“While I have both glass and plastic containers, I always reach for the glass,” says Carolyn Truett, the founder and recipe developer behind Caramel and Cashews. “Not only can I microwave leftovers right in the container, but I also don’t have to worry about chemicals leaching into my food.” With so many glass food container choices out there, it can be challenging to choose the best glass food containers for your home. To help narrow down your options, we researched the best picks, considering factors like capacity, durability, and price point. In addition to Truett, we also consulted Kaya Harwood, homesteader and creator of the blog Simply Self Sufficient, for additional insight. Overall, the best glass food containers are the Rubbermaid 6-Piece Brilliance Glass Set because they are a convenient size, durable, stain resistant, and feature a locking lid that will help keep your food fresh and prevent leaks. Here, the best glass food storage containers. Keep in Mind: They’re on the smaller side, so they won’t work well for storing large batches of food. The glass bases are durable and oven safe up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit, so they double as glass cookware and server ware. The lids are made from patented StainShield™ plastic that is resistant to stain and odors and feature specially designed vents to provide seamless, splatter-proof microwaving. Part of what makes this set some of the best glass food containers is the lids are airtight and leakproof. They’re also clear, allowing you to see all the contents of your containers while keeping food items fresh and mess-free. They’re also safe for the freezer and microwave and can be washed on the top rack of a dishwasher, making them versatile and easy to maintain. Because they are part of the Brilliance line, the lids are universal and fit across Brilliance containers, regardless of material type. The modular design is also space-saving, which makes these containers perfect for stacking neatly in your kitchen cabinets. Price at time of publish: $30Product Details: Material: Glass, BPA-free plastic | Dishwasher Safe: Yes (top rack) | Freezer Safe: Yes | Microwave Safe: Yes Keep in Mind: The containers are sold individually, so you may have to purchase a few depending on your needs. This food storage container can easily store up to 1.75 cups of contents, making it perfect for sandwiches, salads, chopped fruits and veggies, and your favorite chips and trail mixes. An airtight, leak-proof lid ensures minimal messes and prevents your food from picking up outside moisture and odors. When it comes to reheating leftovers, this container is both microwave and oven safe—just don’t forget to take the lid off first. When you’re ready to wash, simply toss all parts into the top rack of your dishwasher, sleeve included. It’s worth noting that unlike some other options, this container is sold as a single food storage container, so you may have to buy a few additional ones depending on your needs. Price at time of publish: $9 Material: Glass, silicone | Dishwasher Safe: Yes (top rack) | Freezer Safe: Yes | Microwave Safe: Yes (without the lid) Keep in Mind: They’re on the taller side, so they may not fit into every cabinet. Each canister is crafted from durable, lead-free, borosilicate glass that makes it easy to view the contents at a glance. Bamboo lids beautifully compliment the sleek glass bases and feature a silicone ring with a clamp to ensure your food is safely stored and kept fresh. Whether inside your pantry or lined up on your kitchen counter, these canisters are great for storing cookies, sugar, flour, pasta, spices, cereals, and other kitchen staples. Just be sure to measure your cabinets as the taller styles may not fit in all of them. Caring for your Le’raze containers is also a breeze. Simply place the glass jar in the dishwasher and wipe down the lid with mild soap and warm water. Price at time of publish: $32 Material: Glass, silicone, stainless steel, bamboo | Dishwasher Safe: Yes (glass jars) | Freezer Safe: Not listed | Microwave Safe: Not listed Keep in Mind: The lids are plastic, so they aren’t microwave or oven safe Each container is made from durable Borosilicate glass that is both oven- and microwave-safe, which is ideal for baking, roasting, or reheating food. They are also freezer safe, making it easy and convenient to store leftovers right in the container. The lids on these containers are both airtight and locking, which will minimize leaks and spills. Keep in mind that they are plastic, so you’ll want to make sure you remove them before putting any contents in the oven or microwave. Price at time of publish: $36 Material: Glass, plastic | Dishwasher Safe: Yes (top rack) | Freezer Safe: Yes | Microwave Safe: Yes Keep in Mind: The clasps of the lids make them a little bulky for their size. The OXO Good Grips Smart Seal Containers were designed with comfort and convenience in mind. Each container can hold up to 4 ounces of contents, making them a great solution for snacks like nuts, fruit, or cheese. The lids are reinforced with four locking tabs and a silicone gasket to form a leakproof seal to prevent wet contents from seeping out into your lunch bag. It’s also worth noting that these containers are 100% borosilicate glass that is thermal shock resistant. This means it transfers from the freezer to the oven or microwave without the risk of shattering. It’s also worth noting that both the containers and lids are dishwasher safe and interchangeable with other OXO Good Grips plastic storage containers, so you won’t have to worry if one piece gets damaged at all during use. Price at time of publish: $12 Material: Glass | Dishwasher Safe: Yes | Freezer Safe: Not listed | Microwave Safe: Not listed Keep in Mind: These containers don’t have locking lids, so they may not be as secure as some other options. The set includes one 2-cup container, one 4-cup container, and one 7-cup container, perfect for storing everything from weeknight leftovers to large batches of soups and stews. Each container is durable and made with high-tempered glass that’s durable enough to withstand the dishwasher, freezer, and microwave. Plus, these containers won’t absorb food odors, flavors, or stains. When it comes to these glass storage food containers, keep in mind that they don’t have a reinforcing lock like many other options, so they may not be ideal if you need to transport food to another location besides your kitchen table. Price at time of publish: $20 Material: Glass, plastic | Dishwasher Safe: Yes (top rack) | Freezer Safe: Yes | Microwave Safe: Yes Keep in Mind: The lids are plastic and may scratch easily. Unlike other glass containers, this set features interior dividers that give you two separate compartments for food, so you won’t have to worry about your food mixing. These glass containers also use a snap-locking lid with silicone seals and are leakproof, prolonging the freshness of your food. The glass containers are microwave, oven, and dishwasher safe, so they’re easy to use and care for. Just keep in mind that the brand recommends washing the containers and lids when you get them so the rubber seals don’t stick to the containers. Price at time of publish: $35 Material: Glass, plastic | Dishwasher Safe: Yes | Freezer Safe: Yes | Microwave Safe: Yes Keep in Mind: Each container is sold individually and is more expensive than some other options, so creating a set could get pricey. The W&P Porter Seal Tight Bowl was designed to be both effective and stylish. Crafted from durable, food-grade borosilicate glass, this larger-capacity bowl can hold up to 24 ounces of contents. The double-walled glass construction keeps meals warm. Plus, it is also dishwasher and microwave safe and compact enough to toss into any backpack or work bag, so it’s easy to take on the go. The body is wrapped in high quality protective silicone that’s available in different colors, like blush, mint, slate, cream, and charcoal. Just keep in mind that each bowl is sold individually so if you need a few containers, creating a set could get a bit pricey. Price at time of publish: $30 Material: Glass, silicone | Dishwasher Safe: Yes | Freezer Safe: Yes | Microwave Safe: Yes Keep in Mind: These containers are larger and won’t work well for packing lunches and snacks. This glass bakeware set includes three pans in different sizes, so you can choose which suits your needs best. Each container is on the deeper side, preventing spillovers that’ll dirty up your oven. They’re also microwave, freezer, and dishwasher safe, so cooking and cleaning are easy. Price at time of publish: $43 Material: Glass, plastic | Dishwasher Safe: Yes | Freezer Safe: Yes | Microwave Safe: Yes
What to Know About Glass Food Storage Containers Before Shopping
Type of Glass
When choosing a glass food storage container, you will want to look for something made from borosilicate glass. This is a special type of glass that includes high concentrations of boron trioxide and silica. These two food-grade safe and environmentally friendly chemicals are extremely heat resistant and can withstand temperatures in both the oven and dishwasher without the risk of shattering. Some brands, like CorningWare and Pyrex, have their own glass that’s very similar to borosilicate glass and is also resistant to thermal shock.
Container Shape
Glass food storage containers can be round or square. Which you choose depends on your personal needs and preference. Round containers are great for storing liquids and anything that requires stirring. However, for some, square containers are easier to organize. “I’ve always preferred square containers because they’re easy to stack and store,” Truett says. “There’s no wasted space which is always a plus when you don’t have much.”
Lid Type
Glass containers can come with a variety of different lids—glass lids (which often include silicon lining and/or plastic snaps), and plastic lids with or without locking mechanisms. “Lids must fit properly. If they are those snapping plastic ones, I need to test them out in the store to make sure they actually work. Sometimes you can get 3 sides down but not the last”, says Harwood.
Usage Restrictions
Most glass containers will be freezer, oven, and dishwasher safe. You’ll want to check the lids, however, and many glass containers come with plastic lid components that are not heat-resistant. To optimize care, you’ll want to keep your plastic container lids out of the microwave and oven, and hand wash them versus putting them in the dishwasher.
Your Questions, Answered
Can food be frozen in glass containers?
In short, yes. But you always want to double-check the item description and care instructions to make sure you are always using your glass food containers properly. If you plan on regularly freezing meals, we recommend purchasing a food storage container made from borosilicate glass, which is constructed to withstand extreme temperature changes.
Is it better to store food in glass containers?
While plastic containers can be very lightweight and inexpensive, some experts prefer storing their food in glass containers. “It’s better to store food in general in glass containers because it’s safer (no plastic chemicals), more durable, easy to clean, and looks much more presentable,” Hardwood says. “Plus glass is always microwave, freezer/fridge, and dishwasher safe.”
Do glass containers absorb smells and flavors?
Glass is nonporous, which won’t absorb smells and flavors like many other materials. This makes glass a great option for storing food.
Who We Are
This article was written by Adria Greenhauff, who has been writing about food and lifestyle topics for over a decade. To come up with this list, she researched a variety of options, keeping in mind material and whether or not each pick is safe for the microwave, freezer, and dishwasher. She also interviewed Carolyn Truett, the founder and recipe developer behind Caramel and Cashews, and Kaya Harwood, homesteader and creator of SimplySelfSufficient.com. Both experts have years of experience testing different food containers.
