Glass food storage containers: lids, shapes and what to check before buying

Glass, lids and seals

The glass body is only half the product. Lids are usually plastic, silicone-sealed plastic, bamboo or glass with a clip. Each has trade-offs, so decide what matters to you first.

• Plastic lids with silicone seals: lightweight and leak resistant, but the lid is still plastic. Check whether the maker names the plastic type.
• Snap-lock lids: tight seal for carrying, with more parts to clean.
• Glass lids: no plastic in the container, but heavier and often not sealed for travel.
• Bamboo lids: look neat on the counter, and are usually not sealed or dishwasher safe. Read the care note.

Reading the temperature labels

Look for the maker's own wording on oven, microwave, freezer and dishwasher use, and for whether the lid has different limits than the glass. Borosilicate and tempered glass are different materials, and the listing should say which it is. Glass can crack with sudden temperature change, so follow the maker's instructions, for example about not moving a hot dish onto a cold or wet surface.

1. Check the oven limit applies to the glass only, not the lid.
2. Check whether the freezer note says to leave headspace for food that expands.
3. Check the dishwasher note for lids.

Shapes and sizes that earn their space

• Rectangular dishes stack better and use cupboard space well.
• Round containers pour soup easily but waste corners.
• A few small sizes cover sauces and chopped vegetables, and one large dish suits casseroles.
• Nesting sets save space, but check lids store separately.

Our angle: price per container and a realistic count

Sets are priced by piece count, and lids are sometimes counted as pieces. A set listed as twenty pieces may be ten containers and ten lids, so divide by containers. Then divide the set price by the number of containers to get a price per container, and compare that between brands.

• Decide how many containers you fill in a typical week and buy about that many.
• Mixed sizes beat many of the same size.
• Check the warranty or replacement lid policy, since lids tend to be the part that wears out first.
• Because glass is heavy, check shipping and returns before ordering a large set.

Eco wording and gifts

Phrases like eco-friendly or plastic-free should be specific, as the FTC Green Guides ask. If a set says plastic-free, check whether that covers the lids and seals. Glass sets can make a practical household gift, so see our Christmas gift ideas by budget.

Other stores

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• Kitchen tools and cookbooks at Milk Street