
We were told by Jane Cook, then chief scientist at the Corning Museum of Glass, that stacking glass can cause stress over time because the two hard surfaces rub together, and this may eventually lead to chipping. (Several reviewers also mentioned that their containers chipped after they nested them for storage. But they also put pressure on the edge of the glass, which, according to the glass experts we spoke with, may be causing stress that results in breakage. The Glasslock containers’ tight-fitting lids keep food fresher longer. Like a lot of glass containers we considered, these have a history of chipping over time (although many Wirecutter staffers report no issues after years of use). We recommend the Glasslock 18-Piece Container Set only if you want a glass set that’s leakproof.

So if a set is sold as 14 pieces or 16 pieces, you’re really getting only seven or eight containers. Keep in mind that most manufacturers include both the containers and the lids in the total set count. Although price was a factor when we made our pick, we also considered that glass containers will last a long time. Containers in a set are generally less expensive per piece.


Airtight and leakproof: “You want something that’s really airtight with a good seal, if it’s something you plan to keep for a bit,” Nancy Hopkins, senior deputy food and entertaining editor for Better Homes & Gardens, told us.
Rubbermaid brilliance glass storage containers windows#
(This is why tempered glass is used for side and rear windows in cars and glass shower doors.) To understand more on how and why this seemingly random breakage occurs, you can check out our blog post on the subject. That being said, tempered glass is often referred to as “safety glass” because when it does break, it crumbles into cube-shaped pieces that are easy to sweep up, as opposed to long, thin shards that can more easily cut you.

Tempered glass does have one downside, however: On rare occasions, it can shatter unexpectedly (this may seem spontaneous, but it’s usually a result of thermal shock or repeated stress on the glass). It can survive being dropped on the floor, and it’s able to withstand dramatic temperature changes without cracking. Tempered glass is ideal for cooking and storing food because it’s very durable. Most glass food-storage containers, including the Pyrex and Glasslock sets we recommend, are made of tempered glass, a type of heat-treated soda-lime glass. Containers are made from different types of glass, which will affect their durability, price, and how they’ll break if you drop them.
