Whether you're taking lunch to the office, prepping meals in advance (meal prep), or simply storing leftovers, the right set of food storage containers can be a real game-changer. Say goodbye to leaky lids in your bag, food losing its freshness, and chaos in the fridge.
To help you make the right choice, we've broken down the essential criteria and selected the models that stand out from the crowd. From materials to practicality and design, follow our guide to organise your meals like a pro.
How to Choose the Right Food Storage Container Set??
Before you settle on a set, there are a few key points to consider. The goal? A smart, practical, and long-lasting purchase.
1. The Material?: A Crucial Choice
The choice of material is crucial: it determines the use, lifespan, and maintenance of your containers.
- Glass?: Glass is often praised for being non-reactive. It's hygienic and won't hold onto odours or stains. Borosilicate glass models, the most durable type, can go straight from the freezer to the oven (without the lid) and then to the microwave, offering unbeatable versatility. Their only downsides? They are heavier and more fragile.
- Stainless Steel?: Stainless steel is the ultimate on-the-go alternative. Lightweight, sturdy, and virtually unbreakable, it's perfect for transport. While hygienic and durable, its only real Achilles' heel is that it's not microwave-safe.
- Plastic?: The most lightweight and budget-friendly option, making it very common. The most important thing is to ensure it's certified BPA-free (Bisphenol A). Its light weight makes it a champion for the everyday lunch box or a child's snack box.
2. Airtight Seals and Everyday Practicality
To prevent disasters in your backpack, a leak-proof seal is non-negotiable. Opt for airtight containers with silicone gaskets and strong locking clips. Also, think about storage optimisation: stackable or nesting models (which fit inside one another) are a real bonus for freeing up space in your cupboards and fridge.
3. Versatility?: Compartments for Every Need
For well-organised lunches, a compartmentalised food container is the ideal solution. Directly inspired by the Japanese bento, it allows you to separate the different elements of your meal (main, side, dessert) so that flavours and textures don't mix. It's a perfect format for meal prep, which involves preparing your meals for the week in advance.
Recommended Food Container Sets
Here are a few options that meet different needs, whether for at-home storage, transport, or meal preparation.
- The Standout Feature?: This set is distinguished by its 316 stainless steel, a superior grade known for its corrosion resistance and impeccable hygiene. The trio of sizes (600?ml, 1100?ml, 2200?ml) ensures great versatility.
- Advantages?:
- Hygienic and durable material, with no taste or odour transfer.
- Perfectly leak-proof lids.
- Freezer and dishwasher safe.
- Stackable for optimised storage.
- Best for?? Ideal for those seeking a healthy and ultra-durable alternative to plastic, perfect for both storing food in the freezer and for daily transport.
- The Standout Feature?: The key strength of this lunch box is its meticulous organisation. With its 6 compartments, it allows you to pack a complete and varied meal without the foods mixing.
- Advantages?:
- Perfect organisation for varied and balanced meals.
- Removable internal compartments for easy cleaning.
- Compact size (21 x 15 x 4.5?cm) that slides easily into any bag.
- Dishwasher safe.
- Best for?? Perfect for fans of well-organised lunches and snacks: students, office workers, or parents packing a child's snack box.
- The Standout Feature?: An ultra-comprehensive and budget-friendly set. Its seven different-sized boxes, colourful design, and nesting capability make it a solution that's as smart as it is practical.
- Advantages?:
- Seven sizes (from 0.1?L to 1.9?L) to cover all your needs.
- Nesting design for maximum space-saving.
- Airtight lids that preserve freshness.
- Durable polypropylene plastic.
- Best for?? Ideal for families or anyone looking for a highly versatile, low-cost set to organise everything in the kitchen, from dinner leftovers to dry ingredients.
- The Standout Feature?: Versatility at its finest. This set of borosilicate glass containers resists extreme thermal shock, going safely from the freezer to the oven (without the lid). With 10 pieces, it's the perfect set for large-scale
meal prep.
- Advantages?:
- Hygienic material, ultra-resistant to extreme temperatures.
- A very complete 10-piece set (5 x 1040?ml and 5 x 370?ml).
- Clip-on lids with a silicone gasket for a foolproof seal.
- Oven, microwave, freezer, and dishwasher safe.
- Best for?? The kings and queens of meal prep who cook in large batches and want a single container to cook, store, transport, and reheat.
Looking for Other Storage Solutions??
A well-organised kitchen simplifies daily life. What if this quest for organisation extended beyond your cupboards? To tame cable and charger chaos, solutions exist for that too.
? Discover our selection of electronic storage boxes
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you remove stubborn odours from food containers??
Plastic containers can sometimes retain odours (from curry, tomato sauce, etc.). A classic home remedy? Fill the container with a mixture of hot water and white vinegar, and let it sit for several hours. Another option: line the inside with a paste of baking soda and water, let it sit overnight, then rinse.
Can you freeze food in all types of containers??
Yes, most quality glass, stainless steel, and plastic containers are freezer-safe. For plastic, look for the snowflake symbol. Be careful with glass: never fill them to the brim, as liquids expand when they freeze and could crack the container.
What's the difference between a bento box and a classic lunch box??
The term lunch box is an English catch-all term for any meal container. The bento, however, is a specific Japanese concept. It is distinguished by its compartments, designed to hold a complete, balanced, and visually appealing meal where every food item has its own place.
