Best Plastic Containers
Looking for some new plastic containers to hold your lunch or other food items? There are many different varieties available, in lots of different shapes, sizes, styles, and colors. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular brands out there today:
EasyLunchboxes – Bento Lunch Boxes
These three-compartment Bento lunch box containers come in a set of four. They make the job of preparing food for your little one that much easier. And yet they are big enough to bring a full size lunch to work.
Each container has a main storage compartment large enough for a sandwich, and two smaller spots for sides. Having three compartments makes it easy to pack a balanced meal.
These boxes are stackable, portable, reusable, and affordable. They are safe to use in the microwave and store in the freezer.
The brightly colored lids fit snugly but are not air tight or leak proof. The lids securely seal each compartment separately so your food will not mix. They are easy for little fingers to open and close tightly.
Each container is made of BPA-free plastic. They are sturdy, long lasting, and easy to clean. Simply pop them in the dishwasher.
One drawback is the lids can warp over time if you put them in the dishwasher. Also, the tab on the lids tends to break off easily.
Pros
- Set of four BPA-free plastic Bento-style lunchboxes
- Each box has a main compartment and two smaller side compartments
- Stackable, portable, reusable, sturdy, long lasting, and affordable
- Safe to use in microwave, freezer, and dishwasher
- Brightly colored lids keep each compartment separate
- Lids fit snugly but are easy to open and close
Cons
- Lids are not air tight or leak proof
- Lids can warp over time if put in dishwasher
- Tab on lids tends to break off easily
Evolutionize Meal Prep Containers
This is a pack of seven single compartment containers. They are a convenient way to pack your lunch with healthy leftovers for work or school. Simply store any leftovers in the freezer until you need them.
Each container holds about 28 ounces of food. They have attractive black plastic lids to hold everything inside. The lids are air tight and leak resistant.
They are food safe and environmentally sustainable.
The containers are stackable and look very organized placed on top of one another in the fridge.
They have a shallow profile so you can stack more containers. Although they look like takeout containers, they are more durable.
They are BPA-free and safe to use in the microwave. These containers are not made with BPS, phthalates, or toxic additives.
They are freezer safe to 0 degrees Fahrenheit and can tolerate temperatures up to 212 degrees Fahrenheit (the temperature of boiling water). Make sure to remove the lid before putting these containers in the microwave to avoid warping and damage to the lids.
They are reusable, washable, and safe in the dishwasher on the top rack.
The container package comes with a meal prepping ebook filled with tips and recipes.
One drawback is, if you have sauces or other items you want to keep separately in the container, this will not work and it will be better to look for a Bento box style.
Pros
- Pack of seven single compartment plastic containers
- Attractive black plastic lids are air tight and leak resistant
- BPA-free and made without BPS, phthalates, or toxic additives
- Food safe and environmentally sustainable
- Tolerates temperatures from 0 to 212 degrees Fahrenheit
- Freezer, microwave, and dishwasher safe
Cons
- Only one compartment so you cannot separate items
Freshware Food Storage Containers
This is a set of 36 plastic food storage containers. These deli-style containers are a great value. They are affordable yet well made. They can hold everything from soups, spaghetti with sauce, chicken and gravy, all sorts of items. And they hold up well over time.
Each container holds 16 ounces of food which is a good size if you are controlling your meal portions. There are other sizes available.
They all have matching lids. The lids are leak proof and air tight. You can feel assured these containers won’t cause a mess.
They are safe in the freezer, microwave, and dishwasher.
These containers are made of high quality, BPA-free, food grade plastic, and they are durable and non-toxic.
One drawback is they are prone to cracking if dropped and the lids may split over time.
Pros
- Set of 36 plastic deli-style food storage containers
- Made of high quality, BPA-free, food grade plastic
- Durable and non-toxic
- Each container holds 16 ounces
- Matching lids are leak proof and air tight
- Safe in freezer, microwave, and dishwasher
Cons
- Prone to cracking if dropped
- Lids may split over time
Popit! Clear Food Storage Containers Set
This is a set of eight food storage containers with lids. They come in different sizes and stack inside each other when not in use. They will make your cupboards look organized and are a major space saver!
The lids make an air tight seal. They have a hollow silicone seal system to prevent leakage, and thus they are 100% leak proof. You can carry liquids in these containers with confidence.
The different sizes in this pack hold three, six, nine, 15, 19, 28, 37, and 47 ounces.
The containers are made of polypropylene that is free of chemicals, BPA, and toxins. They are safe to use in the microwave (up to 250 degrees Fahrenheit), freezer, and dishwasher. Remember to remove the lid when heating in the microwave to avoid pressure build up.
Pros
- Set of eight food storage containers with lids
- Different sizes hold three, six, nine, 15, 19, 28, 37, and 47 ounces
- They stack inside each other when not in use
- Made of polypropylene that is free of chemicals, BPA, and toxins
- Lids have a hollow silicone seal system to prevent leakage
- Safe for microwave, freezer, and dishwasher
Cons
- None mentioned by users
Progressive International Prepworks Collapsible Prep and Storage Bowls
This is a set of three collapsible plastic storage bowls with lids. They collapse down to a third of their full height. They are great for small spaces, especially in RVs and trailers. They great on the road too as they have non-skid bottoms so they won’t slide around on your counter.
They are bright and colorful, and come in teal, green, and red. The three sizes hold 1.5, 3, and 5 cups.
Even though they are collapsible, they are still very sturdy. They will not squish down if you are trying to put on the lid, like other models might. They hold up well.
They are safe in the microwave, freezer, and dishwasher. They are made of heat resistant, non-toxic material.
The snap on lids are leak resistant. They create an air tight vacuum seal to keep your food fresh for a long time.
Pros
- Set of three collapsible plastic storage bowls of different sizes
- They collapse down to a third of their full height
- Non-skid bottoms
- Safe in the microwave, freezer, and dishwasher
- Made of heat resistant, non-toxic material
- Snap on lids are leak resistant and air tight
Cons
- None mentioned by users
Rubbermaid Easy Find Vented Lids Food Storage Containers
This is a set of 21 food storage containers with vented lids. They come in different shapes and sizes, and stack inside one another. The containers insulate well, keeping hot food hot and cold food cold. They are spill proof, durable, and long lasting.
They are made of BPA-free plastic and they have thick container walls for everyday use.
The lids make an effective seal, and they have steam vents which allow food to cool in the fridge or microwave. The vents also prevent splattering in the microwave. When not in use, the lids snap to the bottom of the containers, which makes storage very convenient.
They are safe in the freezer, microwave, and dishwasher.
Pros
- Set of 21 food storage containers with vented lids
- Vents prevent splattering in the microwave and allow food to cool
- Containers come in different shapes and sizes, and stack inside one another
- Spill proof, durable, and long lasting
- Made of BPA-free plastic
- Safe in freezer, microwave, and dishwasher
Cons
- None mentioned by users
Choosing the best plastic containers
There are so many varieties to choose from with plastic containers, it’s hard to know what to look for. Here are a few things to keep in mind.
Shape
Consider the types of food you want to store. You might need tall containers to store spaghetti, and square, shallow containers for sandwiches. You might want a set of all the same shape and size, or a set of different sizes.
Square and rectangular containers waste less space when stored, while round containers work best if you are storing soup. Round containers allow you to mix the contents more easily and they are great to use as a soup bowl.
Color
Do you want to be able to see what’s in your containers from afar? Then choose a see-through brand. However, if you are into color coding your containers, solid colors might work best and look more organized.
Lids
Some sets have interchangeable lids, which can come in handy. Others have lids that clip to the bottom, which makes stacking easier.
Try to choose containers with lids that are air tight. This can help maintain freshness in your food. It can prevent transfer of odor and cross contamination from your foods. Many lids clip onto the containers on two or four sides. This can help with maintaining a leak proof seal, and the lids will not fall off if you drop the container. Keep in mind, If the lids have a seal or gasket, they may be tricky to clean.
If the lids are vented, this can help prevent pressure build up when you are heating your food in the microwave.
Temperature safety
Check if the containers are freezer and microwave safe. Some containers have the safe temperature range included in their packaging. However, even if the manufacturer says the container is safe up to boiling water temperature, it is probably not a good idea to actually boil water in these containers as this can cause the plastic to melt or warp.
If you are transferring your container directly from freezer to microwave, loosen the lid a bit to prevent pressure build up. If you are defrosting food in the microwave, do it using the defrost feature, rather than putting the microwave on full power.
BPA-free containers
Last but certainly not least, make sure whichever plastic containers you choose are free of BPA and other toxins.
By considering the various features of plastic containers such as shape, size, color, lids, and temperature safety, and comparing the different brands available on the market today, you are sure to find a set that matches your needs.
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