For some, the pantry or cabinets are neat, organized havens for dried goods. For others, it’s a part of the kitchen you hide: there are half empty boxes of cereal next to flour spewing from the bag. We spoke to our food storage experts about how to store dried goods to maximize freshness and their tips for keeping your cabinets neat, so you can avoid a baking soda avalanche the next time you reach for a box of pasta.
1. Air is the enemy
Air causes foods such as cereal, pretzels, chips, pasta, nuts, dried fruits and more, to get stale and lose flavor, so it’s best to store all of your dried goods in airtight containers.
2. Light is the enemy (for some things)
Coffee, tea and spices are extra sensitive to direct light, which breaks down the beans or spice, causing them to lose flavor. Keep these items in UV-tinted containersin your pantry or cabinet, and not on the countertop. Plus, get more advice on how to store coffee beans.
3. Pantry pests are really the enemy
Weevils, mealmoths and beetles are just waiting to build homes in your dry ingredients, but a tight seal will keep those bugs out and ease your nerves every time you go for the flour.
4. Easy Access
If you’ve ever tried to pour flour straight from the bag, you know it’s a giant mess. Store your baking ingredients (flour, sugar, baking powder) in containers that give you easy access to the contents, and you’ll no longer dust your whole kitchen every time you bake.
Good tip: When measuring flour, use a spoon to fill the measuring cup. This way, you won’t compact the flour and scoop too much!
5. Control Moisture
Just like air, moisture causes dry foods to go bad too. An airtight seal prevents moisture from seeping into your dried goods. In some cases, like brown sugar, you want some moisture or else the sugar will get too hard to use. The airtight seal also minimizes evaporation and prevents hardening.
6. Maximize the Space
We know how valuable kitchen countertop and shelf space can be, that’s why we recommend using a turntablefor easy access to items and stacking dried goods in the cabinet or pantry. POP containers’ modular designallows you to efficiently organize your dried goods without wasting precious countertop or shelf space.
7. Labels & Directions
If you’re taking dried foods like pasta, beans and rice out of their original containers, cut out the instructions that are on the box and stick them in the storage container so you have them handy when you’re ready to cook. We also like sticking labelson our containers to keep things extra organized.
You mention moths above. Does OXO certify that its containers will prevent meal months and larvae from getting into (or out of) the pop containers?
I had a big infestation years ago while living in m condo where other owners were not controlling the pests. I tried numerous methods and found that the worms are able to crawl trough incredibly small gaps, even around the threads of a ball jar with the lid on and up and around loose Tupperware tops. Eventually I found that clamp lid containers with rubber gaskets worked the best, but these do not last a long and don’t stack nicely.
I’m worried that moths and works could squeeze through around the pop up section of the lid and work their way into the container.
Hi Robyn – The gasket is removable. We recommend making sure it is attached all around the underside of the lid for the seal to work on the POP Containers. If it is still not sealing properly, feel free to reach out to Consumer Care at 805-545-4411 Monday through Friday, 8am to 6pm or at [email protected].
What are the right-size OXO containers to fit whole bags of flour and sugar? I’d rather not split my flour between two containers if I can help it because I have very limited space. Thanks!
19 Comments
What container holds a 2 pound bag of brown sugar or powdered sugar the best.
You mention moths above. Does OXO certify that its containers will prevent meal months and larvae from getting into (or out of) the pop containers?
I had a big infestation years ago while living in m condo where other owners were not controlling the pests. I tried numerous methods and found that the worms are able to crawl trough incredibly small gaps, even around the threads of a ball jar with the lid on and up and around loose Tupperware tops. Eventually I found that clamp lid containers with rubber gaskets worked the best, but these do not last a long and don’t stack nicely.
I’m worried that moths and works could squeeze through around the pop up section of the lid and work their way into the container.
The lids on my OXO Good Grips containers are loose and don’t make an airtight seal. Can the lids or gaskets be adjusted?
What are the right-size OXO containers to fit whole bags of flour and sugar? I’d rather not split my flour between two containers if I can help it because I have very limited space. Thanks!
I have two ten pieces sets of Oxo containers. One rectangle lid is not working. Can I purchase a lid?