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Tips on How to Choose the Best Kitchen Storage Containers
Types of Storage Containers
An essential ask in every kitchen, storage containers not only keep any food item/ingredient fresh but also retain their freshness and preserve the food by keeping it airtight. There are different kinds of storage containers right from bread bins that store and keep bread fresh to functional yet stylish cookie jars in a variety of materials like glass, ceramic, tin, or plastic. Then there are jars for storing cereals, pulses, nuts & spices, oil, tea leaves, and more. If you like barbeques, roasted food, salads or baking, then containers like drizzlers and dressing shakers come in handy. For leftovers, silicon bags or clip sealers, washable zip bags are ideal for storing, while mesh bags and jute bags are perfect for storing your greens, fruits, and other such items.
Dry Food Storage Containers
Dry food often comes in plastic or paper bags and tend to spill all over/around the kitchen or your shelves when you open them; this is where the food storage containers become useful by not only organising your cupboards, saving space, keeping the food fresh but also preventing food from spillage.
But before you go ahead and start using them, you need to select the right kind of material for storage - acrylic, glass, plastic, or anything else; it needs to be strong and durable and be able to withstand wear and tear. The closure mechanism is a worthy aspect, too, from a sealing lid to a push-button closure to a latched canister. And one of the most important aspects of choosing a container is to ensure it fits the size of your pantry/shelves and the volume of food it can store.
Choosing Between Glass & Plastic Containers
When it comes to storage containers, usually, the tie is between glass or a plastic container. When choosing between the two, you should go with glass if you don’t mind a heavier container, looking for kitchen storage only, and if you’re planning to store food items that smell or stain and, of course, microwave-friendly containers.
Choose plastic if you want something unbreakable, want to stock up for meal preparations, and you’re looking for something that’s relatively lighter and easy to carry around. In the case of most glass containers, the majority are built of tempered glass, which is comparatively more durable than the regular glass.
Whether you choose plastic or glass, the container should ideally be airtight, break-resistant, leak-proof, easy to clean & store and, of course, stain-resistant.
Best Kitchen Storage Containers
Vaya Preserve 300 ml White 5 Set
The pristine white glossy storage jars from Vaya can give your cooking space a minimalist touch and a classy edge. In them, you can store your choicest spices, herbs and mixes, stacking them all together or even use them for storing your home-cooked meals. The Vaya Preserve Set of 5 White Jars measure 300 ml and come with a preserved insulated body and lid with a year’s warranty. Measuring 10 cm in diameter and 10 cm in height, the Vaya Preserve White Jars Set is priced at Rs. 3,300 and is made of Stainless Steel 304 with a coated finish. It is FDA approved, with its lid body made in Copolyester plastic and is also BPA-Free. You can buy this from vaya.in.
Tupperware Small Snack Container Set
An ideal option for containing your snacks on the go, convenient to open and close, and available in visually appealing colours, the Small Tupperware Snack Container Set includes four plastic containers with an airtight lid in square shape measuring about 5” in width and 7” in height with a depth of 9” approx., all weighing 350 grams each. Priced at Rs. 649, Tupperware Klick Klack, small snack container set of 4 is available on flipkart.com.
Green Metal Bread Bin
The Bloomingville Mint Green Metal Bread Bin is a vintage styled bread bin, classically styled to shine on your kitchen top! Available in a mint green box with grey text, this steel bin can hold half a loaf of bread and measures 8 cm x 5.25 cm x 8 cm. It can only be hand washed and isn’t microwave-safe or dishwasher safe. The bread bin comes from a Danish design collection combined with Nordic Trends, keeping the best kitchen options in mind - Priced at Rs. 3,967, the Green Metal Bread Bin from Bloomingville is available on ibhejo.com.
Revolving Spice Rack
The Cronus 360° Revolving Spice Box is a spice storage set of 16 in carbon steel containers with a black rack that can hold containers with 200 ml each capacity. In a unique and different design, these spice containers have more storage space compared to regular spice storage containers and are made of high-quality ABS plastic with steel caps. In the rack, there are two shelves in which eight containers can be stacked on the upper tier and eight on the lower level. The rack can be rotated with ease, is easy to use and easy to clean as well. Cronus 360° Revolving Spice Rack is priced at Rs. 499 and is available on flipkart.com.
Transparent Borosilicate Glass Food Containers
The Transparent Borosilicate Glass Food Containers from Femora come in a set of 3 containers with lids made of Borosilicate Glass, which is lead-free and both dishwasher and microwave safe. They come with a storage capacity of 430 ml and can be wiped clean with a dry cloth to remove dust. Priced at Rs. 1,230, the Transparent Borosilicate Glass Food Containers from Femora are available on myntra.com.
Flora Cookie Storage Jar
Most of us enjoy snacking, and the Flora Cookie Storage Jar from Chumbak is a gorgeous storage container that can hold abundant cookies, chips, candies, or munchies and is visually attractive to jazz up your dining table or the kitchen counter. The material used to make this is dolomite, and it comes with a subtle print and measures 19.5 cm x 16.5cm x 13.5 cm - priced at Rs. 895. It can easily be hand washed or wiped clean with a dry cloth and comes with a capacity of 1000 ml. You can get yours from chumbak.com.
Reusable Silicone Food Storage Bag Containers
The Lovelyhome Silicone Food Storage Bag Containers come with four differently coloured silicone food storage bags that can be reused and are free from toxins and chemicals. Made of eco-friendly silicone, these bags are recyclable and reusable and have an ultra-convenient airlock/ziplock for complete preservation, which can then store fruits, veggies, milk, beverages, meat, and other edible items. These storage bags are both heat and cold resistant, which can withstand temperatures ranging from -40°C to 230°C. These are non-allergenic, non-reactive, repel both germs and chemical, durable, and can keep food fresh for up to 30 hours. They are refrigerator, microwave, toaster, freezer, steamer, and dishwasher safe. The Reusable Silicone Food Storage Bag Containers are priced at Rs. 719 and come in a set of 4. These are available for purchase on amazon.in.
Transparent Airtight Storage Container Jar for Cereals, Snacks, Pulses
The GadgetBucket Transparent Airtight Storage Container Jar comes with an airtight seal keeping that can keep food fresh for an extended period. It has 3 sections that can be treated as 3 storage compartments, thereby maximizing its storage capacity, where you can store 3 different food items in the same jar. It is A microwave-safe, freezer-friendly, and dishwasher-safe, and is made of BPA-free and non-toxic plastic. Priced at Rs. 229 each, it is also available in many other colours and can be bought from gadgetbucket.in.
Stainless Steel Canister Set
This Stainless Steel Canister Set from Jensons is much healthier and durable option for storage compared to the old plastic boxes that can hold freshly packed food in airtight and leak-proof stainless steel containers, is made of BPA free materials, come in different sizes and can hold 220 ml to 650 ml in varying sizes of small to X-large containers. The Stainless Steel Canister Set comes in 8 pieces and is priced at Rs. 1,046 on pepperfry.com. Remember that these aren’t microwave-safe!
Cube Jars Set
The Treo Milton Cube Jars Set of 6 can store a variety of your kitchen essentials like candies, cookies, pasta, nuts, and more. Created with a perfect design that meets most Indian households, these airtight and leak-proof jars can store all your food items safely, and their glass surface can be labeled easy with a sticker for easy identification of the stored item. With a storage capacity of 180 ml each, the Cube Jars Set can be used as fridge containers, for storing tea, coffee, spices, pickles, and other such items. Priced at Rs. 430 for a set of 6, the Treo Cube Jar Set from Milton is available on flipkart.com.
Bonus Tips: Trending Ideas for Kitchen Storage
With most of us leading a hectic lifestyle, storing food for later consumption has become a common practice in most households and with the availability of an assortment of food storage containers or saving on kitchen storage space, choosing one that is ideal for an individual household may be a tad bit difficult. However, here’s a short guide that can help you identify the right storage container, that’s the right quality, size, eco-friendly, and also the trendiest ways to minimize kitchen storage.
- NON TOXIC STORAGE – Polycarbonates (BPA) have a #7 plastic stamp on the base of tubs and bottles, which is, unfortunately, a catch-all for all plastic bodies. It is best to choose non-toxic plastics like PLA, BPA free, which is identifiable in the packages. Alternatively, go with glass or stainless steel options, as they are safe, non-porous, and don’t absorb any colour or smells. Glass is both microwave and dishwasher safe with some containers being oven and freezer safe as well. Stainless Steel is not so versatile and can only be used in an oven or freezer. Avoid purchasing BPS manufactured containers, fast food wrappers, paperboard beverage containers, and plastic wraps as well.
- RIGHT MATERIAL – Choose lightweight, easy to use, and unbreakable plastic containers which are ideal for storing dry ingredients and also reheating food in the microwave. They come in both airtight and non-airtight containers, but it’d be wise to check them for BPA-free produce and the grade of plastic used (Grades 2,4 or 5 are considered safe). Alternatively, look for durable and microwave friendly glass containers that can be used for leftover food items, raw veggies, and meat items as well. They are hygienic and both microwave and dishwasher safe. Borosilicate glass containers can be used for reheating food, cooking, and baking as well.
- SHAPE & SIZE – Choosing the right size and shape for a container not only minimizes your kitchen space but calls for its optimum utilization as well, by giving you more space to stack multiple containers. Typically, 500 ml to 1000 ml capacity is appropriate for dry storage for cereals, pulses, rice, etc., while 200 ml to 500 ml is perfect for square/rectangle shaped containers, mainly for refrigeration storage. Differently coloured and portable plastic jars are ideal for easy identification, while small plastic containers are great for portable use and storage. Stackable sets of plastic containers are good for dry storage again, with small glass jars perfect for storing jams, pickles, and chutneys. Durable stainless steel canisters are right for bulk dry storage, while airtight plastic containers are good to store cut fruits and veggies.
- SMART STORAGE – Not everyone has a spacious kitchen, so it is best to make the most of all kinds of space with smart organising. For instance, you can multiply vertical storage space with wire shelf risers, giving you more space to store your dishware. For your pantry, follow the ‘first in, first out’ rule, which has the newest boxes/containers behind what’s already open and all things organised with labels, bins, and transparent tupperware. Store your table linens in durable plastic bins and get a layered organiser to hold your parchment paper, aluminum foils, or plastic wraps. Get expandable organizers and drawer dividers to hold your large, small and odd-shaped utensils.
Now You Can Even Make Your Kitchen "Smart"
What good are technological advancements if they can't help improve our day-to-day lives? We're only so far away from when our homes are going to be 'smart' as well. If you're someone who loves to cook and happen to be a geek as well, making you're kitchen 'smart' would one amazing away to fuse both your desires! Check out BP-Guide for ideas on how you can make it happen.