My Glass Containers (that I adore)
A while back someone asked about the glass food storage containers that I use, so here's a little post devoted to them.
I used to use Rubbermaid plastic containers for my storage purposes, but those have their downsides. The plastic sometimes retains odors, it stains, and I don't feel very good about using it in the microwave (my husband sometimes heats his lunches in the microwave at work) due to leaching and melting problems.
I do still use some plastic containers (I haven't found a glass one big enough to hold my flour!), but I now have a very respectable collection of glass containers for storing most of my food. I can't say enough good things about them.
The glass is very easy to clean, it doesn't stain, it doesn't leach or melt in the microwave, and best of all, it's completely clear. Clear containers, in my opinion, make it much easier to keep track of what leftovers are in the fridge, which in turns helps me to avoid wasting food.
I use these containers for leftovers, of course, but I also use them for packing my husband's lunch. For that purpose, these small ones are really my favorite.
I put yogurt, pudding, crackers, nuts, fruit, veggies, and all sorts of other stuff in the small ones. This is a much better option than using a plastic bag, as it saves money and reduces our trash output.
For items that have more of a rectangular shape (or for M&Ms!), I have two of these.
Another nice thing about those containers is that once the lids are off, they look classy enough to be used as serving dishes. I like to use the round ones when I serve fajitas to company (I don't stress about having nice serving containers when it's just us here!). I can shred cheese and lettuce and chop tomatoes ahead of time, put the lids on, store them in the fridge, and then just take the tops off when it's time to serve dinner. The rectangular containers, though, are probably my favorite.
With all due respect to Rubbermaid, this just doesn't have quite the same effect.
Most of the containers that I have are made by Pyrex, although a few of them are from Anchor Hocking.
The lids on my Anchor Hocking containers are starting to split, though, so I can't really give them a hearty recommendation. I've had the Pyrex ones longer and not a single lid is splitting, so I'd stick with those.
I bought some of my containers as a set, which is a good way to start out.
However, the sets generally do not have enough of the really small containers for my liking, so I've purchased some of those individually.
They're a bit more expensive that way, but I'd rather pay slightly more per container and get only the number I need than to have a big set with more large bowls than I will use.
These are pricier than Rubbermaid, but given their advantages, both practically and aesthetically, I think this is a time where it's worth it to pay a little more.
I've been wanting a set of these for a really long time! I too am nervous about microwaving plastic containers and I loathe the way they retain food smells and stains, especially spaghetti sauce.....yuck! I'm trying to do away with as much plastic in the kitchen (and household) as possible so these are next on my list.
My issue with glass storage containers is staorage. The plastic ones do stack well compared to glass. Any suggestions? I already know my glass baking dishes are horrible for storing.
I have anchor Hocking 1 cup lid then bowl into 2 cup, lid then this into 4 cup etc. Then I can lid the 7 cup set second set on top of that. Takes up less than a square foot.
I live in CT. Where would I get glass containers?
I love my Pyrex containers also! I started with a small set, that I'm hoping to add to soon. I too am concerned about microwaving in plastic. I am trying to gradually replace my plastic containers with these.
Rob-I purchase mine at our local Meijer store (only in Ohio/Michigan, I believe), so you could probably purchase these at any Walmart, etc. I have also seen them at Kohl's and online at Amazon.
We use these too! Love 'em. We started using them so hubby could heat up leftovers in the microwave at work. For my freshly ground flour, I use a big glass pyrex bowl that comes with a lid.
I have a set of Pyrex baking dishes and mixing bowls with lids - purchased at Target, and a set of 4 small Pyrex bowls with lids that came from Walmart. I love having lidded baking dishes - it's really cut down on the amount of foil and plastic wrap we use.
I would love to do away with the plastic containers, but I worry about glass getting broken in a lunch.
I have been wanting to buy a set of these for a long time now, the initial cost is what gets me. But I guess have to remember that it will save me money in the long run.
I am with you, I love these!!!! I have a nice collection and keep adding every once in a while. I did have trouble with one of the lids in the microwave (I just put it on loosely just to cover it) and it warped. I sent it back to the manufacturer and they sent me four lids!!!
I love using these to freeze casseroles. I double my recipe and just freeze it. I thaw it, remove the cover, and bake as usual. Can't get enough of them.
We use plastic Ziploc containers that I HATE! They hold onto odors and sometimes stain...blehh. I'm dying for some lovely glass containers like you have.
Rob, you might check out Bed Bath and Beyond; they carry quite a large selection of glass storage containers.
Michelle H., have you looked into buying a tiffin? That's a stainless steel container with a locking lid and a handle. The design originated in India. To-Go Ware makes them, and apparently they've recently started carrying them at World Market.
Great post, Kristen. I loves me some glass containers. For storage I like Snap-Lock, but Pyrex are definitely more attractive! (There's always your good, old-fashioned Ball canning jar, too, for use in the pantry.)
I just bought a bunch of glass containers like these from the Container Store with a leftover gift card and a 25% off coupon that linked off of Oprah.com!
I've always used the glad ware/zip loc plastic containers that I buy lunch meat in, mainly because they are free and I like that I am reusing something that would otherwise go in the trash. They do get nasty after a while, but since they are free I don't really care about tossing them at that point. I have been considering adding some glass containers to the mix however, mainly for the microwaving issues already mentioned. Thanks for the review on the Pyrex, I think I will keep my eyes out for a good deal on these.
I keep my flours in a large, squarish glass jar with a metal twist lid bought at Target - use same thing for coffee, sugar, other staples. We've used the glass containers you've pictured for years & never broken a single one - even packing lunches to work!
I found something that I think might work as a glass container for flour: http://www.containerstore.com/browse/Product.jhtml;jsessionid=QKOYRKY12HVNPQFIAIMCM44AVABBSJVC?searchId=21436825&itemIndex=4&CATID=74062&PRODID=62633.
Unfortunately, being from the Container Store, it's not cheap. I love the place and it's my go-to store for storage and organization but you do pay for the convenience, selection, easy returns (however many items, with or without recipt, for any reason) and good help. Also on the plus side, going there not only gets me what I want and saves me time, it supports a company that treats its employees really well. An anti-Walmart in so many ways.
I've seen similar large glass jars at used goods stores and actually have one of my own. Pity we don't live near each other, I'd give you mine. All it does is decorate my kitchen and collect dust.
For food storage I use TellFresh, again from the C/r/a/c/k/Container Store. I like that it's rectangular which is efficient; that the lids aren't larger than the boxes which is also efficient; that they're machine washable; that the stack well, when both full and empty; that they don't break, don't hold odor and only tomato sauce stains them. If the stain bothers me I soak in a dilute bleach solution. Greasing a plastic container will prevent tomato stains but I always forget to do that.
For rice and oatmeal I use this: http://www.containerstore.com/browse/Product.jhtml;jsessionid=QKOYRKY12HVNPQFIAIMCM44AVABBSJVC?searchId=21436850&itemIndex=3&CATID=74063&PRODID=60185. For flour, sugar, cornstarch, I use Rubbermaid (no longer produced) or TellFresh in large size or a container from a nested set of 7 that I bought, lo these many years ago. Exactly which I use depends on the cabinet configuration of whatever kitchen I have at the time. It takes work to figure out how to store 3 types of flour, 5 types of rice, etc., etc., etc., in one kitchen!
Which reminds me, I need peruse the Container Store site to see if they have something airtight that will hold 25 lbs of rice...
I found something that I think might work as a glass container for flour: http://www.containerstore.com/browse/Product.jhtml;jsessionid=QKOYRKY12HVNPQFIAIMCM44AVABBSJVC?searchId=21436825&itemIndex=4&CATID=74062&PRODID=62633.
Unfortunately, being from the Container Store, it's not cheap. I love the place and it's my go-to store for storage and organization but you do pay for the convenience, selection, easy returns (however many items, with or without recipt, for any reason) and good help. Also on the plus side, going there not only gets me what I want and saves me time, it supports a company that treats its employees really well. An anti-Walmart in so many ways.
I've seen similar large glass jars at used goods stores and actually have one of my own. Pity we don't live near each other, I'd give you mine. All it does is decorate my kitchen and collect dust.
For food storage I use TellFresh, again from the C/r/a/c/k/Container Store. I like that it's rectangular which is efficient; that the lids aren't larger than the boxes which is also efficient; that they're machine washable; that the stack well, when both full and empty; that they don't break, don't hold odor and only tomato sauce stains them. If the stain bothers me I soak in a dilute bleach solution. Greasing a plastic container will prevent tomato stains but I always forget to do that.
For rice and oatmeal I use this: http://www.containerstore.com/browse/Product.jhtml;jsessionid=QKOYRKY12HVNPQFIAIMCM44AVABBSJVC?searchId=21436850&itemIndex=3&CATID=74063&PRODID=60185. For flour, sugar, cornstarch, I use Rubbermaid (no longer produced) or TellFresh in large size or a container from a nested set of 7 that I bought, lo these many years ago.
Which reminds me, I need peruse the Container Store site to see if they have something airtight that will hold 25 lbs of rice...
I use these same rectangular Pyrex containers and I really like them. I bought mine at Target (recently I got some on a temporary price reduction) and keep going back for more. What I like about the Pyrex products is that they nest really well inside one another, so the storage space for a good set of glass containers/lids is minimal. Here is a link to one of the sets that I bought multiples of: http://www.target.com/Pyrex-6-pc-Storage-Value-Pack/dp/B000MW3AK8/sr=1-10/qid=1247628974/ref=sr_1_10/182-3266408-2520703?ie=UTF8&search-alias=tgt-index&frombrowse=0&index=target&rh=k%3Apyrex&page=1
Costco also has a set of the Pyrex for sale there too.
I have a bunch of the Pyrex containers, they are the best and I've never had any trouble with them or lids splitting etc. I got mine at Amazon.com (HQ here in Seattle) so I wouldn't have to deal with driving around looking. I have a few plastic ones left over from IKEA, but I would NEVER put them in the microwave, even though it says you can. I trust IKEA (held to better European standards) more than Rubbermaid, but still I don't believe any plastic should be microwaved. My son has a set from IKEA (that cost about $4.99 for tons of them) which he uses in science projects (mixing up mystery potions from my spice drawer!), turns into blocks, and stores stuff in.
Although I try to limit what I spend at Walmart, they have the best deal on these in my area. Love them! My kids are old enough now that I feel safe using glass around them. My husband refuses to take his lunch to work in them, for safety reasons. I use tupperware for him. I don't have any trouble with these containers getting cloudy, but my drinking glasses do. I put vinegar in my dishwasher, but it doesn't help much. If I soak my glasses in vinegar and water, they clear up, but that is time consuming. Any ideas?
I switched to glass storage over the past 5 years. I prefer the square or rectangular for the freezer as they use space more efficiently. For flour, coffee, sugar, etc. I reuse the #10 cans from my dehydrated/freeze dried food storage items. I keep these in the pantry so appearance doesn't count.
Also, I frequently find Pyrex refrigerator sets, I think from the 60's, at yard sales. The glass lids simply set on top, but for refrigerator storage and serving they are terrific.
Hey Kristin for the life of me I cannot remember where you live, but our local Publix had Pyrex glass containers on sale 50% off which I thought was a great deal. You might be able to check your local grocery store in case a line of them are being discontinued if you need more of them to replace your Anchor ones. Thanks for all your informative posts! I really enjoy reading them.
I LOVE my Pyrex containers, The only thing I use plastic containers for right now is things I make and put in the freezer. Mine are about 7 years old and have no signs of aging!
Kristen,
I adore my glass storage containers for all the reasons you mentioned.
Here's a piece I wrote awhile back as a "Love Letter to Pyrex:"
http://thenonconsumeradvocate.wordpress.com/2009/03/05/a-love-letter-to-pyrex/
Katy Wolk-Stanley
"Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without."
P.S. Leftover M&M's?! Are you from Mars?
I have quite a collection of the smallish rectangular (quart size?) glass casserole dishes that I've had since the '60s, plus the nice lids to go with them. I really don't need to buy glass containers anymore -- I use what I buy food in. "Better than Bouillon" jars are great for keeping smaller quantities in, in the refrigerator or on the shelves, and quart-size plastic lids (from mayonnaise jars) fit them perfectly -- you could keep the metal lids if you'd prefer, but they do rust eventually. Jelly/jam jars are a good size for liquids in the refrigerator. Or things in the cupboard as well. I keep a lot of the jars I get because I never know what I'll need them for, and all the plastic lids that come my way, too. Some vitamins (used to) come in dark brown glass bottles, and those are quite handy. Half-gallon size Kerr canning jars are great for making iced tea in, but aren't easy to handle, so not for kids. And Ball makes plastic lids to fit canning jars, for storage. I use my glass gallon mayonnaise jars (and I found plastic lids to fit years ago) for flour and what-not. They are wonderful! I think the gallon mayonnaise jars are plastic now, unfortunately. Keep your eyes open -- there's a lot to be found in yard sales (when grandma dies or goes into a nursing home the kids sell her stuff) or in Goodwill stores and the like. Yeah, glass is great -- but plastic does have its place as well. 😀
I love my Pyrex storage containers! My hubby thinks I am crazy for buying them, but he doesn't understand that they are a one time purchase as opposed to many purchases of Rubbermaid. I use them for everything, and buy everyone I see at garage sales and goodwill.
I agree with you on the evaluation of anchor hocking lids splitting and pyrex holding strong. Replacement lids cost is just too high. Keeping with Pyrex from now on, but looking for solution to the broken anchor hocking lids. Pyrex lids do not fit AH lids...
I am doing exactly as you are doing. FYI I found large cracker jars with screw on lids to store my excess flour and sugar. available at Walmart, The container store etc.
Good information--I have both Pyrex and Anchor Hocking--yes, the Pyrex lids are somewhat better, but I do have one that is splitting.