Early Retirement Extreme Forums

Hi,
I'm interested in getting some stainless steel food containers that I can use for storing and transporting foods. (I've read that even "safe" plastics can get into your food and cause health problems.) Can anyone recommend some substitutes for my Rubbermaid and Sterilite containers?

I've used jars for many years (I like the wide mouth ones as they are easier to use and clean). I don't know what's on the inside of the lids or how safe or unsafe it is(?)


One challenge you may have is finding a container that has a fully stainless lid also.

This style appears to
https://www.containerstore.com/s/3-oz.- ... ss%20steel

But then there are a lot like these:
https://www.containerstore.com/s/stainl ... ss%20steel
https://www.containerstore.com/s/stainl ... ss%20steel
https://www.containerstore.com/s/5-oz.- ... ss%20steel
https://www.containerstore.com/s/stainl ... ss%20steel



To find the size and shape you want, I imagine you'll want to look at places that are just specifically selling containers. Like this one:
https://www.specialtybottle.com/search. ... on=product

You might be able to taste the metal in your food. I can. I'd try one or two before going all in.

I use plastic containers for solid cold foods, like fruits and vegetables. Anything liquid or fatty, or anything I will heat, goes in pyrex. We have several repeats of this set in my house:

https://www.amazon.com/Pyrex-Simply-Sto ... B00005B8K5

They are heavy and bulky, but relatively inert. I don't microwave the lids.

I use this large travel cooler when I pack food:

https://www.amazon.com/eBags-Crew-Coole ... 3027265011

It handles the pyrex just fine.

I also learned the hard way that a stainless salt shaker will rust.

Thanks for these excellent replies!

I use jars,and also have a tiffin box that's stainless steel. Also I used pyrex containers with rubber lids.

One more vote for pyrex (not as better than stainless, just what works for me). If you are going to be transporting them a lot try the kind that have lids with latches that click on to the container rather than slide on, though Ive only seen these in the sandwich size containers, not bigger. Otherwise the lids pop off during something like biking or hiking.

C40 wrote: ↑

Fri Mar 22, 2019 5:26 pm

I've used jars for many years (I like the wide mouth ones as they are easier to use and clean). I don't know what's on the inside of the lids or how safe or unsafe it is(?)

If you want jars that are absolutely safe look for Bormioli brand.
They are a historical brand from Italy with around 200 years of history, they make jars and bottles for industrial use.

Another vote for Pyrex - we have had a few of the rectangular ones for many years.

Have you considered wrapping your food in... food?
Like wraps, pitta, or even shortcrust pastry (pies).
Paper bags are a good alternative to plastic wrap, unbleached (brown) paper can be composted too.
I have tried wrapping sandwiches in cloth/flax too, but found sliced bread dried out and took on the taste of our laundry detergent, which can't be healthy, I imagine it might work better if cloth is hand washed in clean water rather than with domestic laundry.

I'm not sure there's much evidence that plastic containers are a substantive health risk.

vexed87 wrote: ↑

Mon Mar 25, 2019 8:21 am

Have you considered wrapping your food in... food?
Like wraps, pitta, or even shortcrust pastry (pies).
Paper bags are a good alternative to plastic wrap, unbleached (brown) paper can be composted too.
I have tried wrapping sandwiches in cloth/flax too, but found sliced bread dried out and took on the taste of our laundry detergent, which can't be healthy, I imagine it might work better if cloth is hand washed in clean water rather than with domestic laundry.

I appreciate your response but would appreciate keeping responses focused on containers as was the case with earlier respondents. Do people have additional recommendations regarding containers?

saving-10-years wrote: ↑

Sat Mar 23, 2019 5:33 pm

Another vote for Pyrex - we have had a few of the rectangular ones for many years.

Thanks! I'll look into Pyrex options.

I basically use mason jars for almost everything.

Curious if your concern is due to heating up the containers or just transport/storage?

I use (and re-use after washing) plastic containers to transport and store food, but always heat up on a plate or bowl.

If you have any info/sources on your concerns it would be much appreciated - perhaps I should be looking into the same.

Like a few people above mentioned, I use glas jars as well. I keep conviently sized jars from store bought pickles. At first I was afraid of brakeage but so far no problems in that regard.

Today I took oatmeal with cut up apple, seeds and milk in a wide mouthed jar to work, and ate it directly out of the jar. Nice snack!

I even freeze a lot of stuff in jars, just leave a little room and everything is fine.