It also makes hard plastic containers. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. The sets on our list range from a 10-piece set with rectangular containers that nest inside each other for easy storage to an 18-piece set with both round and rectangular containers. 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 focus in her kitchen. Youll get a lot of use out of them, but they're more prone to cracking or discoloration. Whether you're looking to blend smoothies, make hot soups or grind your own flour, we found the best Vitamix blender for you. These include basic organization such as storing lids and containers together by size, color, and/or type, using print labels, and using tension rods to create compartments, as well as more creative hacks such as repurposing book bins, plastic trays, wall-mounted file holders, and even small decorative wall shelving into storage compartments for your drawers and cabinets. The tempered glass is designed to withstand staining and odor absorption and is built for durability, all backed by a 5-year warranty. The containers themselves are recyclable glass made from silica, soda ash, limestone, and other natural components. The containers themselves are dishwasher-safe, while the wooden lids are recommended to be wiped down by hand, Material: Glazed stoneware (ceramic), hardwood lids | Number in Set: 3 | Items: (1) 4-cup, (1) 6.6-cup, (1) 11-cup containers, plus all lids; (3) stainless steel tablespoon scoops, These are cute! Some sets feature airtight designs that keep food fully insulated, along with tabs to make lid removal easy when the time comes. Stasher bags are so versatile, we think they should be a staple in every kitchen. The sleek design makes them easy to stack, so you can also use them for storing pantry staples. How many food storage containers do I need? No more poking or cutting into the meat to find out if it is cooked through ever again. The range of sizes starts with the 5.7-ounce square, essentially 0.75-cup, to the large 51-ounce rectangle, which equates to 6.3 cups. Thats why we decided to do some container research for you. For items like sponge cake, madeleines, muffins, and cupcakes, I usually wrap them with plastic wrap or put them in a jar to store them in a moist environment. A lid that seals simply with pressure is perfectly safe for holding your food, but its more likely to pop open if its bumped or dropped. Small containers can hold things like leftovers or small meals, your work lunch, etc. Whether you're storing leftovers, marinating meats, freezing fruits for smoothies or sous vide cooking, these containers, which come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors, can do it all. PrepWorks by Progressive Large Cereal Keeper, 4.5 Quart, Best Small Set: Ditch the stained and smelly mismatched deli containers and tired-out Tupperware and upgrade your kitchen with one of these fantastic sets. When our Lab testers purposefully dropped 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. The 18-piece set (the count includes the lids) has four rectangular containers in varying sizes, two square containers in a small and large size, and three different-sized round containers. The 7-cup glass container (sans the lid) also works well for Instant Pot recipes requiring pot-in-pot cooking. However, our Lab tester remarked, I like them and would recommend them. Next, consider if you need stackable, space-saving sets for between-use storage. Some round food storage containers have screw-on lids, much like the ones youd find on glass jars. In the end, the Rubbermaid Brilliance Storage 14-Piece Food Storage Set stood out among the rest for its 100 percent leakproof design. This category of sweet needs to stay soft and humid, says Chef Martin Diez, Director of Americas Chef Services at Barry Callebaut. While other brands make containers that look similar, the quality of OXO products makes them worth considering, even though youll pay more for the name brand. These containers passed our Lab's stain tests beautifully both before and after washing, and they came out of the dishwasher with no lingering odors after storing an onion. We melted popsicles in top coolers in sweltering heat. Rubbermaid Brilliance Pantry Airtight Food Storage Container Set, Glasslock 18-Piece Assorted Oven Safe Container Set, Chef's Path Airtight Food Storage Container Set, Freyian Canister Sets for Kitchen Counter, Bisphenol A (BPA): Use in food contact application. Not only are these microwave, dishwasher, fridge and freezer safe and are perfectly packable for condiments, salad dressings and trail mix to go! They tested how well each set kept one cup of brown sugar from drying out over a set period of time, 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. This is great for preparing food ahead of time and baking it before serving, or for reheating leftovers in the oven. We also sent several container sets to our editors to test at home. Oh, and did we mention they are dishwasher-safe? Freezer-Safe: Freezer-safe containers are a must if you make food ahead of time to store in the freezer. These stayed tightly sealed, and the liquid was visibly trapped by the seal during our splash test., Safe for the oven, microwave, and dishwasher. All of our testers were so impressed with how airtight the containers were, and they loved that they could be frozen without cracking. I want to stay conscious about disposable plastic wrap usage so a sealable box container or a jar can work perfectly, he adds. Sturdy but heavy, glass containers are stain-proof and wont retain odors. This versatile OXO container set comes in eight different sizes, split evenly between round and rectangular. Layla is a freelance writer specializing in food, travel, dining, home cooking, and shopping. The glass containers are dishwasher-safe, but the wooden lids are designated as hand-wash only. Joseph Joseph Nest Lock Plastic 10-Piece Food Storage Container Set, Best for the Freezer: An intrepid researcher, she mines her own experience along with internet guides and consumer reviews to do the legwork so home cooks can find the product that best suits their needs. Users note that the size of the containers is on the smaller side, but that they are great for storing odds and ends dinner leftovers or salad dressing. productslearn more about That being said, we loved that they are dishwasher-safe, nice-looking, and lightweight. Material: Plastic | Number in Set: 10 | What's Included: (1) 1-cup rectangle, (1) 2.2-cup rectangle, (1) 4.6-cup rectangle, (1) 7.7-cup rectangle, (1) 12.5-cup rectangle. We tested 21 food storage container sets side by side in our Lab: 15 plastic sets and 6 glass or ceramic sets. Our testers rated each set on performance, durability, and ease of cleaning. The flexible lids and extended tabs make it easy to remove lids without exerting effort. Here are the best food storage container sets to have in your kitchen. I love them., We loved this option for cereal because of how well it keeps contents from drying out and getting staleit kept brown sugar from drying out even a tiny bit. Le'raze Glass Kitchen Canisters With Airtight Bamboo Lid, Best Budget: Because glass storage containers are heavy, you might not want to nest as many of them as you would if the containers were lightweight plastic. 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. The set comes with a two-year limited warranty on glass containers and plastic lids. 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. It also provides a one-year warranty against manufacturing defects. These are usually sold in small sets and theyre inexpensive enough that if one doesnt return home, you wont miss it terribly. Rachel Abady, Founder and CMO of Manna Cooking, vouches for the usefulness of food storage containers, and she says that the most functional sets feature "durability, dishwasher safety, microwave safety, and multiple sizes for all your food storage needs.". To prevent this result, allow your food to thaw in the refrigerator for a few hours prior to cooking. This article was updated by Katya Weiss-Andersson, a writer and editor who has nearly a decade of experience as a professional chef. If you are using this for coffee beans or the like, this is perfect.. Many top-notch storage containers also do double duty, transporting lunch, reheating leftovers, or even cooking or baking. 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. There was also a bit of leakage when storing more liquid ingredients. While most glass containers are freezer-safe, they can break if they slide out of the freezer and drop to the floor. Our home tester did mention, though, that the lids are a little hard to close at first, but that's the price you pay for an airtight seal. Material: BPA-free plastic | Number in Set: 4 | Items: (1) 6.5-cup, (1) 10-cup, (1) 16-cup, (1) 19-cup plus all lids, They stack really nicely and are really cute. Our testers evaluated their performance, capacity, ease of cleaning, and design through several tests. They even do well for storing liquids, as our testers found that they're completely leakproof and very airtight. Katya Weiss-Andersson is a commerce editor for The Spruce Eats. We found the best kits for every kind of cheese and for cooking with kids. One of our Lab testers bought these for herself, and the other plans to. Containers and lids are also top-rack dishwasher-safe. 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. You also want something thats designed well, both for aesthetics and efficiency. The Best Fridge Organizer Bins, Dividers and More 2022 Warner Bros. Cost is always an important consideration, but with food storage containers, its wise to first consider whether your set will actually stay at home. The quality of the clear glass makes it easy to see whats stored inside. We've updated our Privacy Policy, which will go in to effect on September 1, 2022. However, plastic also tends to absorb odors and colors from some foods, which may require users to rewash them multiple times after putting dishes like tomato sauce or a fragrant stew in these containers. OXO Good Grips 16-Piece Smart Seal Glass Container Set, Best Plastic: Pyrex glass containers are known for going seamlessly from freezer to oven, making these an excellent bet for meal prep recipes like beef Bourguignon or enchiladas. While plastic lids are common, certain sets have silicone gaskets for a tighter seal. Snapware Total Solution Rectangular Plastic 10-Piece Food Storage Set, Best Nested: Material: BPA-free plastic | Number in Set: 7 | Items: (1) 8-cup, (2) 6-cup, (2) 3.6-cup, (2) 1.4-cup plus all lids, I loved the closing mechanism on these containers and the sizes. 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 stored in before washing.). Not all containers are created equal, though. The least expensive plastic containers might require hand-washing since dishwashing temperatures could warp them or cause the lids to fit improperly after washing. I would absolutely recommend these.. The Glasslock 18-Piece Assorted Oven Safe Container Set was our Lab testers' second favorite because of its airtight locks, versatility, and durable design. There are so many food storage containers to choose from, so where does one start? Flexible plastic containers are the least expensive. Still, this is a great starter set for light-to-moderate usage. Anchor Hocking TrueSeal 10-Piece Round Glass Food Storage Set, Best Variety: How do you organize food storage containers? They're also oven-safe. If you do want to store items with liquid components (like fermenting vegetables), this set got a perfect score on our leak and splash tests. Even when glass is oven-safe, its best to make sure you dont subject it to thermal shock by moving it rapidly from one extreme temperature to another. These plastic, airtight food storage containers from Rubbermaid promise to keep food fresh and are 100 percent leakproof. From hard plastic to glass to larger canister-style containers, youll find almost everything except the least expensive, one-off containers. Price and stock could change after publish date, and we may make money from these links. 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. Material: Glass | Number in Set: 16 | What's Included: (2) 1.29-cup round, (2) 1.6-cup rectangle, (1) 3-cup round, (2) 3.6-cup rectangle. Make delicious homemade bread quickly and easily with an automatic bread maker. For me, food storage containers also need to be durable, dishwasher and microwave safe, and act as bowls for eating and bowls for prepping food while I cook," Abady says. Other lids have buttons or levers on top that seal with a press or pull. I am personally obsessed with all things Pyrex. On one end of the spectrum, there are single-use containers that are sold in bulk for less than a dollar each, while more durable canister sets often cost around $25. The lids are designed with locking tabs to ensure an airtight seal and leak-proof performance. We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best The biggest negative comes from the fact that glass containers can chip and crack when dropped or roughly handled. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Some users note that the lids easily cracked after repeated use, but the lids are also replaceable. While glass food storage containers are likely to be safe in the dishwasher, microwaves, refrigerator, and freezer, its always best to check with the manufacturer to make sure. While some are freezer-safe, others can get very brittle at cold temperatures and may crack or break. This will elevate its temperature enough to allow the cooking process to equally affect the entire dish. You can even microwave them with the cover on if you open the vent first, so you can have spatter-proof thawing or reheating. Theyre designed with clear, BPA-free plastic that allows you to see whats inside and are constructed to resist stains and odors to keep containers looking like new. Tested by Lambeth Hochwald for Food Network Kitchen. OXO Good Grips 8-Piece Pop Container Baking Set, Best for Bulk Storage: The glass containers are safe in the microwave, oven, and freezer, and the thermo-resistant glass is built to withstand temperatures of up to 840 degrees. Also, think about whether you want to have round, square, or rectangular containers. Get easy-to-follow, delicious recipes delivered right to your inbox. This set wins points for variety with three different shapesround, rectangular, and squarein 13 sizes, making it perfect for meal prep, storing leftovers, and toting salads and dressings separately. This Pyrex set is mostly comprised of its round containers but does include two 3-cup and a 7-cup rectangular one. Youll find these in a variety of shapes and sizes, including shallow casserole-shaped containers that are great for marinating, storing flat foods, and using in your oven. While all food storage containers have lids that seal, some are more secure than others. Rubbermaid Brilliance Storage 14-Piece Food Storage Set at Amazon, Amazon Basics Glass Locking Lids 14-Piece Set Food Storage Container Set at Amazon, OXO Smart Seal 16-Piece Glass Container Set at Amazon, Snapware Plastic 10-Piece Food Storage Container Set at Amazon, Joseph Joseph Nest Lock Plastic 10-Piece Food Storage Container Set at Amazon, Pyrex 18-piece Glass Food Storage Container Set at Amazon, Anchor Hocking TrueSeal 10-Piece Round Glass Food Storage Set at Amazon, Prep Naturals 13-Pack Glass Storage Containers with Lids at Amazon, Best Overall: