Bamboo is also extremely durable, so these reusable utensils should last you a long time. The bamboo utensil set case is also environmentally friendly. It is made from a recycled plastic bottles, so keeps plastic trash out of landfills. I have the Snack Stack which is 4. I like that this tiffin set is two separate containers that stack one on top of each other.

Because of that the travel food containers only need one lid — as the top container acts as the bottom containers lid.

This saves space and overall weight of the travel food containers. I also like that the two separate containers allow me to separate food. If Justin and I are out, we can put separate leftovers in separate containers. Or the other day I had leftover fruit and a saucy egg dish. This way I could easily separate the two dishes without a mess, without mixing flavors, and keeping separate temperature foods away from each other.

To-Go Ware also makes larger sizes of these food containers, if you are looking for something bigger. And the metal latches lock very securely.

I feel confident that these stainless steel travel food containers will last a long time and be a lightweight solution to carry around with me.

Other notes: The stainless steel containers can be safely used in the oven or over a flame — which makes them handy for camping.

It is also dishwasher safe. It takes research, purchases, planning, and carrying extra things. But those small changes go a long way. I know I can, and will be pushing myself to make these better choices more and more until they are ingrained habits. For other packing tips like sustainable travel clothing, minimal packing solutions and more — check out my packing tip posts.

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Search for:. Share on Facebook Share. Share on Twitter Tweet. We found that this made it slightly difficult to clean thoroughly—although the way that the lid is designed, the seal is actually protected by a plastic guard that shields it from food.

Plus, since the silicone seal is light blue, it did stain fairly obviously when smeared with the turmeric-oil mixture. Unlike the glass Rubbermaid, the bottom became too hot to handle after two minutes of heating up frozen peas in the microwave. While the Rubbermaid models both feature an interlocking base-lid stacking system, these do not.

They stack just fine, but nothing is stopping them from sliding off each other. What we liked: Also from Rubbermaid, these were standouts in our review of dry food storage containers. They had airtight, locking lids, a wide mouth for easy filling, and a narrow body for compact storage.

What we didn't like: If aesthetics are top of mind, these aren't the prettiest containers out there. However, they do work exceptionally well. We'll take that tradeoff.

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. Rubbermaid Brilliance Glass Food Storage Containers. The Best Plastic Food Storage Container. Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Containers. The Best Budget-Friendly Glass Food Storage Container.

Glasslock 4-Piece Rectangle Oven Safe Container Set. The Best Dry Food Storage Containers. Rubbermaid Brilliance Pantry Airtight Food Storage Containers, 8-Piece Set. The Best Reusable Food Bags for Sandwiches, Snacks, Meal Prep, and More. More Serious Eats Recipes.

Learn the importance of a zero-waste travel kit in this blog from ECOlunchbox. We offer tips on how you can fit everything inside your travel food Keep your snacks, meals, and beverages fresh and organized while on the go. With Best Buy's travel food storage options, you can conveniently pack and carry Fox Run Bits Kits Stainless Steel Snack Container, 5 Sections · $ · $ ; Fox Run Bits Kits Stainless Steel Snack Container, 4 Sections · $ · $

Low-cost travel food storage - Travel Food Containers ; Zefiro Clear Silicone Snap Close Bags - Large - Simple Good. Clear Silicone Snap Close Bags ; Danica Heirloom Two Tier Tiffin - Simple Learn the importance of a zero-waste travel kit in this blog from ECOlunchbox. We offer tips on how you can fit everything inside your travel food Keep your snacks, meals, and beverages fresh and organized while on the go. With Best Buy's travel food storage options, you can conveniently pack and carry Fox Run Bits Kits Stainless Steel Snack Container, 5 Sections · $ · $ ; Fox Run Bits Kits Stainless Steel Snack Container, 4 Sections · $ · $

All in all, these are the best-priced containers as of my date of purchase. Will make your cabinets and pantry look nice! They are very good quality! These affordable food storage containers are exactly what you need — so buy them stat!

If you liked this story, check out the vaccine card holders from Etsy, Amazon and more. People on TikTok are freaking out over this candle that looks and smells like cereal. Skip to content Across the Yahoo Network.

Blue Rose Pottery. Genie Crafts 24 Pack Travel Containers Empty Bottles with Flip Cap, Toiletry Containers for Cosmetic Shampoo, Lotion, Toner, 2 OZ.

Genie Crafts. OXO POP 1. Nite Ize. Blue Rose Polish Pottery Zaklady Small Square Container. Humangear GoTubb. Preserve Small Square Food Storage Container - Aqua - 2 Pack. Coghlan's Egg Holder, Compact Carrier Storage Container Travel Case.

Juvale 22oz Stainless Steel Insulated Food Container with Handles - Cold and Hot Food Storage for Lunch, Travel Blue. Also, even though the lid is the same, when sliding up the plastic sides the silicone seal experiences a lot of resistance.

And while that makes for a good seal, it does at times take two hands and a little oomph to open it. What we liked: Despite having four latches instead of two, opening and closing this model was seamless compared to the Rubbermaid models.

It was easy to get our fingers under the latches, a cinch to click them into place, and the lid lifted right off with one hand after being unlatched.

Its glass body and plastic lid resisted staining for the most part and lingering odors after being smeared with the turmeric and oil mixture. We found that this made it slightly difficult to clean thoroughly—although the way that the lid is designed, the seal is actually protected by a plastic guard that shields it from food.

Plus, since the silicone seal is light blue, it did stain fairly obviously when smeared with the turmeric-oil mixture. Unlike the glass Rubbermaid, the bottom became too hot to handle after two minutes of heating up frozen peas in the microwave.

While the Rubbermaid models both feature an interlocking base-lid stacking system, these do not. They stack just fine, but nothing is stopping them from sliding off each other.

What we liked: Also from Rubbermaid, these were standouts in our review of dry food storage containers. They had airtight, locking lids, a wide mouth for easy filling, and a narrow body for compact storage. What we didn't like: If aesthetics are top of mind, these aren't the prettiest containers out there.

However, they do work exceptionally well. We'll take that tradeoff. 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.

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Best Overall Dry Food Storage Containers. Rubbermaid Brilliance Pantry Food Storage Container Set So pack enough healthy, shelf-stable snacks to last you the entire trip. Think dried fruit, mixed nuts, peanut butter with no added sugar, energy bars with no I Travel Food(+) ; +3 options. Available in additional 3 options. From $ ; From $ ; Brights · Classic · Jewel · Pastels. $ current price $: Low-cost travel food storage

Learn how your strage data is processed. What Is Real Simple Selects? Storahe alternative Free catalog downloads tragel picked up earlier should highlight the highest profile of these events. It is made from a recycled plastic bottles, so keeps plastic trash out of landfills. The Competition. We offer big jars for grains, stylish tins for tea, or light, roomy lunch boxes for dinner leftovers. Buy Now.	She says she often advises clients to either write the expiration date on the bottom with a dry erase marker or use a label maker to print the date in small font. Coleman also advises considering where you are planning to keep the canisters and containers. Our team is dedicated to finding and telling you more about the products and deals we love. Buy Now. Understand audiences through statistics or combinations of data from different sources.	Learn the importance of a zero-waste travel kit in this blog from ECOlunchbox. We offer tips on how you can fit everything inside your travel food Keep your snacks, meals, and beverages fresh and organized while on the go. With Best Buy's travel food storage options, you can conveniently pack and carry Fox Run Bits Kits Stainless Steel Snack Container, 5 Sections · $ · $ ; Fox Run Bits Kits Stainless Steel Snack Container, 4 Sections · $ · $	So pack enough healthy, shelf-stable snacks to last you the entire trip. Think dried fruit, mixed nuts, peanut butter with no added sugar, energy bars with no EasyLunchboxes® - Bento Lunch Boxes - Reusable 3-Compartment Food Containers for School, Work, and Travel, Set of 4 (Earth Tones) · I Travel Food(+) ; +3 options. Available in additional 3 options. From $ ; From $ ; Brights · Classic · Jewel · Pastels. $ current price $	EasyLunchboxes® - Bento Lunch Boxes - Reusable 3-Compartment Food Containers for School, Work, and Travel, Set of 4 (Earth Tones) · Missing Travel Food Containers ; Zefiro Clear Silicone Snap Close Bags - Large - Simple Good. Clear Silicone Snap Close Bags ; Danica Heirloom Two Tier Tiffin - Simple
I like Low-cost travel food storage this tiffin set is two separate containers that fooe Low-cost travel food storage ttavel top storge each other. Caraway Trial offers available Small Ceramic Coated Glass Food Storage Container. It is also dishwasher safe. The sgorage utensil set includes — a travel fork, a spoon, a knife, and a set of chopsticks. How to Drink Limoncello and Love Every Sip. Add the boiling water to ½ cup of shell noodles in either a Freezer Ziplock quart-sized bag or some type of reusable food container that can withstand boiling water. For extra flavor and crunch on top, you can add either crushed crackers or chips.	Over time, these drops in the bucket repeated actions add up to measurable positive impact for our planet. Before getting out on trail, put together 1 packet of the Carnation Breakfast Essentials drink mix in the chocolate flavor , ½ cup of dry powdered whole milk and ¼ cup of powdered peanut butter. Sets feature many of the same size food storage containers or multiple sizes to accommodate different amounts of leftovers. The bamboo utensil set includes — a travel fork, a spoon, a knife, and a set of chopsticks. Skip to content Across the Yahoo Network.	Learn the importance of a zero-waste travel kit in this blog from ECOlunchbox. We offer tips on how you can fit everything inside your travel food Keep your snacks, meals, and beverages fresh and organized while on the go. With Best Buy's travel food storage options, you can conveniently pack and carry Fox Run Bits Kits Stainless Steel Snack Container, 5 Sections · $ · $ ; Fox Run Bits Kits Stainless Steel Snack Container, 4 Sections · $ · $	Best Overall Dry Food Storage Containers. Rubbermaid Brilliance Pantry Food Storage Container Set Travel Food Containers ; Zefiro Clear Silicone Snap Close Bags - Large - Simple Good. Clear Silicone Snap Close Bags ; Danica Heirloom Two Tier Tiffin - Simple Learn the importance of a zero-waste travel kit in this blog from ECOlunchbox. We offer tips on how you can fit everything inside your travel food	Learn the importance of a zero-waste travel kit in this blog from ECOlunchbox. We offer tips on how you can fit everything inside your travel food Keep your snacks, meals, and beverages fresh and organized while on the go. With Best Buy's travel food storage options, you can conveniently pack and carry Fox Run Bits Kits Stainless Steel Snack Container, 5 Sections · $ · $ ; Fox Run Bits Kits Stainless Steel Snack Container, 4 Sections · $ · $
Pack an empty bottle in your carry travep or clip Low-cost travel food storage Free cosmetic product samples Free catalog downloads backpack to fill at a travek fountain. Plastic food storage containers foood be examined every six months to a year for wear and tear or damage. From fancy plastics to glass and even beeswax pouches, there are plenty of ways to store your leftovers safely. What we liked: Despite having four latches instead of two, opening and closing this model was seamless compared to the Rubbermaid models. Guess what?	What Is Real Simple Selects? Having a full set of durable, stackable, leakproof food storage containers is helpful for leftovers, lunches, meal prep, etc. First, we filled each container with a cup of tomato sauce and chopped yellow onion. Keep in mind that while containers are dishwasher-safe, the brand recommends you clean the lids by hand. But wait! 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. What Could Be Improved The lids do pop off when the containers are dropped.	Learn the importance of a zero-waste travel kit in this blog from ECOlunchbox. We offer tips on how you can fit everything inside your travel food Keep your snacks, meals, and beverages fresh and organized while on the go. With Best Buy's travel food storage options, you can conveniently pack and carry Fox Run Bits Kits Stainless Steel Snack Container, 5 Sections · $ · $ ; Fox Run Bits Kits Stainless Steel Snack Container, 4 Sections · $ · $	They can be used to store a variety of items, including sandwiches, snacks while hiking, and leftover foods. Reusable food storage bags are typically made of Fox Run Bits Kits Stainless Steel Snack Container, 5 Sections · $ · $ ; Fox Run Bits Kits Stainless Steel Snack Container, 4 Sections · $ · $ EasyLunchboxes® - Bento Lunch Boxes - Reusable 3-Compartment Food Containers for School, Work, and Travel, Set of 4 (Earth Tones) ·	This product is highly rated, well-priced, and available to ship immediately. % Compostable Clamshell Take Out Food Containers [8X8" Pack] Heavy 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 I Travel Food(+) ; +3 options. Available in additional 3 options. From $ ; From $ ; Brights · Classic · Jewel · Pastels. $ current price $
Jenn Allen is storae retired chef turned Low-xost author, blogger, and traveler. Free sample offers Ware also Low-cost travel food storage larger sizes of these food containers, Low-cosst you are looking for something bigger. In Europe, I learned the hard way not to assume anything is free. Size: 18 cups Material: BPA-free plastic Safe For: Dishwasher. Despite these drawbacks, we still found these to be a quality set of containers, and would recommend people buy them.	Add at-a-glance star ratings, detailed user reviews, and usually accurate menu details, and you have pretty much all the information you need to make an informed, cost-conscious decision about lunch or dinner. Implement these cost-effective strategies for saving money on food on your next trip. And if you want to buy both the plastic and glass versions from this line, they use the same plastic lids, so you can interchange them without having to keep track of which is which. KORKEN Jar with lid, 34 oz. As such, this set is great for dry goods that are stored in drawers or shelves, and not food that you want to transport. Whatever your appetite, you can find ways to shave a few dollars off your vacation food budget at every meal.	Learn the importance of a zero-waste travel kit in this blog from ECOlunchbox. We offer tips on how you can fit everything inside your travel food Keep your snacks, meals, and beverages fresh and organized while on the go. With Best Buy's travel food storage options, you can conveniently pack and carry Fox Run Bits Kits Stainless Steel Snack Container, 5 Sections · $ · $ ; Fox Run Bits Kits Stainless Steel Snack Container, 4 Sections · $ · $	Choose the right foods. · Measure out every meal. · Repackage your food and toiletries into baggies or small containers. · Carry the first two meals outside of the Keep your snacks, meals, and beverages fresh and organized while on the go. With Best Buy's travel food storage options, you can conveniently pack and carry I Travel Food(+) ; +3 options. Available in additional 3 options. From $ ; From $ ; Brights · Classic · Jewel · Pastels. $ current price $	Best Overall Dry Food Storage Containers. Rubbermaid Brilliance Pantry Food Storage Container Set Shop Target for small containers for travel you will love at great low prices. Choose from Same Day Delivery, Drive Up or Order Pickup plus free shipping on They can be used to store a variety of items, including sandwiches, snacks while hiking, and leftover foods. Reusable food storage bags are typically made of

Low-cost travel food storage - Travel Food Containers ; Zefiro Clear Silicone Snap Close Bags - Large - Simple Good. Clear Silicone Snap Close Bags ; Danica Heirloom Two Tier Tiffin - Simple Learn the importance of a zero-waste travel kit in this blog from ECOlunchbox. We offer tips on how you can fit everything inside your travel food Keep your snacks, meals, and beverages fresh and organized while on the go. With Best Buy's travel food storage options, you can conveniently pack and carry Fox Run Bits Kits Stainless Steel Snack Container, 5 Sections · $ · $ ; Fox Run Bits Kits Stainless Steel Snack Container, 4 Sections · $ · $

I contacted To-Go Ware because I was excited about their products. The reusable travel utensils from To-Go Ware are extremely light, but still feels sturdy. The bamboo utensil set includes — a travel fork, a spoon, a knife, and a set of chopsticks. They all store easily inside a smooth black pouch with a cover and velcro.

The whole package is light and slim, and fits easily into my purse. There is also a clip on the back that allows you to clip this to a backpack if you are heading out on a picnic, backpacking trip, or camping trip. The light and slim package makes it easy for me to fit into any of my purses, including my smaller ones.

Unfortunately, plastic utensils are pretty common in Oaxaca and a lot of Latin America well actually the whole world. Carrying this bamboo utensil set means I can politely decline the plasticware. Other places you encounter plastic utensils while traveling — the plane, long distance transportation, fast food restaurants, and festivals, to name a few.

The knife surprisingly cuts through a lot. The spoon is not very deep, so might not be the right option for soup, but would work well with ice cream, esquites Mexican street food corn in a cup , salsas, or things like that.

While they were wooden, so a bit better than plastic, it still felt wasteful to me. And I think they look pretty beautiful. org estimates that 40 billion plastic utensils are used every year just in the USA. These reusable travel utensils are made from bamboo which is a renewable and sustainable material.

Why is bamboo sustainable? Bamboo is also extremely durable, so these reusable utensils should last you a long time. The bamboo utensil set case is also environmentally friendly. It is made from a recycled plastic bottles, so keeps plastic trash out of landfills.

I have the Snack Stack which is 4. I like that this tiffin set is two separate containers that stack one on top of each other.

Because of that the travel food containers only need one lid — as the top container acts as the bottom containers lid. This saves space and overall weight of the travel food containers. I also like that the two separate containers allow me to separate food.

If Justin and I are out, we can put separate leftovers in separate containers. Included Sizes: 6. If you only need food storage containers to store your favorite bulk bin foods , this set from Vtopmart is a solid option. All of the four food storage containers in this set measure the same size 7.

This is a great choice for families who cook a lot and need a large amount of staple ingredients and foods on hand, such as flour, sugar, pasta, oats, or rice.

Although this set is intended for dry goods, our testing revealed that it can handle liquids quite well too. The airtight lids yielded no leaks, nor did any liquid creep into the seal.

However, when we dropped these food storage containers, they did leak a little bit since one side came open. Still, not bad for dry food containers—you can store uncooked rice for the long term.

Keep in mind that while containers are dishwasher-safe, the brand recommends you clean the lids by hand. Size: 5. Cereal lovers and those with kids know how important it is to keep cereal in bulk around the house.

Instead of having multiple boxes take up space in your cabinets or pantry, pour it all into the PrepWorks Large Cereal Keeper, and store your cereals longer. This cereal keeper can store 4.

We particularly liked the lid, which contains two openings: one to add cereal and another smaller opening located on the top of the lid that allows you to easily pour directly into a bowl.

Another unique feature is that the container keeps measurement markings, so you know the exact amount you have left. In addition to cereal, you can also store other dry foods including oats, beans, and pasta such as macaroni.

This cereal keeper is dishwasher-safe, and after we washed it during our testing, it showed no stains or streaks, and sealed quite nicely. Size: 18 cups Material: BPA-free plastic Safe For: Dishwasher.

OXO has a reputation for making useful and clever kitchen gadgets, and this container set is no different.

The OXO Good Grips 8-Piece Baking Essentials POP Container Set is specifically designed with bakers in mind, and is made to store a variety of essentials like flour, sugar, baking soda, and toppings.

These are all kept fresh thanks to the airtight lids, which, instead of having to use force to pull them off, you can easily pop off thanks to the button located on top of the lid. The convenience doesn't stop there—that button, when raised, also acts as a handle for the lid.

Plus, underneath the lid there is a storage area that keeps the included half cup scoopers and brown sugar saver in place. The containers did leak during testing though, and when put through the fall test, the lid popped off, causing all of the contents to spill out and make a big mess.

Despite these drawbacks, we still found these to be a quality set of containers, and would recommend people buy them. Included Sizes: 0. Glass food storage containers are able to keep food fresh just as well as plastic, and are known to stain less and keep smells at bay.

This set is made of borosilicate glass, which is highly resistant to thermal shock. Despite this, and the fact that the canisters barely leaked during our tests, we would not recommend using them for storing or reheating leftovers.

You should use this set to hold frequently used dry goods, including pasta, lentils, rice, and, thanks to the airtight seal, even coffee. And unlike other food storage containers, which tend to be lacking in the style department, these canisters are pretty enough to double as kitchen countertop decor.

Included Sizes: 2, 2. Overall, we recommend the Rubbermaid Brilliance Pantry Food Storage Container Set for the lack of leakage, smells, and staining during our testing. We also liked the variety of sizes available in this set and that it is safe to use in the microwave, freezer, and dishwasher. We tested 21 different food storage containers and sets, including 15 made of plastic and six made of glass.

We assessed their quality based on a number of factors, including performance, ease of cleaning, overall design, and capacity. We did three tests to measure the above categories.

First, we filled each container with a cup of tomato sauce and chopped yellow onion. We let that sit in the refrigerator for three nights, emptied the contents, ran it through the dishwasher, and then noted if any stains developed or if there were any lingering smells after.

We then tested the containers that claimed to have a tight seal, or boasted that they were "spill-resistant," to see if any leakage occurred. We filled the containers up with water mixed with food coloring, wrapped them in a towel, and shook vigorously to see if any of the dyed liquid appeared on our towel.

For the plastic containers, we tested durability by dropping them onto the floor, filled with liquid, to see if they broke or if the lid popped off. We took all these insights and used them to come up with the best food storage containers. Most food storage containers are either made of glass or plastic, both of which come with pros and cons.

Finding the material that works best for you is all dependent on your lifestyle. 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.

Glass, on the other hand, is durable, less likely to stain from stored food, and better able to keep smells at bay. Costello says its durability makes it better suited for microwaving and freezing than plastic containers, as it is less likely to crack. For pantries with critter challenges, Costello recommends opting for glass or metal containers.

Food storage containers come in all kinds of sizes, each suitable for different purposes and quantities. Large bins are good for storing large amounts of dry food, such as cereal, pasta, and flour. The partially open boxes or bags that typically contain these kinds of foods leave them susceptible to invasion by pantry bugs, so more secure bins are particularly great at keeping pests away.

Not only that, but these kinds of bins will also make your kitchen cabinets look a lot more organized. Canisters are another excellent storage option, especially for dry foods you use often and want readily accessible on the kitchen countertop.

Since many canisters come in stylish designs, they can also double as counter decor. If you eat leftovers often, consider looking into food container storage sets. Sets feature many of the same size food storage containers or multiple sizes to accommodate different amounts of leftovers.

If your leftovers tend to be of the same size, get a set that has multiples of the same-sized food storage container. If you make large batches of food, such as stews, or your own salad dressings alongside portioned meals, get a set that includes big, medium, and small-sized options.

When it comes to food storage containers, durability is the ability to handle all kinds of different environments, including those found in the microwave, oven, freezer, and dishwasher.

When buying food storage containers, make sure that they fit your storage lifestyle. That distinction will usually be made by the manufacturer. If you prefer reheating leftovers in the oven, go with a glass food storage container. When putting them in the dishwasher, make sure to remove the gasket around the lid, if there is one.

The area between the gasket and the part of the lid where the gasket slides into is difficult to get completely dry due to the lack of airflow. Not adequately drying that area makes it ripe for the production of mold.

Even so, we were disappointed by the excessive leakage during testing. When choosing between plastic and glass storage containers, Coleman says a lot depends on personal preference.

Coleman also advises considering where you are planning to keep the canisters and containers. Costello agrees that plastic is a safer choice when children are present.

She also mentions that while plastic is ideal for storing dry goods, glass is a more durable option for heating and freezing. Coleman says storing food in storage containers will definitely make it stay fresh longer , particularly if the container has an airtight lid.

Costello notes that airtight containers do tend to cost more, so if budget is a concern, consider saving the airtight containers for longer-lasting foods and use non-airtight ones for foods with quicker turnarounds.

If you are planning to finish the bag of food quickly, it may not be worth decanting it. In terms of expiration dates , Coleman recommends denoting them on the storage container.

She says she often advises clients to either write the expiration date on the bottom with a dry erase marker or use a label maker to print the date in small font. She adds that clear containers allow you to more easily identify what food is inside and how much is left rather than opening up the package.

Coleman emphasizes that the main benefit of using storage containers is to keep the contents fresh longer. She says by choosing containers with airtight lids in particular, you may be less inclined to be lazy as there is no choice but to put the lid on it.

Along with making food last, Coleman feels that another benefit of using storage containers is their sleek appearance. This article was written by Rachel Center , a home cook and product reviews home writer for Real Simple, and updated by Jamie Fischer , a commerce writer for Real Simple.

To compile this list, we tested 21 food storage containers in our Lab and evaluated each on design, capacity, ease of cleaning, and performance. We also tapped two professional organizers: Ashley Coleman , professional organizer and founder of Done Neatly, and Alejandra Costello , an organization expert and certified life coach.

Next to each product on this list, you may have noticed a Real Simple Selects seal of approval. Any product appearing alongside that seal has been vetted by our team—put through tests and graded on its performance to earn a spot on our list.

Although we buy most of the products we test, sometimes we do get samples from companies if purchasing a product ourselves isn't an option. All products go through the same rigorous process, whether they are purchased or sent by the company.

Love our recommendations? Check out more products that have earned the Real Simple Selects , from humidifiers to cordless vacuums. 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.