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If you are enveloped by an avalanche of plastic Chinese takeout containers, Tupperware containers, and a variety of other containers and lids every time you open your cabinet, you might think to yourself – how many food storage containers do I need?
The truth is, most people just have a hard time throwing away a good container with a lid because it can serve so many different purposes, from packing your lunch to keeping leftovers to storing nails and screws in the garage. But there does come a point when enough is enough. This is usually the time when you finally decide to get serious about your food storage and start using appropriate containers for their intended purpose and only keep a few extra containers to serve those other purposes.
So, how much food storage do you need? This guide will hopefully help you sort out your storage container addiction.
Having a lot of food storage containers might seem like a good problem to have, especially if you like to save leftovers, but in reality, too many containers can often complicate your life and result in more food being wasted. The reason is because as your refrigerator fills up with these containers, it becomes more likely that some will get pushed to the back of the fridge and forgotten. This results in more food becoming spoiled and unused.
To get a better idea of how many food storage containers you really need, take a moment to consider your food consumption and food storage habits.
Now that you have an idea of your eating and food storage habits, it is time to translate that information, so you can determine how many food containers you need. While every person will have different needs, on average, an individual can usually get along well by having between 6 and 10 food storage containers featuring a mix of a few big ones and a lot of smaller ones. Having this number of food containers will allow you to rotate the containers and keep the excess to a minimum. Of course, depending on your habits or if you are cooking for more than one, you may need more than this average.
Food storage containers are typically made from either plastic, glass, or metal, and each has their pros and cons.
Plastic Food Containers
Glass Food Containers
For the best results, use Borosilicate glass containers because this type of glass is designed to provide the best thermal shock and impact resistance.
Metal Food Storage
Not all food storage containers are created equal. So, here are some things that you will want to look for in your containers to help ensure you get the best bang for your buck.