Glass containers for food and microwave?

November 9, 2023 11:08 AM

Do you have some glass containers that you take your lunch in to work (or the like) and can microwave with the lid on (or lid slightly ajar for venting) that have lasted a good period of time? If so, what brand are they?

I just bought some rubbermaid brilliance which looked promising but upon further investigation looks like they might go bad in some months :(

posted by Saucywench to Food & Drink (18 answers total)

Pyrex. I own only Pyrex in different sizes. I’ve never had any breaks, and after 10 years, only one lid has split. One of the things I like about Pyrex is the ability to purchase replacement lids individually. Pyrex hasn’t changed the dimensions of their bowls and containers.
posted by Silvery Fish at 11:19 AM on November 9, 2023 [11 favorites]

Genuine Pyrex is not always easy to come by, and try not to "shock" them (either physical or temperature) when they are heated or frozen.
posted by kschang at 11:29 AM on November 9, 2023

I've got some Ikea glass containers (plastic lids with gaskets) that I've had for years and years and abused all to hell (bottom rack of dishwasher? microwave? tomato sauce? straight from fridge to a hot oven? fuck me uuuup) and they're still in great shape. I'd put a curry in one and toss it in a bag without a second thought.
posted by phunniemee at 11:29 AM on November 9, 2023 [3 favorites]

I've got some Ikea glass containers (plastic lids with gaskets) that I've had for years and years

Same. I love those things. Although if you don't want to microwave the plastic lids, paper towels will do.
posted by mykescipark at 11:31 AM on November 9, 2023 [2 favorites]

Best answer: Pyrex, and you can order right from their website. Every shape and size you can imagine. We have a lot of the "Simply Store" line (with the basic lids) but I also like the Freshlock style if your lunch is going to get jostled around quite a bit.
posted by anastasiav at 11:32 AM on November 9, 2023 [9 favorites]

I've got a few round Pyrex and Anchor Hocking containers, along with some square/rectangular OXO ones, that have served me quite well over the last few years. I try to avoid microwaving them with the lids on because 1) it makes the lids wear out much faster and 2) it's probably leaching microplastic bits into the food, so I substitute a moistened reusable paper towel (the cotton/cellulose kind, reserved for food use only) as a cover and those work quite well!
posted by Strange Interlude at 11:32 AM on November 9, 2023 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: Thank you so much for that Pyrex site link! That is perfect and I get just the sizes I want!
posted by Saucywench at 11:34 AM on November 9, 2023

Bormioli Rocco's Frigoverre line also lasts forever. I have some of them from the 90s.
posted by I claim sanctuary at 11:39 AM on November 9, 2023 [1 favorite]

I would avoid microwaving the freshlock lids, the thin flexible part that bends to allow the lock deforms in the microwave rendering the lid useless and unable to latch. Even fully unlatched and opened a bit i have ruined lids.

The basic snap lids are far more robust in the microwave and even then id be careful about them overheating and stretching/melting.

Or just take the lids off and use a paper towel to cover the pyrex in the microwave.
posted by TheAdamist at 11:42 AM on November 9, 2023

FYI, I love the round Pyrex, but I personally find the square ones too hard to close. If strength is an issue for you, I'd try out the square ones before buying a bunch.
posted by FencingGal at 12:07 PM on November 9, 2023

If you're open to ceramic instead of glass, I love my Corningware Meal Mugs. The lids are pretty heavy duty, and they have a vent for microwaving purposes. I love the handle for walking around the office with a hot dish.
posted by little king trashmouth at 12:29 PM on November 9, 2023 [5 favorites]

I have lots of pyrex containers as well. I also have some Rubbermaid Brilliance containers which are also good. Be sure you get the glass and not the plastic version.
posted by sevenless at 12:34 PM on November 9, 2023 [2 favorites]

I would put in a plug for mason jars (but don't put the lids in the microwave... use a paper towel instead).
posted by oceano at 12:42 PM on November 9, 2023 [1 favorite]

Not an answer, since you already got great suggestions, but thank you for leading me towards getting new lids for my pyrex containers -- I had no idea it was possible to get replacements!
posted by wicked_sassy at 12:51 PM on November 9, 2023

I've invested in many, many pieces of OXO Good Grips Smart Seal containers, which are all glass "pyrex" with snap-lock lids, and I've been really happen with them.
posted by jpeacock at 12:56 PM on November 9, 2023 [2 favorites]

TIL that US Pyrex is tempered soda-ash glass and European Pyrex is borosilicate glass. Tempered glass has higher mechanical strength, but borosilicate glass is more resistant to thermal shock.

Oxo containers are apparently borosilicate glass.
posted by sriracha at 2:16 PM on November 9, 2023

I love the Snapware Pyrex containers (Costco link). I’ve tried some other brands without the snapping lids and they leak in a lunch bag if it’s not perfectly upright at all times. The snapware lids can wear out after a while (though most of mine have easily lasted 2-3 years) but are replaceable.
posted by Empidonax at 7:23 PM on November 9, 2023

These white Corning Ware 15 oz. 5 in. Grab It bowls would be perfect; every other glass and ceramic bowl in a contemporary kitchen will break before they would, and they have a tab handle that won’t heat up in the microwave to grab them by.

But they don’t have lids. I have a set with lids I bought in a thrift store, and the lids are tight fitting and made from silicone, which is both heat and wear resistant — as well as easily sterilized by steaming
posted by jamjam at 2:33 AM on November 10, 2023