Equipment Review: The Best Plastic and The Best Glass Food Storage Containers & Our Testing Winners
Equipment Review: The Best Plastic and The Best Glass Food Storage Containers & Our Testing Winners
Buy Our Winning Plastic Container: https://cooks.io/3LbOCyg
Buy Our Winning Glass Container: https://cooks.io/4cCUxrI
Full testing details and ranking chart (plastic): https://cooks.io/2Jn0jB4
Full testing details and ranking chart (glass): https://cooks.io/2GEBToA
We don’t think home cooks should have to choose between plastic and glass food storage containers, since both have advantages: While glass is heavier and more fragile than plastic, it also resists staining and warping, can go in the microwave without worry, and can even be used in the oven for cooking or reheating, offering great versatility. We tested five glass storage containers alongside six plastic containers, all with capacities as close as possible to 8 cups, a good size for storing leftovers or a make-ahead meal. Some containers can be purchased a la carte, while others are sold only in sets. For those who purchase glass containers to avoid plastic, we did notice this: Most have plastic lids. Only one model we tested had a glass lid, with a silicone trim to seal it in place.
METHODOLOGY
Plastic: We tested six plastic containers (all BPA-free, according to manufacturers), choosing those as close as possible to an 8-cup capacity (the capacities of the models in our lineup ranged from 6 to 10 cups). All containers were purchased online, and they appear in order of preference.
Glass: We tested five glass food storage containers as close as possible to an 8-cup capacity. Information about the maximum ovensafe temperature and general oven use was obtained from manufacturers. (Note: Ovens should always be preheated before putting glass containers inside. None of the lids are ovensafe. Every product listed special cautions for heating the containers on their labels and websites; we recommend reading these before oven use.) Capacity is reported in cups for comparison. All models were purchased online. They appear in order of preference.
Leaks: We filled the containers with water tinted with blue food coloring and shook them vigorously for 15 seconds. We also filled them with moisture-detecting color-changing crystals and submerged them in water for 2 minutes. Containers that didn’t leak when shaken and that kept their contents dry when submerged received high marks.
Odors: We refrigerated oil-packed tuna and anchovies in each container overnight and ran the containers through a home dishwasher and checked for odors. Containers that resisted odors and cleaned up more easily were preferred.
Design: We considered features that made the containers easier to use, including simple, intuitive seals and shapes that stack well and make cooling and heating more efficient.
Storage and Microwave Heating: We filled containers with chili, refrigerated them over a weekend, and microwaved them, checking for warping, staining, and other damage. Containers that didn’t leak or spill, held plenty of chili, and resisted warping, staining, and other damage rated highest.
Durability: We opened and closed each container 100 times, washed the containers 50 times in a home dishwasher, and repeated all the previous tests (leaking, odors, opening and closing, microwaving). Then we filled containers with water and knocked them off a kitchen counter and froze water in them and dropped them from 3 feet above the floor. Finally, we checked for stains, warping, breakage, and general wear and tear, giving high marks to those still in good condition.
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Brilliant! exactly the type of information I was looking for.
Imagine being part of the team to smell the tuna and anchovies containers. Thank you for your service, America’s Test Kitchen team members.
It’s amazing how non-leak some of these are wow
These videos are so well done and informative. Thanks America’s Test Kitchen!
That triton plastic material looks like it would become brittle.
For anyone buying the rubbermaid containers! They’re not stain resistant like they advertise! I bought one & i couldn’t remove the curry color from the first use 😞 My advice stay with glass containers!!
I invested in several Brilliance containers, after watching this recommendation. Within 3 months of use, warming up foods in the microwave, every last piece developed rippled cracks in the sides. The only thing they are good for is shelf storage. I don’t even have a big powerful microwave, I have a little tiny one with low power. I was very disappointed.
I love your reviews, thank you! I wish you would do a video to compare and decide which glass food container is the best. I am trying to decide between OXO and Glasslock, unless you recommend another brand!
This is where I come before I buy, and I live in Australia! One thing I’m wondering is if they get upturned in the dishwasher, happens all the time with containers, drives me nuts as I don’t know if they were washed properly, anyone have these and know?
Not sure why rubbermaid won, ive had a number of these and the lids crack easily. They seal well and the vessel is durable but the lids are not long lasting.
🧑🏻🍳👍🏻
@Americas Test Kitchen have you published a new test? Pretty old video as technology and quality has changed. Thanks
I’m on the way to the store to get some containers.
Would love to use some of these solutions, but for some reason my family treats containers like socks. I have no idea how lids get "lost" or or the containers do. If ATK could solve that for me I would be forever grateful. And yes…I am compulsive with organization in my kitchen, so no hard feelings here.
I have GlassLock containers. The oldest are 7 years old and they and the lids (gasket included) are all good as new. The downside to them, which does also make them seal incredibly well, is it takes some effort to latch them, especially the largest rectangular containers. They are not good if you don’t have strong hands, have arthritis, etc. The design is quite similar to the OXO glass container, but as with anything, if OXO makes a version of something it’s better than the competition. I’d put GlassLock as a less expensive but still quality alternative to the OXO, just with the caveats mentioned above.
that’s what I’m talking about ! nice video
😊😇😘❤🌹🌸🌷
RE: rubberband brilliance – if you are from Europe then look for "sistema brilliance" they are identical.
Thank you!
Thank you. WOW This was an exhaustive test. I appreciate that you took the time to do this for everyone. As others have already mentioned, now I know which ones I can rely on the most and get a better value for my money.
they always got to make the lids horrible
EMSA, made in Germany, 30 years guaranty and 100% SAFE plastic : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=paSm50OftkU or get a job at emsa ttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fA-JVQSUmRY
oxo makes a lot of good stuff really
Thank-you. Also, knowing which options are USA made would be helpful. I feel like in theory, USA mfgs use less toxic materials – at least in recent years.
Oh no, I always put glass in the oven before it preheats! I thought the slow rise in temperature would help it not crack. Thanks for the tip and explanation. I’m waiting until the oven is preheated from now on. I want my kitchenware to have a long life.
Omg now that’s the best test I’ve ever seen
Why you guys doing lots of water and electricity waste to conduct your unnecessary tests
Thank you for taking what I assumed would be the boringest thing I’d ever research and making it genuinely interesting haha! You also tested for many important things I never would have thought about until a use-case scenario.
Love this video. I bought the Rubbermaid ones. Yay!!
It should be noted that the rubber maid brilliance are only rated to be microwaved for 30 seconds which is absurd. Mine started cracking within 20 uses because I assumed it was microwave safe. You can only find this info if you look up the manufacturer specs for the product which is very misleading.
The thoroughness is shocking. You take this seriously. So appreciated.
I’ve had trouble with so many different ones I’ve tried so I stick with a six pack of Rubbermaid take alongs in the rectangular size and just take good care of them, soak them in cool dawn water. Then get more when they’re done for.
Your folks are just wonderful. Thank you for all you do making cooking so enjoyable and helping us curate solid equipment. And you do it all with so much enthusiasm and care for your audience. Bravo!
👌
would love to see how pyrex snapware compare to oxo
Great video!
oh sure,..but..which one keeps a medium sized head fresh?
americas test kitchen makes consumer reports look like a chump they are the best period !
Glass is for posers.
Have you reviewed stainless steel containers? Light weight, oven safe, leak proof, odor free
Amazing video. Thank you!!!! This was just what I needed 🙂
The only reliable reviews are from people who have been using the product for a period of time. I also think quality has degraded in the past 5 years.
WOW that’s a test
For those watching this in 2022, go look up JoyFul bt JoyJolt. I saw a 24 piece glass storage container set online that says it is borosilicate glass with plastic lids. They claim to be leakproof, bpa and lead free. Maybe ATK will retest storage containers and include this brand. I would like to know how the JoyFul containers stack up (pun definitely intended).
😂 @ 3:36 "if the lid and seal warps your stuck playing whack a mole" 😂
And yet they didn’t talk about what a pain the Rubbermaids are hard as heck to open. Don’t buy them
I’ll stick with my Pyrex ultimate set
Southern Grammas had the right idea using Cool Whip containers, and margarine tubs. The containers are commercial quality and the lids match. And they come filled with food. AND the containers are labeled to match.
Amazing review!
I’ve been using the winner for 5 years and recently bought another set. The quality has seriously declined! In less than a year I’ve had several containers crack. I’m super disappointed.