In the first corner, lightweight and cheap, the reigning champion…. PLASTIC!
*crowds cheering*
In the opposite corner, heavy and durable, sneaking his way to the top…. GLASS!
*cheering grows*
Wait… what’s this? Another contestant is stepping in the ring… It’s… the forgotten soldier!!!… staainnnlessss STEEL!
*curious chatter among crows*
*cue Metallica soundtrack*
Choosing a method to save your leftovers has never been so eventful; or confusing… There are a lot of options out there nowadays. While I am not an expert in materials, I am able to lay out a basis of pros and cons for each option, so you can formally make your own decision on what meets your standards for food storage containers.
Food storage containers: Plastic vs Glass vs Metal
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Plastic food storage containers
*please, please, please* wash/clean the plastic after use and RECYCLE!
Up next…
Glass food storage containers
Once again… I’m really digging using stainless steel as a food storage container.
Let me tell you why…
Similar to glass…
- You can store stainless steel in the freezer or fridge!
- It’s durable and lasts a very long time
- No chemical leaching
- Dishwasher safe
Better than glass…
- Stainless steel can go right on the stove-top (be very careful when handling)
- It’s very lightweight! Which is a huge plus if you’re a traveler or if you commute.
- Stainless steel is a lot harder to break. So if you accidentally throw your whole lunch on the ground for no reason (which I’ve been known to do) at least the food storage container won’t shatter.
- Easy to find and secure lids.
CONS…
- Recommended not to be used in a microwave.
- Price. Initially, stainless steel may cost more than plastic and possibly glass but has a long life and you won’t need to replace it often.
So who is the winner?
Well, I’ll let you make that decision for yourself.
Personally, glass at home and stainless steel on-the-go work perfectly for me!
Overall, I try to stay away from plastics.
Let me know how you store your leftovers in the comments below!
I hope this article on food storage containers was helpful.
I also love storing in canning jars. They last better than any plastic container I’ve ever had.
Yah definitely! Canning/Mason jars are much more hardy, plus they are much more esthetic. 🙂
Really? Stainless steel Non-microwavable? Are you sure about this? This is metal and you burn it to the max as long as it doesn’t reach its melting point then it going to be fine..
Hey Allan! Good point! For the most part it will be fine. However, most research I do suggests not using metal in the microwave. This is because the metal cannot be penetrated by the microwaves and therefore won’t warm-up the food. On another note, there is always a potential due to the reflective nature of metal that a fire could be started.
Here’s an article explaining a little more:
https://www.hunker.com/12224693/is-it-safe-to-put-stainless-steel-in-a-microwave
But you’re right, maybe “non-microwavable” isn’t the correct word! I will change it to: Suggested not to be used in the microwave.
Thanks 🙂
I would recommend that you use Glass Jars and Tupperware for packing food items, due to the fact that lass is composed of impermeable material which keeps air and other external items away from your product. This helps in preserving flavour and freshness of products.
I would refer glass container due to their non-reactive nature which helps in keeping the food fresh and fresh from contamination.
I would recommend metal containers due to the fact that they are usually more lightweight making them them easier to lift, and move around. Secondly, as compared to glass they are more durable as they don’t break easily on impact, they also come up with leak proof options in metal containers are perfect for those operating in the food business. Premium vials understands the importance of such concerns and offers its customer packaging options that are not just of premium quality and robust but also eco-friendly.
I’m looking to replace lunch box containers and read your post. One thing I want to add is to be careful with thrift store food containers. They are also excellent for storing chemicals and you don’t know what may have been in them before. While glass is considered nonporous, I think that is relative. I’ve used jars for storing turpentine and an old crockpot to keep a “pickle” solution warm for metal smithing. Just something to keep in mind as you don’t want these things near food.
This was very helpful! Thank you
Glad it could help! 🙂
A closed bin is really the best choice if you’re worried about how it’ll look or smell!.