I tried 5 types of food storage containers. But only one turned out to be completely glass.
Let me save you the search I went through myself.
Once I realized my plastic containers were the problem, I wanted to switch to glass. Easy, I thought. Until I started searching online: Tupperware, IKEA, Mepal, Pyrex. All “safe,” all “quality.” So I simply ordered them all and tested them for months, in my own kitchen.
Four didn’t do what I hoped. But there was a clear winner. Here’s what I discovered per brand.
1. The Tupperware for about €40 that I believed in
"Then just buy really good plastic containers," everyone said. So I did. More expensive, sturdier, from the best-known brand out there.
And honestly: the first few months, the difference was noticeable. But it was still plastic. After six months: the same orange glow from tomato sauce, the same smell that came back after washing. More expensive plastic is still plastic—just with a longer runway.
2. The IKEA 365+ glass container for about €13 each
My first “switch to glass.” The container itself? Great. Glass does what glass does: no odor, no stains, comes out of the dishwasher perfectly clean.
But then came the lid. Plastic, with snap closures. And that’s exactly where it all started again: the lid discolored, started to smell, and the clips broke off. I’d bought glass and still ended up with a plastic problem. It had just moved from the container to the lid.
3. The €39.95 Mepal set everyone has
Dutch design, found in half of all kitchens, and looks beautiful in the cupboard. That’s all true.
But Mepal is plastic. Beautifully designed plastic, but plastic. Same sponge, different wrapper: after a few months of daily use, I started seeing the familiar issues. And when it comes to reheating, it’s simply what you read in my previous article: plastic that’s wearing down plus heat is not a good combination for your food.
4. The Pyrex classic of around €55 that my mother swears by
The classic. The glass is legendary—and for good reason: my mother has been using her dishes for twenty years.
But look at her lids. Exactly. They’ve already been replaced three times, because the plastic lids tear, warp, and after a while they no longer close properly. The glass lasts a lifetime; the lids don’t even make it two years.
5. The set nobody was talking about
Then there was the set that nobody had recommended. No familiar name, no shelf space at the hardware store. A reader mentioned it in a comment, and honestly I ordered it almost as an afterthought: Safecourt.
The first thing I noticed when I picked up the lid: heavy. Because glass. Not a flimsy plastic cap, but a glass lid with a food-safe silicone rim, and a little valve you open for reheating. For the first time in this whole test, I was holding a container with no wear-prone plastic on it.
After months of daily use—tomato sauce and all: no haze, no smell, no wear. Not even on the lid. Because there is no plastic that can wear down. From freezer to oven to microwave, and everything can go in the dishwasher. Including that lid.
How the five compared
Same kitchen, same meals, same dishwasher. This is where each brand ended up:
- Tupperware (approx. €40): premium plastic is still plastic. It discolored and started to smell—just a bit later.
- IKEA 365+ (approx. €13 per piece): a solid glass container, but the plastic lid discolored and the clips broke.
- Mepal (€39,95): the nicest design, but completely plastic. Same stuff, different look.
- Pyrex (approx. €55): indestructible glass, but the plastic lids tear and stop sealing properly after a while.
- Safecourt (from €59,95 for a set): the only one that’s fully glass, including the lid. Nothing that discolors, smells, or wears out.
| The rest | Safecourt | |
|---|---|---|
| Container material | Plastic or glass | Borosilicate glass |
| Lid material | Plastic | Glass + silicone ring |
| Discolors or smells | Container and/or lid | No |
| Dishwasher incl. lid | Often not | Yes, without wear |
| Freezer → oven → microwave | Limited | Fully |
Based on personal use and public product information, July 2026.
If you’ve made it to this step, you’re truly fed up with the whole plastic story
Then there are the two questions my readers ask most often.
"Isn’t glass impractical: heavy, breakable, a hassle?" That’s what I thought too. But this is borosilicate glass—extra strong and made for intensive everyday use. In all those months of testing, nothing has broken for me. The lid seals airtight and leak-proof, so soup or salad can go in your bag without accidents. And everything is dishwasher-safe, including the lid; you can even remove the silicone rim for an extra thorough clean. And if something ever does happen: 2-year warranty and 30-day returns.
"Isn't it expensive?" A set costs more than plastic—once. But do the math: two plastic sets per year at €40 to €50, year after year. You buy glass once. These are the last containers you’ll buy.
A little gift from me: 5% extra off
For my readers, I arranged my own code. Enter SANNE5 at checkout for 5% extra off the all-glass sets.