There is no day when, after cooking, there are no leftovers left in our kitchens. Never throw them away, it is in fact possible to keep them inside food containers with airtight lids so that they can be placed in the fridge or freezer and consumed with peace of mind in the following days. For many it will seem a trivial gesture, yet storing food in the right way is essential, starting with the choice of containers that can be in contact with food. Today on the market there are numerous food containers with different characteristics, shapes, colors and materials. Since the eye also wants its part, these containers are increasingly displayed on the shelves like an ornament thanks to their fascinating and contemporary design.Today we explain how to choose the best bulk food storage containers.
To choose food containers, we must first ask ourselves what we want from these containers. The answer may seem obvious, that foods retain their flavor and aroma, but also that they are organized and suitable for the refrigerator, freezer, even better if with transparent sides or lids to see the contents easily and in a short time.
Food Container Materials
The first element to evaluate in the choice of food containers is represented by the materials.
Plastic food containers are usually equipped with lids that allow an airtight seal of both dry and wet foods. PET containers for food, in particular, meet different needs, they can have both normal and pressure lids and contain salt, sugar, spices, flavorings, pasta, sweets and biscuits. Plastic food containers have low prices, are available in different sizes, last over time and hardly break, are impact resistant and can also be used in the microwave. The cons of this choice are to be identified in the fact that the plastic tends to stain with the colors of the food, in particular with liquid dishes such as soups. In addition, a plastic container easily absorbs odors.
The glass food container
The glass food containers are made of a sturdy glass such as borosilicate, known as Pyrex, and equipped with a pressure lid that prevents food contamination. Three, in particular, the advantages of a glass container: it does not absorb food odors, does not stain and has a long life. However, it is necessary to pay close attention to fragility, in case of impact, glass food containers splinter and shatter easily. Food safety is a topic that is close to everyone’s heart and in the choice of materials for the containers, glass comes out as the winner as it does not interact with food and drinks, making these products unaltered over time.
If we need to keep our food in the freezer, we must be very careful. Glass containers are not always able to withstand low temperatures and therefore the risk is that they break as soon as the internal contents solidify. The suggestion is to equip yourself with tempered and shatterproof glass containers, ideal for freezing. As for plastic containers, even this material does not always withstand low temperatures and risks deteriorating and spoiling the stored food. The advice, therefore, is to pay attention and to choose only plastic suitable for both freezing and thawing, rigorously equipped with hermetic closures for excellent conservation and, in some cases, also with convenient labels to mark the content and the date of production or expiration. It is also important to know whether or not plastic is suitable for contact with food. To resolve this doubt, it is necessary to refer to the fork and glass symbol introduced by the EC Reg. 1935/2004. In this way, the manufacturer of the container declares that the material is suitable for contact with food.
Food Container Lids
In addition to the material of the container, it is important to pay attention to the type of lid. In general, the most used lids are made of plastic, while glass ones are less sold. Whatever the chosen material, however, the lids must have special gaskets, usually double, to allow a hermetic closure of the container and thus avoid the accidental loss of liquids. Let’s think, for example, of the possibility, for reasons of work or pleasure such as a picnic, of having to carry around food with the risk that spills or overturns may occur.
To maintain a valid degree of vacuum, the seals must always be in perfect condition, including maintenance. A trick not everyone knows is to soak the lids in boiling water for 3 minutes and then rub the dry seal with oil. This type of operation will quickly and at low cost restore the elasticity necessary for the lids gaskets.
To store food in the pantry, you can choose classic containers with airtight lids to guarantee freshness and aroma for a long time, together with a silicone gasket that facilitates opening and closing the lid. If you need to carry food outside the home, perhaps because you usually have a lunch break in the office, there are solutions equipped with an airtight lid with four closing flaps for greater safety, a cutlery set usually consisting of a fork, knife. and spoon, internal separator tray that turns into a plate and a container that allows you to better organize your daily meal.
Size and Shape of Food Containers
Choosing the best food containers means giving importance, as we have already seen, to both the materials and the lids, but also to the dimensions. In fact, it is essential to have a wide variety of formats at home to use according to the need of the moment. After all, a food container of the right size contains less air and therefore allows the food inside it to last longer. It is no coincidence that today on the market there are packages of food containers proposed in different sizes for every eventuality.
Also pay attention to the shape, round or oval shaped containers are indicated if they have to accommodate foods to be mixed, such as a pasta with sauce or a salad with its condiments, before being consumed for a matter of easier movements. On the contrary, containers with rectangular or square shapes tend to be more comfortable and can be arranged in the fridge or in a bag in a more orderly manner. Furthermore, to take up less space, it is possible to orient one’s choice towards stackable food containers, equipped with an edge on the lid that allows you to position the boxes one above the other forming a stack.
How To Clean Food Containers
Although today many food containers can be placed in the dishwasher, the advice is not to take risks and always wash them by hand so as not to damage them. Plastic containers should then be cleaned immediately after each use to prevent persistent odors and stains from forming.
