Comments on: Ask Unclutterer: Food storage containers

By: Annie

Annie — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 08:31:32 +0000

I have both the snap-ware and pyrex.

I use the snap-ware for pantry stuff (which never gets heated, so I think that avoids a huge hunk of the problems with plastics). I only have as many as I need to store the food-stuffs I always keep on hand (flour, splenda, coffee, etc.) I even broke out my label maker, so I don’t confuse them. They are super-airtight, which keeps the bugs away.

The pyrex I use to bake in, and I love it. My friends and I often have potluck knitting nights, so I can make dip the night before, stick it in the fridge overnight, then bring it and bake it when I get there.

Now, what I really, really want is this, but I don’t have anywhere to put it. I’m guessing it will make negotiating food containers on three different types of public transportation much, much easier.

http://www.pyrexware.com/index.....1160045460

By: WilliamB

WilliamB — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 22:28:04 +0000

I like TellFresh which I buy at The Container Store. The advantages are:
- rectangles and squares
- available in many, many sizes
- some lids are interchangable
- BPA free
- clear bodies and lids
- buy as singles so get only what you want
- lightweight
- rarely break when fall out of the freezer
- waterproof seal
- no tabs on the lid so they stack efficiently
- durable, I’ve had mine for 5 years and counting

Disadvantages:
- not oven safe
- red or acid food can stain (some people care about this)
- it’s harder to wash grease off of plastic than glass or metal
- not cheap

I have dozens of these in 5 sizes. I store the lids in TellFresh containers (standing up like soldiers) with the lids next to the container they fit.

By: gypsy packer

gypsy packer — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 14:43:30 +0000

I’m holding out for BPA-free collapsibles at a reasonable price. Until then, I use recycled bowls, which allow me to give food away without worrying about the return of the bowl.

By: Tori

Tori — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 13:41:34 +0000

So many great ideas!

It would be great if someone summarized these recommendations, along with the positives & negatives mentioned for each brand..(ex., 1 “clutter free” list)!

By: Marc

Marc — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 22:51:51 +0000

I second the recommendation of these Crate & Barrel containers:
http://www.crateandbarrel.com/.....38;f=33113

We get a lot of use out of ours, though they aren’t tough enough to travel.

By: Alyson

Alyson — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 17:13:23 +0000

I have a Pyrex set I got at Costco a few years ago. I’m not sure if it’s still available. It was around $40 for the set (and I think I had a $10 coupon, so I got it for $30 and bought 2 sets). I don’t remember specifically what it came with, and we have broken a couple, but I still have most of the set and use it almost daily. The containers that are the same shape/size stack nicely together, and the smaller pieces fit into the same shaped larger pieces (so you can stack 2 large round, put 2 medium round in that, and 2 small round in that… they also come in rectangular and oval). The lids snap & seal to the top, or snap to the bottom (which is nice if you take it to a potluck or something, your lid doesn’t get lost). They also stack pretty nicely together (I keep all of my lids in an old rubbermaid container). The lids also have a “plug” that you can remove if you want to let steam escape.

By: wendy

wendy — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 15:14:16 +0000

I own Rubbermaid’s set that is featured in this post, they really are wonderful.

By: Jane Hollon

Jane Hollon — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 12:14:41 +0000

I tossed all my plastic contains in opt for the Pyrex glass containers. They stack in one another in the cabinet and stack on top of one another in the fridge, no more staining, they have a clear view of what’s inside at a glance. Oven/freezer/microwave! “NO MORE PLASTICS FOOD CONTAINERS” as in Mommy Dearest!

By: Jann Schott

Jann Schott — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 05:27:22 +0000

I’m also one who likes the Smart-Spin system! I do have to say I’m not too happy when one drops out of the freezer and shatters though–but at least it’s plastic that shatters and not glass!

I used to sell Tupperware, and I still have some of it…the modular mates for my cupboards is something I’ll probably never give up!

I recommend the Food saver for the freezer storage. I love my foodsaver. It came with a canning suction lid which I use as well on the wide mouth mason jars. (I use it mainly for nuts)…but the smart spin is a clever idea…just wish they had them in larger sizes!!

By: Bridget

Bridget — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 04:29:34 +0000

I have 8 sets of pyrex bought from World Kitchen:

http://www.shopworldkitchen.co.....1160036093

Cheap, interstackable, and wonderful for freezing and heating. And I know the tops are plastic, but the plastic doesn’t touch my food (I’m a scientist-environmentalist…and not really all that thrilled about plastic and my food for many different reasons).

They are heavy to bring to work, but if you want something light, go for a steel tiffin and then keep a bowl/plate and silverware at work. I know it seems a little…ridiculous, but it goes a long way towards enjoying a meal instead of just feeling like you’re eating out of a take-out container.

By: Darius

Darius — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 03:54:44 +0000

Pyrex. Never plastic.

By: Eileen

Eileen — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 03:33:34 +0000

I have an older Rubbermaid set that is still in decent shape but all the lids are different sizes. I could never come up with a good system for keeping the lids orderly and match them to the containers quickly, so I’ve started storing them with their lids on. I just make sure everything is completely dry after washing and pop the lids on and stack them.

I also found that we had way more food storage containers than we needed so I paired down the collection (and we probably still have too much), so it only takes up half the space it used to, and this is with lids on.

Also, my kids love to play in that cabinet, so the containers stay clean on the insides since they can’t get the lids off (yet) and put their hands inside.

By: megan

megan — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 01:48:34 +0000

I’m with Flora – the SmartSpin system solved what had been a nagging annoyance for years. I also agree though that the largest container sometimes isn’t large enough, so I still keep a couple of larger ones around. At least they aren’t all tumbling out on my head the way they used to!

By: Jenny

Jenny — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 00:43:21 +0000

I use old dairy containers and they work just fine for me. They meet the first two of your requirements, interchangeable lids, different sizes, and stackable. They are not high quality, but because they come free with food you buy anyways, they are a constantly replentishing supply. I use sour cream/yougurt/cottage cheese containers for smallish amounts of leftovers, and for portioning cooked ground beef in my freezer, and I use margarine tubs for larger things. These plus a couple of sandwich tubs for work lunches is all I need.
I keep them stacked together in my cupboard, with a shoe box to hold all the lids.

By: Mickey

Mickey — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 00:25:58 +0000

Oxo TOP containers are my favorite at the moment. Three size lids with six size containers (deep/shallow of a size) so there is some interchangability. But they are BPA free, don’t stain on the tomato sauce and my favorite – LEAKPROOF. They are less expensive than the glass Snapware, but they are plastic so I can’t put them in the oven. I do have a few pyrex I use just for that purpose.

I’ve found that I don’t buy sets anymore cause I tend to gravitate to a few particular sizes. So another reason why I love OXO (and Snapware). I get a few of the same size and only have two or three sizes to worry about. I tend to focus on single or double serving size