Healhiest food storage containers......what label exactly?

[sheryl]

I ordered my Vitamix today!  It arrives in about 5-7 days.  I'm thinking May 23 or so!   I realized I need to buy containers.   Fresh is best, but I'm not going to make fresh peanut butter everyday.  So, I'll store in frig.

 

It seems glass is the safest/healthiest.  Is there something else I'm not thinking of?

 

Along with that, you prep your food in small batches to keep it fresh?  Or, large and freeze (whatever would lend itself to being frozen)?

 

Hmm.  Glass won't work well in the freezer - lol!

 

Also, for grinding oats - I've done so using oat groats.  But, I read recently someone using oatmeal.  Which one is it?  Does it matter?

 

Now I'm considering where to buy foods in bulk.  Well, I know of one place but I'm going to have to research to find out if there are other places in case the first place doesn't have what I want.

 

Thanks!

 

 

[Catalytic]

You can use glass in the freezer.  Check the Ball website, but I believe all wide-mouth Mason jars can be frozen.

[happi duck]

Mason jars with straight sides (no "shoulders") can go in the freezer. The box will specify.

[knoxinsox]

Mason jars!  If you use the straight sided ones with no neck, they are freezer safe. The boxes of 1 1/2 pint size even say they are for freezer use. I would give them plenty of headspace to expand.   I actually use them to store all kinds of stuff in the freezer--soups, hummus, etc.    Mom gave me a bunch of old narrow mouth 2 quart jars and I use a canning funnel to put pourable dry goods in them...cheezits, almonds, choc. chips.  The 4 oz ones are nice for lunch portions. Also, we use jars for glassware at the table as well, and there are plastic or silicone tops so that you can use with a straw.  And then I can and preserve with them as well.  

[sheryl]

GREAT! THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!   Will get some.  Do any of you have a link?

[TX Native]

I second the advice to be sure to leave air space for expansion at the top of the wide mouthed jars. Don't ask how I know ;) . We use the Pyrex dishes anywhere from 1 cup-6 cup size with the rubber lids in the freezer. You can get a package with mixed sizes, some round and rectangular.

 

Edit to correct errors

Edited May 17, 2016 by TX native

[Catalytic]

Cheaper to buy them at Walmart or the grocery store, but http://smile.amazon.com/Ball-Mason-Jars-Wide-Mouth-Freeze/dp/B001DIZ1NO?ie=UTF8&keywords=wide%20mouth%20mason%20jars&qid=1463455700&ref_=sr_1_3&sr=8-3  (actually Amazon's prices are pretty decent, they may be cheapest)

[Miss Peregrine]

I use Kerr jars with the Ball plastic lids.

[sheryl]

ok, thanks!  there are options and that's great.  do you freeze about anything and everything? 

[FaithManor]

I use Ball or Kerr jars, leaving AMPLE room for head space, with the screw on caps.

 

I try to use mostly glass and porcelain in the refrigerator too as I am just trying to cut down on plastics all around. I keep spices in half pint and quarter pint jelly jars with screw on caps or lids and rings as well. I do have a vintage glass refrigerator bowl with lid. It has a lovely design on it, and I adore it. But those things are so expensive due to being collectible that I end up not using it very often since the teen boys can be rough on things. Canning jars are a lot sturdier.

[Sun]

I use a lot of canning jars too, but I've been slowly building a collection of rectangular glass containers. I don't mind plastic lids on glass containers because I leave space, so the food doesn't touch (and remember canning lids are either the plastic ones or coated with BPA or its probably-toxic replacement). I've found that the rectangular containers are substantially shorter than the jars, so they fit better in my fridge on some of my shorter shelves. The rectangular shapes make them more space efficient. I use them in the freezer as well, being careful to leave headroom.

 

I collect ones like this or this, though I usually buy them individually at the store.

Edited May 17, 2016 by Sun

[Cinder]

Re: freezing in jars. I've also read that you should cool them down in the fridge before putting into the freezer. I think it's supposed to reduce the expansion? Anyway, since I've switched to the "Freezer Safe" jars and cooling down in the fridge I've had no more broken jars in the freezer.