Americas Test Kitchens Review as the Best Food Storage Container
The research
- Why y'all should trust usa
- Who should get dry out storage containers
- How we picked
- How we tested
- Our choice: Rubbermaid Luminescence Pantry Food Storage Containers
- Flaws but not dealbreakers
- Long-term testing notes
- Also great: Rubbermaid Commercial Space Saving Food Storage Containers
- What to look forwards to
- The competition
- Sources
Why yous should trust u.s.a.
Wirecutter senior editor Marguerite Preston spent more than fifteen hours researching and testing food storage containers for the original guide. And as a one-time baker in professional kitchens, she has spent a fair amount of time scooping flour, sugar, and other dry ingredients. She has too reviewed everything from cake pans to waffle makers for Wirecutter.
Who should get dry storage containers
Without a practiced set of dry storage containers, a kitchen pantry tin can quickly get out of control. If you currently shop your pantry goods in a collection of random jars and Tupperware, a uniform prepare of containers volition keep your cupboards neater and easier to navigate. And in the long run, an organized pantry as well saves time and coin: Information technology allows yous to easily see what you accept (and how much of it) at a glance, to take hold of ingredients quickly, and to scoop or cascade anything, from flour to dried beans, without making a mess. Good containers tin can too go on ingredients fresh and free of pests longer.
If you regularly buy ingredients in bulk, a set of storage containers is essential. The newspaper or plastic numberless you lot fill up at the grocery store are no place to go along dry out ingredients: They tear easily, make pouring difficult, and pile up messily on the shelf. Frequent bakers peculiarly notice that it's much faster and less messy to scoop and level ingredients such as flour from a wide-mouthed container than from the original packaging. Fifty-fifty if you already have a set of dry storage containers, consider upgrading if you find yourself struggling to mensurate baking ingredients (or anything, for that matter) neatly and easily.
How we picked
A adept dry storage container should be sturdy, closed, simple to clean, and like shooting fish in a barrel to scoop or pour from. Information technology should stack easily, fit efficiently in kitchen cabinets, and come in a few sizes. Here's a rundown of the requirements we retrieve a good prepare of nutrient storage containers should have:
Tight-sealing lids
"You lot desire the container to seal tightly," said Sarah Carey, the editorial managing director of food and entertaining for Martha Stewart Living. An airtight seal helps protect cereal, grains, and snacks from staleness, and keeps brown carbohydrate or tender raisins from turning stone hard. It as well helps keep out pests similar pantry moths, which tin can squeeze through surprisingly small-scale spaces and multiply rapidly. As Maria Speck, author of Ancient Grains for Modern Meals, pointed out, moths occasionally hide in store-bought numberless of grain or flour. "I've heard from so many people about how their cabinets are at present infested," she said. Simply if you lot make a habit of transferring all dry goods to containers with secure lids, those tiny stowaways can't get out of control.
You can find a range of vacuum-sealing containers out there, such as the popular OXO Pop containers, which take a chapeau that pulls air out of the container every bit it seals. These would seem similar the obvious selection for an airtight container, but nosotros found enough complaints about leaks and moth infestations in Amazon reviews (and in a mail on Kitchn) to be skeptical. In our tests, we constitute them to be no more airtight than any other container (and in fact, sometimes less airtight).
Come across-through
For Speck, it's also "key to be able to encounter what we accept." Clear containers make it easy to take stock of what you lot take and how much of it. (Fifty-fifty meliorate if measurements are marked on the outside.) With opaque containers, yous have to go to the trouble of making labels, and y'all're still probable to forget almost those expensive heirloom beans you bought. For that reason, nosotros chose not to test any metal, ceramic, or otherwise opaque containers.
Useful shapes and sizes
Dry out storage containers should fit nicely in a kitchen cabinet. Square or rectangular containers use space more efficiently, though we also considered some round containers considering they can be easier to cascade from. We too looked for containers with an opening wide enough to easily scoop from with a 1-loving cup measuring loving cup.
To keep things looking nifty, Toni Hammersley, author of The Consummate Volume of Abode System, recommends sticking to containers in three sizes: large for bulk ingredients like flour, medium for snacks like pretzels, and small for things like nuts. People who have an extensive pantry may want one or two more sizes. You won't find a consequent range of sizes from brand to brand, merely we tested only those containers that came in a size large enough to concur a 5-pound bag of all-purpose flour, which is somewhere between 4 and 5 quarts in volume (information technology varies based on how compacted or aerated the flour is).
A stackable design
The experts were divided on whether containers should also exist able to stack easily. Hammersley said stacking "can get in the way," making ingredients "not every bit easily attainable." Carey, still, said it could be useful "if y'all accept a lot of stuff." We think it'due south good to at least take the option of stacking securely, particularly if you accept limited pantry infinite, and we restricted our testing to containers that appeared stackable.
Durable plastic
After researching the options, we decided to test just plastic containers. Glass tends to be heavier and can intermission easily, which makes pouring a full container or pulling information technology from a high shelf risky. The glass containers available are frequently more decorative than applied and come in just smaller sizes meant for countertop display. All the experts we spoke to did recommend some version of a basic canning jar for its tight seal, but we chose not to test any jars considering they don't stack, their opening is often also narrow to scoop from, and the larger sizes are unwieldy to pour.
Not all plastics are equally durable either, so amid the plastic containers we tested, we looked for models that wouldn't shatter if dropped.
Easy to clean
Depending on what you lot store, you may not need to wash dry storage containers often, only a container should still exist easy to make clean, without tricky crevices. Ideally, both the lid and base should be dishwasher safe, though we did exam some models that weren't. We didn't consider hand-wash-but to be a dealbreaker but because these containers don't demand to be washed on a daily or even weekly basis.
Reasonably priced
Cost varies widely among containers, but for a container large enough to agree 5 pounds of flour (somewhere betwixt 4 and 6 liters), prices mostly range from $ten to $xx. Since most people desire to buy quite a few containers, $twenty was at the high end of anything nosotros considered. Containers that come in a set are usually a better value per piece, only we should annotation that most sets count lids and bases as separate pieces, so an 8-slice set ordinarily includes only four containers.
How we tested
To test how tightly each container sealed, we filled each partly with water, put the hat on tightly, and turned information technology upside downwardly. We likewise repeated this process after each had been through the dishwasher iii times to make sure the plastic lids hadn't warped or lost their seal. This is non a perfectly accurate test, since the pressure of water flowing out of a container is stronger than the force per unit area of air flowing in. But a lot of h2o leaking out is a pretty skillful indication that a chapeau is not tight enough to proceed nutrient fresh or pests out.
Nosotros put the lids on and took them off the containers multiple times and looked for signs of wear. Nosotros too filled each container of the appropriate size with 5 pounds of flour and 4 pounds of sugar to run across how easy it was to do so. Using our favorite 1-cup measuring cup, we tried scooping flour from each container (not just the largest) both when it was full and when information technology was nearly empty.
To exam sturdiness, we filled each container with two pounds of beans and slid each off a counter onto a tile flooring so that it landed sideways. We likewise dropped them all from waist height at other angles—upright, upside down, and on a corner—to run across if they cracked or if the lids popped off.
Our pick: Rubbermaid Brilliance Pantry Nutrient Storage Containers
Our pick
The Rubbermaid Brilliance Pantry Nutrient Storage Containers are the all-time dry storage containers for most people. The lids and containers in this set are very sturdy and seal tightly, even later multiple runs through the dishwasher. Their rectangular shape is narrow enough to fit neatly in kitchen cabinets but however plenty wide enough to fit a 1-cup measuring cup. They come in nine sizes, which fit one of three unlike lids. Nosotros too like that these containers are available individually or in an affordable half dozen-, eight-, or 20-slice set.
The standout feature of these Rubbermaid containers is their exceptional seal. The silicone band that runs the perimeter of each chapeau, combined with two locking clasps that snap down tightly, kept even a drop from escaping when we filled the containers with water and held them upside down. Other canisters we tested, similar the OXO Pop Big Square Containers and the ClickClack Cube Storage Containers, dribbled steadily when filled with water. Though we don't recommend storing liquids or leftovers in these containers (we have a dissever guide for that kind of food storage), their watertight seal is an indication of how well they'll go on dry ingredients fresh.
Rubbermaid's relatively narrow Luminescence canisters are designed to fit nicely next in a kitchen chiffonier. They also have a clear lid, making information technology easy to see what'southward in them even if they're in a deep drawer or on a low shelf. And stacking the containers is piece of cake: The slight rim around the lid keeps the containers from sliding around on top of 1 another and helps secure them in place. While everything we tried was technically stackable, containers such equally the Oggi Acrylic Canisters had a completely smooth lid, with zippo to keep the top container from sliding off the bottom at the slightest disturbance.
Although the Rubbermaid containers are somewhat slender, a i-cup measuring cup does fit easily through the opening of all but the small, ane.3-loving cup and 0.5-cup sizes and has enough room to maneuver when y'all're scooping from the bottom of the container. The narrow shape with rounded ends is also easy to grip with one hand and to pour, whereas almost of the other containers we tested required us to use two easily. The 16-cup container perfectly holds a 5-pound purse of flour, while the 12-cup container neatly fits a 4-pound bag of sugar. We found these two to be the nigh useful sizes for storing most dry ingredients.
The big container—xix.ix cups—is an ideal receptacle for storing a big box of cereal, while the small containers of one.three cups and 0.five cup are good for packing nuts or granola in a lunch. The 8.1-cup canister, designed specifically to hold spaghetti, is a bit awkward because it'south so alpine and narrow. But we similar that its height makes it easy to reach when stored in the dorsum of a deep cupboard.
The Rubbermaid Brilliance containers, which are fabricated of Tritan plastic, are very durable and dishwasher safe. They emerged from our drop test without a scratch, while other, pricier competitors such as the OXO containers shattered on the offset drop. Although Rubbermaid claims the containers are also microwave safe, we've read reviews that advise they warp or crack afterward being subjected to high heat. We didn't feel whatsoever of these issues when nosotros microwaved them in our tests, but since we recommend them only for dry food storage, we don't think this problem will even come up upwards for most people.
Flaws but non dealbreakers
As mentioned above, nosotros've read a lot of customer reviews online that merits the Rubbermaid Brilliance containers warp, crack, discolor, or leak afterward microwaving. But since we recommend using these containers just for storing dry ingredients, non leftovers, we're not overly concerned well-nigh these issues (for storing leftovers, meet our guide to the best food storage containers). However, we'll continue to long-term examination these containers to see if any problems ascend.
If the Brilliance containers hit the floor hat-start, the lids are liable to pop off. Since the containers didn't crevice or scuff on impact in our tests, we don't recall this is a dealbreaker, just it is something to be enlightened of before yous purchase.
Nosotros wish measurements were printed on the side of the containers, as on the Rubbermaid Commercial Space Saving Nutrient Storage Containers, and then you lot can gauge approximately how much of an ingredient you lot take at any given time. Merely since most of the containers we tested lacked this feature, we don't recall information technology'due south a disqualifying cistron.
The plastic clasps on the Brilliance lids require multiple steps to open and close, compared with container designs that allow y'all to skin the chapeau off in one movement. Also, the silicone band along the perimeter of the lids has a lot of nooks and crannies that can be hard to clean by hand. Only nosotros think the advantages of the tight-sealing lids volition outweigh this flaw for nearly people.
If yous plan to nest the containers when you're non using them, keep in heed that they can be quite alpine (for example, the 16-cup and 19.9-cup containers measure out most 14 inches high when stacked). But this is really an issue but if you accept short cupboards. Sometimes the containers have a tendency to stick when nested, just since most people keep their dry storage containers in constant rotation, nosotros don't think this is a huge deal.
Long-term testing notes
Nosotros've been using the Rubbermaid Brilliance containers in our ain office kitchens since July of 2019 to store snacks like nuts, dried fruits, and granola, and they held upward corking, but we haven't been in our office since March 2020.
Wirecutter staff writer Kaitlyn Wells too purchased the ready to use at habitation, and finds the seal much better than some other brand she purchased previously. She uses her large and medium Rubbermaid containers for flour, carbohydrate, cereal, rice, and pasta, but finds she has petty use for the tiny containers "that are barely large enough for belongings eight nuts."
On the other hand, Wirecutter's community support lead, Erin Price, really loves the tiny containers and plans to buy more than. "I cook a lot and find myself relying on certain spice combos often enough that I'll make batches, and the footling containers are perfect for that too every bit for bulk spices."
Both staffers bought these containers in response to finding some unwelcome visitors in their pantry (grain weevils and ants, to exist precise), and are happy with how critter-costless their cabinets accept been since.
Also swell: Rubbermaid Commercial Space Saving Nutrient Storage Containers
Besides slap-up
For people who have a spacious pantry or who regularly purchase ingredients in bulk, the Rubbermaid Commercial Space Saving Food Storage Containers are a great option. These are Rubbermaid's version of a Cambro, the storage container found in just well-nigh every eating place kitchen in the country. Like Cambro containers, they're rugged, sturdy workhorses designed to survive innumerable bangs, drops, and trips through a high-heat dishwasher. They have measurements in liters and quarts clearly stamped and painted on the outside, and they are available in sizes ranging from two to 22 quarts.
The Rubbermaid Commercial containers have a few features that make them better than Cambro models. Rubbermaid'south lids fit much tighter than Cambro's lids, which leaked profusely (a trouble restaurants oftentimes solve by just wrapping the whole container in plastic wrap). The Rubbermaid lids dripped only lightly effectually the corners of the container and ever stayed firmly in identify during our drop exam, while the lid popped correct off a dropped Cambro. The only downside is that the Rubbermaid lids are so tight that they can actually be hard to snap on all the mode—it took a firm smack on our part to brand sure every corner was fully closed in our testing.
Rubbermaid as well makes all of its smaller containers (up to 8 quarts) the aforementioned shape, then that they stack hands. In dissimilarity, Cambro'southward 2- and 4-quart containers have a much smaller footprint than the larger sizes, so they can't stack or line up neatly with larger sizes. Whereas the Rubbermaid sold as 4 quarts actually has a 4-liter capacity, which is plenty of room for a 5-pound purse of flour, the 4-quart Cambro barely has room for v pounds of flour.
All of the Rubbermaid containers likewise come up with two handles on the sides, whereas only those Cambro containers larger than 8 quarts (larger than nearly people e'er need for domicile employ) have handles. Only handles make it much easier to pick up these beefy, slick-sided containers—you tin can even bear them with 1 mitt, something impossible to practise with the Cambro containers.
The considerable width makes these Rubbermaid containers easy to scoop from, a benefit that frequent bakers especially volition appreciate. Their size, notwithstanding, means they're not the best choice for limited cabinet infinite.
Since they're designed for eatery employ, the Rubbermaid Commercial containers are quite affordable (around $12 for a 6-quart container) but likewise somewhat difficult to become. Rubbermaid itself but sells them in packs of 12, then you have to turn to eating place supply stores like WebstaurantStore to buy them individually. You lot won't detect them at stores similar Target, and even availability on Amazon is spotty. It's besides important to notation that the lids and containers are sold separately, which is a approving if you tend to lose lids just too an annoying extra pace when it comes to ordering.
Long-term testing notes
We keep a large stack of the Rubbermaid Commercial containers in the Wirecutter test kitchen, where we utilize them for storing flour, sugar, and other dry goods. They're big and piece of cake to scoop from, merely they've as well become one of our favorite kitchen items (they're in our guide to inexpensive, unexpected kitchen essentials) for their broad range of uses. In the test kitchen we also employ them to store the mountains of leftovers—from dehydrating 126 pounds of apples, say, or slow cooking 3 pot roasts—nosotros regularly produce in our testing.
Of the many containers we have, one has developed a hairline scissure. But for the about part these containers have held upward well to lots of abuse, and the one with the small fissure is still perfectly usable for things like organizing cake decorating supplies.
Marguerite Preston, the original writer of this guide, has used the Rubbermaid Commercial containers in diverse sizes at abode since 2017. Besides storing dry ingredients in some, she uses them for dry-brining large pieces of meat in the fridge and transporting cakes, and even has one prepare aside for hand-washing frail laundry items.
What to look frontwards to
In improver to testing a few more plastic models, we're expanding the scope of our guide to include ceramic and glass containers—the blazon meant to be displayed on your kitchen countertop. Our criteria for testing these models volition be slightly different from that of plastic containers, but we're on the hunt for vessels that look pretty while all the same keeping dry nutrient fresh and easily attainable. We'll update this guide once nosotros've completed our assessments.
The contest
Cambro'due south Square Food Storage Containers are the eatery-kitchen standard and come up recommended past Cook's Illustrated. But the lid immune water to cascade out and popped off hands in our tests. Plus, the 6-quart containers are a different shape than the ii- and 4-quart containers, then the lids aren't interchangeable.
Cook'south Illustrated recommended ClickClack's Cube Storage Containers with reservations, merely we didn't similar the vacuum-seal lid, which tin can trap h2o and must be washed by hand. These too come in graduated sizes that don't stack well and shattered the first fourth dimension we dropped them.
We saw recommendations for the Lock & Lock Rectangular Food Containers in forums on Chowhound and Kitchn. They sealed just every bit tightly equally the Rubbermaid Brilliance containers and survived all of our drop tests easily. Only their sets tend to offer smaller sizes that are geared toward storing leftovers and fewer big containers for storing bulk dry out items.
Oggi'southward Acrylic Canisters looked nicer than nigh of the containers nosotros tried, but the hardware felt flimsy. They as well didn't seal tightly and cracked when we dropped them on a corner. And circular containers waste matter more than space than rectangular ones.
OXO's Pop Containers are hugely pop on Amazon and came recommended by Real Simple. They look prissy, and the lid is easy to open with i hand, just otherwise they aren't worth the price. The lids didn't always experience tight (we were able to pull off some of the lids even in the "closed" position), the containers aren't dishwasher safe, and they shattered immediately when nosotros dropped them. One of the OXO containers, in fact, croaky even before our drop test, just from knocking confronting the counter.
The Sistema Klip It Rectangle Containers are highly rated on Amazon, with 4.4 stars out of v beyond more than 600 reviews at this writing. But they felt flimsy, and one even broke during aircraft. The lids were leaky in our tests, and the sizes big enough to fit v pounds of flour are broad and shallow, not the all-time shape for kitchen cabinets.
Sources
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Toni Hammersley, founder of A Bowl Total of Lemons and author of The Consummate Book of Home Organisation, interview
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Sarah Carey, editorial director of food and entertaining at Martha Stewart Living, interview
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Maria Speck, author of Ancient Grains for Modern Meals, interview
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Dry Storage Containers, Melt's Illustrated , May i, 2016
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The Best Nutrient Storage Containers, Real Simple , August 29, 2014
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Food Storage Container Reviews, Proficient Housekeeping
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Emma Christensen, What Are the Best Airtight Storage Containers?, Kitchn , August eight, 2014
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arvi, What practice you utilize to store dry goods?, Chowhound forum , October 16, 2010
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-dry-food-storage-containers/
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