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Replacing my Tupperware storage containers


swimmermom3
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Nearly 20 years ago, I bought Tupperware storage containers for my flour, sugar, and other staple supplies. They fit neatly in my cabinets and kept everything at hand. Now; however, when I open the containers, the plastic smell is overwhelming and the lids have begun cracking 2-3 at a time.

 

Is there a safer alternative that is equally tidy and space-efficient? I cringe at the thought of how much it is going to cost to replace a bunch at one time.

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It sounds like you're not looking for plastic, BUT I bought my 'canisters' at a pet store. They're meant for pet food, but they seal, are clear, hold big bags of rice, flour, and sugar from Costco, have handles, AND I bought the scoops with measurements marked on them in the same store. Since they're tall rectangles that are space-saving.

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I am using glass containers with metal lids to store flour etc.

I have bought large containers at the store that I use for sugar, flours, etc, and am reusing pasta sauce mason jars for foods which I have in smaller quantities: lentils quinoa, nuts etc. The jars are almost square in cross section and fill the cupboard efficiently.

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My snap ware was a bust. I think it lasted several months before the tabs stopped staying closed.

 

I would be thrilled if Tupperware lasted 20 years!

 

I buy new stuff every few years (stuff I use for freezer, school lunches)

 

I got a giant box of Rubbermaid for $5 two years ago at Wal Mart during my first thanksgiving eve shopping trip.

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I have the real deal, Modular Mates to be exact and I have loved them. My mixing bowl with the lid also needs to be replaced and the large round pie or whatever container is perfect for taking muffins to sailing when I am the dock mom.

 

That would be cool if Tupperware would replace my broken lids, but I threw them out!

 

Also, the Tupperware never used to smell and the strong smell is a recent thing in the past year so I was wondering if the plastic is beginning to break down? Is that a health risk?

 

I like the idea of using glass from a health perspective, but the way my kitchen is arranged, baking goods are in an upper cabinet and I envision pulling out a large glass container full of flour and dropping it on the counter top. I will have to think on that one. If I could find kind of squarish containers, that would be best.

 

Or I could purchase a new set or two of Modular Mates and not worry about it for another 20 years. With the kids mostly grown, I wouldn't need as many. Please tell me I can buy them directly now and don't have to do the party thing.

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Our brands might be different but I just use decor. I buy when they have half price sales and top up every so often when a few walk or break. You can get a good range of sizes to fit your space.

 

I've heard some people say they really like the ikea storage boxes but I don't have any personal experience with that.

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Pretty sure my modular mates are close to 20 years old.  I got them soon after we were married and we have now been married 20 years (as of July of this year.)  I will have to see if mine have a smell.  I haven't noticed any smell, but I will check.

 

I have noticed that Tupperware isn't nearly as quick to replace things for free.   

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that's odd.  I'm using my mother's and grandmother for my flour and sugar and they have to be nearly 50 years old - with no smell at all.

 

eta: I have a bunch of modular stuff from rubbermaid https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=rubbermaid+.+modular+canisters&qpvt=Rubbermaid+.+Modular+Canisters&qpvt=Rubbermaid+.+Modular+Canisters&FORM=IGREfor a fraction of the tupperware price.   also, check out the container store. http://www.containerstore.com/s/kitchen/food-storage/plastic/123 they have wonderful modular stuff.

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Some of my older Tupperware (my mom sold it in the 60's, I inherited a fair bit) has either, oops, gotten melted by being too near the stove, etc., an I have been replacing stuff but by bit with the sturdy red-lid Rubbermaid  I can grab at Target etc. on sale.

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Pretty sure my modular mates are close to 20 years old.  I got them soon after we were married and we have now been married 20 years (as of July of this year.)  I will have to see if mine have a smell.  I haven't noticed any smell, but I will check.

 

I have noticed that Tupperware isn't nearly as quick to replace things for free.   

 

you also can't replace missing parts anymore.  I have two 8-cup measuring cups - and the spouts on the lids end up  breaking off. you can't just buy the lid anymore.  but then, the lid of the new one didn't fit the old one I inhereited from my mother.

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Or I could purchase a new set or two of Modular Mates and not worry about it for another 20 years. With the kids mostly grown, I wouldn't need as many. Please tell me I can buy them directly now and don't have to do the party thing.

 

Yes, you can buy them directly from the Tupperware website. 

 

I did stainless steel canisters for about 10 years, but then they started leaving rings on my countertops. (?) I got rid of my glass canisters, too. Once I had an enthusiastic little baker in the house, I was afraid they'd get dropped. I switched to Rubbermaid and they are so much lighter and easier to handle than metal or glass. Not as healthy, I know, but I don't heat things in them, so I think they're okay.

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Tupperware has sales occasionally.  The Modular Mates go on sale 40% usually sometime Dec through March.  I replaced mine over two years, didn't want to spend that much money at once.  I bought from lady that posts on a forum I am on.  I don't even know where she lives, but she emails me sales sheets occasionally or you can buy from Tupperware.com directly.

 

Here's the lady I used.. 

www.mytupperware.com/rbrunston

I can pm you her email if you would like it. 

 

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My snap ware was a bust. I think it lasted several months before the tabs stopped staying closed.

 

I would be thrilled if Tupperware lasted 20 years!

 

I buy new stuff every few years (stuff I use for freezer, school lunches)

 

I got a giant box of Rubbermaid for $5 two years ago at Wal Mart during my first thanksgiving eve shopping trip.

Really? Hm.  I have had my large snapware for 5 or so years.  I have had no issues with tabs not working.  

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you also can't replace missing parts anymore.  I have two 8-cup measuring cups - and the spouts on the lids end up  breaking off. you can't just buy the lid anymore.  but then, the lid of the new one didn't fit the old one I inhereited from my mother.

You can.  It used to be easier for consultants tho because each of the distributors had huge warehouses and we could go rifle thru and get what we needed.  I sold to support my habit and get things I needed for the kids when dh was in grad school doing his PhD

 

You can buy lids etc. 

 

http://order.tupperware.com/ccm-pdf/partscatalog.pdf

 

Some consultants don't want to be bothered I think.

 

My mod mates are 15.  They are still going strong and I doubt I will ever replace them.  My hubby is a toxicologist and assures me its perfectly safe to keep our food in plastic.  Since it would be a big hassle to switch over and basically I feel like he is qualified to judge what is safe for us I just go with it.  

 

I learned long ago I can not be trusted with $$ fridge storage tho because I leave things until... well.  Until I should throw them out.

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I like the big mason jars for storing flours and oats and sugar. They're a half gallon I think?  The quart sized ones are really good for  dried beans and maple syrup. We use the pint sized ones for drinking glasses. We have tile floors and mason jars are quite sturdy. I've dropped a big one filled with flour and it didn't even crack. 

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My modular mates are almost as old as yours and for the last year or so, I've noticed the same smell that you describe. My whole pantry is filled with these things and the thought of replacing them makes me cringe. They were expensive even 18 years ago, so I hate to even look at the prices now.

 

Contact Tupperware about the smell, they might replace them if they are faulty. Lifetime warranty.

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You can buy lids etc. 

 

http://order.tupperware.com/ccm-pdf/partscatalog.pdf

 

Some consultants don't want to be bothered I think.

I learned long ago I can not be trusted with $$ fridge storage tho because I leave things until... well.  Until I should throw them out.

thanks,

eta: I've looked through the link - and didn't find the mix n store lid replacements.  I checked on ebay -and I could buy the whole thing used for less than many of the lids go for.

 

 

or do you mean, until they grow legs and walk out on their own? ;)

 

Check out OXO POP containers. They are similar to what you have. They get rave reviews on a kitchen design bulletin board that I used when I was renovating our kitchen. http://www.oxo.com/10-piece-pop-container-set-white

 

these are great.  the pop is very easy to open and close and has a good seal.  I have one I use as a candy jar.  (ds wanted a "mix" that had skittles, reeses and M&M's.)

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Nearly 20 years ago, I bought Tupperware storage containers for my flour, sugar, and other staple supplies. They fit neatly in my cabinets and kept everything at hand. Now; however, when I open the containers, the plastic smell is overwhelming and the lids have begun cracking 2-3 at a time.

 

Is there a safer alternative that is equally tidy and space-efficient? I cringe at the thought of how much it is going to cost to replace a bunch at one time.

 

Well, that's a bummer. My Tupperware Modular Mates are over 30 years old and I have never noticed a plastic smell. :blink: I've had to replace, oh, three or four seals, but they were the ones that were 30 years old, so I don't mind. :-)

 

I have picked up a few containers at the grocery store, because it was just easier. I don't know the brand. They're ok, but I'm going to search for a Tupperware dealer, because I big pink puffy heart my TW. :-)

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