Where To Buy Airtight Containers
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.
where to buy airtight containers
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.
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.
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.
The only downside to that tight seal is that the Rubbermaid Commercial lids can actually be hard to snap on all the way. It took a firm smack on our part to make sure every corner was fully closed in our testing. And prying the lid off can take a pretty big tug, too. If you have trouble gripping, pulling, or snapping tight lids, these containers might not be best suited for you.
Of the many containers we have, one has developed a hairline crack. But for the most part these containers have held up well to lots of abuse, and the one with the small crack is still perfectly usable for things like organizing cake decorating supplies.
If you want ceramic containers that are simple and easy to handle: The Williams Sonoma Pantry Canisters had a few solid things going for them. We thought their all-white look was classy and versatile, and we especially appreciated the handles on top of their lids. They also come in larger sizes (think round, and wide, like a classic cookie-jar) than most other ceramic containers, which could be useful to some people. However, the seal on these containers left something to be desired, even compared with other ceramic containers, and bugs got inside them when we left them outside overnight.
We saw recommendations for the LocknLock Rectangular Food Containers in forums on Chowhound and Kitchn. They sealed just as tightly as the Rubbermaid Brilliance containers and survived all of our drop tests easily. But their sets tend to offer smaller sizes that are geared toward storing leftovers and fewer large containers for storing bulk dry items.
Airtight containers rarely open accidentally inside your bag, spilling out the contents. Second, because they are airtight, they keep your chopped vegetables, for instance, fresh for longer. They also keep in moisture and air, and keep out those pesky food critters who love to munch on your cereals, coffee, sugar, flour, and other kitchen staples. And finally, airtight containers are usually easy to store (especially compared to the boxes food is usually sold in).
So, there are lots of reasons that make airtight containers necessary in the kitchen: they help you (and your kids) carry your lunches to work or school, they are more eco-friendly than single-use containers, they prevent spillage, and they help you organize space in your kitchen and keep it tidier.
The most important thing to consider when buying an airtight container is the material it is made from. That, and what you want it for, as you will want to buy different containers for storing to the ones you would buy for carrying your food, both in terms of material and compartments.
The most important quality of plastic airtight containers is they are lightweight, making them well suited for carrying food. But be careful when buying plastic containers as they can be made from material containing the toxic chemical BPA. Make sure that you choose products labeled BPA-free.
When deciding which to purchase, keep in mind that they also need cleaning, so choose one that make this easy. Pay attention to the design and how easy your containers are to store, as you will want a product that is both stylish and easy to fit on your counter or inside your cabinets.
Highly recommended by many Reddit users, Oxo containers come in several sizes, suitable for spices, candy, nuts, brown sugar, snacks, spaghetti, sugar, rice, flour, cereal, and bulk food. For an airtight seal, the boxes come with a button that seals and releases the air when pushed. It also doubles up as a handle.
The containers are ergonomically shaped and are stackable, taking up very little space on your counter or inside your kitchen cabinets. They can also be used for storing crafts and toys and are suitable for other rooms in the house, such as the bathroom or the office. Made from BPA-free plastic, the containers are light and come with great recommendations from many Amazon customers.
Colibrox containers are available in a variety of materials: silicon, glass, and plastic. The glass containers are made from borosilicate glass, which adjusts to temperature changes better than simple glass, making them suitable for use in the fridge as well as being microwave, oven, and dishwasher safe.
The Prep Naturals Glass Meal Prep Containers are airtight glass containers with two compartments. That means that you can use one container to store more than one type of food, saving space and money. Made from borosilicate glass, the containers can be used in the freezer, microwave, and oven.
However, keep in mind that the plastic lids with rubber seals are not meant to be used in the microwave, dishwasher, or oven. The containers come in sets of 5 pieces and are leakproof and easy to open. The containers are large and can hold a significant amount of food, making them ideal for meal prep on Sundays.
The Rubbermaid modular food storage container set is suitable for pasta, baking ingredients, bread crumbs, and even pet food as the containers are easy to clean and scoop food from. An airtight rubber seal keeps moisture and humidity out, helping keep food fresh longer. The containers can be stacked to minimize storage space, something made easier by their rectangular shape.
The plastic is freezer safe and BPA-free, and it can be cleaned in the dishwasher, on the top rack. The Rubbermaid containers are very durable and come at a reasonable price compared to other brands that are not as sturdy.
Zeppoli containers come in four different sizes, which perfectly fit all kinds of edibles, from cereal to pasta and snacks. They are also suitable for liquids, such as water, juice, and soup, which will not spill as the airtight technology seals everything inside the container once the handle has been pushed down. And the corners allow for easy pouring, making them even more suitable for liquids.
The ring on the lid guarantees no spills. Once the ring is pushed down, the silicone seal expands and locks the jar completely, making it airtight. To clean the containers, remove the silicone ring and wash with soap. Then wrap the silicone ring around the lid and seal the jar. The containers are made from BPA-free plastic and are top-rack dishwasher safe.
With a patented airtight system that needs no switches, pumps, or levers, Evak Fresh containers are truly airtight. The system guarantees keeping the flavors locked into the container for longer, and the BPA-free plastic resists any odors or stains.
The containers come in different sizes and are stackable, saving space on your countertop or in the pantry. They are also designed to nest within each other when they are not in use. They are easy to clean and are dishwasher safe. However, the manufacturer recommends hand washing the lid.
Versatile and stackable, Oggi food storage containers organize the space of any kitchen stylishly. The design has a rustic farmhouse theme, with glass lids and a slim shape. Thanks to the silicone seal technology, the lid helps preserve stored food for longer because of the complete airtightness. The set includes 5 canisters, ideal for all storage needs. Made of acrylic, they are BPA-free and are easy to clean. The product is very sturdy and cleans easily.
Suitable as an airtight lunchbox and as an kitchen storage unit, the Easy Essentials on the Go Meals divided container allows you to separate different foods inside one container. It can be used for work, schools, picnics, parties, but also for storing all kinds of food. The lid has a 4-point locking system that seals the box, keeping food fresh for longer and preventing unwanted drips and spills.
This 7-piece container set from Vtopmart offers different sized containers, perfect for storing flour, sugar, rice, grains, nuts, beans, snacks, pasta, coffee, and tea. Durable and shatterproof, the containers are made from BPA-free plastic, allowing you to easily see what you have stored inside each one. The food remains fresh for longer thanks to the special sealing mechanism. 041b061a72