Updated March 2024
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Considerations
- Versatility
- Seal
- Durability
- Material
What you need to know
We all have the need to safely store our food, whether we are meal prepping, packing lunches, or storing leftovers. Here’s what we look for in food storage containers:
Versatility
Food containers that allow you to refrigerate, microwave, heat in the oven, and put in the dishwasher score highly with us. Stacking compactly when empty, and snuggly while full is also a feature to look out for. Think about what you need in your containers and choose the features you need.
Seal
Keeping food fresh is the main job of a food storage container. Looking for ones with extra seal insurance, like rings, gaskets, or clamps, can help guarantee a better seal and fresher food. Having a watertight seal is also more likely with these features.
Durability
Food storage containers are often used to transport food. They fall off counters, get tossed in bags and backpacks, and make frequent trips through the fridge/microwave/dishwasher cycle. You will want one that can do these things without breaking or opening.
Material
The most common materials available are glass, silicone, stainless steel, and plastic.
- Glass earns our highest rating, as it can be placed in the oven, microwave, dishwasher, and fridge. However, they do not store as compactly, and are heavier. Thinner varieties are prone to breaking if dropped.
- Silicone stores very well, as most can be folded or flattened. It can be placed in the oven, microwave, dishwasher, and fridge. However, silicone can leak or lose freshness as its pliability makes it hard to get a good seal.
- Stainless Steel stacks well when in use and when not. It can be placed in the oven, dishwasher, and fridge. However, it can not be placed in the microwave, and is not see through.
- Plastic: We at CritiPicks do not recommend plastic food containers. We know that there are many harmful elements in plastics, including bisphenols (such as BPA) an phthalates, that can leach into foods. Even plastics that are BPA free have other harmful components when heated. For these reasons, we do not recommend them. Click here for information about how to reduce plastics in your life.
CritiPicks
| Our Pick | Material | Link | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Glass Food Storage Meal Prep Container | Glass with silicone sleeve | Amazon | $35.99 |
 |
Rubbermaid Brilliance Glass Food Storage | Glass | Amazon | $37.99 |
 |
4 Pcs Stainless Steel Bento Box | Stainless Steel | Amazon | $31.99 |
 |
ECOmorning 3 piece Silicone Food Storage Container | Silicone | Amazon | $16.99 |
Listed prices are accurate at time of review.
