Having the right storage containers makes it easy to meal prep ahead of times for an upcoming week. Not all oven safe containers are created equal, therefore it is important to find a set that is durable, stackable space saver, and keeps food fresh.
Oven ready storage containers that have both aesthetics and functional usage make it worth every penny. There are many food storage containers to choose from, but there are certain requirements for oven safe materials.
In this article, we rounded up the best-selling and most popular oven safe food storage sets for you to invest in.
What containers are oven safe?
Oven-safe containers have an oven-safe symbol indicated on the bottom of each container. In general, oven safe materials are made of glass, ceramic and metals like stainless steel or tin.
The primary element to look for is the temperature recommendation. Oven safe food containers should be able to withstand temperatures up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit or 232 degrees Celsius.
Most oven safe containers are made with a reusable glass base and plastic lid. In general, the lid is not oven proof and it is recommended to remove before heating.
Avoid paper towels, paper, and cardboard because the materials are potential fire hazards and pose a risk to release chemicals into food.
However, some disposable containers are made of plastics and can be used in the oven as well. Ensure the takeout containers or disposable containers have a temperature tolerance up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit or 204 degrees Celsius.
Are Pyrex storage containers oven safe?
Yes, Pyrex storage containers are oven safe. In fact, Pyrex is one of the most popular brands used for household cookware, food storage, meal prepping, and reheating.
Like any other glassware, this type of container requires specific care to prevent from shattering.
When using Pyrex storage containers, preheat the oven before putting it in because direct and sudden heat may result in breakage or shattering the glass.
Furthermore, avoid stovetop cooking with Pyrex glass as it is not designed to cook on a direct heat source.
Always allow Pyrex glassware to come to room temperature before storing hot leftovers in the fridge or freezer, or when to transferring food from cold environment to reheat in a preheat oven.
Tips to look for oven safe food storage containers
Affordable and design are not the only elements to look for when selecting food storage containers for oven use. Good quality containers makes all the difference including stacking neatly in the fridge, keeping leftovers fresh for next day, and easy reheating.
If you are in the market to find the best oven safe food storage containers, here are some tips to go over:
- Type of glass: Not all types of glass is oven-safe. Choose containers made with high concentration of boron trioxide and silica. These are food-grade, oven safe and environmental friendly materials that are heat resistant and withstand the high temperature without risk of shattering. The most popular brands include Pyrex and CorningWare.
- Lid: Most glass containers come with lids including glass lid with silicon lining, plastic snaps, and may be with or without locking mechanisms. Regardless of material, lids must fit properly. Test out all corners in the store prior of purchasing to make sure the fit is snug and is easily removable.
- Leakproof: Sturdy and airtight sealed lid is often hard to find. Food like soup and stew requires a tight seal to prevent from leaking and creating a mess when stored in the fridge.
- Stackable: Round, rectangular, and cubed, there are many shapes and sizes when it comes to food storage containers. Limiting the size and shape of containers will help to be able to stack without slipping in the fridge. Additionally, this creates more space with these organizers.
- Stain and odor: Glass storage containers will not absorb smells and stains, however the plastic lids will, especially with tomato sauce.
- Care: Easy cleaning is an important factor to consider. Ensure the containers hold up in the dishwasher for both the glass base and lid.
Best oven safe food storage containers
Whether short or longterm in the fridge or freezer, storing leftover food is essential to save time for prepping meals. Here are the best-selling and most efficient oven safe food storage containers to help you out to make the right decision.
From freezer to oven, Prep Naturals food storage containers make it easy to store leftovers and serve hot without using additional serving plates.
Pros:Portable
Airtight
Odorless
Leakproof
Snap part on the lid folds over easily and possibly breaks apart.
If you are looking for a great size lunch box for on-the-go meals, these containers conveniently fit in your lifestyle. The glass food containers are 35 oz or 1040 ml each, which is an excellent portion to store leftovers or pack food to go.
Pros:BPA-free plastic lids
Hinged-lid technology for airtight sealing
Dishwasher safe
Containers and lids are both stackable
Lids are not dishwasher safe
Made with durable tempered glass, these food storage containers from Pyrex are the way to go. Comes with 5 different colored lid containers to make Monday through Friday workweek easier to meal prep for.
Pros:Resist stains and odors
High quality tempered glass
Venting lid helps steam to escape while heating
Difficult to snap the locks on lids
If you are looking for large sized high quality food storage containers, this set of containers is the perfect addition to your cookware. The set comes with three different sizes including 27 oz, 40 oz, and 74 oz.
Pros:Silicon sealed BPA-free airtight lids
Oven safe up to 320 degrees Fahrenheit without lid
Can be used directly from fridge to oven
Requires frequent deep cleaning around the lid edges and rubbery tube
Beautifully designed glass container with bamboo lid is strong, durable, and eco-friendly. This container is stylish and versatile to use the bamboo lid as cutting board to prepare the meal even easier.
Pros:Made with borosilicate glass and tolerate extremely high temperature
Plastic, BPA, and phthalate free
Bamboo lid used as cutting board
Lids tend to not close as well
Oven Safe Food Storage Containers: Conclusion
There are many brands, sizes, and designs to choose from. Finding the food storage containers that are oven, dishwasher, fridge, and freezer safe can be quite challenging.
When searching for the perfect oven safe food storage container, consider high quality materials with features like lid, durability, leakproof, stackable, easy caring, and stain and odor resistance.
Materials like glass and ceramic seem like a much better and safer option than high density plastics. Even if the plastic can withstand heat, the likelihood of the material leaching chemicals into your food seems extremely high.
Use the food storage tips and oven safe containers from the recommended list to keep your favorite foods fresh and heat in the oven at your convenience.