Airtight Food Storage Containers - A Good Buy?

Having airtight food storage containers is very important to preserve the integrity of your food. Airtight containers prevent air, dust and insects from getting into your food and other items. They can also prevent freezer burn. Most packaging from the supermarket is not airtight. In fact, it is usually porous enough that over time it allows air into the package.

That is why you can open what appears to be a brand new package of cereal and have it taste stale. Have you ever bought a package of crackers and wondered why they have a stale taste? It's because less expensive products are usually packaged in cheaper more porous packaging that allows air to get inside the package. The air oxidized the crackers and gave it a stale taste. Even worse is when you open a brand new package and discover that the food inside is in-edible due to spoilage.

One way around this issue is to buy your foods in bulk from the store and store them in airtight food storage containers that will keep the product from oxidizing or spoiling. Additionally, many insects and rodents such as mice and rats find the packaging from the supermarket to be no deterrent at all and can easily chew threw the box or the plastic bag the food comes in. Good durable containers can save you money over the long run by keeping your food fresh and safe.

A Greener Alternative

Buying your food in bulk and placing it in quality containers that you have at home is also a greener way to buy groceries and dry goods. Every time you buy a box of oatmeal, cold cereal, or even spices those boxes, bags and plastic get thrown into a landfill. By using minimal packaging you decrease the amount of trash you are throwing away and putting in the landfill. Even small efforts have a large impact. For example, it's been estimated that plastic buried in a landfill will take 1000 years to start decomposing.

Airtight food storage containers can be used for a variety of foods. Spaghetti noodles, spices, oatmeal, sugar, flour, trail mix, and even potato chips can all be bought in bulk and stored in containers. Your containers can be used and reused over and over. By using reusable containers instead of plastic bags you are preventing more plastic from winding up in the landfill.

Containers are usually made from some variety of plastic. Inexpensive plastics may seal well at first but quickly crack, chip and usually prove to be a poor choice as they need frequent replacing. Consideration should be given to what purpose you plan to use the container for. If you plan to store oatmeal in an indoor pantry then a reasonable quality container will do. It doesn't have to be microwave safe. If you plan to use a container to freeze foods and then reheat them in the microwave you will want to be sure that the container can withstand the frequent temperature extremes that freezing and reheating will cause. The container should clearly state that it can go from freezer to microwave safely.

You will want to consider containers that are safe to go in the dishwasher. After all you won't want to wash them by hand. Plus, the dishwasher sanitizes dishes better than hand washing does. Better quality plastic and glass storage containers won't absorb the odors and discolor from the foods you store in them.

Another factor that you will obviously consider is cost. At first glance the cheaper containers will be appealing. After all, if it cost less and does the same thing then why pay more? The truth is that cheaper products can be a bad idea. Cheap containers crack easier, the seals often lose the ability to lock out air over time, and they can pick up odors or discolor easily. Also cheaper plastic products won't hold up as well to frequent trips between the freezer and the microwave. If you budget well and buy quality storage products they can prove to be quite affordable.

In summary, airtight food storage containers should be chosen based on where you plan to use them, how long you plan to use them, your preferences for eco-friendly products or "green products", and your budget.

Jesse Kesler is a practicing Nurse and Writer. You can see more food storage articles, tips and ideas at his website http://www.thefoodstorage.com.