Food Containers

Updated on February 14, 2011
M.K. asks from Columbus, OH
20 answers

This may sound like a stupid question but here goes... what are the best containers for left over food? I've used several different types and after they've been run thru the dishwasher a few times the lids don't seem to fit. Are there some out there that can be used to store the food and re-heat it while being safe AND then be run thru the dishwasher and the lids still fit afterward? Thanks for any answers!!

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So What Happened?

Thanks everyone for all the wonderful suggestions. I think I will look into getting a set of Pyrex. I'm assuming even though they may have plastic lids, they're safe.

Featured Answers

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M.H.

answers from Atlanta on

Hi Marcia,

I avoid plastics and have gone to glass. I don't have to worry about the plastics breaking down in the food. I found some Anchor Hocking/Made in US glass... microwave, oven, fridge to freezer bowls with plastic lids. Found this particular set at Big Lots for $20.00. I wash the lids by hand so theirs no danger of misshaping.....

They also look good enough that I can serve food in so I don't have as much to wash.....

M.

3 moms found this helpful
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J.S.

answers from Macon on

Tupperware those last forever and you can actually put them in the dishwasher without the bending and all..They are a bit much but if you use them daily its well worth it.For other things that you want to freeze i heard the food saver machine is awesome ,i do not own one that just what friends have said.

2 moms found this helpful

More Answers

T.C.

answers from Austin on

I like a lot of the glass Pyrex bowls and containers. The ones with the vented lids seem to last OK. The lids for the plain bowls seem to wear out faster, so I go to the outlet mall and buy new lids when the old ones crack. I'll also use a plate to cover the dish in the microwave sometimes instead of the plastic lids.

2 moms found this helpful
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A.T.

answers from Kansas City on

Maybe not the answer you were looking for, but I use ceramic and foil or those shower-cap-looking plastic covers you can get at the dollar store and re-use over and over. I buy small ceramic dishes from goodwill, jcpenny outlet, or the Chinese grocery. They're inexpensive and attractive. And there is no staining or losing them to worry about. I'm increasingly concerned that heating food in plastic (even if BPA-free) just doesn't make any sense for my family... I would hate 10 years from now to hear there's yet another BPA-like chemical that was leaching out of other types of plastic this whole time. Just my two cents.

2 moms found this helpful

K.B.

answers from Milwaukee on

I like the glad and zip-lock plastic containers that are microwavable. They are also the perfect square size to fit in hubby's lunch box. After two or three years we do recycle them and get new ones because of the food stains, break, or do not close tightly any more.

Tupperware is also very good, and so far are lasting longer, but have not been to a party in years to reorder more... it seems that those ones tend to walk off because others love them too!!!

We use to use the Pyrex bowls but they did not work well in hubby's lunch box, heavier and just do not fit in as nicely. I still have them but only use them for things I know my husband will not want to take to work for lunch.

2 moms found this helpful
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N.K.

answers from Madison on

We use glass Pyrex containers with plastic "no-leak" lids.

2 moms found this helpful
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E.W.

answers from Cleveland on

I refuse to use plastic anymore. Pyrex makes great glass containers in different sizes with plastic lids. I love them unfortunately my dog loves the lids. The smaller sizes my husband takes to work.

1 mom found this helpful
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S.D.

answers from Indianapolis on

Glass, like Pyrex. No chemicals to leach into your food like from plastic, you can reheat in them safely and without ruining them. They cost more but they are safer and will last longer.

1 mom found this helpful
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R.D.

answers from Kansas City on

Glass (Pyrex) or stoneware (pottery) but use a napkin or wax paper to cover, not plastic.

1 mom found this helpful
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A.C.

answers from Columbus on

We opted to get more expensive, but longer lasting Pyrex with lids--and you can order new lids if the old ones get "stretched out." We do also have some of the cheapo plastic ones, too, though.

1 mom found this helpful

S.L.

answers from New York on

I love the Spin and Store containers

1 mom found this helpful
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K.N.

answers from Cleveland on

i use pyrex as well. Love them, and my dishwasher always seemed to do nasty things to the plastic ones. Also love being able to cook things like lasagna in the same pan that then goes into the fridge with the leftovers, and then into the microwave the next day.

1 mom found this helpful
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T.F.

answers from San Francisco on

I use the pyrex as much as possible to. I hand wash the plastic lids and don't microwave the and they seem to have lasted for us. I do use some rubbermaid but my problem is how to organize all that stuff. We even have the rubbermaid containers that have lids that lock and stack. Still always looking for lids so I only use these if I'm transporting. I try to handwash the rubbermaid but often they still feel oily so I'll run them through the dishwasher.

1 mom found this helpful
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J.K.

answers from Gainesville on

Yeah, I've had the same problem. The short answer is: not if they are thin plastic. Heat expands, so the lids are looser or deformed after a few cycles. Also, most of the thin ones I wouldn't trust in a microwave. Not repeatedly anyway, and not for more than a minute or two.
So, your choices are: get the cheap really thin ones and hand wash them.
Or, spring for the heavy duty ones. The thick plastic ones where the lids don't bend much and you get a good seal. Or the glass containers with a plastic lid.
You can probably still get away with just handwashing the lids and running the containers themselves through the dishwasher.

1 mom found this helpful

C.H.

answers from Denver on

We have used Snapwear for over 5 years and very happy with its durability. I know that Costco sells it & I think Target may carry it as well.

1 mom found this helpful
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R.K.

answers from Dayton on

Glass is good. BPA free is good.

1 mom found this helpful
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K.T.

answers from Columbus on

Tupperware! There are products that are safe for using in the fridge, freezer, microwave and dishwasher. They are called Vent N Serve and I swear by them! Tupperware's products are backed by a lifetime warranty against chips, cracks, breaks and peels ... so while they may seem more expensive than what you're used to buying, you'll have them forever. www.my.tupperware.com/KJThomas

1 mom found this helpful
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L.D.

answers from Las Vegas on

I use the pyrex glass containers. Since they are not plastic, they are safe to use and they don't breakdown when washing them in the dishwasher or reheating your food in the microwave. Pretty much indestructible and safe for you and the family.

1 mom found this helpful
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S.H.

answers from Huntsville on

Pyrex. No plastic! They wash clean very easily.

1 mom found this helpful
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R.S.

answers from Terre Haute on

My friend uses glass jars and I have been lately and love them why didnt I think of that ?

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