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.

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Develop and improve services. Use limited data to select content. List of Partners vendors. By Jamie Fischer. Jamie Fischer.

Jamie Fischer is a commerce writer for Real Simple. She has experience writing content for various digital publications including Parents, and is passionate about home, lifestyle, and beauty products.

Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines. and Rachel covers all aspects of the home space and tests products to find the best for consumers.

Rachel Center. In This Article Expand. Our top picks. Final Verdict. Our Testing Process. How to Shop. More to Consider. Take Our Word for It. What Is Real Simple Selects? Our Top Picks. Best Overall Dry Food Storage Containers:. Best Budget Dry Food Storage Containers:. Best Small Dry Food Storage Containers:.

Best Large Dry Food Storage Containers:. Best Food Storage Container for Cereal:. Best Food Storage Containers for Baking:. Best Glass Dry Food Storage Containers:.

Best Overall Dry Food Storage Containers. So, what then? Well, they offer a monthly auto-ship program called the Thrive Q. I love the Q for a few reasons:. I decide what I can afford to spend on food storage each month, and then I spend that every month.

It forces me to make it a priority, but it also keeps me from splurging too much and going over budget. I apply the same logic here as I do to my grocery store stockpiling. I get quality cheap food storage!

When you have a Q with Thrive, you will accumulate points when your Q ships each month. You can then use those points to purchase food. Free is about as cheap as it gets! You can get started creating a Q HERE.

If you are the type that can discipline yourself then this can be a great way to shop! Thrive Life has two big sales each year—one over Black Friday weekend and one in the spring usually March or April. This year , it will be in April. Emergency Essentials , Augason Farms and Honeyville typically have their biggest sales in September for National Preparedness Month, though you can usually find good deals around Black Friday as well.

Typically food is cheaper when you buy it in bulk. If you invest in these and are willing to them package them for long-term storage yourself, you can save a good deal of money. My friend Shelle from Preparedness Mama has a great article on how to do this: How to Repackage Bulk Food for Storage.

So there you have it! My secrets for getting quality cheap food storage without breaking the bank! I hope they are helpful as you work to build quality food storage for your family!

Do you have any other tips for saving money while building quality food storage? Please share them in the comments! Becky is a wildlife enthusiast and pet and livestock care expert with a diploma in canine nutrition. With over a decade of experience in animal welfare, Becky lends her expertise to Simple Family Preparedness through insightful info about pets, livestock, bee keeping, and the practicalities of homesteading.

How would I find somewhere that tracks the stores in my area? I am in desperate need of saving money on food for my family, but we have mostly local stores here besides walmart which I hate so if I could find someone who tracked them then I could find the best deals.

Please advise. Thanks bunches. They have added a lot of new basic food options too, which as been exciting! Typically I like to buy their wheat, and store it in free food grade buckets I can get at the grocery store.

I just recently received my first shipment from Thrive. I have used the celery and onions in chili. My family never knew the difference. Kale is great in smoothies. I am trying to stock up a little at a time. Where can I store all this stuff? Is it safe in an Arizona garage northern AZ? Keep up the fantastic work.

Budget pick. Rubbermaid TakeAlongs Food Storage Containers 16oz Food Storage Containers with Airtight Lids, 50Pcs Reusable Deli Disposable Meal Prep Containers, Leakproof, Microwaveable Missing

Cheap food storage solutions - Runner-up. Glasslock Piece Container Set. The best leakproof glass container set Budget pick. Rubbermaid TakeAlongs Food Storage Containers 16oz Food Storage Containers with Airtight Lids, 50Pcs Reusable Deli Disposable Meal Prep Containers, Leakproof, Microwaveable Missing

It's more expensive than the average glass set, however. Made of borosilicate glass, these containers can go from the freezer to the oven. We love that this set stacks and nests really well, saving space wherever you decide to use them. They performed well in our leakproof tests and are also easy to clean by hand or in the dishwasher.

This vintage-styled set includes 18 containers with lids, ranging in size from 1. This set is great for a one- or two-person home to preserve cut produce, meal prep, and holding leftovers.

We love the look of them, and the price point makes this set a great value. We really liked the easy, secure seal of these storage bags. The flat bottoms of these reusable bags make them extra versatile, working even better than your typical plastic zip storage bag.

A fantastic option for dry storage, these essential containers seal and un-seal with a press of the large button on the lid.

This set is designed specifically for baking ingredients, with built-in scoops for larger sizes and a specially designed lid to keep brown sugar from hardening. As we tested 76 storage container sets and reusable bag sets, we had to cut dozens from our final list for various reasons.

It leaked during testing, however, which was a deal-breaker at this high of a price point. Finally, we preferred storage containers to most reusable bags, and fabric storage bags ranked lowest in our tests. Food storage containers typically come in sturdy plastic, glass, or stoneware, while reusable bags tend to be made of silicone or fabric.

Each material has its merits, so choosing one will depend on what is most important to you. Plastic containers tend to be less expensive, lightweight, and more durable than glass or stoneware. Glass and stoneware tend to be more aesthetically pleasing, heavier, a bit more expensive, and more fragile, on top of resisting stains and odors better than plastic, in general.

To keep contents fresh, you want a container or bag that seals well. Look for features like silicone or rubber gaskets that provide an air-tight seal and snap closures that help to keep items contained even if the bin takes a small tumble.

If you're storing food in a deep drawer, you may prefer clear or windowed lids, and if you're storing in a pantry, you may prefer lids that allow you to stack containers securely to maximize space. When picking a storage set, you want to be sure that the sizes included are useful for your household.

For pantry storage and leftovers, it's better to have containers that are slightly larger than you think you need. If you're packing containers for the office or school, on the other hand, you may want smaller containers or some designed for meal prep.

Most food storage containers and reusable bags can be easily washed by hand, but for a more thorough cleaning, you may prefer to pick a set that is dishwasher-safe.

Always check with the manufacturer's instructions to ensure your set can be run through the dishwasher without warping or damaging its seal.

A set that stacks will take advantage of any vertical space you have. Place heavier, larger containers on the bottom, and stack lighter, smaller containers on top. If you're storing food in a deep drawer, you may want to opt for uniformly sized containers with see-through lids for easy identification.

To make organization easier, you can also use a label maker or wine bottle pen to note each container's contents. This depends on the quantities and varieties of food you need to store.

We recommend starting with a small, buildable set that you can add onto once you know your storage needs. For example, keeping some containers in the freezer will mean having fewer on hand for workday lunches. And if you like to freeze meals, you'll likely want to supplement a set with more large containers.

If you stock your pantry with bulk ingredients like all-purpose flour, rice, dry beans, or nuts, you'll likely want larger, dedicated containers for each, as you can refill them when they're low or empty. If your pantry contains small quantities of a variety of ingredients — think chocolate chips, coconut flakes, nutritional yeast, and dried chilis — you may want an array of smaller containers.

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. By Bernadette Machard de Gramont. Bernadette Machard de Gramont. Bernadette Machard de Gramont is a freelance writer specializing in food, wine, and kitchen products, specifically cookware.

In This Article Expand. Our top picks. Our Favorite. It forces me to make it a priority, but it also keeps me from splurging too much and going over budget. I apply the same logic here as I do to my grocery store stockpiling.

I get quality cheap food storage! When you have a Q with Thrive, you will accumulate points when your Q ships each month. You can then use those points to purchase food. Free is about as cheap as it gets! You can get started creating a Q HERE. If you are the type that can discipline yourself then this can be a great way to shop!

Thrive Life has two big sales each year—one over Black Friday weekend and one in the spring usually March or April. This year , it will be in April.

Emergency Essentials , Augason Farms and Honeyville typically have their biggest sales in September for National Preparedness Month, though you can usually find good deals around Black Friday as well. Typically food is cheaper when you buy it in bulk.

If you invest in these and are willing to them package them for long-term storage yourself, you can save a good deal of money.

My friend Shelle from Preparedness Mama has a great article on how to do this: How to Repackage Bulk Food for Storage. So there you have it!

My secrets for getting quality cheap food storage without breaking the bank! I hope they are helpful as you work to build quality food storage for your family! Do you have any other tips for saving money while building quality food storage?

Please share them in the comments! Becky is a wildlife enthusiast and pet and livestock care expert with a diploma in canine nutrition. With over a decade of experience in animal welfare, Becky lends her expertise to Simple Family Preparedness through insightful info about pets, livestock, bee keeping, and the practicalities of homesteading.

How would I find somewhere that tracks the stores in my area? I am in desperate need of saving money on food for my family, but we have mostly local stores here besides walmart which I hate so if I could find someone who tracked them then I could find the best deals.

Please advise. Thanks bunches. They have added a lot of new basic food options too, which as been exciting! The lids are see-through and have a flexible edge that won't crack over time, and though we did see slight denting in the lids after several high-heat dishwasher cycles, we were able to pop them right back into place.

The lids are textured and the lip on the side helps with opening and sealing, but they aren't the best for holding large amounts of liquid as we saw water loss during both our shake test and overnight leakage test.

This line features nested containers and nested lids, so when you put them away, you only have to clear space for the largest-sized container. The lids snap onto the containers to create a tight seal, though we found leaking during our testing and wouldn't recommend them for liquids.

Similar to other plastic containers we tested, these are prone to staining if used with highly pigmented foods. The larger sizes are great for batch cooking. If you like your plastic baggies and Ziplocs, you'll love Stasher reusable bags , which will save you money in the long run.

Store fruits, veggies and other snacks in the bags' thick, but flexible silicone that's transparent and comes in an assortment of colors and sizes. They seal and open easily.

When we tested them at home, they kept herbs wrapped in a damp paper towel fresh for weeks, and we didn't have to shuffle everything around in our fridge to make room for them since they take up minimal space.

Stasher bags are freezer-, microwave-, oven- and dishwasher-safe and can even be used in boiling water for cooking sous vide! We did notice staining during our in-Lab tomato sauce testing so keep that in mind when storing pigmented foods. The shapes in this set stand out for their versatility and it comes with 11 containers plus their lids at a great price especially when on sale!

The containers nest and their lids are slim for easy storage. Pyrex containers can be used in the oven, which makes them great for reheating leftovers or crisping small servings — just be sure to let them come to room temperature first to avoid thermal shock, per the brand.

In our dishwasher test, we ran each 4-cup round container and 3-cup rectangular container through the dishwasher five times. While the glass was naturally unscathed, we found that the lids can become slightly deformed after multiple cycles which may lead to leaking if storing liquids.

Zwilling may be known for its cutlery, but the German knife maker has expanded into food vacuum sealing. The vacuum-seal containers are easy to use and help keep your leftovers airtight. They're also great for marinating or storing raw meat after you've opened a pack. The vacuum sealer is compact and attaches to the lid of the container to seal it with the press of a button.

This model was a top performer during our leak tests, and once sealed properly, the lid didn't budge. While this set only includes one large 2. In our tests, we found that the containers held up very nicely when run through the dishwasher, and we were impressed by how thick and durable the glass was.

These twist-and-seal food storage containers are a favorite in the Kitchen Appliances Lab and have kept food items fresh in our pantry for months. The silicone seal helps keep air out, which is ideal for storing pasta, flour and other dry goods while the rounded edges allow for easy pouring.

The whole container isn't dishwasher safe, but the top can be hand-washed. The square shape and design make stacking a breeze and range in sizes from.

When testing, we noticed that the twist-to-lock top and release buttons may be tricky for some people to grab and use. We love that the Neat Stack lunch containers are not only some of the more affordable storage containers out there, but that they can be stored in your cabinets without taking up too much space.

The nesting set comes with five containers in various sizes to hold anything from ½ cups of fruit to whole meals and comes with a freezer pack that can attach to the large lids to help keep your lunch cold when traveling.

Each size container is color-coded and has engraved cup sizes for each, including 5-cup, 3-cup and ½-cup versions, great for portioning during meal prep. Several containers share the same lid size, so there's less fumbling for the right match.

We did notice staining during our freezer to microwave test so keep that in mind when heating pigment-rich foods. At the Good Housekeeping Institute, we test all kinds of kitchen gear, from air fryers to chef's knives to food storage containers.

In our latest food storage container test, we tested 21 container brands to evaluate performance and ease of use. For leak testing, we filled each container with water to its maximum capacity, secured the lid, weighed the container then vigorously shoot it for one minute.

We then weighed the container again to determine how much water was lost. Then, we refilled each container with water and left them upside down for 24 hours to see how much they retained.

For each dishwasher-safe container, we performed over 10 hours of washing on the highest heat and water cycle to evaluate disfiguration and record any damage that occur during each cleaning cycle.

During our freezer-to-microwave testing, we used more than 25 ounce jars of traditional pasta sauce to see how well each container performed in the freezer and then in the microwave.

We assessed staining, damage and how well they cleaned. When shopping for food storage containers, the below features are important to keep in mind to find the best performing set for your home:.

Glass can often be used in the oven, while plastic cannot.

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