Products in reusable containers

Eliza_2

Would anyone mind looking in their fridge or freezer and recommend any good reusable tubs/boxes etc whose original products have long been eaten?

Most ice cream tubs are great, but some butter ones are better than other. For example Norpak from Aldi comes in a fantastically strong plastic tub, I've used these over and over, whereas several other butter tubs seem to be just plasticised cardboard and don't last more than a wash or two. I once had a Co-op custard pot, it was brilliant for taking one portion of soup to work, but eventually the lid broke.

Can anyone recommend any others that can be reused for freezing or storage etc? I'm not buying plastic boxes for the sake of it. (Just wondering if i should be asking this on frugal rather than old-style but imagine many people go on both!!)

Thanks

Liz

gayleygoo

I agree about the ice-cream tubs, they are great! We get the Tesco oval tubs (similar to Carte D'or but only half as expensive) and they seem to last very well for other uses, the lids are much more durable than other kinds. I mostly use plastic takeaway tubs, although that does involve getting an occasional takeaway! They'll do quite a few uses before breaking, although any that I freeze tend to get broken more easily. I don't mind that they don't last too long because they're something that many people probably throw away as soon as they've eaten the original meal out of them.

For soups, stew, and other liquid things, jam/pickle/sauce jars are good for storage in the fridge. Could be used for packed lunches, although you'd have to be careful so the glass doesn't break.

Also, for fridge storage, I often just put (or leave) the food in the bowl and cover with a plate or another bowl. No need for cling film or tinfoil and less hassle than hoking through the Plastic Tub Cupboard of Doom

Tiffany_Aching

For freezing soups I often use washed out plastic milk bottles. I should imagine that a small pint bottle would be good for transporting soup to work?

Second the take away container idea. Ask around for people to save them for you - I often get people give me a bag full that they have saved for me. These containers are brilliant, they go through the dishwasher fine, stack in the freezer so saving space and stack inside each other for storage.

flamingo747

There are often instant noodles that come in plastic bowls with lids that are awesome for heating things in the microwave that need to be covered.

SailorSam

I've got a load of Vitalite tubs.
The round ones were much better than the new oval ones.

flipper_72

I also use the take-away containers (Poundland sell them too at 10 for £1), you don't need many, I usually freeze portions in them and then once frozen decant the frozen block into a labelled freezer bag. Because they are the same size and shape they stack really well

2childmum

Slightly off topic, but how do you label freezer bags ( and boxes too for that matter)?. I can never read anything I write on bags and whatever i use on boxes simply rubs off!

Tiffany_Aching

2childmum wrote: »

Slightly off topic, but how do you label freezer bags ( and boxes too for that matter)?. I can never read anything I write on bags and whatever i use on boxes simply rubs off!

I use a Sharpies pen - they survive the freezer but usually rub off when washing with a scrubbie and a bit of elbow grease

cornishchick

2childmum wrote: »

Slightly off topic, but how do you label freezer bags ( and boxes too for that matter)?. I can never read anything I write on bags and whatever i use on boxes simply rubs off!

I use a permanent marker , it stays on plastic tubs In the freezer but due to the freezing process , seems to wipe off easily with a bit of kitchen roll, just remember to only write on the smooth part of the lid not the rough oval in in the middle, iykwim.

lushlifesaver

I use the take away tubs too although I keep a couple at work I'm now planning on sticking my stockpile in the recycling bin for various reasons (mostly because I also have some lovely lunch boxes which I would rather start to use!)


I also have the ASDA's own ice cream tubs (oval like Carte D'or) which I make angel delight ('normal' or ice cream version) up in for the fridge/freezer


For soups I am starting to use the fresh soup containers from ASDA/Morrisons. I don't often buy their soups unless I really take a fancy to a change on my lunch at work and they are on offer but I have found them the perfect size for freezing two portions of soup in. I have been using smaller pots I bough (3 for 99p) from ASDA but the lids don't start on and you have to store single portions in them and because of the shelves in our freezer each one takes up as much space as the 2 portion 'fresh' pot would!


I also use the foil containers you can buy though. same as some take aways use - I buy 10 for £1 and that's my 'luxury' item haha. As bf is away a lot it means I can think less about food when I'm on my own and just whack a portioned meal/element in the oven to heat through

Living_proof

I use the whole range of containers - the ones from the pound shops are good value, easy to stack and can be used a few times with care. I am also very impressed with the zip lock bags and I bought some on offer at Aldi - 30 for 69p. These could be reused if containing dry ingredients like breadcrumbs or maybe celery slices, frozen peas, etc. You can exclude all the air I also buy the soup bags when they are on offer. The best thing for labelling is masking tape, and thank you to the person who suggested this on this forum many years ago!