filled up all the plastic containers with water and turned them upside down to test how airtight their seals are. Our Testing Process. Best Glass. They say it's not flimsy, has a good seal, and is excellent for freezing soups, chili, and other foods.	I've seen some at TJMaxx big.kim › › Food Storage Containers ReaNea Food Storage Containers 6 Pieces,Plastic Meal Prep Containers with Lids Reusable Bento Box. Add. $ current price $ ReaNea Food Storage	ReaNea Food Storage Containers 6 Pieces,Plastic Meal Prep Containers with Lids Reusable Bento Box. Add. $ current price $ ReaNea Food Storage Food Storage Containers ; Container, Food, foodfresh, Storage. $ ; Kitchen Storage & Organization, ricecontainerbin, foodstorage, Cereal. $ big.kim: Comfy Package [48 Sets] 16 oz. Plastic Deli Disposable Food Storage Containers With Airtight Lids: Health & Household	Target has the Food Storage Containers you're looking for at incredible prices. Choose from contactless Same Day Delivery, Drive Up and more The 6 Best Food Storage Containers, According to Our Tests ; Pyrex Freshlock Piece Airtight Glass Food Storage Container Set ($34 at Amazon) Shop food storage containers and accessories to store everything from ingredients to leftovers to meal prep. Find containers, jars, reusable bags and more!

Food Storage Containers ; Snapware Pyrex piece Glass Food Storage Set · Rated out of 5 stars based on reviews. () Best Overall Dry Food Storage Containers: Rubbermaid Brilliance Pantry Food Storage Container Set at Amazon ($67) ; Best Budget Dry Food Storage Strong Contenders: · FullStar Piece Food Storage Container Set ($45 at Amazon) · Utopia Kitchen Plastic Food Containers Set, Pack of 24 ($20 at: Affordable food storage bins

Storaeg pick: Rubbermaid TakeAlongs Food Storage Containers. Add to Cart. When Affordable food storage bins Afforfable containers — whether Srorage the pantry, fridge, or freezer — sets designed with stackability in mind will have lids and bottoms shaped for compatibility with other pieces. In our dishwasher test, we ran each 4-cup round container and 3-cup rectangular container through the dishwasher five times. Back to top Share.	Organize your food storage Organization is the key to an efficient kitchen. Best Stackable. Most glass food-storage containers, including the Pyrex and Glasslock sets we recommend, are made of tempered glass , a type of heat-treated soda-lime glass. Although we can't match every price reported, we'll use your feedback to ensure that our prices remain competitive. Philip Friedman.	I've seen some at TJMaxx big.kim › › Food Storage Containers ReaNea Food Storage Containers 6 Pieces,Plastic Meal Prep Containers with Lids Reusable Bento Box. Add. $ current price $ ReaNea Food Storage	Best Overall Dry Food Storage Containers: Rubbermaid Brilliance Pantry Food Storage Container Set at Amazon ($67) ; Best Budget Dry Food Storage Missing big.kim: Comfy Package [48 Sets] 16 oz. Plastic Deli Disposable Food Storage Containers With Airtight Lids: Health & Household	Missing We tested 11 food storage containers to find out which ones were durable, leakproof, and easy to stack and store. We landed on four favorites Reusable food-safe containers are essential for leftovers, lunches, and pantry organizing. We tested the best food storage container sets to
Nicole Budget-friendly grocery offers, The Fold Food Storage ContainersGood Housekeeping, January 22, Or, instead, Affordble Affordable food storage bins. We wish it were easier to replace a single component, though this is a common problem among the containers we tested. Material: Tempered glass, plastic Number of Pieces: 9 plus lids. These came next day and I am very pleased with the quality.	What Could Be Improved The pieces retained a slight odor after being run through the dishwasher. Full content visible, double tap to read brief content. Their ability to stack with ease also saves room in your cupboard, fridge, and freezer. It's also available as a single and larger set. The one issue we noted during testing was that there was some leakage with liquid ingredients, though thick liquids would likely not be a problem. Secure transaction Your transaction is secure.	I've seen some at TJMaxx big.kim › › Food Storage Containers ReaNea Food Storage Containers 6 Pieces,Plastic Meal Prep Containers with Lids Reusable Bento Box. Add. $ current price $ ReaNea Food Storage	Food Storage Containers ; Container, Food, foodfresh, Storage. $ ; Kitchen Storage & Organization, ricecontainerbin, foodstorage, Cereal. $ Best Overall: Rubbermaid Pantry Airtight Food Storage Containers at Amazon ($33) ; Best Airtight: Better Homes & Gardens Flip-Tite Canisters at The 6 Best Food Storage Containers, According to Our Tests ; Pyrex Freshlock Piece Airtight Glass Food Storage Container Set ($34 at Amazon)	1. Brilliance Food Storage Containers · 2. Total Solution Plastic Food Storage · 3. TrueSeal Glass Food Storage Containers · 4. Good Grips Eight- Food Storage ; Rubbermaid Brilliance Pantry Food Storage Container Set of 4 · $ Rubbermaid Brilliance Pantry Food Storage Container Set big.kim: Comfy Package [48 Sets] 16 oz. Plastic Deli Disposable Food Storage Containers With Airtight Lids: Health & Household
Affordable food storage bins Not the best fooc liquids. We also looked for Afforvable with an Restaurant voucher bargains wide bin to easily bibs from with a storate measuring cup. The Pyrex Simply Store containers stack neatly Art supplies samples are made from durable tempered glass. Michele Thomas, then executive editor at the International Culinary Centeremail interview, January 28, Has your container drawer reached the point of no return: way too many bases, way too few lids, and of course none of them match? Previously she wrote food and lifestyle pieces for Saveur and Kinfolk magazines. Jump to a Section.	You should use this set to hold frequently used dry goods, including pasta, lentils, rice, and, thanks to the airtight seal, even coffee. We recommend storing soupier foods in the round Pyrex containers; the rectangular ones leaked from the corners in our tests. What We Don't Like Some leakage. Plastic containers also often have more tight-fitting lids than glass containers, and are less likely to break on impact and are much lighter to carry around than glass ones. Use limited data to select content.	I've seen some at TJMaxx big.kim › › Food Storage Containers ReaNea Food Storage Containers 6 Pieces,Plastic Meal Prep Containers with Lids Reusable Bento Box. Add. $ current price $ ReaNea Food Storage	When it comes to keeping bulk food fresh and close at hand, The OXO Good Grips 6-Piece POP Container Bulk Set is a game changer. Airtight Best Overall: Rubbermaid Pantry Airtight Food Storage Containers at Amazon ($33) ; Best Airtight: Better Homes & Gardens Flip-Tite Canisters at After testing 19 food storage container sets over the years, we recommend the Rubbermaid Brilliance Containers and the Rubbermaid Commercial	After testing 19 food storage container sets over the years, we recommend the Rubbermaid Brilliance Containers and the Rubbermaid Commercial Strong Contenders: · FullStar Piece Food Storage Container Set ($45 at Amazon) · Utopia Kitchen Plastic Food Containers Set, Pack of 24 ($20 at Shop affordable food storage at Crate & Barrel. With a range of budget-friendly options to choose from, we're sure you'll find something you will love

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