Airtight, durable and certified for open shelves.
By Mekita Rivas | Updated July 16, 2021 at 8:40 AM
For food storage containers, whether it's preparing pasta on the countertop or storing leftovers in the refrigerator, the winning material is transparent: glass. Environmentally-friendly glass does not absorb odors, there are countless sealable options, and—let's face it—provide a timeless beauty that plastics cannot compete with.
We brought in some chefs and industry insiders, who often store them at their own pace, and then mix their choices with some of our own favorites. Here, a roundup of the best glass food storage containers we rely on, from Pinterest-worthy pantry stackers to stylish jars, enough to make AP flour look fancy.
If the containers are not labeled with oven safety labels, then they may not be made of tempered glass. Tempered glass is stronger than ordinary annealed glass (the material used for cheaper decorative jars and bottles) and is treated to withstand the extreme temperatures of the oven or refrigerator. Tempered glass is also unlikely to be broken or scratched, so it is worth the investment.
Open again, close again-the lid is the busiest component, so durability is not negotiable. Can the editing hold up? How strict is the seal? Can it survive in a microwave oven? We are looking for a safe way to close, as well as materials that can cope with extreme temperatures and frequent use.
Lee Wallach, the founder of Home Appétit, a weekly food delivery service in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, uses this set of rectangular lidded containers to collect the large quantities of ingredients he prepares in the kitchen every day. Thanks to thick rubber seals around the edges, the plastic snap-on top can be securely closed-and it also happens to be detachable for easy cleaning. "Stackability is another key factor I was looking for," Wallach explained. "My refrigerator is always full, so it's important to keep it fresh, but also to create more space." The flat cover achieves this perfectly. Ovens and microwaves are safe, and the Glasswork series also scored high for even heating. Pro tip: Go to the hardware store and buy some painter's tape to label the container. An attractive bright blue with a not too sticky backing, tape is great for tracking items in stock refrigerators.
Ball Corporation's Mason Jar is an OG of glass storage, first appeared in the kitchen in 1884 and has been a symbol of the United States ever since. Mason jars cost about $4 each, which is also very cost-effective. This is just one reason food stylist and recipe developer Carla Contreras claims that this versatile container is a must-have in her kitchen. "I use these jars for everything from iced coffee to boiled eggs," she said. "I also filled them with nuts, seeds and dried fruits, and put the jars on the refrigerator door. They are cheap, practical and beautiful."
These beautiful jars have minimalist wooden countertops and sleek shapes, which are a step up from ordinary flour boxes. Add strong tempered glass and an inner lid that can exhaust extra air. These Airscape containers are what you call beautiful and smart. Fill them with flour, coffee, oatmeal, gummy bears... they will stay as fresh as the day they opened for the first time.
If you are the kind of new parent who prepares baby food from scratch, let us at least provide you with a shortcut: these 4-ounce block containers, marked for dispensing, will not leak, and can go directly from the refrigerator to the oven or microwave. Bonus: The plastic lid does not contain all harmful substances (i.e. BPA, PVC and phthalates-but we bet you already know this.) As for the more mature option, Chef Wallach likes to store pre-allocated snacks. And sauces and dipping sauces, on these cute little babies.
Yes, Pyrex said, you can have everything. This 18-piece set of various sizes is not only made of the company's famous tough tempered glass, but the price tag is also just right for entry kitchens. However, the performance of the lid won the chef Eric Brownlee of Winston-Salem's The Katharine Brasserie & Bar. "Typical glass storage containers have plastic lids that often break, especially at low temperatures," he explained. The toppings of these colorful small workhorses will not wear or crack from the refrigerator to the microwave.
Made in Hungary (the metal is forged by hand), these beauties are not entirely practical when you consider the price of more than $100 each. In other words, there is no denying the amazing charm of recycled wood, iron and glass. The good news: the food-safe wax coating on the top forms a strong seal, so they are indeed suitable for room temperature storage. Put them where you can see them.
Originally produced in Germany in 1895 by J. WECK and Company, a home canned food supplier, this is a European version of Mason jars. The lid system is more tricky and includes a glass top lid, rubber gaskets and small metal clips. The entire device is expensive (approximately $9 for a 25-ounce size). Acknowledging the fact that this wildly popular can is not even technically approved for home canning in the United States, you may find yourself asking what it's all about. All we can offer is that we are charming fools. Come on, fill them with your signature homemade granola during the holidays...you will want your jar back.
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