High Maintenance Mom

We've recently been switching all our plastic storage containers to glass. I'm sure you've heard stories about how cooking food with fat in it in a plastic container is not healthy (see Cooking for Engineers article for an overview) and that plastics are not very good for our environment (see PlasticsResource for more information on recycling). An easy solution is to use glass for items in your kitchen...

One of the best things about using glass is that it doesn't break down the same way as plastics. Yes, I've been reusing my "take and toss" plastics over and over for storing items in the refrigerator and microwaving. I've heard the stories but for some reason couldn't think of a better solution even though I often heat tomato sauce and most of the containers are now cloudy orange. It's funny that my new solution is the same one my grandmother used - I'm sure she'd be proud.

If you are thinking of switching to glass, here are a few suggestions for food storage and microwaving. The added bonus is that my refrigerator looks beautiful and I can see my food. The containers are nice enough to use on the table too. It's a big step up for me.

Pyrex makes the following claims for their bowls (all of the following may not apply for all products, i.e., you might need to check the warranties).

• Glass bowls heat evenly and are transparent for quick monitoring of food.
• Seal-tight lids make it easy to store items in refrigerator, freezer, or cupboard.
• Bowls are safe to use in oven, microwave, refrigerator, freezer, and dishwasher.
• 2-year warranty on ovenware; 1-year warranty on lids.
• Pyrex glass is non-porous, so it won't absorb food odors, food flavors or food stains.

Here are a few suggested pyrex sets. I've found that I need more small and medium size bowls for leftovers so the sets work well for me. They are generally more cost-effective than buying individual pieces.

• 
  Pyrex 14-Piece Storage Set with Lids - includes a 7-cup, 4 2-cup, and 2 4-cup round bowls, plus 7 blue plastic lids.
• Pyrex Smart Essentials 8 Piece Mixing Bowl Set - includes 1 QT With Green Plastic Cover, 1.5 QT With Orange Plastic Cover, 2.5 QT With Blue Plastic Cover, & 4 QT With Red Plastic Cover. Pictured at top of page.
• Pyrex 16-pc. Starter Set - includes 1-qt. measuring cup, four 10-oz. dessert dishes, 1-1/2-qt., 2-1/2-qt. and 4-qt. mixing bowls, 9-1/2" Flavor Saver pie plate, 2-qt. sculptured covered casserole with knob, and 8" square sculptured cake dish and 3-qt. sculptured oblong baking dish, both with gray plastic covers.
• Deluxe Pyrex 10-pc. Storage Set - includes two 1-2/3-cup round bowls, two 5-cup round bowls and one 3-qt. round bowl-all with pearl gray vented plastic covers.
• Pyrex Bakeware 19-Piece Set - includes 2- and 3-quart oblong dish, 8-inch square dish, 1-1/2-quart loaf pan, and 1-, 1-1/2-, and 2-1/2-quart mixing bowl; 9-1/2-inch pie plate and 4 10-ounce bowls, plus matching seal-tight plastic blue lids provide secure food storage.