Fifteen dollars for a bowl with a lid strikes me as expensive. I’m a frugal (cheap!) girl, and I had a hard enough time going from the “4 containers for $2 minus a $1 off coupon” Gladware to the “4 containers for $6-8 and no coupons” Pyrex glass dishes.
I have to say I was intrigued and skeptical when I got to test out Life Without Plastic’s stainless steel containers. I didn’t think there would be any validating points to spend so much.
I’ve since been convinced.
(See my 2022 Life Without Plastic review, too!)
Why Stainless Steel Beats Glass
- It can go right on the stovetop. Since I more or less gave up the microwave about a year ago, I use my toaster oven and my stovetop more than most folks. Guess which one is faster? The stovetop kicks the toaster oven’s behind, but I hate dirtying the extra pot sometimes. You do know how I feel about dishes, right? I LOVE that these stainless steel dishes can be plopped right onto the stove and voila! Lunch is served.
- The kiddo factor: non-breakable. I know Maria Montessori would have me give my toddler glass dishes all the time and just teach her to use them properly. We Kimballs are clumsy people, unfortunately.
- Kiddo factor no. 2: easy to open lids. My son has trouble with the plastic lids on glass containers, and he’s almost five years old. He thinks the latches on the stainless bowls are as good as a toy.
- Lightweight. Especially when you’re packing something you’ll have to carry, stainless steel over glass is a wondrous thing.
- No plastic at all. I’m not terribly worried about the plastic lids on Pyrex glass containers, but I’ve heard from many other bloggers and commenters who are. Here’s the solution – there’s zero plastic in the stainless steel containers, so no chemical leaching concerns.
Why Stainless Steel and Glass BOTH Trump Plastic
- Please read Beth Terry of Fake Plastic Fish’s fabulous guest post about the dangers of plastic food storage containers. Glass and stainless have no health concerns.
- My favorite part, they’re not only dishwasher safe, but they dry all the way and don’t drip all over your other clean dishes because of their little nooks and crannies, like plastic containers do. Because you KNOW how I feel about dishes!
- Both can go in the toaster or conventional oven, right from the fridge. Nice – another dishes saver.
A Few Drawbacks
I’m not getting a reputation for balanced reviews for nothing. Here are the reasons I still love my glass storage containers, too:
- Stainless is pricey. However, I’m comforted by the fact that it will last forever and never break (see clumsy Kimball comment above).
- You can’t see through them. Once you get enough leftovers going in the fridge, this could be an issue. But hey – Tupperware was all opaque back in the day, too, and everyone still bought them!
- They can’t go in the microwave. For me, this is not a problem, but I understand that many people rely on the microwave for leftovers both at home and at work. You’ll want a balance of glass and stainless steel for various purposes.
Other Fun Products
The most important products that Life Without Plastic carries, in my opinion, is the glass baby bottles (no longer available) and child sippys. We need to protect our littlest ones from any potential plastic leaching as much as possible, and if you can’t breastfeed (or if you pump), please seek out a plastic-free bottle option. My friend with twins didn’t get to test it, because her girls were already too big for the nipple size (I forgot to specify; make sure you remember!). It will be put to good use by someone soon though!
I didn’t get one of these for review, but I have to give a shoutout to a product we use almost every day: our diaper bag staple is a 12-oz. Klean Kanteen with sippy spout. If you are prone to leave liquid in a bag for more than a few hours (ahem, maybe like a few days like me), you really need to avoid those plastics, which leach chemicals over time and with heat.
I also got to test out the stainless steel hot meal container, which is an awesome product for anyone trying to avoid the microwave AND avoid plastic, because you can heat up your food properly on the stovetop in the morning and have a hot meal at lunchtime. This is the modern-day version of the classic soup thermos that construction workers are often portrayed with. It’s shorter and wider, more like a traditional bowl.
After my daughter broke two glass dishes off her highchair tray in one week, I changed my mind about switching her to glass drinking glasses. I *cringe* actually use little bitty plastic ones. I was just saying before I revisited the Life Without Plastic site that I wished someone made lightweight, stainless steel cups for little ones. Well, duh, Katie – they do.
Disclosure: Life Without Plastics supplied three products for my review and two for you, but in no way did they influence my opinion or require a positive review. This post also contains affiliate links to Life Without Plastic. See my full disclosure statement here.
I’m well known for honest, thorough product reviews…
…and you can always tell a real family has run these products through the gauntlet.
When I review a type of item, I try to review a LOT of different brands! From over a dozen reusable sandwich bags to over 120 natural mineral sunscreens, I’m your girl for straight-up info about natural, real foodie items you’re considering buying.
Click here to see more product reviews and you’ll also love my resources page, with REAL products that have passed my rigorous testing enough to be “regulars” in the Kimball household, plus some other comprehensive reviews. Updated at least once a year to boot the losers and add new gems!
One item I didn’t fine on Life Without Plastic’s website is produce bags. I made my own with an old sheer curtain because I couldn’t find one I liked. I had plenty of reusable grocery bags but kept coming home with plastic produce bags because I didn’t want my 3 pears to roll all over or my bunch of broccoli to fall apart. It should be made from sheer material so the checkout person can read through it for the item number.
My best tip for avoiding plastic is bringing your own containers to buy bulk items. The store should weigh it before you fill it to come up with the tare weight. One reason I buy bulk is to avoid packaging and this makes that happen.
I love the To-Go Ware 2-Tier lunch box at Life Without Plastic. They have been on my wish list for a while now.
The 2 areas I think made the biggest impact in our battle with plastic in our home are no plastic bags from the grocery store and no plastic food containers. I swear those plastic bags multiply – I haven’t brought one home from the store in months and I still have plastic bags in my home!
Thanks for the info on stainless steel kid’s cups! I’ve made the move from plastic for most storage containers, but haven’t gotten rid of the little plastic cups with lids for my toddler because of the breakable factor with glass. Stainless steel is a great solution!
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i receive your posts via google reader/rss feed.
I have just started to find out more about life without plastic. I had always heard things about all the bad stuff they contain, but I had never taken the time to find out more about it. It’s scary! And it makes me want to be more diligent in what I use, especially what I use for my kids!
I would love to try the stainless containers. I am in the process of getting rid of the plastic in my kitchen
I tweeted! searching4
.-= stacy´s last blog ..Evernote Challenge 5~Food~Whole Wheat Bread =-.
I subscribe via google reader.
.-= stacy´s last blog ..Evernote Challenge 5~Food~Whole Wheat Bread =-.
I use mason jars for many food items. We also use stainless steel water bottles as well.
.-= stacy´s last blog ..Evernote Challenge 5~Food~Whole Wheat Bread =-.
I hate using plastic water bottles. Fortunately our office has water fountains – and even a hot water dispenser, so I keep a ceramic and a (plastic) stainless lined coffee mug there for my consumption of cold water and hot tea.
I’m subscribed (RSS)
I subscribe via email!
I just found some great 1/2 pint wide mouth canning jars that will work well for little bits of leftover food! 50 cents a piece is a pretty good deal too!
We love to avoid plastic water bottles by taking our stainelss steel ones about anywhere we go! During the summer, I throw them in a cooler to keep in the van during our outings. It’s great for keeping them from boiling! :o)
I subscribe via e-mail 🙂
.-= Jessica´s last blog ..Bumkins Cloth Diapers =-.
I love the VARIETY of items Fake Plastic Fish offers and the great ideas!
I’m a subscriber! Thanks for the opportunity!
I’ve been cutting back on plastic, too. Glass containers even keep leftover salad fresher, LONGER than a plastic container! YEA!!
I finally remember to bring my reusable bags more often than not. Still trying to weed out all plastic lunch containers. Trying to work up the nerve to bring my own to-go ware.
Has anyone found a way to avoid the plastic bottle nipples and sippy cup spouts? I have yet to see something, but would love to. We have not yet eliminated all plastic from the kitchen but are slowly working on it, but had mostly gone with glassware so far.
Seeing the ocean filled with a continent of plastic was an eye-opener for me. I could not look at plastic the same way after that. So, everytime I buy something I opt for a non-plastic version. I bring my grocery bags to the store. I store food in pyrex or corningware, or better yet – re-use glass jars. I need to find a 100% stainless – no plastic – to go coffee mug. If you have suggestions, let me know!
I’m a subscriber with google reader.
I’ve been switching to glass reusable containers for things I buy in bulk at the co-op…spices, rice, pasta, etc. Slowly but surely plastic is exiting my kitchen.
One of the first things I did a while back when looking at my plastics was to get rid of my plastic travel mugs. I could always swear that whatever liquid I put in them tasted like plastic, and everyone told me I was crazy, but I can now see that it was probably leeching in to my beverages. Yum….
I am already a subscriber!
1. Well, first I wanted to say that I find your blog really edifying in that it comes from a Christian perspective!
I think I’ve come a long way in my view of plastic in my life. At seventeen, baking my own bread seemed like an impossible task — and now, at twenty-three, one of my first thoughts after cutting my finger is disappointment that I can’t knead bread for a while. My husband and I cloth diaper our daughter and buy almost all of our clothes at thrift stores.
I know it’s ultimately in God’s hands, but as His suzerains on earth, we’re called to take care of His creation — and I want to be able to say that I did my best.
.-= Heather´s last blog ..fun with fonts =-.
11. I suppose it’s not for everyone, but my favorite avoiding-plastic tip is to make your own stuff! I regularly make my own mustard and chocolate syrup (thanks to Beth’s recipes), and I’m making yogurt today. I’ve also made my own barbecue sauce and mayonnaise, and tried to make my own Thai curry paste (need to overhaul the recipe on that one, though). Not only is it easier than I would have thought, they all taste better than store-bought!
.-= Heather´s last blog ..fun with fonts =-.
7. I’d have to say that besides the giveaway stuff, the felted wool food toys are the things that I’m more interested in (although the wooden trucks are a close second).
.-= Heather´s last blog ..fun with fonts =-.
4. Subscribed to your blog on Google Reader.
.-= Heather´s last blog ..fun with fonts =-.
Twitter entry!
http://twitter.com/chickadeescout
I try to avoid plastic bags at the grocery and use my reusable sacks. Thanks for the chance to win.
I am a subscriber.
Tweeted!
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11. My tip for avoiding plastic would be to use glass storage instead – it’s also oven safe and is much easier to reheat and often helps cut down on other dishes.
4. I am a subscriber via Google RSS.
To reduce plastics consumption I have really been cutting down on the use use of plastic baggies and using my Pyrex a lot more!
I’m slowly switching to glass storage. I’ve been rewashing freezer ziplocks since I buy once a month and freeze a lot of food. What do you use instead? Does the plastic still leach if the food is cold when put into the plastic?
I am at the glass with plastic lid Pyrex stage, but I like the idea of the stainless for additional containers.
I like the Stainless Steel Water Jug!
I have glass ones but this would be good for like my MIL. She has arthritis and the glass ones are a bit heavy for her. They would be great for kids too.
My favorite post right now is the Tortillas. I am going to make them this weekend. We love Mexican and we are having a cooking party on Saturday. We are going to make enchiladas. In addition I love the germinate rice article. I am doing that as we speak in my crock pot.
Thanks for all you do!
I follow your blog on Google Reader.
.-= Lisa @Retro Housewife Goes Green´s last blog ..Reduce Plastic When Cleaning =-.
4. I am already a subscriber to Kitchen Stewardships e-mail newsletter.
I never thought about putting my stainless steel containers on the stove, duh! I have stainless steel cook and bakeware so you would have thought I would have lol.
I’m trying to use the microwave less so this is a great tip.
.-= Lisa @Retro Housewife Goes Green´s last blog ..Reduce Plastic When Cleaning =-.
I am subscribed to your blog.
.-= Liz´s last blog ..Sprouting seeds =-.
I need to start investing in these products. Thanks for your review – I’ve been thinking about it ever since I saw a mom toting around a really cool stainless snack set.
.-= Liz´s last blog ..Sprouting seeds =-.
I have been looking over those containers and finally figured out I can use them at work in the toaster oven.
Count me in to get a chance to try them out!
.-= Billie´s last blog ..Enough is enough =-.
I just went to Life Without Plastic and will order some of their products. I have done my kitchen in retro 40’s style but use enamelware dishes.
I purchase my “red” metal dishes here(actually we are regular customers at this store, via the net):
www.lehmans.com
Check them out, they have wonderful products, I even use the hand turned washer and the dryer racks. I could go on and on here but wont! 🙂