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Too often dry foods come in paper or plastic bags that, once you open them up, spill all over your kitchen cupboards. This is where pantry food storage containers can come in clutch. But what should you look for in the best dry food storage containers? One of the biggest factors is material. Whether you choose glass, ceramic, stainless steel, or another style, be sure that it’s strong and durable. The kitchen organizers will get lots of wear in your cabinet, so having something that’s well-built will help them last a long time.
Another thing to evaluate is the closure system. There are a lot of different ways lids can close, from a sealing lid to a latching canister to a push-button closure. Consider which one you prefer when making your purchase.
Lastly, keep top of mind the size of your pantry, and how much food you want to store. If you plan on measuring out portion sizes, is the jar big enough to fit a measuring cup inside? Are the edges rounded so you can pour food from it?
To help you store your food, I’ve put together a list of the some of the best food storage containers in every material, size, and style.
1
The Overall Best Dry Food Containers
Built with a stack-friendly design, these food storage containers are constructed from tough plastic material that's BPA-free. The stackable, six-piece set includes two 3.3-quart containers and four 1.5-quart containers, plus 24 chalkboard labels and a marker. The lids feature four-point snap closure to keep food fresh and prevent spills. “I love my new containers,” wrote one Amazon reviewer. “Tight seal and now my food that I store in them will keep longer.”
One fan raved: “These are great. I use them for my baking products and they stay fresh. Lightweight also. Not enough counter space in my kitchen at the moment. But they fit in my cub-board just fine. Dishwasher safe.”
2
The Best Clamp Canisters For Storing Dry Food
- Also available on Wayfair, $35, and Bed Bath & Beyond, $40
Made from strong acrylic, these clear food containers feature airtight lids with soft gaskets inside that keep your food fresh with the help of stainless steel clamps. The lightweight material is smooth with a sleek aesthetic that looks like glass but isn't heavy or fragile. The popular four-piece set, which has over 4,000 perfect ratings on Amazon, comes with 28-ounce, 38-ounce, 59-ounce, and 72-ounce canisters that are all stackable.
One fan raved: “Like the perfect seal keeps everything fresh. Use for coffee, pasta, sugar can be used for anything you want to keep fresh.”
3
The Best Pop-Top Containers For Dry Food
- Also available on Walmart, $68, Wayfair, $68, and Bed Bath & Beyond, $68
In lieu of a canister lid, these OXO dry food containers function via easy push buttons that create an airtight seal with a simple click of your finger. The sealing system is among the best you can find and the containers are easy to stack, too. Made of sturdy plastic, they have a lightweight construction with rounded corners specifically designed to make things like flour, oats, rice, and beans easy to pour. There's even a special container that's designed to keep your brown sugar from hardening. The set includes five containers of varying sizes, plus two scoops and a terra-cotta brown sugar saver.
One fan raved: “Nice storage [...] Not only do these make my cabinet look nice and organized but I like that the seal is super strong. They work great.”
4
The Best Glass Jars For Storing Dry Food
These glass food jars may be a bit heavier than the previous options, but they feature chic bamboo lids that create a tight seal to keep food fresh. The lids have small indents on top to make them easy to stack, and the square bases are sturdy and stable on any flat surface. You don’t have to twist or screw the lid on — just push it in and pull it off when you’re ready to use. The set includes four jars in total, each of which has a 1.5-quart capacity (but they’re available in other sizes too).
One fan raved: “I had one of these and loved it. I was grateful to find a set of four. They are tight-fitting lids and perfect for items like popcorn, seeds, or any regular supply that comes in a soft bag. They fit perfectly and look good too.”
5
The Best Value Set Of Dry Food Storage Containers
These modular containers come with handy stick-on labels that make it especially easy to stay organized. The airtight lids are interchangeable and have pop-open flaps that allow you to pour your dry foods with ease. The 16-piece plastic set includes containers of four different sizes: 2.6 quarts, 2.1 quarts, 1.2 quarts, 1 quart, 0.5 quart, and 0.03 quart. And if you want to stock up, opt for the 20-pack instead.
One fan raved: “Absolutely love the airtight storage containers!!! My kitchen is so much more organized and even looks better now! The labels are honestly the best part tho! I love the durability of the containers too, my two year old throws stuff a lot and they haven’t broke yet when she gets to them. Definitely recommend.”
6
The Best Ceramic Jars For Storing Dry Food
Designed with smooth yet sturdy ceramic material, these dry food storage containers — which fans loves for stashing tea and coffee — are durable while also being cute and aesthetically pleasing. The jars bottoms have anti-skid silicone to prevent them from sliding around on your countertop. Seal-wise, they feature airtight bamboo lids with silicone rings to keep the contents fresh. The canisters are smaller than some of the other containers on this list, but they come in a set of three sizes — 2.1 cups, 3 cups, and 3.6 cups — and include an additional bamboo tray for an elegant presentation.
One fan raved: “The addition of the canisters spruce up our coffee area. The airtight storage is very helpful keeping ants out of the sugar.”
7
The Best Nesting Set Of Dry Food Storage Containers
- Also available on Wayfair, $27, and Joseph Joseph, $30
Designed for both dry food storage and holding leftovers, this high-quality set is ultra-versatile, as well as popular (it boasts 3,600-plus reviews). With five containers in a set, they save space by nesting inside one another. Each container is made with extra sturdy plastic, and they have color-coded locking lids that snap together for easy storage. The containers are airtight and leakproof, and they range in size from 1 cup to 12.5 cups.
One fan raved: “Not only are these assorted sizes perfect for a variety of uses, but the color-coded dot in the bottom of each container matches with the lid so there’s no guesswork. I just love these.”
8
The Best Collapsible Set Of Food Storage Containers
These dry food storage containers take convenience one step further by not only offering nesting features but also being collapsible too. The popular containers (which have a 4.5-star overall rating on Amazon and thousands of reviews) are constructed with soft yet durable silicone that’s safe for the microwave, freezer, and dishwasher. The airtight lids click on effortlessly and they have tiny air vents for reheating food. Plus, the lightweight, portable design allows you to slide them into your purse or bag for when you need them. The colorful containers come in a four-pack of assorted sizes ranging from 1.5 cups to 5.1 cups.
One fan raved: “I replaced all of my plastic and glass food storage with these space-saving collapsible containers. I have so much more room in the cupboard now! These are easy to clean and even easier to store with the lids on! We use them in the camper, take them on day hikes and for work lunches. Great storage for leftovers. The large red one will hold a whole meatloaf. These do not leak, the lids fit snugly and they’re easy to wash up. Great product.”
9
The Best Stainless Steel Containers For Food Storage
- Also available on
The combination of strong stainless steel construction and a sleek aesthetic makes these food storage jars both practical and attractive. The sturdy material offers durability while the design of the lids makes them airtight. They have convenient windows in the front to allow you to see what’s inside them, and the surfaces are fingerprint-resistant. The jars are available in a set of three with varying capacities (30 ounces, 62 ounces, and 90 ounces).
One fan raved: “I love these! Goes perfectly with my kitchen theme! They are sleek and fit and the biggest one will hold an entire large bag of rice.”
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