The sugar came in a 5 lb. paper bag. The cocoa came in a round tin. The dark brown sugar came in a plastic bag. The light brown sugar came in a paper box. Imagine storing these conveniently, side by side.
These are just a few of the items I keep handy in a cabinet close to the stove. I keep larger containers for some of these items as well, sugar for one. But, if I need a teaspoon of flour for thickening a sauce, or a half teaspoon of sugar for fried cabbage or hot cocoa, there is no need to get out the larger container. These smaller containers are at arms reach.
I find that keeping and reusing containers of the same size and shape helps keep the cabinet neater and the items are more easily accessible. And probably most important, space is gained.
As in the case of the brown sugar, I leave it in the plastic bag and put the bag in the container. Double protection plus stackability. Also, I think most foods keep better in plastic containers with tight fitting lids rather than in some of the original containers, especially paper bags and boxes.
This page contains the following solutions.
Two of my plastic containers are so close to the same, but with one small difference. I am always grabbing the wrong lid. So today, I marked the bottom with an indelible marker "B" to indicate the lid color.
Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
I bought silicone bags at a thrift store. The closures are missing. I thought I could come up with a good idea, cause they were cheap. Unfortunately I have no ideas.
Can someone help?
It looks like the bags have some sort of a plastic piece that slides over the opening of the bag to keep it closed. I think at hardware stores I have seen these types of items that you can buy for windows to make it easier for the window to slide.
What is best airtight canister/storage container available to store things like, flour, rice, and meal in? I am looking for something that is airtight. I purchased Rubbermaid plastic canisters a year ago and I've noticed they are not as airtight as they were when I first purchased them. Is Tupperware better?
By Onesummer
If you need large storage bins, check at a bakery counter at a big grocer and ask if they give away their 5 gallon "cake frosting" containers. They might offer them to you free of charge and probably will not have been cleaned of the frosting residue. Just don't take them without the lids if you need them for dry storage. Always helps to make friendly, sincere, chat with a responsive employee who may be able to "save" them for you.
For smaller storage containers, the plastic jugs that many coffee brands now use are handy for a number of dry storage uses. If you don't buy, drink coffee, find a friend that does and ask if he or she will save the plastic containers for you.
As well, the plastic, one gallon milk jugs are good, too, especially for things like dried beans or different rices that can be easily funneled in, and simply poured out, as needed.
Make sure all containers are cleaned and dried thoroughly before re-purposing.
I loved KC's ideas. Let me add another. If you can find the clear plastic containers that jerky and beef sticks come in and the store will keep them for you, that are amazing. You can keep little things inside in zip lock bags, and the screw on seal is perfect to keep them "double fresh".
I used to use all sorts of recycled containers until I had a terrible infestation of pantry moths! I now am investing in Lock & Lock storage containers which are bpa free in the plastic and also available in glass. They are truly air tight and recycled containers aren't very frugal if you end up having to throw away most of your pantry food!
I use those large glass pickle jars to store my sugar and flour in. I'm going to try to find more of them for pasta, etc. They have worked great for me so far!
The absolute best containers I've found are called Lock & Lock. You can get these at a good price either at www.amazon.com or www.qvc.com. Just type in Lock & Lock and do a search. They're completely air and water-proof and I use them for just about everything.
I buy flour and sugar in ten pound bags. I put the bag inside a two gallon zip lock bag. When the flour or sugar is gone I throw it all away and start with a new zip lock bag. I have never had mealy bugs.
What I use, and is air tight is a FoodSaver. You use your mason jars, and seal it, and it stays sealed.
In my honest opinion, the best product for scent-free storage is glass, and you can find inexpensive ones that have hinged, tops with silicone gaskets and stainless steel locking. Fancy decal letters or labels can be found in Craft Shops; the clear glass also allows you to see how much of the product is on hand before beginning a recipe and finding out that you have to make a trip to the store. Another nice little storage item is the 'glass mayonnaise jar with plastic tops', perfect for small leftovers, easy identification and no rusty lids.
A spice that can be bought is dry bay leaves, and about five of these leaves dropped into any container (about a 1/2 gallon with lid) and will deter any bugs. I keep a large jar of rice on my shelf with bay leaves and I haven't found any bugs for at least 6 months. I can't say how long it will last because my rice is used up by then.
Plastic containers can last quite a long time depending on use. If they become distorted or pitted from heat, cracked, badly scratched, etc. it is probably time to discard them. This is a page about. "How long do plastic food storage containers last?".
