Clear Up More Space In Your Kitchen With This Genius Food Container Tip

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As many cool tools, practical cookware, and elegant dishware as we might want to stock our kitchen with, there's a limit to how much we can possess. For many of us, cost is the limiting factor, and for those for whom money isn't the obstacle, free space is. To free up space, you could start by donating gently used items and putting a pause on new purchases. The next step is executing storage hacks to maximize the space you do have — and one of these is taking advantage of the multipurpose functionality of glass storage containers.

The primary function of glass storage containers is, well, to store food. Besides protecting food in the fridge or freezer, these containers can also be used in the microwave, as a vessel for baking, an option for cooking food in the oven, and even as a dish to eat out of or serve food from. The storage hack with this handy kitchen item is to make use of all the other functions it offers, allowing you to buy fewer items for each specific purpose.

For example, you could cook a meal like lasagna in an oven-safe glass container, and keep the leftovers stored in the same container (be sure to let it fully cool before placing it in the fridge!). The next day, the leftovers can be heated up in the microwave and then eaten from the container. This minimizes the number of dishes and containers you need at your disposal, but also reduces the amount of dirty dishes in the kitchen.

Without the right glass storage container, this hack no longer becomes feasible. Not all glass containers are built the same, and others are much more sturdy and capable than others. It seems like a long list, but you'll want to look for containers that are freezer safe, oven safe, microwave safe, and dishwasher safe. Containers that are leakproof and airtight ensure that you're not making a storage mistake that ruins food. Some are also promoted as being more resistant to shattering, meaning they can withstand temperature fluctuations better.

The standard container shapes are circular, rectangular, and square, while some have dividers in the middle to allow you to separate foods. There are also tiny containers for snacks or storing dressing; while their small sizes limit the amount of storage, they could also be flipped upside down and used to store cupcakes for transport. If you live alone, small-sized containers are fine, but go for larger ones if you cook for a family.

A good glass storage container doesn't need to be expensive. The Rubbermaid 9-Pack Variety Set of Glass Containers meets all the qualifications and gets a 4.7-star rating — this set goes for $79.99. If you're looking to spend less, the Amazon Basic 10 Container Set gets a 4.2-star rating and costs $35.73; note that these are only oven safe up to a maximum of 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Once you have glass containers, here's how to store and organize the lids.