These Airtight Containers Fit Entire Bags of Flour and Sugar and Keep Them Fresh Longer (2024)
When I moved into my house, my very first order was a set of glass jars with lids. I had been eyeing them on Pinterest and in home decor magazines for years, but I'd never had any place to put them. The day I signed the (many) dotted lines for my house, I clicked buy on those glass jars, and I think it may have been more satisfying.
As soon as they arrived, I gleefully filled them with brand-new bags of flour, sugar, and beans. I had a smaller one for bags of tea. It was homemaker perfection. And then a few weeks later, when I went to use the ingredients, I discovered a horrible secret: they aren't airtight. My sugar had clumps, likely from a bit of moisture sneaking in around the lid. My flour was starting to smell a bit rancid. Yikes! My tea bags were stale and produced lackluster tea.
So, as much as I loved them, I had to replace them — or at least find safer things to store in them while I looked for better containers for my flour and sugar. And find something better I did.
The OXO Good Grips Pop 4.4-Quart Container holds an entire five-pound bag of flour. Is there anything more satisfying than emptying a full bag right into its storage container and not having to store half a bag or a quarter of a bag somewhere else — only to forget about it when you run out? I can answer that. No.
As we know from these tips on keeping flour as fresh as possible, air is the enemy of fresh flour. Air makes flour go rancid, and while you can still cook with flour that's starting to age, it's really not the best flavor experience. If you spend weeks priming a sourdough starter for a loaf, the last thing you want to use is flour that's less than stellar.
The entire OXO Good Grips Pop Container Line is made with BPA-free plastic. The lids are either stainless steel or plastic, both sleek and clean. Each container also has a large push button on the top of the lid, and with a simple press you can create an airtight seal to keep flour and other foods safe from air. A silicone ring around the lid also prevents any air from sneaking in after you seal it.
The 4.4-quart container does hold an entire five-pound bag of flour. It also fits a five-pound bag or tub of oats.
If you want a matching set for all your baking ingredients, you're in luck. The 2.8-quart POP container is the right size for a four-pound bag of sugar or a four-pound bag of rice.
"It was the right size and look for my needs," wrote reviewer Sandra H on SurLaTable.com. "I like that it is lightweight, better than glass."
Don't forget the brown sugar. Air is certainly the enemy of this baking necessity, too, turning it into a brick with even the briefest of air drafts. The 1.1-quart POP container fits a 16-ounce bag of brown sugar. It also fits a large container of salt.
You can also buy sets of the OXO Pop Containers. This 10-piece set has the two larger containers mentioned above (4.4 and 2.8 quarts), as well as one 2.7-quart rectangle container that holds an entire five-pound bag of rice; one 2.2-quart tall container that can fit two boxes of spaghetti or one tube of crackers; two 1.1-quart petite square containers that are great for storing loose leaf teas or dried fruit; two 0.6-quart containers that fit a bag of peas or a box of tea bags; and two 0.4-quart rectangle containers that fit a bag of quinoa or pistachios.
So now, my classic lidded jars house packages of crackers, individually-wrapped chocolates, and bags of cat treats, al things that don't require the airtight seal and also look beautiful when displayed on my counters. And my flour, sugars, and oats are happy (and fresh) in their new airtight containers.
Our favorite overall dry food storage container set was from Rubbermaid. They were sturdy, airtight, and easily fit into our pantry. We also liked the Guzzini Grigio Glass Canister for a good-looking countertop option.
The storage of food in a sterilized airtight container is known as canning. Note: The storing the food in an airtight container or refrigerator slows down the oxidation process hence rancidity.
Most refrigerated produce stays fresh longer when sealed, whether in zip-top plastic bags, reusable silicone pouches, or containers with tight-fitting lids. These containers hold in moisture, preventing produce from dehydrating, and they help protect sensitive produce from the effects of ethylene gas.
Storing brown sugar in the fridge keeps it soft right out of the bag or box. Also in the fridge are all other flours, such as bread and nut flours. The freezer is also an excellent choice for nut and whole wheat flours if you have the space. Once opened, fold the top of the bag and clip.
My favorite containers for storing flour for immediate use are Oxo 4-quart (3.8 L) Pop Containers. I've been using these for more than a decade in my kitchen, and they're durable, air-tight, and the perfect size to hold 5-pound bags of flour (what you'd find at the market).
One of the most effective methods for storing flour long-term is with mylar bags and oxygen absorbers. By transferring store-bought flour from its original packaging into mylar bags and inserting oxygen absorbers, you can extend the shelf life of flour by over a decade.
Mason jars: Mason jars are clear, easy to stack, and inexpensive airtight containers. Resealable plastic bags: Plastic bags come in various sizes and are cheap. Depending on what you store in there, though, you might not be able to reuse the bag, and the bags aren't the sturdiest.
Usually designed in plastic, glass, or stainless steel, airtight containers have tight lids which firmly close around the container and prevent air from entering. These common household products are ideal not just for food storage but also for carrying food while travelling.
Fruits that should not be refrigerated include bananas, apples, melons, and berries. Keep in mind that many fruits will ripen more quickly when left at room temperature but will stay fresh longer if refrigerated once ripe.
Recyclable glass jars keep food and drink fresher for longer because, unlike other packaging materials, glass is inert and needs no chemical layer between it and the food in question. It also doesn't affect the taste of any food.
It is for this reason you should always store flour in an air tight container that is free from smell. BPA free, food safe plastic or glass is a good option to protect flour from absorbing odors.
Many customers have purchased “airtight, food grade storage containers” off the internet and have had trouble preserving their flour. We have found that Ziploc bags work best and hold roughly five pounds of flour to a gallon bag. You can double bag them or put them in a Jumbo Ziploc for best results.
There is no problem mixing flour, salt, sugar and IDY (ONLY) together. We refer to them as "goodie bags". We normally use commercial bread bags or Food Bags for this, but in a home setting you can use just about any container. No need to refrigerate, room temperature storage is just fine.
Whether your container is glass or plastic is up to you—just make sure the lid is closed tightly. Store the container in a cool, dry, and dark spot like a cupboard or pantry for up to one year.
If you are using refined flour like all-purpose or bread flours, for example, it would be a good idea to store it in an airtight container. You could use a glass, plastic storage container, or even a Ziploc bag if you do not have a proper container.
Once opened, store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place — you can keep it in the fridge or freezer to prolong the shelf life, but the pantry works totally fine if space is at a premium.
Moisture is the enemy of sugar, so you want to store it in a container with an airtight seal. An airtight seal will prevent clumping and also keep bugs out. Heat and sugar also don't mix well — sugar is meltable after all. Store your sugar somewhere cool and dark.
Introduction: My name is Corie Satterfield, I am a fancy, perfect, spotless, quaint, fantastic, funny, lucky person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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