Want to make the switch to glass storage containers in your kitchen?! This post is for you! Read on to find out why glass is way better than plastic.
It wasn’t until my first daughter was born that I began to question the safety of plastics. Like most of my peers, I grew up with the 1980s-styled orange, yellow and avocado green plastic Tupperware.
Surely these weren’t dangerous?
But when I became a mother, I began questioning every single choice that I made for my daughter. And using plastics was one of them.
Now don’t get me wrong: If you opened my kitchen cabinets today, you would see that my family still does use some plastic, but we are doing so more sparingly as we slowly make the transition to glass storage containers.
Check out these 5 reasons why we’re making the switch to glass storage containers:
1. Glass containers are safer.
This has been my #1 motivator in making the switch to glass storage containers! I want my daughters to grow up in a safe, healthy home.
Most plastics, even BPA-free ones, can leach chemicals into our food (source). That is something I want to avoid.
I do not advocate for regular use of a microwave to warm food (we prefer a toaster oven ourselves!), but I know that most of us do, at least occasionally, use them. Using glass storage containers to warm food in the microwave is especially important, as plastics are more likely to leach chemicals when they are warmed.
2. Glass storage containers best retain food’s natural flavors.
Have you ever warmed up food in a plastic storage container and then felt the food tasted, well, like plastic? Yeah–I’ve been there, too. With glass, there is nothing to leach into the food, so it retains the natural flavors!
3. Glass storage containers hold up better in the long run.
Sure, glass storage containers do break more easily if you drop them on the ground, so they do require more care, but if you do not drop them they actually hold up much better in the long-run!
I have noticed when I freeze crock pot pasta sauce in plastic, it will leave a red residue that won’t easily (or ever) wash off. This doesn’t happen when I store food in glass storage containers.
4. Glass storage containers are better for the environment.
Yes, plastic can be recycled, but each time it is recycled it loses more of its quality. Not so with glass; recycled glass is good as new!
5. Glass storage containers save you money over time.
Yes, converting to glass storage containers is an up front investment, but over time using glass storage containers–instead of buying and re-buying plastic baggies and the like–will save you money. Wash, rinse and re-use!
Have you made the switch to glass storage containers? If not, what is holding you back?
lori
I love this! I am in the process of changing over to glass and have started to get a storage container or two every 2-4 weeks. I also am using canning jars and have just purchased the reusable plastic lids (they are easier and don’t rust like the regular cannning lids). I love the versatility of the glass over the plastic and the fact that I can prep, bake, freeze and refrigerate all in one container is a good thing. Less need to make other things dirty!
They are also beautiful and great for storing and displaying bult items like Pasta, grains, sugar, etc! I hope to have this mission complete and have 90% of the plastic containers out of my house by the end of 2014!
Jen
When my son was born, I started questioning everything too! My husband thinks I’m crazy when I’m like DON’T PUT PLASTIC IN THE MICROWAVE, but I know he’ll come around. 😉 I’ve been replacing our plastic with glass, but I have to say that money is the biggest factor. One step at a time, though.
Sylvia
You really got me thinking with this post! I’m so into plastic I have two sets of 28 containers that I have not even used. If iI switch, what do I do with them? I’m also trying to do zero spending months every other month during 2014. But, I believe in baby steps, so if I just quit buying plastic and start converting as I run out, it is at least a start in the right direction.
Christy
Though we can say that plastics are a bit economical and cheaper, It’s still not a good recommendation for most of us, especially if we are aware of its possible effects in the body. And you just did the right thing Erin. Right now, I will start transitioning from plastic to glass containers. What a healthy and wise decision that I had made today. All thanks to your post! =)
Kelly
Great blog ( I really enjoy all your posts). Its taken a while to become plastic-free but we are nearly there. I love the glass containers. They clean up nicer, do not hold an odor, and I can see what I have in the fridge thus wasting less food!! So many reasons to “go glass”!!!
Jessica
This is great information, thank you. I have a question about pantry storage. I use air tight plastic containers for my ‘dry’ storage items: flour, sugar, cereal, crackers. I have to use air tight choices because I have had multiple bug infestations; they are much easier to control and end when the majority of their nesting areas are unavailable. I never cook in these or store left overs in them. So my question is: is this style of container safe?
Amanda
I use mason jars for almost all my dry food storage. (The half gallon ones) I buy flour in 25lbs bags…that goes in plastic because I have never found a glass container that can handle that much flour with the tightness of lid I need.
Chris
I switched too; I notice that food stays fresh MUCH longer when it’s stored in glass!
Katlin S
I have been transitioning to glass storage as well. Due to the shapes I’ve purchased it’s also been a transition figuring out what size we should use. The main reason I chose to transition? THEY WASH GREAT IN THE DISHWASHER! Plastic always turns over and fills with water, but the glass stays put. With two tiny children, I am looking for convenience!
MCMahaney
I SO agree with the dishwasher issue. I hate how our plastic containers turn foggy & stay greasy when run through the dishwasher. I love the idea of glass containers for cooking & cooked food storage. I already use mason jars for various things, but I use air tight plastic containers in my pantry for sugar, flour, rice, etc.
Kay
When I put food in plastic containers and put in refrigerator I can’t see what is in container and forget it is there. I like it that I can see through a clear glass container what is inside.
Erin
I feel the same way!
Nancy
I have about half glass and I admit to being surprised that food seems to last longer when stored in glass. I prefer to use it to reheat items ( oven or microwave) but I am getting older and really it is sometimes soooo heavy! Also, you do realize that the lids are plastic right? So you will not totally eliminate plastic even if you buy all glass containers. I try to buy acrylic style plastic which is about half again as much as regular. ( those lids are plastic too! LOL) Especially for larger containers.
Erin
It is funny that the lids are still plastic!!
Sheri
My bulk storage is in one gallon pickle jars. I have a few dozen. They fit just right in a bookcase I use as a pantry. 36 jars fit in the bookcase and the smaller jars go on top. Rice, beans, barley, lentils, grains and such all in gallon jars or 5-gallon food grade plastic buckets.
I’m trying to move my family in the right direction, but some of them are really good at breaking things… They haven’t figured out yet that glasses belong in the middle of the island not on the corner… But if they use the pretty jam and jelly jars, we can reuse and if they break, nothing lost.
It’s a process and we are heading in the right direction.
Sally
After a few articles that I’ve read I changed my plastic containers with glass ones I’ve gotta tell you – I didn’t regret it for a moment! The glass ones are just so much better – they keep the food fresh for longer and don’t hold the smell of the food. The only negative is that they weight more, but what’s wrong with little workout, right? 🙂
Mama Brucks
Any suggestions for freezer bags..I freeze soups and chillis all the time and need an alternative to the large ziplock freezer bags…
Erin
I honestly just use my glass containers–the one pictured, in fact. I have never had a problem! I chill them before putting them in the freezer. I think the biggest worry is with storing heated food in zip locks, though, so I am not super worried about using them to freeze in. I hope that helps!
Amanda
Do you use any metal containers? I have seen them more lately and would feel better putting those in lunches. However, what kind is best? Similarly, some plastics are okay for non heating purposes and others are not so good at all. I need to find more info.
Ellen
A major benefit of storing food in glass utensils is that glass does not absorb any chemicals due to the its non-reactive nature which keeps the food fresh.
Jena
I would refer that you use glass containers due to the fact that glass bottles due to its non-reactive nature helps in keeping the filtered water pure and fresh without any risks of chemicals contaminating the water.