Container Wisdom: Which Boxes Keep Your

Leftovers Fresh Longest

Glass Containers: Stain-Proof, Smell-Proof, Curry-Proof

Without drama, glass products do not interfere with the taste of the food they store and do not retain odours or develop a yellow tint over time from being stored in a container of Dal Tadka or Paneer Makhani. Weight adds a sense of quality to glass; however, it’s the versatility of glass as a product that really sets it apart from the competition. Glass containers can be used safely in a microwave, conventional oven, refrigerator, or freezer. If you frequently have to store thick or creamy food items like gravies or pasta, glass is a safer option because it will not absorb either oil or spices. The majority of the newer glass sets include silicone-lined, clip-lock lids, which help to prevent moisture from entering the container and also prevent spills. The downside of glass is that it is fragile (breakable) and heavy, making it less than ideal if your refrigerator is already full of Tetris-style stacked food items. On the plus side, if you are looking for maximum longevity and fresh-tasting food, glass containers will typically provide these qualities in every case.

Plastic Containers: Convenient, but Choose Your Grade Wisely

Plastic storage containers - like certain friends - are very dependable when used properly, but you'll need to be clear on your boundaries. If you're buying a good quality set of food-grade containers (that is, microwave-safe and free of BPA), there are many advantages to using plastic. However, if you buy a cheaper plastic container, it will likely stain from curry powder, absorb strong smells (like rajma ghost), lose its shape when you put hot food in it or warp and not hold its shape under weight. Plastic containers work great for dry foods, like chapatis, poha, and cut-up fruits, because the moisture content is low and because they do not have an excessive amount of oil. Clip-lock plastic containers with silicone gaskets are actually airtight, so they can outperform metal food storage boxes for keeping food fresh. However, plastic containers will not maintain their flavour as well as glass if you store oily curries, heavy spiced dishes, and so on in them for a long period of time. Rather than being a long-term storage option, plastic containers are best used for short-term storage of food daily.

Steel Containers: The Classic Indian Workhorse

Steel dabbas are known for their durability, stain resistance and ability to resist bacterial growth. When storing dry sabzis (vegetable dishes), dhoklas (steamed rice cakes), idlis (steamed rice cakes), and puris (fried flatbreads), you will find that the best material for this purpose is steel. However, the problem with storing these items is that traditional, non-air-tight steel lids allow for excess moisture loss and rapid flavour degradation. Recently, some manufacturers of stainless steel containers have begun to offer airtight lids that utilise silicone as the sealing material. With these newer stainless steel containers, it is now possible to store foods such as biryani (rice dish with meat/vegetables) and sambhar (vegetable stew) without fear of leaking or losing moisture. Even for those consumers who want to eliminate plastic from their kitchens entirely, there is a lightweight and indestructible alternative. Steel keeps food colder longer inside a refrigerator and is an excellent choice for those types of leftover foods that tend to be dry, crunchy or sensitive to texture.

Sealing Styles That Make or Break Freshness

While the container does play a part, the lid will determine everything else. Clip-locks will give you the best results regardless of what material they are made out of. Twist tops have their place if you’re storing dry snack-type items, but they are not the best option for anything like curry. Old-style wood-and-stone layered dabbas may stack nicely together, but don’t hold moisture well. Keep silicone gaskets nearby for maximum freshness when storing leftovers—they will prevent humidity from entering your refrigerator and causing an unpleasant aroma to mix with any vegetables you may store in there.

Choosing the Right Container for the Right Leftover

If your refrigerator contains several different types of food, however, the basic guideline below should help:

• Curry-based meals: Use a glass or an airtight metal container.
• Dry vegetables and breads, such as chapatis: Use metal containers.
• Frozen cut fruit, frozen salads, frozen snacks: Use either glass or metal containers.
• Frequent reheating: Use glass containers (as a rule).
• Short-term storage: Use plastic containers, as needed.
• Long-term freezing: Use glass containers.

The goal should never be to purchase a 20-piece set but rather to ensure that your leftovers are matched with the product that best keeps your items fresh.