Guide to Choosing the Proper Food Containers for Your Home

Food containers are practical boxes with lids that keep food fresh and edible for a longer time. From fresh fruits and vegetables to meat and dairy, these goodies can store anything you want to neatly put away.

Glass or Plastic?

Glass

If you’re up for recycling and you care for the environment, glass storage containers are the right choice. If you take care of them, they’ll last for a very long time, and when you need to throw them away, recycling is always a choice. Unfortunately, as many types of plastic materials aren’t recyclable, those containers are not a good choice. Glass is also good for your health because it doesn’t contain any toxic chemicals that might get into your body. It’s not a porous material that absorbs and can be washed in higher temperatures without damage.

Glass is a great material to use in the fridge and the freezer. Glass is tempered so it won’t crack and damage while in the cold. These containers have a tight, leakproof seal and are great for storing big batches of food in the freezer. Plus, glass food containers are practical and aesthetically pleasing and can match any kitchen design.

Plastic

Even though plastic containers are not environmentally friendly, with some exceptions, they are convenient for transport. They are lighter than glass, and if you drop them by any accident, they won’t shatter. Some of them even have smaller sections that can fit sauces or dressings. You can take them to work with your favourite salad or soup or pack your kid’s lunch for school.

The divided compartments in the container let you store different foods that won’t get mixed together and make a mess. Plastic containers are also great for saving space. You can stack them without the fear that they’ll break or damage as the glass ones would. They are great for taking them on a hike or a camping trip with your family. Plus, they are affordable and can come in different colours.

Polycarbonate

This material gives you the perfect view of what’s inside the container because it’s completely see-through. It won’t break easily if you drop it on the floor or bump it against other hard surfaces. It can hold out to temperatures between 4-98 degrees Celsius, it’s acid and oil resistant, but it can be expensive.

Polypropylene

These containers are translucent and are entirely safe for use. No toxic materials will end up in your food or your body. Plus, it’s fully recyclable and reusable, so they’re eco-friendly and safe for the environment. It has the same temperature range as polycarbonate with high chemical resistance.

Polyethylene

Polyethylene containers are purely white, and you can’t see through them. They’re reusable and recyclable and will resist impact, stains and chemicals. Also, they’re an economical choice because of their affordable price.

Shape and Size

Shape and size matter as well. While having the same shaped containers is more practical, sizes should vary. You can choose between round and rectangular shapes; it depends on your personal preference. If they’re of the same or similar form, it’ll be easier for you to stack them in the fridge and store them away in the cabinets when you’re not using them. Round containers allow the food to cool faster and have minimal food waste when you transfer it. They’re great for sauces and soups.

Rectangular shaped containers maximise the storage space and hold more products in one area. They are suitable for fruits, salads, meat or stew. Small containers can fit up to 220g of food and are great for dressings, sauces, some leftover food prep or spices and condiments. Medium-sized containers can fit a whole meal, 1kg, including meat and salads. And the large containers work perfectly well when you have to store big batches of food, both dry and wet, you have prepared in advance. They can sometimes fit more than 10kg of food.

Special Features

Food containers, especially the medium and large ones, can sometimes have measurements printed on their exterior. They may not be very accurate but will show you approximately how much food you got there. Many of them are also designed to be stackable as a space-saving feature that’s also safe and stable. Always look for strong and leak-resistant lids so you won’t get soup or dressing all over the room or the bag. Many lids are air-tight and keep the food fresh and isolated from the outdoor elements because of the silicone gasket on the inside.

If you have children go for freezer storage containers that open easily. You don’t want them to struggle to open their lunch at school or ask the teacher to do it every time. If possible, always choose transparent containers, so you don’t have to open the lid every time you have to check what’s inside. Colour coded lids will also do an excellent job if the containers are not see-through. You can match vegetables with green, meat with red, fruits with yellow, and you’ll know where everything is.

In Summary

Food containers are convenient, easy to use and wash, and durable. You can use them for years to come if you take good care of them. Choose your shape and size and take your meals everywhere with you, store them in the fridge or freeze them for the next couple of weeks – the options are endless.