Food Storage Containers: A Guide to Making the Right Choice

Say goodbye to food waste and messy cupboards?! A well-organised kitchen and food that stays fresh longer is a dream for many of us. Whether it's for saving dinner leftovers, prepping meals for the week (the famous meal prep), or simply optimising your pantry, a good storage container is an essential tool. But with the vast array of options available, it can be hard to navigate.

This guide is here to walk you through the key criteria and introduce a selection of tried-and-tested products. The goal?? To help you make a smart choice that simplifies your daily life.

How to Choose the Right Food Storage Container?

Before settling on a particular model, you first need to consider the features that make all the difference. Here are the key points to evaluate to ensure you make the right decision.

1. The Material: Glass, Plastic, or Stainless Steel?

This is often the first dilemma, and the answer depends on how you plan to use it.

• A glass food storage container is prized for its durability and neutrality. Glass doesn't retain odours or stains and is often oven-safe (for borosilicate glass), microwave-safe, and freezer-safe. It's the ideal option for those who want to reheat their meals directly in the container.
• A BPA-free plastic food container stands out for being lightweight and durable. It's especially practical as a lunch box for on-the-go meals or for storage on high shelves. Just be sure to check its compatibility with the microwave and freezer.

2. Airtight Seal: The Secret to Freshness

An airtight food container is a must-have for transporting liquids like soups or sauces without any messy spills, and also for preserving the freshness of food by sealing out air and moisture. A good airtight jar with a silicone seal is perfect for dry goods like coffee, flour, or cereal, extending their shelf life.

3. Versatility: From the Freezer to the Table

Consider the entire journey of your meals. Do you need a freezer-safe container that can withstand freezing temperatures without issue?? Do you want to take your dish from the fridge to the microwave in the blink of an eye?? Dishwasher compatibility is also a huge plus for everyday convenience, simplifying kitchen organisation and clean-up.

Our Top Food Storage Picks

To help give you a clearer picture, here are a few models that each meet specific needs.

The Most Versatile: Euro Ovenglass Rectangular 2.0L

Why we love it This container from Lock&Lock is the Swiss Army knife of food storage. Its borosilicate glass body can withstand extreme temperatures (up to 400°C, without the lid), making it oven-safe. Its 4-clip locking system with a silicone seal guarantees a completely leak-proof experience.

Key features

• High-resistance glass?: Borosilicate can handle thermal shock.
• Ultra-versatile?: Oven-safe (without lid), microwave-safe, freezer-safe, and dishwasher-safe.
• Family-sized?: Its 2-litre capacity is perfect for family meals or meal prep.
• Perfectly sealed?: The clip system prevents leaks, even with liquids.

Who is it for?? For meal prep enthusiasts, families saving leftovers, and anyone looking for an all-in-one solution to cook, store, freeze, and reheat.

The Most Decorative for Dry Goods: NUTS Roman Glass Jar

Why we love it The NUTS jar proves that practical can also be beautiful. With its Roman-inspired hammered glass and acacia wood lid, it's made to be seen. Placed on a countertop or shelf, it turns storage into a stylish decorative feature.

Key features

• Elegant design?: The textured glass and acacia wood lid add a warm touch to the kitchen.
• Ideal for bulk goods?: The silicone seal ensures an airtight closure, perfect for coffee beans, pasta, rice, or dried fruit.
• Instant visibility?: The transparent body lets you see the contents and remaining quantity at a glance.

Who is it for?? For design lovers who don't want to choose between style and function. It's the perfect choice for organising your pantry in an aesthetically pleasing way.

The Most Practical for Pantry Organisation: Bodum Presso 2L Container Set

Why we love it This set of two Bodum containers is the ideal solution for organising your dry goods. Made from BPA-free plastic, they are lightweight, easy to handle, and their minimalist design fits into any kitchen.

Key features

• Safe and lightweight?: BPA-free plastic, much lighter and less fragile than glass.
• Large capacity?: The set of two 2-litre containers is perfect for storing staples like flour, sugar, or cereal.
• Airtight seal?: The lid is designed to preserve food freshness over the long term.
• Easy to clean?: Dishwasher-safe for effortless cleaning.

Who is it for?? For those who want to organise their pantry efficiently with large-capacity containers that are lightweight and easy to maintain.

Need a Different Size or Style?

Our selection covers the most common uses, but every kitchen is unique. You might be looking for a different size, a specific shape, or simply replacement lids. To explore a wider variety of solutions, feel free to take a look at our full range.

Discover our range of food container lids and vessels

Frequently Asked Questions About Food Storage Containers

Glass or plastic container: which to choose?

Glass, especially borosilicate, is the champion of thermal versatility?: it goes from the freezer to the oven without a problem. It's also non-porous, which prevents it from absorbing stains from sauces or retaining odours. Plastic, on the other hand, is lighter and more impact-resistant, making it the ideal companion for transport or for storage on high shelves.

How can you be sure a container is truly airtight?

A truly airtight container has a gasket, most often made of silicone, integrated into the lid. Locking systems with clips on all four sides are also an excellent indicator?: they apply uniform pressure on the seal, blocking the passage of air and liquids.

Is it really necessary to choose a BPA-free container?

BPA (Bisphenol A) is a chemical compound once used in certain plastics. As a precautionary measure, its use in food containers is now highly regulated. Choosing a BPA-free food container has become the standard for anyone who wants a material considered safer for food contact by current standards.