Are Plastic Containers Safe for Food Storage? Whether you prefer glass or plastic, none of the food storage containers broke during testing. While the majority of glass containers can safely go in the conventional oven, you need to read the manufacturers’ instructions to find out whether or not the oven should be preheated and they can go directly from the freezer into the oven. ![]() However, most glass containers come with plastic lids that will discolor and if you want to keep them looking spiffy your best bet is to avoid using them for microwave heating. Another big plus about glass is that it won’t stain. While there will always be a concern for it breaking, in our tests none broke from a simple drop from countertop height onto a vinyl floor. ![]() Glass is more effective at keeping food fresh, as long as it has a tight-fitting lid, as absolutely nothing can pass through it. You can choose plastic or glass and both have their charms. What You Should Know About Food Storage Containers In the container designed only for dry food storage and that’s not dishwasher safe, we tested for the retention of fish oil odors, the tightness of the seal, the ability to keep chips fresh, and the breakability.Īs we worked, we considered how easy it was to open and close the lids, how easy it is to clean and store the containers, and the overall quality and experience of using them. We dropped water-filled containers from countertop height to see if they leaked, opened, or broke. Then we cleaned them in the dishwasher for a week to see if stains came out and if the dishwasher affected the ability of the lid to be closed tightly. ![]() To check for staining and pitting, we microwaved tomato sauce in them, then washed each one by hand. By sealing a piece of paper in them and submerging them in water, we determined if they had a tight seal.Īfter filling them with potato chips, we stored them in a warm steamy room then tasted them to find out if they kept the chips crisp and fresh tasting. After washing containers in which we stored fish oil, first by hand and then in the dishwasher, we sniffed to see if they retained a fishy smell. We checked to see if tomato sauce leaked out and if fish oil odors seeped through. In all (but the one that’s designed only for dry food and handwashing) we tested the storage containers’ insulation properties by timing how long they took to defrost ice water and kept tomato sauce warm. My earliest food storage memory is of using a plate to cover a bowl of leftovers in the Frigidaire. But I’ve been storing food my whole life. Before that, I worked in New York City restaurants for seven years. Hi, I'm Sharon Franke, and I’ve been reviewing kitchen equipment for more than 30 years. How We Tested Food Storage Containers The Tester To help you spend wisely, we chose 12 highly-rated lines of containers in a variety of sizes and used each one to freeze, defrost, and microwave oven, and store potato chips and fish oil. And if you’re looking for a very affordable container to pick up at the supermarket and use for lunches and potlucks, we recommend Glad Food Containers ( available on Amazon). If you prefer the lightweight and break the resistance of plastic, Rubbermaid Easy Find Lids ( available on Amazon) is our top choice. , will keep your food fresh and even look good in the process. And, if you invest in a big matching set, you may spend as much as you would on an electric appliance, making it not such a minor purchase.Īfter months of testing, we found that glass container set Pyrex Ultimate Ideally, good containers will extend shelf life by keeping food fresh without leaks, odors, or stains, without breaking. Or use it to store leftover salmon and your whole fridge smells fishy.įill it with the best potato chips and when you go to munch on them, they’re soggy. ![]() Stash one that isn't leak proof in your tote bag and salad dressing leaks into all the wrong places. While food storage containers are a relatively small item, if you buy the wrong one you can wind up with a big problem with keeping your food supply stay fresh.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |