I am just starting my cooking journey. Does anyone have specific recommendations for storage containers and utensils that differ from those usually found in a kitchen. I’m concerned about storing partly-used packaged materials. TIA.
Containers & tools
jackieduke2003
(Jacquelyn Graham)
#2
I just keep regular sealed containers around and ziploc type bags that we use to store pretty much everything. As for tools, a small deep fryer has been very helpful. Also, I have a veggie steamer rack that I use for steaming hard boiled eggs. Other than regular tools, etc, that’s about it.
Meri.B
(Meri)
#3
I love the glass storage containers from ikea! My food saver vacuum sealer has also been really handy!
JimS
(James Slone)
#4
Thanks. I hadn’t thought of a fryer. I realize now that one would be essential.
mijmunyum
(jim schafer)
#6
these glass jars are my favorite…and you can just buy the lids if they need to be replaced… This pic is from the amazon site
CrazyCaper
(Kelly LeBlanc)
#7
I really like glass containers with lids that have a good seal. Plastic containers can stain and hold odors and they are more difficult to get really clean.
I bought mine at CostCo. I think the brand is snapware.
CrazyCaper
(Kelly LeBlanc)
#8
And reheating fatty foods in plastic can cause the plastic to pit. That doesn’t happen with glass.
janknitz
(jketoscribe)
#10
This is a good question!
We are working really hard at getting plastics out of our kitchen as much as we can. We buy mostly glass containers–some of those Pyrex storage containers (yes, they have plastic lids–we try to keep the food from contacting the plastic) but our main storage containers are glass canning jars (Ball and Kerr, and some Weck Jars). These jars are inexpensive and sturdy and work great for shelf stable items, refrigerator and reheating, but not great for freezing. I usually freeze liquids and semi-liquids in my large silicone ice cube trays and then pop them out into plastic ziplocks for freezer storage. (Yes, plastic 
).
I invested in the jar adapters for Food Saver systems that allow you to use a Food Saver device to suck the air out of glass canning jars. Then I use a hand-held vacuum sealing device (about $19) to use to suck the air out with the jar adapters so you get a vacuum seal. This is similar to using the plastic bags to seal but there’s no plastic in contact with your food. It keeps much longer this way.
(You do not need special tubing to connect the hand held vacuum sealer to the jar adapter–it works fine just to align the hole in the top of the jar adapter with the hand held device).
For carrying food to work for lunch I used to take the glass jars, but they are heavy and breakable. I invested in a nice set of stainless steel “bento” boxes by Lunch Bots–they are cute and very convenient. I have microwaveable dishes at work to transfer food for reheating. I also have a good wide-mouth thermos.
replay
(Carol E. )
#12
For dry goods like almond flour, coconut flour, nuts, ect. I like OXO Good Grips Food Storage Pop Containers. I bought individual containers from Bed Bath and Beyond using their coupons 
. I like the air tight feature to help keep slow use items fresher.
I gave my mom a set for Christmas and she loves them.
Jessica
(Jessica K)
#14
I’m a big fan of glass containers as they’re so versatile… you can take off the lid and pop them in the oven, no staining, no odors, and no worrying about and plastics leaching into your food. My favorite are these. They have deals on them at Costco relatively often:
https://www.amazon.com/Snapware-24-Piece-Total-Solution-Storage/dp/B011L4Q15Q/
I like the OXO Good grip containers for storing dry pantry goods. I got them at the Container Store with a coupon in a set but find that I don’t use a lot of the smaller ones. If I could do it again, I’d buy them at Homegoods or Marshalls. They always have them individually at a decent deal.
For lunches, I keep a couple decent bento boxes as they just make me happy and keep portions separate 
CrazyCaper
(Kelly LeBlanc)
#15
Canning jars are amazing.
If you want to buy nuts and nut flours in bulk it’s good to keep them in the freezer. They can go rancid. Smell is a good indicator.
Tools! Because I missed this the first time. What type of cooking are you looking to do? This will help us help you focus on the right tools. You can always expand later. But if we tell you about a whole bunch of tools needed for specific things you aren’t interested in…well it won’t be very useful.
bonzer
(Bonnie )
#16
I like the Pyrex glass bowls with lids. Seems to keep food fresher longer.
A good non stick fry pan that only gets used for eggs.
A large rectangular baking pan that I use to cook lots of food (chicken legs, meatballs) all at one time. This means I have 4-5 days of food already cooked anytime I look in the fridge, thus eliminating the “what do I eat” quandrum.
Dandoesketo
(Danielle)
#17
We also use Pyrex bowls with sealable lids. The other thing we do is reuse jars. We have a lot from our pre keto days, but these days we don’t really buy anything in jars much any more. We do reuse our pickle jars as they are good size. We will store our dry goods like almond flour in them. Very handy
janknitz
(jketoscribe)
#18
Sorry, I guess the software only allows one link at a time. Here is the link to the hand held vacuum sealer:
Fiorella
#19
I love finding ways to save money, and I have recently started keeping every used glass jar (like when I buy olives, pickles, coconut oil, etc). I keep food left overs and store homemade sauces in these recycled jars.
I really don’t like storing fatty foods in plastic…I notice there’s a reaction with the plastic surface (and frankly have a hard time accepting the BPA-free marketing script…I don’t believe it is safe). I’m sticking with my recycled glass jars strategy!!
CrazyCaper
(Kelly LeBlanc)
#20
You are smart to worry abotu BPS fee, Fiorella. The BPA has been replaced with other chemicals that are likely just as unsafe.
I love glass as well! And I love recycling too! It’s free