How to Shop for Food Storage Containers

Food storage has become more of a necessity as people strive to be green and to save money. A good brand of food storage containers can help you buy in bulk without worrying about foods going bad and can prevent the need of disposable plastic bags. What should you look for when buying food storage containers? Believe it or not, not all containers are created equal. There are tips you should follow to ensure that your food storage containers are safe, versatile and the best bang for your buck.

Consider Your Needs

What are you storing? Do you want to store serving sized portions of snacks or last night's leftovers? Believe it or not, the foods you're storing play a big part in the food storage containers you purchase. Many food storage container sets come with several small containers many people never use. Unless you want to store serving sized portions, you will want to avoid these sets or you will waste money. Always check the labels to see what sizes are included, especially when shopping online, as looks can be deceiving.

Look for Versatile Sets

Food storage containers should meet all of your needs. The best sets can withstand being frozen, microwaved and put in the dishwasher. Nothing is worse that purchasing a set that doesn't meet all your needs. Check the bottom of the container and look for the symbols that state what the containers can be used for.

Make Sure the Containers Are Safe

While you're looking at the bottom of the container, look at the recycling symbol. This symbol can tell you whether or not the containers are truly safe. Numbers 1, 2, 4 and 5 have not been identified as having health risks. Codes 3, 6 and 7 should be avoided for food storage containers as they can be dangerous to your health. It's important to note that the most popular brand of stain resistant food storage containers are made using code #7 plastic and while the company states that these containers are dishwasher and microwave safe, exposing these containers to high temperatures can be dangerous to your health.

Check for a Tight Fitting Lid

Food storage containers that lack at airtight seal are practically useless. These containers will leak and will cause dry goods to go bad much faster. If you're purchasing a set, look for individual pieces from that line and check the lid. Is it too easy to remove from the container? If so, you should pass on that brand.

Purchase a Set That's Easy to Store

The perfect food storage containers nest inside one another so that they don't take up much room in your cabinet. Sets that don't nest will quickly clutter your kitchen cabinets and become a pain to sort through anytime you want to store something.

Sources:

http://hubpages.com/hub/Safe-Plastics-Vs-Unsafe-Plastics