Equipment Review: The Best Plastic and The Best Glass Food Storage Containers & Our Testing Winners
Вставка
- Опубліковано 27 чер 2024
- Buy Our Winning Plastic Container: cooks.io/2GB7F22
Buy Our Winning Glass Container: cooks.io/2q78yc7
Behind the plastic container testing: cooks.io/2q7z19H
Full testing details and ranking chart (plastic): cooks.io/2Jn0jB4
Behind the glass container testing: cooks.io/2q63O6K
Full testing details and ranking chart (glass): 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.
ABOUT US: Located in Boston’s Seaport District in the historic Innovation and Design Building, America's Test Kitchen features 15,000 square feet of kitchen space including multiple photography and video studios. It is the home of Cook’s Illustrated magazine and Cook’s Country magazine and is the workday destination for more than 60 test cooks, editors, and cookware specialists. Our mission is to test recipes over and over again until we understand how and why they work and until we arrive at the best version.
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I appreciate all the testing you do.
I love how thorough you do these researches. This clip can be a good example to show students how to do research, all the steps are there
The thoroughness is shocking. You take this seriously. So appreciated.
You all are great! I go to your channel before I shop for kitchen“upgrades.” Even if I spend more than I’m use to on items; I know I’m buying VALUE and most likely won’t have to replace most of these items for YEARS! Thank you all for your detail scrutinizing of these vast products.
This is why I enjoy America's Test Kitchen. Very thorough with there reviews.
*their reviews.
Me too. This is why I enjoy America's Test Kitchen. They are very thorough with their reviews and explaining also the science behind the recipes they present. Love it!
Agree!!!
I miss these longer format test videos. The short ones are nice if you just want to get to the recommendation, but the longer ones are nice because you get to learn more about the process and also make more informed purchasing decisions for similar products down the line.
Oh my word this video is so thorough! Thank you so much, you've really helped me decide how to plan my kitchen storage.
A month ago I bought the 20 piece set of those Rubbermaid brilliance containers after moving into my new place. I almost bought the knockoffs, but saw the Rubbermaids were similar in price. I'm super happy with my purchase, and this video just reinforces that feeling.
Same, I’m so glad my daily container won! But I’m not surprised at all. I will regularly fill it with soup and chuck it in my backpack with no worries
To me rubber maid makes the best containers
@@bryanfuel right? They're my go to now.
Thanks for this! Even though they simulated longevity, it's good to know that a consumer agrees.
I have to disagree. I bought some less than a year ago, and two have cracked (never even dropped them, I don’t know how it happened), and the lids leaked. One also melted in the microwave. I’m very disappointed.
I still have & use my Martha Stewart glass , rubber lid set, that I bought at Kmart in the 1990 !! Kmart is gone but the containers live !
Awesome video! You can tell a lot of effort was put into it.
The very first time I have 100% agreement with your Rubbermaid. They were the best I’ve ever had. I have even given sets to my two daughters and they agree. Thank you
Bought that Oxo glass one years ago and I get compliments all the time about its quality 👍
Once you go glass, you never go back
Love Lisa as a host.
Thanks for listing her name. I’ve been calling her Darlene.
My favorite ATK presenter! It’s like chatting with a friend with lots of knowledge! She rocks! Now I know what to look for!
Thank you so much! I bought several of the Brilliance ones today. I love your comparison videos and almost always find myself buying your top picks.
I've always loved how you guys test stuff. So awesome.
Great episode. One test you haven’t covered though, which is important for a lot of people due to limited storage cupboard space and it is stackability. No good if these perfect containers take up a huge amount of storage space in kitchen cupboards. Perfect if they stack inside each other taking up way less space. Thanks
The Pyrex Ultimate Glass containers stack well. They were recommended “with reservations” on the test kitchen website.
I have the Brilliance collection (plastic winner) and they stack/nest better than most. The little hinged clips on the lids can be annoying in the cupboard but I tuck the lids end-down into the bigger tubs and can get all the pieces of the set in a fairly small space.
Nesting any brand of glass container increases risk of damaging them. Even small scratches and chips can ruin their integrity. That’s a major safety issue.
Im obsessed with this lady! literally buying everything shes recommending and creating a solid kitchen /inventory so i can finally start cooking and feeling like i have all i need to do so..its life changing ! ...goes through like everything I worry about and the reasoning i need to justify a purchase...like a dream come true lol--I wish she was my mom or cool aunt or like my neighbor & friend lol...im a research scientist (physicist) ---and no one has ever understood me and why I care so much about these details with everything...She totally gets it and speaks to me hahha ...i feel like my perfectionism prayers got answered lol
_Same here! I like this channel. So far everything I bought from their recommendations was superb and 100% accurate. I am also a perfectionist so these guys convince my specific detailing_ :)
Finally! I've been waiting for you guys to release the test results from a storage containers study. Thanks so much for sharing the information. I recently purchased a large set of Rubbermaid Brilliance storage containers from Bed Bath & Beyond. I haven't tried them out yet. After this shining review, I can't wait to give them a go :D Have a great weekend.
I love ATK's thoroughness when testing everything, and I now have a huge equipment wish list based on ATK's best recommendations. Thanks ATK for your dedication to making us better cooks and consumers.
Wow, y'all are super thorough! Thanks for all of your great videos!
Your segments are my favorite. Thank you and your demo team!
Very thorough testing. Love this channel.
I love your work! Thank you so much for all the testings you guys do : ) this one is so great because who doesn't use containers all the time? Thank you thank you thank you : )
You guys really thought of everything during testing. Love it.
Excellent review. My mom had a phrase, "I'm tired just watching you." That is so true watching all those tests. My patience would have failed at the third open and close of the lid.
Finally thorough review that I can rely on goodbye to all the other review channels this is the best thank you
I love my canning jars. Durable glass, easy to clean, standard sizes, the lids all fit perfectly. I don't want more petroleum products in my life. If you leave an inch of headspace, they freeze well too.
good point,
Same. That’s what I mainly use but when I have left overs, I don’t wanna put them in a mason jar. So I’ve been looking at Pyrex storage containers. You can bake in them. Put them in the freezer. And use them as food storage containers.
I agree about the Pyrex. I guess any heavy glass works well. I have lots of Pyrex, and a set of Snapware that I use all the time. Trying to avoid plastic - especially single use plastic! I found out recently that of all recycled plastic, only 10% is actually recycled. The rest is floating in our oceans (we ingest it in seafood), breaking down in dumps, being made into mountains in huge warehouses.
i can't imagine how difficult it was to make this video!!! thanks for all the effort! i have those korean glasslock containers and i find the lids hard to close and the silicone channels are too thin to wash easily
Thank you for all the work. You guys are some of the best testers out there!
Awesome presentation! A well-crafted testing process and demonstration video. This is without a doubt the definitive video on food storage containers. Mike ☺
This video is so satisfying for kitchen sadists/klutzs
Love your reviews. Every time I need one item for my kitchen, I look for your videos.
Thanks so much for this post. I need to purchase some new containers. Now I know which ones to purchase.
Great information. Love this channel. 👍
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.
These videos are so well done and informative. Thanks America's Test Kitchen!
Thank you for listing the top choices!
Wow!! Thank you for putting in all this work to show us the best recommendations. I really appreciate it
Wow thank you I’m impressed with your testing
This host gives excellent presentations. The experiments and recommendations are sooooo thorough and helpful. Thank you for having a UA-cam channel with so much great content, Cooks and ATK!!
Thank you for the thorough review! This really helps me make a final decision on which one to buy!
Love your reviews. Keep them coming!
I wish you had tested nesting, which is so important to many of us. Thank you for the review, I trust your testing and reporting. you guys do a great job!
Bought the Rubbermaid Brilliance set two years ago and have used them consistently. They have held up very nicely.
Yall are a life saver, honestly, a real hero tbh
Brilliant! exactly the type of information I was looking for.
Going shopping! My glass containers leak. Now I know what to buy! Thanks!
I greatly appreciate all of the testing you did. It will allow me to make a more informed purchase. Thank you.
This is such good science, as a researcher, it makes me so happy
Y'all are the best! Love your comparison videos.
Now I know what to buy. Thank you from Malaysia!
Your testing are just fantastic!
I love your testings! Thank you for making them and easy our lives not to mention help us to save money as we purchase our things. Thank you.
Really useful info. many thanks. I so appreciate the test kitchen: it saves me time and money.
I just saw this video, right after I invested in the Rubbermaid Brilliance for my pantry storage. 👍 Thank you
This video was everything I dreamed and hoped it would be. Thank you!
Omg this is so satisfying in my efforts to find the all around best truest products.
One of the best reviews I’ve ever seen💛
Clear concise and to the point with a proper winner. Good job. Im not the best cook but I’m buying some of your recommendations. Thanks.
I absolutely love the Rubbermaid Brilliance plastic containers I've been using them for months now and they still look brand new
Wow, how thorough! Thank you!
This testing was so thorough I couldn't believe it
This is Awesome! Thank you!
Thanks for this video! Now i know what containers to buy
You guys are the best! I don't make a move in my kitchen without checking to see if you have info about it!
Omg now that's the best test I've ever seen
I love these videos! Please also review spice grinders and water filters!
Thanks for the tests and information.
A test thought out and very well done.
Thanks.I went back to glass along time ago.Better for me and the environment.
I got the brilliance set and it truly is amazing
the rubbermaid is a champ. good job on being super thorough!
So nice to have information to help protect and save my money and time.
Amazing. Thank you.
Have the Brilliance containers. LOVE THEM. Glad they perform well for y'all as well.
Thank you for a real test, this obviously took a lot of time and money to produce!
Excellent advice!
Thanks for all that thorough work!! That was goood information!
You guys really worked hard
I bought 7 Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Containers because of America's Test Kitchen, I made a well informed purchase. I'm happy with my new containers.
Pretty good video and information. First time viewer. Guess I'll subscribe and learn a little. Thanks for what you're doing.
Loved this - really helpful!
This has to be the best channel ever for an adult.. thank you
Valuable information. Thank you!
I've noticed that many of my favorite containers with latch lids have gotten harder and harder to latch over time. Great to see the exhaustive testing here because many people wouldn't even think of things like that.
This was great. For future reviews, stacking and storage comparisons would be appreciated.
THIS IS GOOD STUFF I LOVE THE REVIEWS YOU GUYS DO
I actually bought the winning plastic container 2years prior to when I watch this video. I knew this was good and I agree with your conclusion Rubbermaid container is a very solid product. I was confident that it won’t capture odder and won’t leak, and the moment I saw the lid has 2 holes I knew this container is for me. Whoever designed this container was very thoughtful!
Amazing review!
Thank you so much for this!!
Perfect! As a bachelor I have to do lots of food prep. I've been looking for the perfect storage solution for years, and never heard of the Brilliance line before. Just ordered a bunch.
Another great review!
I LOVE THIS SERIES
great review and great video!
Good to know. Thanks Lisa!
Thank you so much for the video!
I just recently purchased a set of the Rubbermaid Brilliance containers and I can attest they are a winner! I stored chicken Tikka Masala over the weekend and warmed it up for lunch. After a wash, the container looks brand new!
Great! I'm still using Mason jars...nice to get some new options.
Love this video. I bought the Rubbermaid ones. Yay!!
Appreciate your insight, i won’t buy anything until you say is worth it!!!!!!