topic Re: Good food storage containers - not Lock and Lock in Kitchen

Good food storage containers - not Lock and Lock

Witchy Woman — Sat, 25 Jan 2014 14:53:15 GMT

Tried a few of the L&L and did not like them, but I'm looking to replace my current food storage containers which are mostly old Rubbermaid. I have some of the newer ones and even they look shabby after a few years.

I use the larger, rectangles a lot, but everything now has rounded edges. Guess I'll have to learn to live with that. The sets often have lots of little containers and I don't want those so I may have to purchase individual containers.

Any recommendations?

Re: Good food storage containers - not Lock and Lock

jackthebear — Sat, 25 Jan 2014 14:58:28 GMT

Is there a TJs or Marshalls near you they have Sistema there and you can buy piece you need individually. They have another brand but the locking mechanism was one that wouldn't hold up in the long run

Re: Good food storage containers - not Lock and Lock

Witchy Woman — Sat, 25 Jan 2014 16:38:05 GMT

Yes, I'll check there. But noted that they also have a clipping/locking mechanism and I just cannot get on board with that. I prefer the lids that just snap on. I might try one or two of the smaller ones though.

Re: Good food storage containers - not Lock and Lock

VaBelle35 — Sat, 25 Jan 2014 16:59:09 GMT

I've converted to all glass so I've been buying the Glass Lock at Marshalls/TJ Maxx/Home Goods. I'm there a lot, so I pick up a different size and shape every time I'm there.

It occurred to me that my pantry shelves may not have been designed for so much weight, so I've been only loading up about half the shelf with glass and the rest with lighter things like my dish towels and stuff.

That glass is heavy!

Re: Good food storage containers - not Lock and Lock

Mssnoopyz — Sat, 25 Jan 2014 18:16:48 GMT

I was watching HSN a few weeks ago and they had Debbie Meyer UltraLite GreenBoxes I haven't tried them. I have some L&L the have melted pits and warped from the microwave, and yes I took off the lid. When watching the UltraLite GreeBoxes they said that they also can go in the microwave, but I think mostly they are for storage.

Re: Good food storage containers - not Lock and Lock

house cat — Sat, 25 Jan 2014 18:19:20 GMT

Ziploc makes some rounds with screw-on lids! They are the best! They're the only containers I'll trust in my bag for lunch. Everything else has leaked on me.

Re: Good food storage containers - not Lock and Lock

dsw503 — Sat, 25 Jan 2014 18:21:50 GMT

If you would like to change over to glass, I can recommend Pyrex containers. I buy them at Target. Sure they are available other places. I changed over to glass about 3 years ago and am very happy with the change--no more weird colors in the plastic or concerns about could/would happen with food heated in the microwave.

Re: Good food storage containers - not Lock and Lock

chickenbutt — Sat, 25 Jan 2014 19:20:22 GMT

IMO, you're not going to find another brand that is as good as Lock & Lock. So, if you don't like them it just goes downhill from there. I've tried pretty much all of them and none work as well. Short of vacuum-sealing, L&L is the best for airtight and liquid tight storage.

They also have some Borosilicate glass ones. There is another brand called Glass Lock that look similar and are similar glass. But I've found them to be less than liquid tight, so the construction isn't as good. I also tried the Snapware brand and it was totally not airtight or liquid tight.

Like Blondy, I like the Pyrex brand too. You might not find as many different sizes and shapes but it's always been a stand up brand. However, they don't use Borosilicate glass anymore. They use the less-integrous Soda Lime glass. There are issues with that when used in heat only, I believe. For Borosilicate glass, the Lock & Lock brand is very good.

Anyway, those are my views FWIW

Re: Good food storage containers - not Lock and Lock

brandiwine — Sat, 25 Jan 2014 20:05:15 GMT

I bought into the L & L and found them to be pretty bad. They haven't lasted and crack easily. They said they wouldn't stain, but they sure did. I have some of the newer Rubbermaid and the glass ones that I like.

Re: Good food storage containers - not Lock and Lock

glmama — Sat, 25 Jan 2014 20:27:46 GMT

i have been very happy with the line called SnapWare (available at Bed Bath and Beyond). I have had many of my containers for many years (at least 7?). I use these for the cereals we eat the most, oatmeal, rice and grains, beans, etc. The cereal ones have a snap pour-out lid. Many of the others are just containers, though, no spout or lids. I'm sure this is sold elsewhere, too. I just happen to get mine at BBB.

Re: Good food storage containers - not Lock and Lock

suzyQ3 — Sat, 25 Jan 2014 20:32:49 GMT

On 1/25/2014 brandiwine said:
I bought into the L & L and found them to be pretty bad. They haven't lasted and crack easily. They said they wouldn't stain, but they sure did. I have some of the newer Rubbermaid and the glass ones that I like.

I agree with chickenbutt. I've used many types and have never found one as high quality as L&L.

I've had mine for several years. I've had not one develop stains. I had one crack because it fell when I opened the freezer (frozen plastic will do that).

But with all this said, it is plastic, after all. So I'm always pleasantly surprised at their longevity.

They do what they're supposed to do. But obviously, the OP wants a different type of storage product.

Re: Good food storage containers - not Lock and Lock

ahoymate — Sat, 25 Jan 2014 20:39:19 GMT

Tupperware! Lasts & lasts a long time.

Re: Good food storage containers - not Lock and Lock

circles — Sat, 25 Jan 2014 20:39:58 GMT

I bought Sterilite containers from Target...I like them so much better then L&L......you can buy them individually.....or they use to sell...not sure now....a box full with different sizes....they are plastic....not glass....

Re: Good food storage containers - not Lock and Lock

goodstuff — Sat, 25 Jan 2014 20:44:33 GMT

I refrigerate leftovers, premade dishes, etc. in glass -- Pyrex or Corning dishes with lids. If it's something "smelly" that I don't want to infiltrate the refrigerator, I put a sheet of plastic wrap over the top of the container under the lid. No problems. Now when I'm ready I can remove the dish from the refrigerator (leave it out on the counter for a few minutes for the temperature to moderate if I'm concerned about possible cracking) and pop it into the oven or microwave and have it ready to serve very quickly with minimum trouble and mess. The Pyrex or Corning containers clean up in a jiffy with no clinging odors or staining and last forever. No more plastic containers for me! When I have a little dabble of leftovers, I often refrigerate them in a coffee mug. I cover the mug with a piece of plastic wrap and pop a rubber band around the edge to seal it. Remove the rubber band before zapping the leftovers in the MW, and then the mug goes to the dishwasher. Easy-peasy.

Re: Good food storage containers - not Lock and Lock

chickenbutt — Sat, 25 Jan 2014 20:46:54 GMT

On 1/25/2014 Skylands said:
Tupperware! Lasts & lasts a long time.

My main issue with Tupperware, for storage anyway, is that it is not airtight. I remember back when I worked for the company and the whole spiel about how it's airtight and liquid tight, etc. But I learned on my own that it is totally NOT airtight.

But I do have a few of the Rock n Serve pieces that I sometimes use for microwave heating and they are really great. It's that different type of plastic that doesn't break down in the microwave.

Like SuzieQ and others, I have never had my Lock & Lock stain. But I think some people put them in the microwave and I get that the vendor/hosts say it's microwave safe. But that type of plastic (I learned a fair amt about plastic back when I worked for THP) will naturally peel and stain.

Another reason for staining is to put tomato-based type foods in them BEFORE allowing the food to cool. Every year I make up chilis, spaghetti sauce, stews, etc, and I portion it out into Lock & Locks to freeze so that I can pop it out and vacuum seal it, after it's frozen (easier that way). I have never had one stain because I let the food cool completely before I put it in there. Anyway, that might help somebody, FWIW.

Re: Good food storage containers - not Lock and Lock

forrestwolf — Sat, 25 Jan 2014 21:03:50 GMT

I started a thread here for L&L lovers, no takers, but I am enjoying my Sistema, that lock from the bottom up, not the top down, and I have enjoyed the draining containers for years, that I bought originally from HSN......but they no longer carry....... I like the idea of glass, but no, they are not water tight, and I also can not carry any items to work, as I work in a prison.....meaning......no glass....... I bought my Sistema, in beautiful colors, from Amazon, and Casa.com........

Re: Good food storage containers - not Lock and Lock

suzyQ3 — Sat, 25 Jan 2014 21:49:49 GMT

On 1/25/2014 GoodStuff said:
I refrigerate leftovers, premade dishes, etc. in glass -- Pyrex or Corning dishes with lids. If it's something "smelly" that I don't want to infiltrate the refrigerator, I put a sheet of plastic wrap over the top of the container under the lid. No problems. Now when I'm ready I can remove the dish from the refrigerator (leave it out on the counter for a few minutes for the temperature to moderate if I'm concerned about possible cracking) and pop it into the oven or microwave and have it ready to serve very quickly with minimum trouble and mess. The Pyrex or Corning containers clean up in a jiffy with no clinging odors or staining and last forever. No more plastic containers for me! When I have a little dabble of leftovers, I often refrigerate them in a coffee mug. I cover the mug with a piece of plastic wrap and pop a rubber band around the edge to seal it. Remove the rubber band before zapping the leftovers in the MW, and then the mug goes to the dishwasher. Easy-peasy.

That's all good and well for foods that are refrigerated and particularly then reheated. I use casserole type dishes for that often, although I prefer high-quality stoneware to modern-day Pyrex.

But I personally wouldn't want to use glass containers for pantry storage or travel uses.

Re: Good food storage containers - not Lock and Lock

chickenbutt — Sat, 25 Jan 2014 21:50:53 GMT

Oh qrap! I spelled your name wrong. I'm sorry, SuzyQ. Forty lashes for chicky.

Re: Good food storage containers - not Lock and Lock

Irish Rosebud — Sat, 25 Jan 2014 22:04:03 GMT

I switched over to Pyrex about 15 years ago. I use the Lock n Lock borosilicate glass containers, too. Most of these are round, some rectangular, and they still look brand new. I use these to store leftovers that will be reheated in the microwave.

I use plastic LnL without BPA in various sizes from small to pretty big. I tend to use these to store cereals, flours, nuts, rice, grains, dried beans, etc., in the pantry or frig. These are all square or rectangular and still look brand new.

I have one large and one smaller Rubbermaid, the more expensive BPA-free kind that doesn't stain with the thick rubber lids, for acid-y tomato-based leftovers. I've had these a few years, and they still look brand new. Never stain.

My favorites are OXO brand BPA-free clear rigid plastic with white lids in a variety of sizes. These are the ones I reach for most often. I use these in the frig for everything from fresh produce and meat to canned pet food. They have inner seals similar to LnL with thick lids that "pop" on and off. I haven't seen these for sale in a while. Target used to sell them, but now Oxo only seems to sell the kind that have a "button" in the lids. I don't have that kind, but they get good reviews on Amazon.

Never have had a problem with air seals on any of these. None of these have ever failed or broken. I didn't buy any of these in sets except for maybe the Pyrex. I try to buy borosilicate glass and BPA-free plastic.

Maybe you can buy a small size of different kinds and see what works for you. Good luck!

Re: Good food storage containers - not Lock and Lock

suzyQ3 — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 00:53:25 GMT

On 1/25/2014 Irish Rosebud said:
I switched over to Pyrex about 15 years ago. I use the Lock n Lock borosilicate glass containers, too. Most of these are round, some rectangular, and they still look brand new. I use these to store leftovers that will be reheated in the microwave.

I use plastic LnL without BPA in various sizes from small to pretty big. I tend to use these to store cereals, flours, nuts, rice, grains, dried beans, etc., in the pantry or frig. These are all square or rectangular and still look brand new.

I have one large and one smaller Rubbermaid, the more expensive BPA-free kind that doesn't stain with the thick rubber lids, for acid-y tomato-based leftovers. I've had these a few years, and they still look brand new. Never stain.

My favorites are OXO brand BPA-free clear rigid plastic with white lids in a variety of sizes. These are the ones I reach for most often. I use these in the frig for everything from fresh produce and meat to canned pet food. They have inner seals similar to LnL with thick lids that "pop" on and off. I haven't seen these for sale in a while. Target used to sell them, but now Oxo only seems to sell the kind that have a "button" in the lids. I don't have that kind, but they get good reviews on Amazon.

Never have had a problem with air seals on any of these. None of these have ever failed or broken. I didn't buy any of these in sets except for maybe the Pyrex. I try to buy borosilicate glass and BPA-free plastic.

Maybe you can buy a small size of different kinds and see what works for you. Good luck!

Just an FYI: Most plastic for food use has been BPA-free for some time now. All current L&L products are BPA-free.

Oh, and chickiebutt, you can misspell my name anytime you want.