How To Pick Food Storage Containers

Estimated reading time: 11 minutes

Save money and reduce food waste with the proper food storage containers. Discover the best containers for leftovers and meal prep.

Importance Of Food Storage

Food storage is essential for consumers, especially regarding cost, quality, and the environment.

Cooking recipes are always hit or miss regarding portion sizes and the mouths you have to feed.

For this reason, you either make too little or too much food.

This results in leftovers that must be put in food storage containers for lunches or dinner the next day.

Related: Food Waste In Canada

Some people batch cook to purposely freeze dishes for lazy or busy cooking nights.

The dilemma for many home cooks is finding food storage containers that meet their needs.

If we had money to spend, we’d buy the best of everything, but the reality is that we don’t.

This means we often go without the top brands, even for simple things like food storage.

Food storage containers, particularly plastic containers, have long since been a subject of debate about BPA, and some consumers no longer wish to use anything plastic at all.

Often, people get nervous about new scientific facts and think that everything will harm us if we don’t make changes.

Unfortunately, as I mentioned, not everyone can afford options that might be best for them, according to studies.

What’s best for them is using what they have on hand or what their budget allows for.

Understanding BPA

What is BPA?

Bisphenol A (BPA) is an industrial chemical used to make a hard, clear plastic known as polycarbonate.

BPA is also used in the manufacture of epoxy resins which act as a protective lining on the inside of some metal-based food and beverage cans.

BPA can be found in some older types of polycarbonate baby bottles as well as in many other consumer products, including reusable polycarbonate water bottles, pitchers, water carboys, tableware, and food storage containers.

Source: Health Canada

Is BPA Safe?

Most Canadians are exposed to very low levels of BPA that do not pose a health risk to the general population.

\In fact, our exposure levels are actually lower than previously estimated.

Source Health Canada

Media Evolution For Products

Back then, we just worked, ate, and lived without much worry about many health alerts via social media that didn’t exist.

Fast-forward, everyone has a story for every product, whether good or bad for you.

The Wellness Mama has an excellent article for those who want to learn How to store food without using Plastic if this is your chosen route.

She’s a fan of glass mason jars as we are in the CBB household, which we use to store our spices and sometimes broths and soups.

If you want to eliminate plastic containers and wraps from your kitchen, some favorite options are mason jars and glass food containers.

One of the best glass food containers we’ve had was Pyrex, although many brands are on the market.

It would be best to find what works for you and your lifestyle.

Popular Types of Food Storage Containers

• Tupperware containers
• Gladware containers
• Ziploc containers/bags
• Ice cream pails
• Margarine containers
• Pyrex / Anchor Hocking glass
• Mason jars
• Snapware containers
• BPA-free plastic, glass, and stainless steel storage containers

When we purchase food storage containers, we often look for a few things before we invest our money, but we’re not overly critical.

Sometimes, having a cheap set of food storage containers is best when traveling to a potluck or donating leftover food to family and friends.

This way, you don’t need to worry about bringing home the container.

On the other hand, if you plan to invest some money into food storage containers, find a set that meets your expectations and budget.

Not necessarily are the most expensive food storage containers going to be the best, but you pay when you get all fancy with lids and eco-friendly materials.

• Heat resistant
• Leak-proof
• Air-tight lid
• Stain-resistant
• Easy to clean
• Smell-proof
• Stain-proof (ideal)
• Longevity of product
• Oven-safe
• Dishwasher safe
• BPA Free

Best Shape Of Food Containers

We’re not huge fans of round storage containers because they take up too much room in the freezer and refrigerator.

Opting for see-thru containers that are square or rectangular makes for easy stacking and space reduction.

Add some measurements on the side, and I may contemplate purchasing.

At home, we enjoy Tupperware, although many people find it too expensive to purchase.

I agree, but they are excellent food storage containers stacked nicely in the refrigerator and pantry.

How To Wash Food Containers

If you don’t own a dishwasher like us, we hand-wash everything, ensuring that our plastic food containers, water bottles, water jugs, juice jugs, and glass storage containers are thoroughly cleaned.

You may think containers or bottles with just water inside wouldn’t produce bacteria, but it sure can, and lots of it.

Related: Clean your water bottle. The study finds bacteria in water storage containers.

Our son’s water bottles are always taken apart, soaked in vinegar, hot water, and soap, and cleaned after each use.

The same goes for everything else.

Using vinegar or a bit of bleach on your cleaning water is an option many people use to kill bacteria and prevent mold growth.

Organize your food storage containers.

Recently, Mrs. CBB and I went through our food storage containers, which conveniently owned ample cupboard space at the top and bottom of the kitchen.

Every time we opened the cupboard, an avalanche would happen.

Even though we would get frustrated with this, we’d pick everything up, chuck it back in, and hope the doors closed.

Many of you will admit that your food storage containers are short-term stacked until you get in to look for one, and organization is out the window.

When renting, Mrs. CBB and I used what our landlord had on hand for food storage containers: glass bowls and a mixture of various empty food containers.

This might include yogurt, margarine, and even mason jars.

Over time, we purchased plastic food containers from the Dollar Store, which worked perfectly fine but didn’t last long, stained easily, smelled awful, and sometimes warped when microwaved.

A Container Is A Container

Like everything, you get what you pay for; however, for most of us, simple containers work because they do what they need to, and that’s store food.

I know some people won’t use plastic unless it’s BPA, and that’s perfectly fine, but so far, I’ve survived.

In the UK, my mum used any container she could get her hands on, including margarine containers, glass jars, plastic tubs, and food tins.

Recently, when visiting her, we laughed about the cake tin she stores her famous cakes in after they cool. Why?

It’s the same cake tin she’s used for years and years; it’s vintage now.

There was no hype in our house about plastic; it was about survival and living day by day.

These days, there are so many people telling us what we can and can’t use for just about everything.

If you use something not approved (especially parents), you’ll hear about it from someone.

Do we care?

Not really, because we use what we can afford, and if that means waiting for a sale or thrift shopping, we’ll do it.

Purge Your Kitchen

Mrs. CBB and I tackled the food containers we had stuffed in our kitchen cupboard and filled a box full of what we no longer wanted.

We planned to transition to Tupperware exclusively with a mix of glassware winds.

A Pyrex set we bought for sale for $7.99 at Christmas from Canadian Tire years ago is still used with no issues.

Anchor Hocking also has an excellent line of glass storage containers that hold up to the test, as we’ve used their products.

The box of plastic food containers we removed was given to a mom in need in a Facebook group of which Mrs. CBB and I are part.

We also did the same with our glasses and dinnerware, as it took up too much space in our kitchen.

It felt so good to unload all that, and we’re happy that we’re left with the Tupperware food containers and the glass containers.

Tupperware In The 60’s

Although the Tupperware brand is costly, it has an excellent lifetime warranty and eliminates the need for disposable containers.

Whether you buy products brand new from a Tupperware salesperson or second-hand, they stand behind their product.

I didn’t know this until someone mentioned it on the CBB Facebook page during our nightly What’s For Dinner chat.

Believe it or not, my dad sold Tupperware in the UK when I was young.

Ask him anything about vintage Tupperware, and he’ll tell you.

We have quite a nice stash of vintage Tupperware food containers and newer ones, all purchased at garage sales and thrift stores.

The older Tupperware is not BPA-free as they transitioned back in 2010 to follow government regulations.

Tupperware follows the recommendations and guidelines of governmental regulatory agencies regarding materials that may be used in our high quality products.

The Company also acknowledges the attitudes of consumers regarding products containing BPA.

In its continuous search for the best materials for use in its products, Tupperware has found other materials with improved performance characteristics that have been approved by regulators to be BPA free to replace polycarbonate.

As of March 2010, items sold by Tupperware US & CA are BPA free.

Thrift Shopping Food Storage Containers

I found a brand-new Tupperware juice jug the other day for $1.50.

Try to buy that brand new, and you’ll be paying $24.50. 

The classic Tupperware pitcher will cost you $39.99, which is what we have at home, and you will pay $1 for it at a thrift store.

We also use inexpensive Ziploc freezer bags to store anything in the freezer, and Ziploc produce bags when needed to store dry food or prepared food.

We had a nice stash from our couponing years, although it’s dwindling as we keep passing them to our mother-in-law, who uses them after harvesting their garden.

Your Life, Your Choice

Is there a right or wrong way to buy food storage containers?

No, and ultimately, the choice is yours.

If you don’t fancy spending money, reuse your food containers, mason jars, ice cream pails, and coffee tins like Mrs. CBB’s grandmother did.

Take precautions when cleaning, labeling, and controlling food waste.

After all, she made it to 99 years old and was an avid baker and chef in her kitchen, using all sorts of food storage containers.

Discussion Questions: What are your favorite storage containers for leftover food or freezing?

CBB Facebook Fans Feedback 

Christine Weadick : I haven’t bought Tupperware in years as I used to use margarine containers and still have a very few around to give to hubby when he wants something to mix in.

I buy the Ziplock and Glad containers for the freezer and such here and really like that they have the amount it holds on the bottom so I can freeze things like stock in recipe size lots.

Mona Millena : Mostly Lock and lock or Rubbermaid containers in my kitchen. I have very few Tupperware around. They’re way too expensive for what I use them for.

Della Ferguson : We have Tupperware that I’ve bought at garage sales, from a Tupperware rep (at the market) and received from my mom’s supply.

We also have Rubbermaid, Ziploc and margarine containers, as well as others. I don’t have a favourite as they all work the same thing, ingredients or leftovers.

They’re used in the freezer, fridge or anywhere in between.

Susan Drouillard : I have some Tupperware containers that I use for cereal and pasta. Primarily I use glass lock containers for food storage, both in the fridge and freezer.

Jen Peacock :  We don’t discriminate in this house lol. We use Tupperware, glad ware, Ziploc, margarine containers, yogurt containers, baby food containers, whatever works.

Judy Finch Conte :  I only have about five Tupperware products but rarely use them because they are for specific foods.

Tupperware is too expensive so I use more Rubbermaid, Gladware, and margarine containers.

Pam Crabbe Wiebe : I don’t like plastic so I prefer to use Anchor glass storage containers but I do have Glad containers for school lunch items for my grandson.

Mary Campbell : I have some Tupperware that I bought 40 years ago for my hope chest. We use some Rubbermaid plastic as well. Like Colleen, I have ice cream pails for freezing.

Tammy Burke :  Tupperware is way too expensive for me. I typically buy Ziploc containers, they last me for quite a while and I like the different sizes you can get. I have bought the Dollarama ones and they are junk.

Jane Robb : I have some Tupperware from over 40 years ago that I can’t live without like my turkey container with the lift our liner tray, my pickle containers from maybe 15 – 20 years ago with the same type of handy lift out of the juice feature, and a few other pieces that I got from grandma and mom – but I don’t buy any as it is way to expensive for my frugal shopping habits.

Sharon E Pratt Voskamp : Only Tupperware brand in this house – I have Ziploc and glad ware for take away leftovers as i don’t trust anyone to give me back my Tupperware . I have experienced first hand the yucks of cheaper plastics and will have nothing but pure plastic in my house now, no toxins, no chemicals and they have a lifetime warranty so I never have to buy them again when they break

What A Girl Eats :  I’ve had my Tupperware since getting married (27 years ago). But I’m slowly replacing it with glass for health reasons.

Juanita Paul :  We have many types of containers ( Tupperware, lid lock, Ziploc, glad, anchor and some random stuff) and aren’t really picky.

Tina Voce : I have some Tupperware but mainly for sugar, flour, etc. For smaller items I have the Ziplock or Gladware varieties. But, then again, I use any container that I can recycle for items.

Pat Comeau Ciulka :  I have some Tupperware that my Mom gave me a long time ago but I generally try and store food in glass.

Christine Battrick McLean : I have all kinds, such as Tupperware, Ziploc and Glad. I find the Ziploc and Glad are better for the freezer/fridge and the Tupperware is good for the cupboard and fridge.

Colleen Kleinsteuber : We still have the old Tupperware but we also use Rubbermaid Glass ones with Red Plastic Lids…

Cynthia Sunshine Gardener : I use the containers that lunch meat comes in or I use Rubbermaid

Colleen Knudsen : Very little Tupperware as it is far too expensive. I use Ziploc containers, Betty Crocker containers, and the most cheap versatile of them all-margarine containers and ice cream pails. I re-use.

Sue Sullivan : I have some vintage Tupperware from decades ago back when women frequently had Tupperware parties at their homes.

Nowadays I usually store leftovers in glass or Corningware (also vintage). I freeze leftovers in Glad or Ziploc containers. They stack well in the freezer.

Beth Anne : My dad used to buy me Tupperware but these days I’m trying to decrease the use of plastic in my kitchen.

When I do need to use it (usually because I’ll be giving it away as a gift or because I don’t want to put a large glass container in my freezer), I buy Glad or Rubbermaid containers at the grocery store.

Pat Houselog Stiller :  I don’t have too many Tupperware storage containers left, I use mostly Rubbermaid now, as it is less expensive.

However, am getting tired of “losing” them, so if I know I will be sending a lot of leftovers with people I will save lidded plastic containers.

Faith Loewen : I use glass canning jars & glass Anchor with lids when possible.

Overall, what will be used depends on what storage containers meet your standards and budget.

Discussion: What type of food containers do you use and why?

Please leave me your comments below.

Thanks for reading,

Mr. CBB

August Grocery Game Challenge

• Ditch these 6 Genius Grocery Shopping Distractions GGC #1

Grocery Shop Results

Yearly grocery budget for two + 1 Toddler 2017: $3180 or $265/month (The above total does not include the stockpile budget of $300/year or $25/month.Points Overview (add any other sections you need to show us your savings)

• Total Grocery Budget for this Month: $265
• Total Grocery Budget with any carry-overs: $265
• Total Gift Cards used to date: $0
• Total Rewards Points redeemed this week: $0
• Total Rewards Points used to date: $0
• PC Points Plus Earned to date: 632,000
• Scanning Code of Practice (SCOP) to date $0
• Shoppers Optimum: Just under 850,000 Optimum points  (I will update this twice a year) $1500 worth of free stuff.

Coupon Apps (add any other apps you use to save money)

• Zweet to cash out: $18.25
• Checkout51 to cash out: $24.50

Our Grocery Shop This Week

Zehrs

• 2 x large eggs $1.97 $3.94
• Neilson Milk 2% $4.27
• 6 x Half and Half cream Sale $1.88 each  $11.28
• Organic Spinach tub $5.49-50% $2.75
• Eve Apples 3 $2.25
• Banana $1.27
• Broccoli $1.99 HUGE too
• 2 x seedless cucumbers $0.99 $1.98
• Romaine Lettuce $1.98
• Butcher Garlic Pork sausages $7.24, $6.84
• Pork Combo Pack $14.77-50% $7.39
• PC Basil Tomato Turkey Slices $11.98-50% $6.00
• + 1200 PC Plus points

Total Out-of-pocket $52.11

All totals below have already been tax factored into them.

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