Kitchen & Dining

Food storage

Glass and stainless steel containers for leftovers and pantry staples, without plastic against the food.

Food can reach the lid when a container is full or tipped on its side.  We apply the same material standard to the lid as the base, allowing silicone or natural-rubber seals.  Heating, freezing and dishwasher limits are stated for the particular container rather than assumed from its appearance.

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Luminarc French Glass Cow Butter Dish Luminarc French Glass Cow Butter Dish GLASS Why we recommend it: Both the dish and its lift-off cover are glass, so butter rests against glass instead of a plastic tub or cling film.  Made in France, the cow-pattern dish holds a broad butter block and separates for easy washing.  Use it for refrigerator storage and serving, not leakproof transport; there is no sealing gasket.  Avoid chips and sudden temperature changes. Materials: glass dish · glass lid $25.00★ 4.7 · 100+ ratings View on Amazon
Mosser Anna Jadeite Glass Butter Dish Mosser Anna Jadeite Glass Butter Dish GLASSUSA PRODUCTION Why we recommend it: A pressed-glass tray and lid keep a stick of butter covered without a plastic container or cling film.  Mosser makes the Anna design in Ohio, with a scalloped rim that provides room to grip the dish.  The lid lifts off for serving and cleaning.  Hand-wash, avoid sudden temperature changes and retire either piece if it chips; the cover is not airtight. Materials: pressed-glass dish · pressed-glass lid $39.63★ 4.7 · 65 ratings View on Amazon
Noda Horo BT-450 Enamel Butter Case with Cherry-Wood Lid Noda Horo BT-450 Enamel Butter Case with Cherry-Wood Lid GLASSENAMELSTEEL Why we recommend it: Butter rests against glass enamel over steel, with a beeswax-finished cherry-wood lid that doubles as a serving board.  The deeper BT-450 is a practical alternative to a plastic butter tub, but the lid is not airtight.  Check your butter against the 5.8 × 3.4 × 2.4-inch interior; some large blocks need trimming.  Hand-wash and dry the wood lid. Materials: glass enamel over steel · cherry wood · beeswax finish $50.58★ 4.6 · 29 ratings View on Amazon
Luigi Bormioli Lock-Eat XL Glass Food Jar — 34 oz Luigi Bormioli Lock-Eat XL Glass Food Jar — 34 oz STAINLESS STEELGLASS Why we recommend it: A glass lid and natural-rubber seal make this a practical alternative to storage containers with plastic lids.  The wide opening is easy to fill and clean, and the lid and steel clasp detach for washing.  Made in Italy, this one-liter jar suits leftovers, salads and dry ingredients.  Inspect the glass on arrival; buyers have reported shipping damage. Materials: glass jar and lid · natural-rubber gasket · stainless-steel clasp $27.00★ 4.5 · 100+ ratings View on Amazon
Cellarmate Glass Storage Jar with Handle — 3 L Cellarmate Glass Storage Jar with Handle — 3 L STAINLESS STEELSILICONEGLASS Why we recommend it: This reusable 3-liter jar pairs a glass body and lid with a silicone seal, rather than a plastic lid.  The lid, seal and stainless-steel fittings come apart for thorough cleaning.  Made in Japan.  Keep it upright, hand-wash, and avoid sudden temperature changes.  Ships from Japan; shipping is extra and currently exceeds the item price. Materials: soda-lime glass · silicone · 18/8 stainless steel $16.68★ 4.4 · 4,000+ ratings View on Amazon
ZERO JAPAN Ceramic Coffee Canister — Steel Gray, 800 mL ZERO JAPAN Ceramic Coffee Canister — Steel Gray, 800 mL STAINLESS STEELSILICONECERAMIC Why we recommend it: An opaque ceramic jar shields coffee beans from light, while a stainless-steel clasp closes the lid against a removable silicone seal.  The US distributor identifies the ceramic as lead- and cadmium-free.  Made in Japan, this 800 mL canister offers refillable dry-food storage without a plastic jar body.  Remove the seal for washing and dry every part before refilling. Materials: glazed ceramic · stainless steel · silicone $57.56★ 4.4 · 500+ ratings View on Amazon
Emile Henry Glazed-Ceramic Butter Pot — Flour Emile Henry Glazed-Ceramic Butter Pot — Flour CERAMIC Why we recommend it: A ceramic bell holds the butter over a water-filled base, so the seal doesn't depend on a plastic lid or gasket.  Made in France, with a glaze that Emile Henry states contains no lead or cadmium.  Both pieces are dishwasher-safe.  Clean between refills and follow the butter's storage instructions; the water seal does not make it shelf-stable. Materials: glazed Burgundy-clay ceramic base and butter bell $79.95 View product
Kobo Aizawa 18/8 Stainless Steel Food Box — Medium, 670 ml Kobo Aizawa 18/8 Stainless Steel Food Box — Medium, 670 ml STAINLESS STEELSILICONE Why we recommend it: Brushed 18/8 stainless steel forms both the box and lid, while a removable silicone gasket and outside rubber band help keep lunch contained.  Made in Tsubame, the 670 ml box avoids a plastic food-contact cover.  Handwash and keep upright: it is not fully leakproof, and strongly acidic foods should not be stored in it.  Ordered from Japan in yen; shipping and import charges are additional. Materials: 18/8 stainless steel · silicone gasket · external rubber band JPY 4,500 View product
Koizumi Glass Futa to Mi Lidded Container — 90 × 90 mm, 460 ml Koizumi Glass Futa to Mi Lidded Container — 90 × 90 mm, 460 ml GLASS Why we recommend it: The flat glass lid slips over the rim without a plastic seal, leaving a wide opening for serving or scooping from this 460 ml container.  Hand-blown in Japan, it is useful for small portions kept upright in the kitchen.  Treat it as a covered dish, not a leakproof lunchbox.  Sold in yen by a Japan-based retailer; delivery and import charges are extra. Materials: heat-resistant glass body and overlapping lid JPY 4,400 View product
Mosser Gigi Glass Stick-Butter Dish — Egg Plant Mosser Gigi Glass Stick-Butter Dish — Egg Plant GLASS Why we recommend it: A low glass tray makes stick butter accessible for spreading, while the matching glass cover replaces a plastic lid.  The raised hobnail pattern and grape-shaped knob are moulded into the glass, not attached plastic decoration.  Made in Ohio, this is a covered serving dish rather than an airtight box; handle the separate pieces gently to prevent chips. Materials: pressed glass (serving tray, cover and knob) $35.40 View product
Noda Horo White Series Rectangular Container with Enamel Lid — 500 ml Noda Horo White Series Rectangular Container with Enamel Lid — 500 ml ENAMELSTEEL Why we recommend it: The half-liter rectangular shape makes room for cut vegetables or a small serving of leftovers, with fired glass enamel on both the steel dish and its lid.  Made in Japan, this version can go in the oven without swapping a plastic cover.  It is not microwave-safe or leakproof.  The seller ships from Japan, with delivery and applicable import charges extra. Materials: vitreous enamel · steel body and lid $14.11 View product
Noda Horo White Series Square Container with Enamel Lid — 320 ml Noda Horo White Series Square Container with Enamel Lid — 320 ml ENAMELSTEEL Why we recommend it: This small Japanese-made container keeps strong-smelling leftovers against glass enamel, including beneath the lid, instead of a plastic storage surface.  Its 320 ml capacity suits a side dish or condiment.  The enamel-coated steel cover lifts off without a gasket, so keep it upright.  Ships from Japan; shipping and applicable import charges are additional. Materials: vitreous enamel · steel body and lid $20.69 View product
Ohio Stoneware One-Gallon Fermentation Crock Starter Kit Ohio Stoneware One-Gallon Fermentation Crock Starter Kit STONEWAREUSA PRODUCTION Why we recommend it: For fermenting vegetables, this Ohio-made kit keeps the crock, lid and submerged weights ceramic rather than plastic.  The two unglazed weights help hold food below the brine, and the glazed vessel is dishwasher-safe.  Ohio Stoneware identifies these pieces as lead-free and food-safe.  Follow a tested fermentation recipe: the lid is not an airtight canning seal, and the crock must stay off direct heat. Materials: glazed stoneware crock and lid · unglazed stoneware weights $68.75 View product
Onyx Divided Stainless Steel Lunch Container — FS014 Onyx Divided Stainless Steel Lunch Container — FS014 STAINLESS STEELSILICONE Why we recommend it: This divided container keeps leftovers against stainless steel, with a silicone ring sealing the metal lid.  Remove the dividers when you need one larger compartment.  It offers a reusable alternative to plastic food tubs, with no need to transfer foods around fixed partitions for cleaning.  Dishwasher-safe bowl; hand-wash the lid.  Not for microwave use. Materials: stainless steel · silicone seal $30.00 View product
ovject Enamel Self Pot with Lid and Removable Handle — 650 ml ovject Enamel Self Pot with Lid and Removable Handle — 650 ml STAINLESS STEELSILICONEENAMEL Why we recommend it: This small pot lets you cook, cover leftovers and reheat them in the same enamel-lined vessel, avoiding transfer to a plastic tub.  Made in Japan, it has an enamel lid that also works as a plate and a detachable steel-and-silicone handle.  It suits individual portions rather than bulk storage.  Hand-wash it, avoid chipping the enamel, and use the stove or oven—not a microwave—for reheating. Materials: vitreous enamel on steel · stainless steel handle · silicone grip · neodymium magnet $140.00 View product
Wadasuke 18/8 Stainless Steel Food Container — Small, 100 ml Wadasuke 18/8 Stainless Steel Food Container — Small, 100 ml STAINLESS STEEL Why we recommend it: For a little chopped ginger or another small leftover, this Japanese-made cup replaces a disposable plastic tub with an all-steel body and fitted steel lid.  Its 100 ml capacity is measured to the brim, so usable portions are smaller.  Dishwasher-safe, but not airtight; avoid strongly acidic foods and prolonged storage.  The Japan-based seller charges in yen, with delivery and import fees extra. Materials: 18/8 stainless-steel container and lid JPY 840 View product
WECK 565 Glass Storage Bowls with Glass Lids — Set of 4 WECK 565 Glass Storage Bowls with Glass Lids — Set of 4 GLASS Why we recommend it: The wide opening makes these glass bowls convenient for spooning out leftovers or serving a small snack without transferring it into another dish.  Each of the four 15.2-ounce bowls comes with a glass lid, natural-rubber seal and metal clips.  Made in Germany.  Wash the rings and clips by hand, and keep them out of the microwave. Materials: glass bowls and lids · natural-rubber rings · metal clamps $23.00 View product
WECK 568 Glass Bundt Dessert and Storage Jars — Set of 6 WECK 568 Glass Bundt Dessert and Storage Jars — Set of 6 GLASS Why we recommend it: A molded bundt-shaped interior gives these small glass pots a serving role as well as a storage one.  The six jars hold 9.47 ounces each and come with matching glass lids, natural-rubber rings and metal clips, so a covered dessert need not sit against a plastic tub or lid.  Manufactured in Germany; handle gently and avoid sudden temperature changes. Materials: molded glass jars and lids · natural-rubber seals · metal clips $24.00 View product
ZERO JAPAN Bee House Ceramic Butter Case with Stainless Knife — White ZERO JAPAN Bee House Ceramic Butter Case with Stainless Knife — White STAINLESS STEELCERAMIC Why we recommend it: Butter rests against glazed ceramic rather than a plastic tub, with a matching ceramic lid and a stainless-steel knife that stays with the case.  The US distributor identifies the ceramic as lead-free and lists Japan as the country of origin.  This is the ceramic-lidded version, so there is no wood finish to maintain; keep it refrigerated as appropriate for the butter you use. Materials: glazed ceramic body and lid · stainless-steel butter knife $44.00 View product

What we avoid

These are category-level exclusions when materials or treatments are disclosed.  Each product card explains why we recommend it and lists the disclosed materials.

BPA & BPS Phthalate plasticizers PVC Melamine

Common questions

What does "BPA-free" tell me about a plastic container?

It tells you that BPA is not used, but it does not identify the full resin, every additive, or how the container will respond to heat and wear.  Glass and stainless steel make the main food-contact surface easier to understand.

Why review the lid as well as the container?

Lids contact food, oils, and condensation during filling, tipping, and storage.  We therefore identify the lid and seal materials instead of judging a set only by the container body.

Can glass containers go in the freezer?

Only when the manufacturer says they are freezer-safe.  Leave room for liquids to expand, follow the lid instructions, and avoid rapid temperature changes that can stress glass.