The 7 Greatest Dry Meals Storage Containers of 2024, Examined & Reviewed

Eating places have meals storage down pat; they’ve walk-in fridges (I would like one!), walk-in pantries, and big, rolling tubs to carry large quantities of flour, rice, and different dry items. 

That stated, we house owners of tiny house kitchens do have dry meals storage choices, even when they don’t maintain gallons or roll on wheels. I cleared out my pantry and de-cluttered my counter tops (it was an effort, belief me) to check dry meals storage containers, so you can also have simple peasy entry to rice, flour, sugar, and—most significantly—snacks. After testing 10 units (48 items in whole), I discovered that the majority carried out properly and that your space for storing and desires ought to dictate which you purchase.

The Winners, at a Look

The Greatest General Dry Meals Storage Containers

These are mainly bigger variations of our favourite meals storage containers and sport the identical super-sealed, safe lids. Even the larger containers match properly in my slender pantry.  

The Greatest Larger Pantry Meals Storage Containers

These containers (which sport pop-on lids) had been surprisingly good at storing rice, even once I shook them up and down. The set comes with items of assorted sizes, although I had bother becoming the tallest containers (doubtless meant for spaghetti or…Twizzlers?) on my pantry shelf. 

The Greatest Massive Set of Dry Meals Storage Containers

This 14-piece set is nice for somebody with a loaded pantry—there have been containers of all sizes and styles, excellent for a handful of nuts or a giant bag of dried beans. A few of the smaller items can double as meals storage containers, too. 

The Greatest Countertop Dry Meals Storage Containers

Whereas the lids had been a little bit tough to get off, these glass containers saved rice and crackers sealed and safe. They’re additionally fairly fairly and have a small footprint, making them an ideal countertop choice. 

One other Nice Countertop Dry Meals Storage Container Decide

Whereas these weren’t hermetic, they’re stunning, and I like utilizing them to carry flour and sugar. Plus, they will double as a utensil crock in a pinch. I discovered that snacks saved in them obtained much less of a stale taste than ones saved in plastic containers, too. 

The Greatest Chef-Authorised Dry Meals Storage Containers

If you wish to retailer meals like a chef, then a Cambro is the container for you. This pair is compact, sturdy, and may also be used to retailer liquids, like in a single day yeasted waffle batter or quiche filling (that stated, they’re not leakproof!). 

The Greatest Bulk Storage Dry Meals Containers

For those who’re searching for bulk storage, that is the set to get. These massive containers are nice for storing massive luggage of rice, flour, and even dry pet meals. (In case your cat is like mine, he can chew by the bag, however he can’t chew by this sturdy plastic! Take that feline foe!).

The Assessments

• Rice Check: I poured rice right into a container from every set, closed the lid, and shook it 10 occasions to see how securely the lids had been hooked up. I additionally famous in the event that they had been simple to fill, empty, and clear. 
• Leak Check: Whereas these are dry meals storage containers, I wished to see how hermetic the lids had been, so I stuffed one container from every set with water and shook it to see if any leaked.
• Stack and Retailer Check: I stacked the containers to see how they slotted collectively (if this was attainable). I additionally positioned every set in my pantry and on my counter to see how they match. 
• Snack Storage Check (Winners-Solely): I stuffed the successful containers with crackers, closed them, and tasted them one and two weeks later, noting in the event that they had been stale or had any off-flavors.
• Sturdiness Check (Winners-Solely): I opened and closed the lids of our successful containers 20 occasions to see how they held up.  

What We Realized

Know Your Pantry and Storage Area

Earlier than you get enthusiastic about meals storage, pause, take a deep breath, and face the truth that’s your pantry and/or countertop. For instance, I’ve two slender pantry cupboards with built-in cabinets and a countertop overridden with devices, slicing boards, knife blocks, and many others, and many others,—so area is restricted.

Then, take into consideration what your meals storage wants are. Would you like sugar and flour containers inside arm’s attain throughout cooking? Or are you searching for bulkier storage bins for holding that 10-pound bag of sushi rice? There are totally different containers for varied wants, and all through testing, I discovered that some containers merely didn’t slot in my considerably restrictive pantry area. I preferred the gorgeous Le Creuset and Guzzini containers as countertop picks for holding sugar and flour, whereas the taller, plastic tubs—just like the Rubbermaid, OXO, and Chef’s Path—had been higher for pantry storage (suppose meals like spaghetti or cereal). Larger tubs, just like the Tellfresh and Cambros, had been nice for holding bigger luggage of flour or rice (or pet meals), although, when you’ve got a small kitchen, discovering a spot to retailer them might be difficult. 

Vast Mouths Had been Greatest 

I preferred dry meals containers with vast mouths (just like the Le Creuset), which made it tremendous simple to seize a measuring cup, attain in, and scoop what you want. Containers with smaller openings, like the Ikea, had been tougher to scoop from—even pouring rice from the flip high scattered grains throughout. 

Sturdiness Mattered

I actually preferred containers that sat sturdy and flat whereas we stuffed them. The Ikea containers had been slender on the base, making them vulnerable to tipping and falling over, whereas the Progressive ProKeeper containers had hooked up lids that made them top-heavy when empty. Search for containers that sit flat and stable, just like the vast Cambros or the sturdy ceramic Le Creuset.

Lids Had been Vital  

You need lids which are simple to placed on and take off. Some lids had been tough to placed on all the best way, like the Tupperware, which made issues dangerous in the event that they tipped over. Others, just like the Guzzini, had been tough to take away, which might result in spills. Ultimately, I preferred lids that popped on and off securely and simply and saved every little thing contained in the container, even once I gave them shake as a part of my testing. The Rubbermaid, OXO, and Chef’s Path lids had been all simple to pop on and off and had been watertight through the leak check. 

Plastic Imparted a Bizarre Style 

As a part of my testing, I stuffed our successful dry meals storage containers with crackers, then taste-tested them one and two weeks later. The entire crackers had been nonetheless principally crunchy, although those saved in plastic containers typically had an odd off-flavor. I am undecided if this was a results of the oily crackers going a little bit bit rancid, or if it was the plastic containers themselves, although I did discover the crackers saved within the ceramic Le Creuset tasted brisker. 

The Standards: What to Search for in Dry Meals Storage Containers

Earlier than you decide to a set of dry meals storage containers, take into account your pantry and countertop area; a number of the units I examined had been fairly tall (just like the OXO), whereas others had been brief and vast (just like the Cambro set).

Usually, although, I preferred sturdy containers with vast mouths that made them simple to fill and scoop from and ones that saved meals comparatively recent over an extended interval. Whereas some containers, just like the Le Creuset, weren’t hermetic, I discovered they had been helpful for maintaining sugar or flour inside arm’s attain on my kitchen counter.

The Greatest Dry Meals Storage Containers 

The Greatest General Dry Meals Storage Containers

What we preferred: These storage containers had a water and hermetic seal that saved meals protected. Clumsy? Regardless of, the lids seal on so securely that even once I shook a container crammed with rice up and down, the lid didn’t budge. The set I examined, which included 4 items, match properly into my pantry with no Tetris strikes wanted. 

What we didn’t like: There wasn’t a lot I didn’t like about these, aside from they’re not probably the most aesthetically pleasing (but when they’re in your pantry, it doesn’t actually matter). The crackers had a barely plasticky taste after one and two weeks, and the set was additionally a bit expensive. 

Key Specs

• Units obtainable: 3, 4, 8, 10, 14, or 20-piece choices
• Supplies: Plastic
• Lid fashion: Snap-on lids
• Cleansing and care: Dishwasher-safe; freezer-safe

The Greatest Massive Set of Dry Meals Storage Containers

What we preferred: It is a huge set with 14 containers of all sizes and styles, so should you’re trying to retailer a variety of dry items, that is the hostess with the mostest, so to talk. I preferred the easy-on, easy-off snap-on lids, the number of sizes, and that I might use the smaller containers for extra short-term meals storage (hiya leftovers!). This set was additionally hermetic and fairly sturdy. 

What we didn’t like: Like lots of the different plastic containers, these did impart a faint off-flavor once I saved snacks in them for 2 weeks. 

Key Specs 

• Comes with: 14 items
• Supplies: Plastic
• Lid fashion: Snap-on
• Cleansing and care: Dishwasher-safe, microwave-safe

The Greatest Larger Pantry Meals Storage Containers

What we preferred: I used to be skeptical about how properly the lids on this set would keep put since they’re shallow and have a pop-up button that you just push all the way down to safe them. Nevertheless, they had been fairly sturdy and stayed on splendidly even once I shook the containers crammed with rice. I additionally preferred the number of sizes within the set. 

What we didn’t like: The tallest container on this set didn’t slot in my pantry, the producer recommends hand washing (boo), and so they aren’t the prettiest containers to take a look at. They’re additionally kinda expensive, shaking out to $11 per container. 

Key Specs

• Comes with: 5 items
• Supplies: Plastic, silicone
• Lid fashion: Silicone gasket with “pop” function to seal
• Cleansing and care: Hand washing advisable 

The Greatest Countertop Dry Meals Storage Containers

What we preferred: These glass containers with acrylic lids are fairly and purposeful, a uncommon discover on the earth of dry meals storage containers; I didn’t thoughts maintaining them on my countertop. I preferred that they’d vast openings, which made it simple to scoop out elements or attain in for a snack, and the lids had been very (if a little bit too) safe. 

What we didn’t like: The lids might be tough to get off at occasions. These are offered as separate containers (not as a set), and every container is a bit expensive. 

Key Specs

• Comes with: 1 container (there are 4 sizes obtainable to buy individually)
• Supplies: Glass, acrylic
• Lid fashion: Silicone gasket-lined lid
• Cleansing and care: High rack dishwasher-safe

One other Nice Countertop Dry Meals Storage Container Decide

What we preferred: For those who’re searching for containers that’ll sit in your countertop and look fairly doing it, these are a superb alternative. They’re additionally simple to open, shut, and clear, and are nice for maintaining sugar or flour inside attain (they may additionally double properly as a utensil crock). I didn’t discover any off-flavors imparted throughout my two-week snack style check. 

What we didn’t like: The silicone-lined picket lids gently relaxation within the container, so that they’re not precisely meant to be jostled (to be trustworthy, I didn’t even attempt our rice shake check with them), and every canister prices a fairly penny.

Key Specs

• Comes with: 1 container (there are three sizes obtainable to buy individually)
• Supplies: Stoneware, wooden, silicone
• Lid fashion: Wood lids with silicone gasket
• Cleansing and care: Container is dishwasher-safe; lid needs to be hand-washed

The Greatest Chef-Authorised Dry Meals Storage Containers

What we preferred: These sturdy containers with snap-on lids are beloved by cooks and cooks in all places. Whereas they aren’t leakproof, the lids sat tight once I shook the containers crammed with rice. This set of two can be comparatively cheap. Plus, they will additionally double as a sous vide container. 

What we didn’t like: Whereas I’ve used these containers to refrigerate issues like waffle batter, they aren’t leakproof. Additionally, this set solely comes with two containers, although you should buy different varied Cambro sizes individually. 

Key Specs

• Comes with: 2 containers
• Supplies: Plastic
• Lid fashion: Snap-on
• Cleansing and care: Freezer and dishwasher-safe (can face up to temperatures from -40°F to 160°F)

The Greatest Bulk Storage Dry Meals Containers

What we preferred: With handles and straightforward snap-on lids, these massive containers are nice should you purchase in bulk and don’t need an open bag of rice (or pet meals) sitting in your pantry. Since they’re so large, they’re additionally simple to scoop out of and pour into. 

What we didn’t like: I am curious in regards to the longevity of the handles, since they appear considerably flimsily hooked up. The containers are additionally fairly large, so that you’ll need to ensure you have area to retailer them. The lids are vulnerable to popping off when jostled, too.

Key Specs

• Comes with: 1 container (there are two sizes, offered individually) 
• Supplies: Polypropylene plastic
• Lid fashion: Snap-on
• Cleansing and care: NA

The Competitors 

• IKEA 365+ Dry Food Jar with Lid: I preferred the flip-top lid on these containers (it made pouring out rice or a portion of snacks simple, if a bit messy). Nevertheless, the containers themselves had been very slender on the backside, threatening to tip over once I stuffed them. 
• Progressive ProKeeper+ Baker’s Storage Set of 17: A few of the containers on this set had their lids hooked up, making them top-heavy and tipping them to the aspect barely when stuffed. The small metallic label on the entrance of the lids fell off proper out of the field, which made these really feel cheaply constructed. 
• Tupperware Stacking Square Storage Set: Whereas there was nothing majorly unhealthy about this set, the lids had been tough to placed on, and once I gave them shake while crammed with rice, properly, let’s simply say I am nonetheless discovering grains on my kitchen flooring. 

FAQs

Is it protected to retailer dry meals items in plastic containers? 

Based on the USDA, it’s protected to retailer issues like rice, cereal, or pasta in plastic containers, offered they’re tightly sealed and dry.

What’s the finest dry meals storage container?

It relies on what you’re storing and the place you’re storing it! For those who’re searching for a countertop vessel to carry flour and sugar, you may need to take into account one thing just like the containers from Guzzini or Le Creuset, which look nicer than plastic containers. That stated, plastic containers with snap-on lids are extra hermetic. When you’ve got area in your pantry for storing dry items in containers, any of the plastic choices we advisable above will just do high quality. 

Why We’re the Consultants

• Grace Kelly is the affiliate commerce editor for Critical Eats, the place she’s been testing gear for nearly two years. 
• She has a background in journalism and has additionally executed stints as a bartender and cook dinner. 
• She has written dozens and dozens of evaluations, with a few standouts being casserole dishes and Deba knives. 
• For this overview, Grace examined 10 dry meals storage container units, evaluating their lid design, how simple they had been to fill, in the event that they had been leakproof, and extra.