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The Best Glass Food Storage Containers

Sturdy, stain-proof, and microwavable, glass can be a good choice for food storage, but which container offers the best size, shape, and sealing power?

Editor&aposs Note:The Best Glass Food Storage Containers

In this review we looked at glass storage containers that hold about 8 cups; a generous size for make-ahead cooking and holding big batches of leftovers. But what about smaller sizes and storage container sets? We tested all the available sizes and sets of our favorite glass storage container by OXO. You can read our in-depth review and recommendations here

Top Pick

  • Leaks
  • Odors
  • Design
  • Durability
  • Storage and Heating

WinnerOXO Good Grips 8 Cup Smart Seal Rectangle Container

With a plastic lid that latched easily and securely and an airtight, leakproof seal that didn't drip or let moisture in, this container is our top choice for glass storage. Its ⅜-inch-wide, soft, square silicone gasket was easy to remove and replace for cleaning, and the faintly fishy odors it retained disappeared after rewashing. The plastic lid showed a slight orange tint after the chili test, but this faded as the container went through more dishwashing cycles. It also resisted warping and emerged intact at the end of testing. The 8-cup container, which looked like a glass loaf pan, held plenty of food, though we'd prefer a slightly flatter, wider shape to help foods heat and chill a bit more uniformly.
Model Number: 11174000Capacity: 8 cupsOvensafe: Yes, to 450º F, preheatedMaterials: Borosilicate glass body, polypropylene lid, silicone gasketPrice at Time of Testing: $14.99
  • Leaks
  • Odors
  • Design
  • Durability
  • Storage and Heating
With a plastic lid that latched easily and securely and an airtight, leakproof seal that didn't drip or let moisture in, this container is our top choice for glass storage. Its ⅜-inch-wide, soft, square silicone gasket was easy to remove and replace for cleaning, and the faintly fishy odors it retained disappeared after rewashing. The plastic lid showed a slight orange tint after the chili test, but this faded as the container went through more dishwashing cycles. It also resisted warping and emerged intact at the end of testing. The 8-cup container, which looked like a glass loaf pan, held plenty of food, though we'd prefer a slightly flatter, wider shape to help foods heat and chill a bit more uniformly.
Model Number: 11174000Capacity: 8 cupsOvensafe: Yes, to 450º F, preheatedMaterials: Borosilicate glass body, polypropylene lid, silicone gasketPrice at Time of Testing: $14.99

What You Need to Know

We don't think home cooks should have to choose between plastic and glass food storage containers, since both have advantages: While glass is heavier and more fragile than plastic, it also resists staining and warping, can go in the microwave without worry, and can even be used in the oven for cooking or reheating, offering great versatility. We tested five glass storage containers alongside six plastic containers (see related story for our plastic container testing results), all with capacities as close as possible to 8 cups, a good size for storing leftovers or a make-ahead meal. Some containers can be purchased a la carte, while others are sold only in sets. For those who purchase glass containers to avoid plastic, we did notice this: Most have plastic lids. Only one model we tested had a glass lid, with a silicone trim to seal it in place.

We put these glass containers through the same series of rigorous tests as our lineup of plastic containers, with the exception of knocking them onto the floor and with the addition of using them in the oven. Our goal was to find a truly airtight, leakproof container, in a size and shape that works well for home cooks, that resists stains and odors, can reheat food in both oven and microwave, and is easy to use and clean.

Are Glass Containers Really Airtight?

To keep food at its freshest, you want a container that is airtight and leakproof. If it tips a little in a crowded refrigerator or while you're transferring it from one location to another, you want to be sure it won't spill. And if you happen to be storing very fragrant food, odors shouldn't escape the container. We tested seal quality by filling our containers with water and shaking them in all directions, as well as by submerging them in water with moisture-detecting crystals sealed inside. One failed both tests right away: Its plastic cover lacked the silicone gasket and flaps that most others had to secure the lid, so it simply didn't seal completely. The rest performed perfectly—at least the first time we did this test. But after we'd used and washed them during routine testing and run them through the dishwasher 50 more times to simulate a year of weekly use, two of the four models failed to seal as tightly when we repeated the test, indicating that they might not hold up well over time.

Gif comparing a well sealed container to a poorly sealed container as testers shake blue liquid in each one
We found that the quality of the lid’s gasket makes the difference between a leakproof container and a potential spill.

To check whether they would retain smells, we filled the containers with oil-packed tuna and anchovies, refrigerated them overnight, washed them carefully, and conducted a “sniff test.” Only the container that had failed our leak tests, with its loose plastic lid and no gasket, was mostly odor-free; the others revealed the importance of removing and scrubbing gaskets and around lid flaps, whose nooks and crannies were prone to trapping smells. (Two containers' gaskets were large, soft, and easy to pull out; the third was tiny and difficult.) To see if they'd stain, we loaded the containers with chili full of tomatoes and colorful spices. After refrigerating the containers over a weekend, we microwaved the chili still in the containers to a piping-hot 160 degrees. Unlike the plastic containers we tested, these glass versions stayed stain-free, but their plastic lids, which sat atop the chili, did become lightly stained. One container's bright blue lid cleverly masked any stains. The container with a glass lid showed stains on its white silicone trim, but these eventually disappeared with more scrubbing.

Volunteers perform a “sniff test” to see if the containers held on to odors after being used to store oil-packed tuna and anchovies.
Volunteers perform a “sniff test” to see if the containers held on to odors after being used to store oil-packed tuna and anchovies.

Snapping Plastic Lids onto Glass Containers

We opened and closed each container 200 times, 100 times before and 100 times after our dishwashing tests, reversing the lid position each time. This helped us evaluate how easy each container was to seal and the durability of its construction. None of the lids broke, but some were definitely much easier to seal than others. The worst had extremely tight flaps that snapped down over a raised ridge on the glass bottom. That tight seal never leaked a drop, but it was a little painful for some testers to close. Two others—the one with the simple plastic lid and the glass lid with silicone trim—were easy to put on, but they rarely felt as securely latched as those with snap-down flaps; in fact, these two were the ones that leaked throughout testing. Ultimately, we preferred containers with snap-down flaps and silicone gaskets, and our top choice was comfortable to snap while remaining securely leakproof.

Gif of a tester opening an closing a glass container
We opened and closed the lid of each container more than 200 times to evaluate ease of use and ensure long-term durability.

Using Glass Containers in the Oven

All the glass food storage containers we tested claimed to be ovensafe, a nice bonus that makes them more versatile. However, every product's label and/or website listed extensive warnings about thermal shock, which is when rapid, extreme temperature changes cause glass to shatter. We recommend that you read these instructions carefully before using your container in the oven. In every case, you should put glass vessels into only a fully preheated oven, since ovens preheat unevenly, with much hotter and cooler zones forming until the oven reaches its target temperature; also, never use them under the broiler. While three of the five containers are made of borosilicate glass, a material that is supposed to be more thermal shock–resistant than the tempered soda-lime glass of which the other two were composed, their warning lists were equally long. We used each model, in a preheated oven, to warm up refrigerated macaroni and cheese to serving temperature and had no problems heating or handling any of the containers.

Heated Classic Macaroni and Cheese casserole in a glass container being taken out of the oven
All the containers performed well during oven testing, although, as with any glass product, care should be taken to avoid sudden and extreme temperature changes.

At the end of testing, we had a clear winner. The OXO Good Grips 8 Cup Smart Seal Rectangle Container sealed easily and tightly without letting a drop spill. Its large, soft gasket was easy to remove, clean, and replace, and it emerged from testing in excellent condition. It's our new favorite glass storage container. While we tested the 8-cup version, this model comes in a wide variety of sizes and is sold a la carte and in sets.

The Tests

  • Fill container with 2 cups water tinted blue with food coloring and shake (in all directions, inverting completely) over white paper towels for 15 seconds, checking for leaks.
  • Place 1 tablespoon Drierite moisture-detecting crystals in container and submerge in large bucket of water for 2 minutes. Dry exterior carefully, open, and check for crystals that changed color, indicating that moisture has entered.
  • Fill with 1 can each oil-packed tuna and anchovies, seal, and refrigerate overnight. Remove fish, wash container in dishwasher, and have testers sniff for residual fish odors.
  • Fill with Simple Beef and Bean Chili, noting amount that fits; store in refrigerator over a weekend. Heat in microwave until chili is uniformly 160 degrees, a piping-hot serving temperature. Remove chili, wash container in dishwasher, and examine for damage to lid and seal as well as stains and odors.
  • Heat refrigerated Classic Macaroni and Cheese casserole in container, without lid, in preheated 350-degree oven to 160-degree serving temperature. Remove casserole, wash container, and examine for damage.
  • Fully open and close lid 100 times, reversing direction of lid each time.
  • Run container through 50 dishwasher cycles. Examine for damage, warping, and staining.
  • Repeat all previous tests to see if dishwashing and previous use have affected performance.


How We Rated

  • Leaks: We filled the containers with water tinted with blue food coloring and shook them vigorously for 15 seconds and then filled them with moisture-detecting color-changing crystals and submerged them in water for 2 minutes. Containers that didn't leak when shaken and that kept their contents dry when submerged received high marks.
  • Odors: We refrigerated oil-packed tuna and anchovies in each container overnight and then ran containers through a home dishwasher and checked for odors. Containers that resisted odors and cleaned up more easily were preferred.
  • Storage and Heating: We filled containers with chili, refrigerated them over a weekend, and reheated them in the microwave, checking for lid warping, stains, and other damage. We also reheated macaroni and cheese casseroles in the oven in the containers. Containers that didn't leak or spill, held plenty of chili and casserole, and resisted warping, staining, and other damage rated highest.
  • Durability: We opened and closed each container 100 times, washed the containers 50 times in a home dishwasher, and repeated all the previous tests (leaking, odors, microwaving, opening and closing 100 times). Finally, we checked for stains, warping, breakage, and general wear and tear, giving high marks to those that passed this series of abuse tests in good condition.
  • Design: We considered features that made the containers easier to use, including simple, intuitive seals and shapes that stack well and make heating and cooling more efficient.

  • Airtight and leakproof
  • Lid that is easy to open and close but seals snugly and tightly and stands up to abuse
  • Generous 8-cup size
  • Large, easy-to-remove silicone gasket for simpler cleaning, with large channel that makes it easy to clean
  • Safe for use in dishwasher, freezer, microwave (with lid flaps open), and preheated oven up to 450 degrees
06:09

Cook's IllustratedPlastic and Glass Food Storage ContainersWatch Now

Everything We Tested

Good 3 Stars out of 3.
Fair 2 Stars out of 3.
Poor 1 Star out of 3.

Recommended

  • Leaks
  • Odors
  • Design
  • Durability
  • Storage and Heating

WinnerOXO Good Grips 8 Cup Smart Seal Rectangle Container

With a plastic lid that latched easily and securely and an airtight, leakproof seal that didn't drip or let moisture in, this container is our top choice for glass storage. Its ⅜-inch-wide, soft, square silicone gasket was easy to remove and replace for cleaning, and the faintly fishy odors it retained disappeared after rewashing. The plastic lid showed a slight orange tint after the chili test, but this faded as the container went through more dishwashing cycles. It also resisted warping and emerged intact at the end of testing. The 8-cup container, which looked like a glass loaf pan, held plenty of food, though we'd prefer a slightly flatter, wider shape to help foods heat and chill a bit more uniformly.
Model Number: 11174000Capacity: 8 cupsOvensafe: Yes, to 450º F, preheatedMaterials: Borosilicate glass body, polypropylene lid, silicone gasketPrice at Time of Testing: $14.99
  • Leaks
  • Odors
  • Design
  • Durability
  • Storage and Heating
With a plastic lid that latched easily and securely and an airtight, leakproof seal that didn't drip or let moisture in, this container is our top choice for glass storage. Its ⅜-inch-wide, soft, square silicone gasket was easy to remove and replace for cleaning, and the faintly fishy odors it retained disappeared after rewashing. The plastic lid showed a slight orange tint after the chili test, but this faded as the container went through more dishwashing cycles. It also resisted warping and emerged intact at the end of testing. The 8-cup container, which looked like a glass loaf pan, held plenty of food, though we'd prefer a slightly flatter, wider shape to help foods heat and chill a bit more uniformly.
Model Number: 11174000Capacity: 8 cupsOvensafe: Yes, to 450º F, preheatedMaterials: Borosilicate glass body, polypropylene lid, silicone gasketPrice at Time of Testing: $14.99
  • Leaks
  • Odors
  • Design
  • Durability
  • Storage and Heating

Kinetic GoGREEN Glassworks Series 6-Piece Rectangular Oven Safe 54-Ounce Glass Food Storage Container Set (3 Containers and 3 Lids)

This sturdy container remained utterly leakproof and airtight, even after extensive use and abuse. Its seal is very secure, with flaps that snap down tightly (though they take a bit of force). Its plastic lid became slightly discolored after storing chili, but stains lightened after several dishwasher cycles; we also detected faint fishy odors around its thin, hard-to-remove gasket. Although we tested the largest size available, this container felt a bit cramped at 6.75 cups. It is sold only in sets of three identical containers.
Model Number: 01328Capacity: 6.75 cupsOvensafe: Yes, to 450ºF, preheatedMaterials: Borosilicate glass body, plastic lid, silicone gasketPrice at Time of Testing: $43.50
  • Leaks
  • Odors
  • Design
  • Durability
  • Storage and Heating
This sturdy container remained utterly leakproof and airtight, even after extensive use and abuse. Its seal is very secure, with flaps that snap down tightly (though they take a bit of force). Its plastic lid became slightly discolored after storing chili, but stains lightened after several dishwasher cycles; we also detected faint fishy odors around its thin, hard-to-remove gasket. Although we tested the largest size available, this container felt a bit cramped at 6.75 cups. It is sold only in sets of three identical containers.
Model Number: 01328Capacity: 6.75 cupsOvensafe: Yes, to 450ºF, preheatedMaterials: Borosilicate glass body, plastic lid, silicone gasketPrice at Time of Testing: $43.50

Recommended with reservations

  • Leaks
  • Odors
  • Design
  • Durability
  • Storage and Heating

Lock & Lock Oven Glass Steam Vent Rectangular Food Storage Container, 8.5 cups

This roomy container has many excellent features, including smoothly latching flaps and a large, easy-to-remove gasket, plus a handy steam vent in the lid that lets you microwave with the top latched on, reducing splatter. Its plastic lid resisted stains and smelled only faintly of fish in our odor test. In the first round of leak tests, it stayed perfectly leakproof and airtight, but after more testing, including 50 cycles in the dishwasher, we had a small but steady drip from one corner.
Model Number: LLG455TCapacity: 8.5 cupsOvensafe: Yes, to 750ºF, preheatedMaterials: Borosilicate glass body, polypropylene lid, silicone gasketPrice at Time of Testing: $20.80
  • Leaks
  • Odors
  • Design
  • Durability
  • Storage and Heating
This roomy container has many excellent features, including smoothly latching flaps and a large, easy-to-remove gasket, plus a handy steam vent in the lid that lets you microwave with the top latched on, reducing splatter. Its plastic lid resisted stains and smelled only faintly of fish in our odor test. In the first round of leak tests, it stayed perfectly leakproof and airtight, but after more testing, including 50 cycles in the dishwasher, we had a small but steady drip from one corner.
Model Number: LLG455TCapacity: 8.5 cupsOvensafe: Yes, to 750ºF, preheatedMaterials: Borosilicate glass body, polypropylene lid, silicone gasketPrice at Time of Testing: $20.80
  • Leaks
  • Odors
  • Design
  • Durability
  • Storage and Heating

Joseph Joseph Nest Glass Storage (set of 4 sizes)

We loved the generous 10.5-cup capacity of the largest container of this 4-piece nesting set, along with its lower, flatter shape that helps food chill and heat more uniformly. With no gasket to trap food, the lid passed our “sniff test” and was easy to clean, while the bright blue color hid chili stains. Unfortunately, that simple lid is neither airtight nor leakproof, but if you want just a covered dish, this might serve the purpose.
Model Number: 81064Capacity: 10.5 cupsOvensafe: Yes; no maximum temperature given (not broiler-safe)Materials: Borosilicate glass body, plastic lidPrice at Time of Testing: $30.00
  • Leaks
  • Odors
  • Design
  • Durability
  • Storage and Heating
We loved the generous 10.5-cup capacity of the largest container of this 4-piece nesting set, along with its lower, flatter shape that helps food chill and heat more uniformly. With no gasket to trap food, the lid passed our “sniff test” and was easy to clean, while the bright blue color hid chili stains. Unfortunately, that simple lid is neither airtight nor leakproof, but if you want just a covered dish, this might serve the purpose.
Model Number: 81064Capacity: 10.5 cupsOvensafe: Yes; no maximum temperature given (not broiler-safe)Materials: Borosilicate glass body, plastic lidPrice at Time of Testing: $30.00
  • Leaks
  • Odors
  • Design
  • Durability
  • Storage and Heating

Pyrex Ultimate 7-cup Round Storage Dish

The little round 7-cup container looked great, but its size (the largest available) felt a bit cramped. The flat glass lid didn't stain and provided good visibility, but its white silicone trim trapped faint fishy odors and briefly turned orange when we microwaved chili—though stains and odors disappeared after a few dishwasher cycles. It didn't leak when we filled it full of water and shook it the first time, but it did leak when we later repeated the test. By contrast, water trickled in when we submerged it the first time, but the second time it stayed dry. We can only conclude that the inexact sealing system for this lid, which requires pressing the lid down and then lifting and “burping” a tab to release air, made it impossible to judge whether it was successfully shut. We also saw very tiny rips in the soft silicone trim on the lid by the end of testing, making us wonder about its durability.
Model Number: 1095600Capacity: 7 cupsOvensafe: Yes; no maximum temperature given (not broiler-safe)Materials: Tempered soda-lime glass body, glass lid with silicone trimPrice at Time of Testing: $16.99
  • Leaks
  • Odors
  • Design
  • Durability
  • Storage and Heating
The little round 7-cup container looked great, but its size (the largest available) felt a bit cramped. The flat glass lid didn't stain and provided good visibility, but its white silicone trim trapped faint fishy odors and briefly turned orange when we microwaved chili—though stains and odors disappeared after a few dishwasher cycles. It didn't leak when we filled it full of water and shook it the first time, but it did leak when we later repeated the test. By contrast, water trickled in when we submerged it the first time, but the second time it stayed dry. We can only conclude that the inexact sealing system for this lid, which requires pressing the lid down and then lifting and “burping” a tab to release air, made it impossible to judge whether it was successfully shut. We also saw very tiny rips in the soft silicone trim on the lid by the end of testing, making us wonder about its durability.
Model Number: 1095600Capacity: 7 cupsOvensafe: Yes; no maximum temperature given (not broiler-safe)Materials: Tempered soda-lime glass body, glass lid with silicone trimPrice at Time of Testing: $16.99

*All products reviewed by America’s Test Kitchen are independently chosen, researched, and reviewed by our editors. We buy products for testing at retail locations and do not accept unsolicited samples for testing. We list suggested sources for recommended products as a convenience to our readers but do not endorse specific retailers. When you choose to purchase our editorial recommendations from the links we provide, we may earn an affiliate commission. Prices are subject to change.

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The mission of America’s Test Kitchen Reviews is to find the best equipment and ingredients for the home cook through rigorous, hands-on testing. We stand behind our winners so much that we even put our seal of approval on them. Have a question or suggestion? Send us an email at atkreviews@americastestkitchen.com. We appreciate your feedback!

The Expert

byLisa McManus

Executive Editor, ATK Reviews

Lisa is an executive editor for ATK Reviews, cohost of Gear Heads on YouTube, and gadget expert on TV's America's Test Kitchen.

Lisa McManus is an executive editor for ATK Reviews, cohost of Gear Heads on YouTube, host of Cook's Illustrated's Equipment Review videos, and a cast member—the gadget expert—on TV's America's Test Kitchen. A passionate home cook, sometime waitress, and longtime journalist, she graduated from Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism and worked at magazines and newspapers in New York and California before returning like a homing pigeon to New England. In 2006 she got her dream job at ATK reviewing kitchen equipment and ingredients and has been pretty thrilled about it ever since. Her favorite thing is to go somewhere new and find something good to eat.

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