topic Re: What do you all use for taking leftover meals to work? in Kitchen

What do you all use for taking leftover meals to work?

FiddleDeeDee — Thu, 03 Sep 2020 13:30:01 GMT

Or, should you be at home now and make individual meals for yourself or have to make them for someone with special dietary needs...how do you store them?

In the past, I would make leftover meals for DH, myself and one son to take to work in Chinese take-out trays or the Rubbermaid containers you buy at the store. They don't last long and the ones you buy are not cheap. Glass isn't an option in this situation due to heaviness and breakage issues.

I'm looking at the Lock N Lock items but they look either way too big or are mini. Does anyone use these and is there a set you recommend?

Else, what do you use? TIA!!

Re: What do you all use for taking leftover meals to work?

DrKelli — Thu, 03 Sep 2020 13:41:35 GMT

I have bought a set of 'meal prep' boxes from walmart (actually have two sets now). I also have a set from Rubbermaid that has 2 compartments for when I want to separate main course from vegetables. I am single, so I do a lot of meal prep. It's easy to throw one into my lunch box for work. But since March, I just go down to the fridge and throw one in the microwave.

They are fairly inexpensive.

Re: What do you all use for taking leftover meals to work?

Laura14 — Thu, 03 Sep 2020 13:53:32 GMT

I use locknlock now. I got the TSV set from a few months ago that ranged from small to large.

Before that, I used the green tupperware that I think I got from BB&B.

If it's liquid, I use steel canisters that I got from QVC a year or so ago so they don't leak. They usually come out with a set around the holidays and I picked one up once.

K50140 has a lot of the sizes I use for my meal preps and work lunches in the set I got.

Re: What do you all use for taking leftover meals to work?

CAcableGirl2 — Thu, 03 Sep 2020 13:52:16 GMT

@FiddleDeeDee I use lock&lock, either some of the smaller containers, or the 4 piece divider one K46153. If you get the 4 piece divider set, be aware that the sections do not go all the way up to the lid so if you turn the item sideways the food will mix together. They are great for stacking items in the freezer, and for taking to work (if you don't flip it on it's side).

I had them since they launched them, and they are almost like brand new after many, many uses.

Other then those, I use the rectangle and small square containers depending on what I'm taking to work for lunch. All are lock&lock.

Re: What do you all use for taking leftover meals to work?

FiddleDeeDee — Thu, 03 Sep 2020 13:52:54 GMT

@DrKelli Please tell me about the boxes from Walmart; do they come in a set of 2 or more or is it an individual item?

I find the Rubbermaid gets costly because we're using 3 a day, 5 days a week and between washing and microwaving, the plastic starts to bubble up around the 3rd use. At $5 for 2 trays, I'm spending $35 to $50 every 3 weeks (I also buy the ones for soups because we do a lot of soups and stews. So that means 2 are being used by each of us...it adds ups). I'd like to invest in something that's going to last longer than a few uses. Again, glass would be perfect but don't want to risk it.

Re: What do you all use for taking leftover meals to work?

FiddleDeeDee — Thu, 03 Sep 2020 13:57:54 GMT

@CAcableGirl2 @Laura14 Thank you for the info!

I bought one of the LnL TSV's a year or so ago and they're either way too big or way too small, lol. Great for storing stuff in the fridge or pantry but not for meals. I'm going to have to go back and stare at measurements.

Did they ever bring a set JUST for this purpose? If not, it seems as if it would be a great idea. @CAcableGirl2 Yeah, they would be dumped upside down and all around especially in my sons' backpack. Would definitely need something were the middle part comes up to the top.

Again, I'll go back and look at them more closely. Thanks!!!!

Re: What do you all use for taking leftover meals to work?

I am still oxox — Thu, 03 Sep 2020 13:58:12 GMT

I use something from HSN with a pop lid, which seals all the air out. So far they are working well

Re: What do you all use for taking leftover meals to work?

DrKelli — Thu, 03 Sep 2020 14:07:21 GMT

@FiddleDeeDee wrote:
@DrKelli Please tell me about the boxes from Walmart; do they come in a set of 2 or more or is it an individual item?

They come in a set of 5. The Rubbermaid ones that I have were also a set of 5.

Re: What do you all use for taking leftover meals to work?

ECBG — Thu, 03 Sep 2020 14:07:36 GMT

@FiddleDeeDee I love these. The lids won't come off. they seal all the way around and the lid snaps to the bottom of the bowl.

Sams, walmart

Re: What do you all use for taking leftover meals to work?

Miss Pepsi — Thu, 03 Sep 2020 14:14:38 GMT

I use Lock n Lock for everything. I have some dexterity issues and Lock n Lock are perfect. I have a good range of sizes so that helps.

Re: What do you all use for taking leftover meals to work?

Laura14 — Thu, 03 Sep 2020 14:21:47 GMT

@FiddleDeeDee I bring salads mainly to work and I find the sizes fine for the lengthwise ones I have and that are in the new set. The smaller box sizes I use for fruit or yogurts.

If you are looking at bringing sandwiches or a true meal like a protein and sides, LnL is probably not going to be the best choice at least not for the set I have and the one I pulled from the site just now.

One of the other recommendations may serve you better.

Re: What do you all use for taking leftover meals to work?

Peaches McPhee — Thu, 03 Sep 2020 15:22:13 GMT

I generally buy the cheap ones from the Dollar Tree. They last maybe 3 times of use. Sometimes I buy nicer ones, and of course they last longer.

Re: What do you all use for taking leftover meals to work?

EatWell — Thu, 03 Sep 2020 15:51:52 GMT

A Bento box: 👍

Natural fiber. No plastics!

Better than L&L.

~Life is short. So eat well. You may die tomorrow. ~

Re: What do you all use for taking leftover meals to work?

Carmie — Thu, 03 Sep 2020 15:52:16 GMT

I put away a lot of food for later...lunches and dinners as well.

If you heat anything up in the microwave in plastic, the food if it gets too hot, will ruin the plastic by warping and pitting.

The microwave oven not ruining the plastic, the hot food is.

Soups and a stews contain grease...this will really ruin plastic quickly.

I use lightweight Pyrex containers with plastic snap lids and sometimes use those small mason jars. Glass is really not that heavy and food just tastes better if stored in glass.

My glass containers are used often and some are 20 years or more older. My DH takes his lunch to work in glass and none have ever broken.

I buy the sets that have the small rounds and rectangular shapes. If the plastic lids wear out, they are easily replaced.

Re: What do you all use for taking leftover meals to work?

suzyQ3 — Thu, 03 Sep 2020 16:12:58 GMT

I have L&L in every conceivable size. I don't know what QVC offers now because I don't need any, but I bought all mine from them. I have several that are perfect for what you're talking about.

Re: What do you all use for taking leftover meals to work?

loriqvc — Thu, 03 Sep 2020 17:44:49 GMT

@FiddleDeeDee - Although I primarily use glass storage pieces at home for leftovers and reheating, I was also wary of the potential breakage factor when transporting food. However, over the past six months, I have now converted almost completely to glass for meals at the office (I still use plastic if no reheating is involved) and have had zero issues with breakage, and the added weight has seemed negligible. I really like how easy it is to keep the containers clean and in perfect condition versus the worry and annoyance of plastic getting warped, pitted, and stained. The change has been totally worth it to me.

If you do decide to go with glass, these are my absolute favorite Lock & Lock glass sets; I have two of each set and they are in constant rotation:

https://www.qvc.com/LocknLock-Set-of-3-Glass-Bowl-Storage-Container-Set.product.K48810.html

https://www.qvc.com/LocknLock-Set-of-3-Rectangle-Glass-Dishes-with-Divider-and-Lid.product.K48362.html?sc=SRCH

Re: What do you all use for taking leftover meals to work?

TaylorBrown — Thu, 03 Sep 2020 18:20:59 GMT

I like the Lock and Lock divided plates for leftovers. The compartments are a good size.

Re: What do you all use for taking leftover meals to work?

shoptilyadropagain — Fri, 04 Sep 2020 12:36:09 GMT

I have and use tons of various plastic sandwich shaped storage containers (Glad, Ziploc, Rummermaid, generic, etc.) When I find one I really like, they're discontinued when I go back to buy more. Anyway, I use one of those or I have some round glass Pyrex bowls with plastic lids that I use. I also have a round plastic container that is divided off into 3 compartments and it has a lid with a vent hole.

Re: What do you all use for taking leftover meals to work?

candys mine — Mon, 07 Sep 2020 00:18:02 GMT

I use lock N lock containers to keep a couple days of protien at work. I cook veggies daily and bring them in seprate L'N L containers. That way I can pick and choose if I don't want all of them that day. The L'N L has served me well. I don't mind if they get tomato stained and such, I'm not dining at the Ritz.