Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with containers

Looking for home storage solutions for bulk items such as flour, sugar, rice.

jeremias — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 05:10:34 -0800

Looking for home storage solutions for bulk items such as flour, sugar, rice. My SO went full steam ahead at Costco, and now we have enormous bags of rice, flour, sugar, etc. The problem is we don't have much storage space in the kitchen and at some point we actually have to open the bags: at which point we will need to store them.

So I'm looking for containers that will hold 15-25 lbs and can be stored efficiently, also varmint/insect proof obviously. Also, *where* do I store them? We have some space in the basement, the temp is steady down there but it's also on the humid side.

Books on the move

sepsis — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 23:56:46 -0800

I need help finding crates for books or some type of portable bookshelf. I have a lot of books that I prefer to keep with me, as opposed to in storage somewhere. Many of them are reference books or novels I like to read several times a year. I'm a college student right now, so I find myself moving at least once a year, if not 2 or 3 times. So instead of packing up all my books into 3 or 4 boxes, lugging them around or mailing them (expensive...) and then unpacking them, I was wondering if there was an easier solution. I'd like a container that would let me put the books in so that the spine shows up out of the top. The container would have handles, be made of a strong plastic or metal, and be stackable. Ideally they would be sealable so that when I move I can just close a lid on all of them and take them away.

The best solution I can come up with would be milk crates, but the dimensions on those aren't quite right. I'd like something a bit wider and not as deep. Also, they wouldn't mail very well if I had to do that, because of all the holes. So if anyone has any suggestions, I'd very much appreciate them. Thanks in advance!

Guide to operations of cargo containers?

thewalrus — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 04:55:36 -0800

About six months ago I found a German website (English language) with an excellent guide to the various types of ISO cargo containers, their specifications/schematics and operational tips of how to load and secure cargo. I've lost the link and can't find it again... The website contained either a very large PDF (about 45MB?) or a set of PDFs about the various types of ISO cargo containers. There were illustrations and schematics of "do" and "don't" examples for various types of bulk or packaged cargo. It was primarily concerned with standard 20', 40' and 45' containers but also covered tank containers, flatbed, side-opening, open-top and other common types.

I do remember it was definitely published by a group somewhere in western Europe, and free for everyone to download and read.

The organization publishing the guide was some sort of non-profit / quasi governmental agency, or a umbrella organization run by a group of Insurance companies. Its goal seemed to be to teach companies how to efficiently and safely use ISO cargo containers. Does anyone know what I'm talking about? Please help me find the link...

Looking for a very special garbage can

boombot — Wed, 21 May 2008 10:28:41 -0800

The cupboard beneath my sink would seem to be an oddball, I've never found a garbage can that will fit it perfectly - 20 inches high, 10 inches wide, 15 inches deep. I usually buy taller containers and cut them down. I'd love to find something built to fit. Is there a site you can go to find such a thing, or, even better, where you can input the dimensions of the container you're looking for, and then browse results?

i usually love ikea, but those lekman drawers are ugly.

kidsleepy — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 06:53:11 -0800

Help me find storage drawers for my Ikea bookshelf! I have this Expedit bookshelf from Ikea. I set it up horizontally, and would like to get four containers for the bottom row. I don't like the plastic Lekman drawers that Ikea carries. Ideally, I'd get something like these green fabric cubes from Target, but they are one-inch too big. Where can I find 13" x 13" (or smaller) cubes/boxes/drawers/containers, in a non-clear material (bright colors desired, but optional), without spending more than $50?

Redoing the games closet...plastic bins?

riverjack — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 09:13:33 -0800

Where can I find inexpensive plastic bins that I can keep my board games in that fit the game boards and all the pieces? I've been googling for over an hour and I can't find any 16 x 11 x 2 bins anywhere other than The Container Store. Call me cheap, but I don't want to spend more for a container than I spent on the game in the first place, and at $15.00 each, the Container Store is out. Any advice or recommendations on how you've stored your board games in plastic containers would be appreciated. Is there a website where I can find containers by size? Currently, from measuring game boxes, I think I would need containers in three sizes: 16x11x2, 8x5x3, and 7.5x10.5x3. I also have no idea what are some good solutions for card decks, both regular and for games like Uno, Phase 10, etc.

Thank you!

How can I carry 2+ liters of water daily?

k8t — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 07:09:05 -0800

WaterFilter, literally. Posting for a pal: Can you recommend a 2.5 L+ portable water container that isn't plastic AND how does one get a 5 gallon water stand at home? More details inside. I need a big, non-plastic/toxic, reusable water bottle, 2 liters or more, preferably 3 liters/100 oz.

I am consuming 1 gallon of water a day (dramatic fitness and health change). My home and school tap water is unpalatable. I live in a rental so I can't mess with my plumbing, so I consumer bottled water. I don't want to anymore because of cost, waste, and possible toxicity of the single-use bottles.

I need to carry around 3 L of water on campus for 8-10 hours at a time, so what are my best options for water bottles/storage and delivery systems that don't include unhealthy plastics? I have looked at the Sigg line, but they don't make a bottle big enough.

Internet searching has lead me to the conclusion that I may have to expand my definition of "bottles" but I am skeptical of a camelback/platypus system because I don't see myself carrying an extra bag just for my water, nor do I easily
imagine fitting a massive water-filled bladder in my already quite full schoolbag.

AND as a partial solution I am considering purchasing bottled water in "bulk" as it were, using 5 gallon refillable bottles and a ceramic crock/stand. But these are expensive and I'm not sure how/where to get new water from. Plus, I'd still need to get water on campus.

Looking for food storage solutions...

dobbs — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 08:21:04 -0800

Food storage. What are your recommended brands of containers and techniques for storing fruits, nuts, powders, herbs, vegetables, etc? Some of my requirements/concerns are inside. I'm searching for the ultimate containers... some of the factors to consider:

- preferably glass though good plastic is acceptable
- air tight
- stackable when not in use
- clear so it's easy to see what's inside
- has some reusable way of marking contents or dates
- available in various sizes
- can be used in the freezer (I don't require them to be oven safe or microwaveable)
- can be bought online or are available in Toronto

Now, I don't expect to find all of the requirements in each container but it would be nice.

What are your suggestions?

Let them eat cake

orange swan — Fri, 30 Jun 2006 20:45:09 -0800

Help me transport food in comfort, if not in style. I'm dependant on public transport to get around, and I seem to need to transport food to a friends' party or dinner or to work potlucks quite regularly. Carrying a cake or devilled eggs on a plate is a pain in the old orange-feathered ass.

It would be great to have some sort of round tupperware-style, hard-form container that will hold a standard dinner plate (so about 36" in circumference), is perhaps four or five inches deep, and has handles on top to make for easier carrying. I've checked some discount stores without seeing anything to suit my purposes. Does anything like this exist?

Help me find a small dispenser!

deeman — Thu, 12 Jan 2006 11:05:54 -0800

Where can i find a small plastic container that can hold 30 ml or more liquid and is possible to dispense exactly 1 ml of it by spray? I'm doing research on different kinds of breath sprays and need something small, portable, and capable of dispensing exactly 1ml of liquid by spray. Push comes to shove, i can settle for dispensing by dropplets. Thanx!

Where can I find a good quality pencil case?

invisible ink — Sun, 23 Oct 2005 16:07:18 -0800

I love using pencils. Unfortunately, I have yet to find a slim, durable case to store them in, without having their sharp points either poke through or break off completely. Can anyone help me a find a good quality pencil case? I've already gone through dozens of the cheap, zippered plastic kind, only to have my pencils puncture through them, and leave a mess of gray scribbles. I'm a student, and currently use a medium-sized leather tote bag to carry my stuff around, so something that's not too big and clunky is preferable. Thanks to everyone in advance!