How to choose a plastic food container with a lid?

Modern housewives can not do without plastic utensils. It is difficult not to agree that a food plastic container with a lid significantly facilitates life in the kitchen. Such tools not only facilitate the convenient distribution of individual products in the refrigerator, but also help to organize a full-fledged lunch at work, in an educational institution, eating quality home-cooking food. Let's figure out how to choose the right plastic food containers with a lid.

Material of manufacture

Plastic acts as a fairly strong, practical and inexpensive basis for the production of food containers. However, such material should not be contacted with aggressive acids. Therefore, a plastic food container with a lid is not recommended for storing tomatoes, berries, products with a high concentration of vinegar.

Currently, food containers are made of the following types of plastic:

1. Polypropylene is a safe, high-strength material that has good elasticity. Products made using this base are able to withstand temperatures in the range of -40 to 130 ^о С. This is why a polypropylene food plastic container with a lid is suitable for heating products in microwave ovens.
2. Polyethylene - differs insufficiently transparent structure, does not transfer heating more than 65 ^о С, is subject to deformations. In some cases, high-density polyethylene is used to make food containers. However, such products have an impressive weight and are distributed at a higher price.
3. Polystyrene - according to physical properties is as close as possible to the glass. At the same time, the material should not be heated to temperatures above 70 ° C. For this reason, polystyrene containers are not suitable for storing hot products.

Capacity

The volume of the plastic container directly determines the amount of products that can be stored. At present, small capacity with a capacity of 0.3 to 0.5 liters is in great demand among housewives. However, there are enough variants of up to 3 liters or more on sale.

The form

The choice of the shape of a food plastic container depends on personal needs and convenience. One housewife is easier to stack products in round containers, others - in rectangular. Alternatively, for storing sandwiches and sandwiches, you can purchase a specialized plastic food container with a lid, the photo of which is presented in this material.

Disposable containers

If it is more convenient for the mistress to throw out the food container than to burden herself with her next cleaning, in this case, food plastic containers with disposable lids will become a real find. Products of this category are made mainly of thin plastic. The materials of such a plan are not well tolerated by mechanical influences and quickly deformed. Therefore, they are not recommended to be used for storing too hot foods or liquid dishes.

Despite the above drawback, any disposable plastic food container with a lid is distinguished by its low price and low weight. Therefore, in terms of savings, this option looks quite profitable.

Helpful Tips

Let's look at a few recommendations that will be useful in the operation of plastic food containers:

1. If the capacity is planned to be used for heating the food in the microwave oven, you should make sure that there is a special sign on the body of the product that confirms this possibility.
2. Wash plastic containers with an exceptionally soft sponge, since scratched surfaces emit toxic substances.
3. Store food containers are recommended in dry form. Otherwise, over time, they will emit an unpleasant smell.
4. Do not place containers in the refrigerator for too long. Condensate formed under the lid, is an excellent place for the reproduction of microorganisms.

Finally

Selecting plastic food containers with a lid for household needs, it is recommended that you first familiarize yourself with the quality certificate. If you prefer a particular variant, you need to be sure that the type of plastic used is not only safe for storing dishes at room temperature, but also does not release toxic substances during frost or heating.