Table of Contents
How We Examined
We researched top-rated glass meals storage containers in quite a lot of sizes and shapes and despatched them house to our testers to evaluate. They saved leftovers of all types, utilizing them within the fridge, freezer, microwave, and oven. They examined out their portability. In addition they cleaned them in accordance with the producer’s directions, evaluated whether or not there have been any remaining odors after washing, and assessed their sturdiness.
Different Choices We Examined
- Flrolove Glass Kitchen Storage Canister Mason Jars with Lids: There’s loads to like about these 32-ounce glass containers. They’re nice for pantry storage because the lids clamp on tight and seal fully to maintain pests and dirt out, the lids open broad for pouring pasta or snacks, and the broad opening permits a small scoop or measuring cup to suit inside. This set additionally contains chalkboard labels and a chalk marker to attractively label the containers so everybody is aware of what each holds. It’s value noting, although: Checks revealed some high quality considerations. The labels got here crinkled, so solely 4 out of eight have been usable. Moreover, two of the glass containers got here chipped and needed to be recycled earlier than they might ever be used. They’re additionally not nice for toting since they’re comparatively heavy, and the seal isn’t tight sufficient to comprise tipped liquids. For these causes, we left this set off our roundup.
What to Search for in Glass Storage Containers
Goal
You might suppose glass storage is only for use within the house or for storing leftovers, however there are all kinds of choices, together with lighter-weight glass containers designed for taking lunch on the go. Alternatively, heavier glass containers are sometimes handled to face up to excessive and low temperatures with out breaking; these are a lifesaver for baking and freezing. However for those who merely need glass containers to retailer dry items at room temperature, you’ll be able to go along with a lighter-weight, untreated glass. The sorts of storage you wish to do will even affect what sort of lid or seal the container has. Many glass containers have a plastic or silicone lid, which may supply a decent seal that protects leftovers or dry items.
Lid Kind
Most glass containers characteristic some sort of silicone or plastic lid. Snap-on lids defend from spills and are good for journey or storing liquid. If you wish to go fully plastic-free, you’ll have to search for silicone lids or glass covers. Whereas glass is usually microwave secure, not all of the lids offered with glass containers are—if you wish to microwave lined meals, you should definitely verify on the microwave specs of the whole set if you store.
Capability
Glass containers vary from huge (like to your lasagna) to itty-bitty (child meals). Most containers will listing their capability in cups or ounces, although you may also sometimes discover dimensions listed in inches. If you’d like an all-purpose set for leftovers, search for units that comprise quite a lot of sizes so you’ll be able to retailer leftover veggies as simply as final evening’s pot roast.
For dry items, larger isn’t all the time higher. Take into account the shelf lifetime of what you’re storing. Spices can lose their taste when saved too lengthy, for instance, and a few flours can go unhealthy in a number of months. If you’re shopping for in bulk and storing meals, take into account your personal utilization and purchase containers accordingly.
Security
As beforehand said, sure glass, like tempered and borosilicate, are particularly designed to be heated or frozen with out shattering. Whereas untreated glass can sometimes be frozen, you’ll have to fastidiously thaw it at room temperature earlier than transferring it to an oven or microwave. Untreated glass can be unsafe to place within the oven. Handled glass, nonetheless, is oven secure with limits: often round 425 levels Fahrenheit.
Amount
You should buy containers in units in addition to piecemeal. Units sometimes supply some worth and will let you construct up your kitchen rapidly. However you may also purchase particular person items for those who primarily need them for packing lunch, for instance. Units additionally usually supply the benefit of being simpler to retailer collectively in the event that they’re designed to nest. Moderately than shopping for issues separately from totally different manufacturers, you’ll be able to usually extra simply stack and retailer containers from the identical model or assortment.
Forms of Glass Storage Containers
Untreated Glass
The most affordable glass to supply is probably going throughout you: Untreated soda-lime glass is used to make jars, bottles, and cups. In case your glass container doesn’t say it’s tempered or strengthened, it’s in all probability untreated or simply common previous glass. However that isn’t essentially a foul factor; for storing meals within the fridge or at room temperature, soda-lime glass is okay. It’s if you freeze or warmth the glass that you really want an alternative choice.
Tempered Glass
Soda-lime glass could be tempered or heated in such a method that it will probably stand up to a wider vary of temperatures. This tempering course of additionally implies that the glass is much less more likely to shatter. And, when tempered glass breaks, it tends to fracture into small, innocent items, not the large, jagged items of untreated glass. Tempered glass isn’t just utilized in meals; automotive home windows, bathe doorways, and microwave oven doorways are created from this materials.
Borosilicate Glass
Borosilicate comprises boric oxide, which makes it much more proof against thermal shock than tempered glass, nevertheless it’s additionally costlier to supply. For those who’re not able to shell out for borosilicate, don’t fear: It often takes an excessive temperature change, like placing a frozen casserole straight within the oven, for tempered glass to shatter.
Manufacturers/Producers
Pyrex
Pyrex containers have been among the first to be made out of borosilicate glass. At the moment, nonetheless, Pyrex is made out of tempered glass. Whereas some die-hards scour the web for classic Pyrex created from borosilicate, most house cooks hardly discover the distinction and warmth and freeze their meals in Pyrex with no drawback.
OXO
If you’re dedicated to going the borosilicate route, take a look at OXO. Its glass containers, from rooster casseroles all the way down to child meals, are created from sturdy glass.
Anchor Hocking
Like Pyrex, Anchor Hocking has been a mainstay in American kitchens for over a century. Along with promoting tempered glass containers and bakeware, Anchor Hocking additionally sells glassware, bowls, and different kitchen items.
Upkeep
If handled with care, glass can final and final. glass meals container needs to be dishwasher secure. If it’s good to actually scrub, a scrubby sponge, in addition to metal wool pads, are completely high-quality. The trickier half could also be cleansing the lids. Plastic lids usually tend to warp in a sizzling dishwasher, so you should definitely verify cleansing directions earlier than shopping for. Particles may construct up in crevices of snap-on lids, so you should definitely spend a while scrubbing there for those who wash by hand.
FAQs
Can glass meals storage containers go within the oven and freezer?
This all is determined by the kind of glass and the time allowed for temperature change. Excessive-quality borosilicate glass is the gold commonplace in heating and cooling stability however is tough to search out besides in classic items and some of our picks on this listing. That kind of glass can stand up to excessive adjustments in temperature.
The extra widespread tempered glass may deal with chilly freezers and sizzling ovens, however some care have to be taken. You wish to keep away from temperature shock to forestall shattering. When tempered glass is heated or cooled quickly, the glass expands and contracts, which causes stress on the container. The perfect method is to verify your container is room temperature earlier than hitting the freezer or oven. This may trigger much less stress on the glass and preserve your container intact.
Typically, glass meals storage containers can stand up to ovens as much as 425 levels, however all the time verify the product’s security handbook or with the producer earlier than continuing. These fantastic lids that assist preserve all the things recent, although, are usually not oven secure.
Are glass meals storage containers higher than plastic?
This actually comes all the way down to a private resolution. Glass is oven secure and heavy-duty however prone to breaking. Plastic is gentle and simple to retailer however stains and might degrade over time with microwave use. Plastics finally attain the tip of their shelf life and have to be changed, however they’re lighter and simpler to move. With care, glass can be utilized for years with out substitute, which implies much less rubbish in our landfills.
Why Belief The Spruce Eats?
This roundup was initially written by cookbook creator Donna Currie, a author and product tester for The Spruce Eats. She’s additionally an skilled on all issues to do with kitchen storage and meal prep options. Check out her different roundups on this matter, that embrace high meal prep containers, avocado storage options, and one of the best bento containers.
This text was up to date by Carrie Honaker, who at present resides in Panama Metropolis Seaside, Florida, the place she writes concerning the subsequent crave-worthy baked good, the right use for a baking stone, and the little-known Florida wine scene. The accompanying shopping for information was written by Marshall Brilliant.
This text was additional up to date by Brigitt Earley, a author and editor with greater than 10 years of expertise testing merchandise for editorial inclusion. She examined six totally different units for this listing. Brigitt additionally holds a level in culinary arts plus cooks a number of meals for her household of six daily of the week.
