You’ve likely seen the seemingly endless amount of containers available at your local grocery store and are wondering, what do I need to store my food in? You don’t want your food to go bad, but you also don’t want to pay through the nose for something that will be tossed out after one use. Here are some tips on what you should and shouldn’t store in plastic storage containers so that you get exactly what you want for your money and you always have healthy foods available to eat.
Get the Right Size
Plastic storage containers come in many different sizes, and it’s important to get the right size for your needs. You want the container to be large enough for what you’re storing, but not too large that it takes up unnecessary space. If you’re storing a lot of food items, you may want a deep plastic container with a lid that seals tightly. A stackable container is also great if you have limited counter space and don’t want to waste the cabinet space they take up.
Use Several Types
Plastic storage containers are an easy way to store food and keep it fresh. They’re also super versatile and can be used for storing things other than food. Just make sure you use the right one for the right task.
Seal Properly
Proper sealing is one of the most important aspects of storing food in plastic containers. It will help keep your food fresh and prevent it from leaking all over your fridge. The best way to seal a container is by placing the lid on the container and squeezing the edges together until they are tight.
Doing this will create an airtight seal, which will prevent any moisture or other harmful materials from getting inside.
Clean Before Storage
It is important to clean the container before storing food. The best way to do this is by filling it with hot water and dish soap and then rinsing it with hot water and air drying. Be sure that you also wash any lids or covers as well.
The containers are dishwasher safe, but washing them by hand can help ensure that they stay in good condition for a longer period of time.
You may want to consider buying new containers every couple of years if you store acidic foods, like tomatoes, oranges or lemons because these types of foods can degrade plastic over time.
Keep in Cool, Dry Places
Cool, dry places are the best place to store food. If you are storing food outside of a fridge, make sure that you don’t leave it out for more than two hours. The humidity will cause condensation on your container and then the water droplets will pool and ruin your food.