Food Storage Containers Buying Guide: Features, Sizes, and Tips

Managing leftovers, prepping lunches for the week (meal prep), or simply keeping your food fresh for longer?: a good food storage container is a kitchen essential. But with the vast array of materials, sizes, and features, it can be hard to know where to start.

This guide is here to help you navigate the options, identify the criteria that truly matter, and discover a selection of tried-and-tested products, whether you're an organizational pro or just looking for the perfect container for your salads.

How to Choose the Right Food Storage Container??

Before you dive in, here are the key points to consider to find the model that's truly right for you.

1. The Material?: A Game-Changing Choice

The material of your container determines its use, lifespan, and maintenance. It's the first criterion to consider.

• Glass?: The champion of hygiene, glass doesn't retain odours or stains. A glass dish with a lid can often go from the oven to the fridge, then to the microwave (without the lid), making it ultra-versatile. Its Achilles' heel?? Its weight and fragility.
• Stainless Steel?: Lightweight, sturdy, and virtually indestructible, stainless steel is an excellent option for a lunch box or a portable bento box. It keeps food perfectly fresh, but be aware?: it is never microwave-safe.
• Plastic?: This is the lightweight and economical solution, practical for a multitude of uses. It is crucial to choose models guaranteed to be BPA-free (bisphenol A) for safe food contact. Always check the pictograms to ensure it is compatible with the microwave, freezer, and dishwasher.

2. Airtightness and Life-Simplifying Details

An airtight container is non-negotiable to prevent disasters in your bag and to preserve flavours and freshness. Opt for lids with a silicone seal and strong locking clips.

Other features can make your daily life easier?:

• Microwave-safe?: Essential for reheating your meal container at the office.
• Freezer-safe?: For long-term storage and batch cooking.
• Stackability?: A major asset for optimising space in your cupboards and refrigerator.

3. The Format?: From a Complete Set to a Single Container

For preparing meals in advance (meal prep), a set of food storage containers in different sizes is often the smartest and most cost-effective choice. To just pack your lunch, a single medium-sized container (between 0.8?L and 1.5?L) usually does the trick.

Recommended Food Storage Containers

Here are a few models that meet specific needs, chosen for their effectiveness and thoughtful design.

For On-the-Go and Picnics?: COOKER KING Set of 4 Stainless Steel Containers

Highlights This set from COOKER KING focuses on durability and lightness with its food-grade stainless steel. Their stackable design is a real bonus for storage. It's an excellent alternative to plastic and glass for those who prioritise robustness above all.

Advantages?:

• Material?: Food-grade, anti-rust stainless steel.
• Durability?: Heavy-duty design, ideal for daily use and outings.
• Storage?: Stackable design for maximum space-saving.
• Versatility?: The set of 4 sizes covers most needs.

Who is it for?? Ideal for those who carry their meals every day, whether it's a lunch box for the office, a bento box for the kids, or a picnic. A perfect choice if being microwave-safe is not a priority.

For Cooking and Family Meals?: PYREX Cook & Heat 2.3 L Airtight Glass Dish

Highlights This PYREX dish is the Swiss Army knife of food storage. Its borosilicate glass body withstands very high temperatures, allowing you to cook directly in the oven. Its airtight lid includes a steam vent, designed for clean and safe reheating in the microwave. Its large 2.3?L capacity is perfect for family-sized dishes.

Advantages?:

• Extreme Versatility?: Oven-safe (without lid), microwave-safe, fridge-safe, and freezer-safe.
• Smart Lid?: Airtight container with a steam vent for splatter-free reheating.
• Large Capacity?: 2.3 litres, ideal for casseroles, lasagnas, or batch cooking.
• Impeccable Hygiene?: Glass is a healthy material that doesn't stain or retain odours.

Who is it for?? Perfect for families and batch cooking enthusiasts who want to cook, store, and reheat in a single dish. It's the ultimate solution for those looking for a large and multifunctional glass dish with a lid.

For Complete Organisation?: Bodum PRESSO Set of 12 Containers

Highlights With this set of food storage containers, Bodum offers a turnkey solution for organising everything from dry goods in your pantry to leftovers in the fridge. Comprising 12 pieces in four different sizes, it allows you to unify your storage while ensuring optimal preservation thanks to its very airtight lids.

Advantages?:

• Ultra-Complete Set?: 12 containers of 0.25?L, 0.6?L, 1?L, and 2?L for maximum versatility.
• Safe Material?: High-quality, guaranteed BPA-free plastic.
• Effective Preservation?: The airtight lids lock in freshness and prevent leaks.
• Easy Maintenance?: The entire set is dishwasher-safe.

Who is it for?? For those who want to equip or reorganise their entire kitchen with a coherent and efficient storage system. A very practical option for storing a wide variety of products, from pasta and coffee to last night's leftovers.

Still not convinced??

The selection above covers common uses, but every kitchen is unique. If you're looking for a specific size, a different material, or a unique design, many other models are available.

? Discover our full range of airtight containers to find the model that will perfectly match your habits.

Frequently Asked Questions about Food Storage Containers

What is the difference between a glass container and a plastic container??

Glass is the champion of hygiene?: it doesn't retain odours, resists stains, and can often go in the oven. On the downside, it is heavier and breakable. Plastic is lightweight, inexpensive, and more impact-resistant, but it's crucial to ensure it is BPA-free. Over time, it can become stained or retain the odours of certain foods.

How can I tell if a container is truly airtight??

The secret to a reliable airtight container comes down to two things?: a silicone seal in the lid and a system of locking clips on the sides. This mechanism ensures even pressure on the seal, preventing air from getting in and liquids from leaking out.

Can all food storage containers go in the microwave??

Absolutely not?! Stainless steel must never go in the microwave. For glass and plastic, the golden rule is to check for the pictogram that indicates it is safe to do so. For containers with lids, it is almost always recommended to remove the lid or, if there is a vent, to open it before reheating.