How do you store cooked packed lunches?

npsmama

I mean things like stews, cottage pies etc...

I was wondering about lock&lock but I need about 12 containers so that would be a lot of money!

The containers need to be freezer, dishwasher and microwave safe so I can cook in bulk, freeze in portions and then each morning get one out from the freezer and reheat it in the microwave at work.

Perhaps the £3 x 12 Lock&locks would be worth it? Seems like an awful lot of money to be OS...

belfastgirl23

There is a thread on this but for this type of thing a lot of the OS recommend that you put a plastic bag into the l&l container, fill it up, freeze the contents, then remove the bag and store. You can put back into the container to take to work. Means you'd only need a couple of them.

I think for carrying liquids or semi solids over distances nothing beats l&l but I'd be reluctant to buy a load of them to sit in the freezer. That said, they last forever as far as I can tell

reverie

When you defrost in work kitchen are there plates etc? Or if not could you take your own and leave there? If there are plates/bowls there, you could freeze meals at home in a container, when frozen, pop out into bags in the freezer, then take the frozen 'block' of a meal in bag to work, take out of bag and defrost on plate/bowl at work? Does that make sense?!

However, you are then using (wasting) plastic bags, although you could reuse these too.

HTH.

Edited to add, this also depends how long your journey is if you're carrying soup :eek:

Heth_2

Are you carrying frozen food to work, or liquids?
I have lock and lock containers which are great for taking liquid soup, but alot of the time I take the frozen soup in and defrost/heat up at work. For those occasions I have some microwable/freezer-proof containers from Lakeland. They came in a set of 12 (my mum bought them and gave me half for Christmas one year) and in different sizes. I use them almost every day and a few have cracked, but they still seem pretty good value.

I don't know if they are dishwaster safe, I don't have one so I've never checked.

poppie,s_dream

i save the containers from our local takeaway and wash out on a weekly basis

GardenMillie

I have invested in a pack of lock & lock containers at Matalan - there were six containers of varying size for £7 which I thought was excellent value. I use the smaller ones for taking in fresh chopped melon, or other fruits and the really thin ones for smoked salmon (I know not that OS but I love it) and made up filling for a roll, pitta or bagel e.g. tuna mayo or egg mayo.

I have and still use some take away containers and wash these out but the lock & lock definitely last longer. Happy cooking.:j

NekoZombie

Lock and lock are probably worth the investment, IMHO. Cheap can be expensive.