primitives discuss Tupperware

[franksolich]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=236x85556

Oh my.

Phentex  (1000+ posts)         Thu Feb-17-11 12:49 PM
Original message
 
Food storage revisited. I have got to get rid of Tupperware Death Valley!...

Here's what I have. Some really nice Tupperware pieces that no one but me knows how to use. I also have some formerly nice Tupperware pieces that need to die because certain unmentionable people used them in the microwave. I also have various Gladware/Ziploc purchased for something specific but ended up in TDV for nonspecific reasons. The lids to all of these pieces are a mess. Either they don't fit, are hiding or have gone missing. A former lover of Tupperware, I actually know the color of the lid that goes on each piece I own. However, unmentionables have tried to force said lids on incorrect pieces and now some of them don't fit. Press and Seal works fine but unmentionable seems to be annoyed with having to use it.

I struggle with placement issues so an unmentionable person is usually the one who organizes TDV from time to time. But now he is really frustrated by not being able to locate lids. The cabinet is large and dark (60's house with those creepy dark corner under-the-counter cabinets.)

I need a complete overhaul.

The things I must keep are:

the cake cover, my large Thatsabowl, the salad spinner, the deviled egg carrier, the lunch carriers

Those things I do use but not all the time so they can live in the dark corner.

Then I just need containers for everyday leftovers. Maybe something large for soups, but overall just pieces for miscellaneous.

Costco has a set of Snapware on sale right now. Should I box everything up, buy the new set (which supposedly has interchangeable lids) and wait and see if I miss anything before I donate the box (minus the dead pieces)????

What do you use?

cbayer   (1000+ posts)       Thu Feb-17-11 12:52 PM
THE BAYER ASPIRIN PRIMITIVE
Response to Original message

1. I am finding that those relatively inexpensive "disposable" containers are my best bet.

They last and last and last, and I don't care if something happens to one that means I need to toss it.

They nest as well as anything else. They don't seem to stain or soak up flavors/odors/grease like the non-disposable ones either.

Lugnut  (1000+ posts)        Fri Feb-18-11 02:29 AM
Response to Reply #2
 
16. Arrrgghhh!

Not the Tupperware! I still have a yellow square round from the late 70s that's my favorite piece and is still in good shape. We had several travel trailers that spanned a period of about 15 years and those square rounds were a perfect fit for the small fridge. To this day I opt for square containers that fit better in my always over crowded refrigerator than rounds and Tupperware still works the best.

kurtzapril4  (247 posts)       Thu Feb-17-11 06:37 PM
Response to Reply #1

10. One Day I got sick of all the mis-matched containers and lids, and threw them all out. The local food store has those glad microwave friendly disposable containers on sale for most of the time. Like 2 packages for $5. I make sure I use the same brand every time. I usually get 2 of each size, in three distinct shapes, so there's no confusing one lid for another/one container for another. It ends the problem of lids not matching, etc.

cbayer   (1000+ posts)       Fri Feb-18-11 11:45 AM
THE BAYER ASPIRIN PRIMITIVE
Response to Reply #10

18. Exactly - and I think I save money in the long run.

Added bonus - if you want to send leftovers home with a dinner guest or just give something you made to someone, you don't need the container back.

Another bonus - if you need something for putting the dirty pieces from something you are working on in to keep them in one place, but they are greasy and would ruin a container - who cares?

supernova  (1000+ posts)        Thu Feb-17-11 02:38 PM
Response to Original message
 
3. I'm in the same boat

I have little storage area for one. The downside of a 50s galley kitchen. I have various sized free range lids that don't match bottoms or each other. I also have mismatched mixing bowls , different sizes, some with handles, some without. All of this means that NOTHING FITS IN THE CABINET and you get a plastic avalanche everytime you open the door.

I love snapware, but it is expensive. I think I will get it for storing staples though, like flour, sugar, cereal, rice, those kinds of things. The "temp" ware at the grocery store is good for storing leftovers in the fridge though. I wouldn't do it for long term freezer storage. You get freezer burn. The best thing for that is the sealing systems if you can afford it.

One of those organizing shows several years ago that I watched the org expert said a couple of things about organizing pantries:

1) Get everything clear so that you can see what you have at a glance. No use having containers you can't see what's in them. And yes, label everything.

2) Get square or rectangular. They nest more easily and stack better next to each other.

The empressof all   (1000+ posts)        Thu Feb-17-11 02:39 PM
THE IMPERIOUS PRIMITIVE, WHO DOESN'T LIKE US
Response to Original message

4. Costco glass storage "snap ware"

I have two sets of the Glass storage containers that Costco is currently selling. I love them but they are not perfect. The tops and bottoms are not interchangeable due to the different sizes of the containers. I have have arthritis and I have found that they require a good deal of strength to lock and unlock.

I would still give them a big thumbsup. They go from the fridge to the freezer to the microwave and they just feel cleaner to me than the usual plastic stuff that gets greasy feeling after a few months. You also never have to worry about staining.

I keep a few of the plastic throw away containers for the dog food but otherwise have gone to the glass.

franksolich uses glass too.  Plastic has no class.

hippywife  (1000+ posts)        Thu Feb-17-11 08:52 PM
MRS. ALFRED PACKER
Response to Original message

11. I've come to the conclusion that the plastic is unavoidable, plus I need them to pack Bill's lunch everyday, so I have a few nicer Rubbermaid pieces, some new, some vintage. Other than that it's not unusual to see me packing leftovers or eating cereal in those large yogurt and cottage cheese containers.

I need to weed through my corner lazy susan cabinet and get rid of the things that have no matching lids and the extra lids that have no bowls.

Warpy  (1000+ posts)        Fri Feb-18-11 12:05 AM
THE DEFROCKED WARPED PRIMITIVE
Response to Original message

14. Sure, get the stuff from Costco

I'm guessing the Tupperware dates from before the Flood, so you're due for a new set of something or other, and Costco doesn't make you go to a stupid party to buy it.

I use recycled jars for dry goods, glass or plastic half gallon to gallon jars. For wet stuff, I leave it in a stainless bowl with a plastic wrap cover. Most of the stuff I store is dry. My wheat flour has been in a giant sized Rumford baking powder can from a bakery. It's been a bulletproof canister, kept the flour free of miller moths when I had an outbreak. I need to give that stuff away, probably to my next door neighbor. Sniff, it's King Arthur flour.

I don't often freeze dinners these days, but I used to keep them on plates with plastic covers for short freezer storage or foil covers for longer storage. I did have plastic supermarket containers with lids when I was brown bagging to work, but those days are over and those containers were recycled years ago. The thrift shop was glad to get 'em.

That must be a rough neighborhood the defrocked warped primitive lives in, if she has to use bulletproof food canisters.

grasswire  (1000+ posts)      Fri Feb-18-11 12:57 AM
THE FARMERETTE FROM UP OVER THERE IN WISCONSIN
Response to Original message

15. I miss some of my old Tupperware.

I used to have a round flat one that perfectly held a batch of oatmeal cookies.

Last year I found some of those things people used eons ago -- bowl covers. Elasticized 'round the edge, in varied sizes. Colorful, too. They came in a set of about half a dozen at a local Rite-Aid. I really like those for leftovers, cuz no separate container, bowl, lid whatever are required.

Dry stuff like coconut, raisins, brown sugar, rices, etc. all go in ziploc bags, stored in a cart with drawers that goes under the kitchen worktable.

I keep the jars from Better Than Bouillon -- they have a really nice metal lid and are a nice size. I use those for seeds, some spices, etc.

I just have accumulated a bunch of baby food jars (from feeding Gerbers to my ailing senior kitty). I'm happy to have those for spices, too.

That leaves large batch stuff in the fridge -- a whole other problem. I've been thinking about getting some glass refrigerator dishes that can go to microwave. They used to have glass tops. Do they still?

trud  (325 posts)      Fri Feb-18-11 06:44 AM
Response to Original message
 
17. I bought old glass storage containers with glass tops via ebay. I avoid the new ones because apparently they're made in Foreign Lands and can explode if taken from the fridge or freezer to the microwave.

Hmmm.

franksolich just got an inspiration for the next story about the Packer clan.

[GOBUCKS]

The things I must keep are:

the cake cover, my large Thatsabowl, the salad spinner, the deviled egg carrier, the lunch carriers

Wait a minute...does this mean that DUmmy Phentex has a piece that is used exclusively for carrying deviled eggs? Only deviled eggs? This actually sounds like the DUmmy is making a concerted effort to provoke coach.

[thundley4]

Wait a minute...does this mean that DUmmy Phentex has a piece that is used exclusively for carrying deviled eggs? Only deviled eggs? This actually sounds like the DUmmy is making a concerted effort to provoke coach.

I've seen one, but the one I saw had a removable tray for eggs and could be used for cakes or any other large flat thing.

[franksolich]

Wait a minute...does this mean that DUmmy Phentex has a piece that is used exclusively for carrying deviled eggs? Only deviled eggs? This actually sounds like the DUmmy is making a concerted effort to provoke coach.

Yeah, one can still die happy never having owned a "salad spinner" and a "deviled egg carrier."

[zeitgeist]

Yeah, one can still die happy never having owned a "salad spinner" and a "deviled egg carrier."

But a Church supper sans Tupper would be such a spiritually depressing event.   I do believe my dear old mother had every piece ever made.  And when she passed I gave it all away because m/zeit had a collection all her own. I think Tupperware parties were some kind of right of passage for young females.  At least it smells better than Avon.

[JohnnyReb]

AAAAARRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGG!!!!!!!!!!!!!! There's a cabinet full of lids and containers here and none of them seem to fit. I've begged the wife to throw the damn things out before I go berzerk and start shooting people, things and plastic containers....

Oh That's a good idea...I'll use them for targets.

[Randy]

My wife got all excited about seeing a pile of Tupperware at a thrift store near here. She dug and dug until she had all the tall cups they had. She didn't even want the lids. She brought them all home and cleaned them up with bleach and threw out the hodge-podge of plastic cups we had in the cupboard.

She's happy and I don't have to use them so I'm happy too. 

[AllosaursRus]

Here's what I have. Some really nice Tupperware pieces that no one but me knows how to use.

Is it me, or did this DUmmie just tell the rest of 'em they're DUmber than rocks?

AAAAARRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGG!!!!!!!!!!!!!! There's a cabinet full of lids and containers here and none of them seem to fit. I've begged the wife to throw the damn things out before I go berzerk and start shooting people, things and plastic containers....

Oh That's a good idea...I'll use them for targets.

We're in the same boat, my man! I've got a whole drawer full of lids that I don't have the faintest idea where the containers are! I gave up, and every once in a while, when I'm tryin' to find lids, just throw a few away! "Toots" never notices, but at least I can close the drawer now!

[Ballygrl]

I have so many of the containers and lids, I did organize them nicely but they still get screwed up when other people touch them.

[AllosaursRus]

I have so many of the containers and lids, I did organize them nicely but they still get screwed up when other people touch them.

Is it in the genes, or what? Why do womyns keep lids for containers that are long gone?

[Ballygrl]

Is it in the genes, or what? Why do womyns keep lids for containers that are long gone?

Because you never know when you'll need that size lid.

[Alpha Mare]

I have so many of the containers and lids, I did organize them nicely but they still get screwed up when other people touch them.

I have to redo every few weeks. I do throw out odd lids, but not containers- they always come in handy.

[AllosaursRus]

Because you never know when you'll need that size lid.

I have to redo every few weeks. I do throw out odd lids, but not containers- they always come in handy.

OMG! You two need to get together! What I would like to know is, when is enough, enough???????????

I can't store that many left overs in my 2 fridges! Even if I could, they would spoil before I could use them!

Must be a female thing!

[JLO]

But a Church supper sans Tupper would be such a spiritually depressing event.   I do believe my dear old mother had every piece ever made.  And when she passed I gave it all away because m/zeit had a collection all her own. I think Tupperware parties were some kind of right of passage for young females.  At least it smells better than Avon.

Oh, Tupperware parties were fun for newlyweds in the early 70's.  It was a social event with friends and we learned from each other about adjusting to our new roles as married gals. 

It was a great excuse to get out and about in the evening alone   

[AllosaursRus]

Oh, Tupperware parties were fun for newlyweds in the early 70's.  It was a social event with friends and we learned from each other about adjusting to our new roles as married gals. 

It was a great excuse to get out and about in the evening alone   

The only problem was, it cost us "husbands" money, every time those stinkin' parties showed up! Tupper Ware ain't cheap, and for a one income household, I was ready to burn Tupper Ware down! "Toots" never worked until my first child was 4! I think at the time I was makin' $3.25/hr!

[Alpha Mare]

OMG! You two need to get together! What I would like to know is, when is enough, enough???????????

I can't store that many left overs in my 2 fridges! Even if I could, they would spoil before I could use them!

Must be a female thing!

I use 'em for everything-  food/water bowls/nests for all the little critters that pass through here; catch-alls for the crap these guys empty out of their pockets; Legos, Barbie shoes, Mathbox cars. I use one in the baby's dresser to hold her little socks; in the pantry for seasoning packets, put 'em under planters.
Someone always takes the leftovers to work and never brings the damned thing back.

[AllosaursRus]

I use 'em for everything-  food/water bowls/nests for all the little critters that pass through here; catch-alls for the crap these guys empty out of their pockets; Legos, Barbie shoes, Mathbox cars. I use one in the baby's dresser to hold her little socks; in the pantry for seasoning packets, put 'em under planters.
Someone always takes the leftovers to work and never brings the damned thing back.

I resemble that remark! Either that, or I leave 'em in the "Cop" car until "Toots" doesn't want 'em anymore! I never knew Tupperware could grow hair!

[debk]

Having had a Tupperware Haven of Strays of my own for several years....I totally understand.

However....I did the ultimate sacrifice and purged out the strays, the discolored and the damaged when I moved. It was hard. It was traumatic. 

It has been replaced by wonderful wonderful Rubbermaid stuff - that came all in one box on sale for about $12!! 3 different container sizes all with the same sized/color lids. One larger container with lid, and several small ones in 2 sizes with 2 different sized lids. All tuck into each 2 stacks, and the lids attach to each other, so they don't scatter. No more hunting for lids or having to straighten out the drawer. Because of the sizing, they stack in the refrigerator quite nicely.

I buy the disposable ones at the Dollar Tree. Depending on size - anywhere from 1 to 4 for $1. They are great for sending stuff home with daughter, or friends. I don't expect them back, and they don't worry about bringing them back. Daughter has a tendency to return them with a "woe is me" look in her eyes, I think in hopes that I will refill them. 

I will confess to having several lidded containers specifically for deviled eggs. Y'all just don't realize that a good Southern lady must know how to make deviled eggs for any and all occasions, and those little suckers absolutely can not get messed up before bein' served to guests!!! A dozen eggs is just not enough to make either! I'm talkin' 'bout 4 to 6 dozen at a time. It's against the law to run out of eggs before the party's ended! 

Have a couple of cupcake containers too. 

[franksolich]

I will confess to having several lidded containers specifically for deviled eggs. Y'all just don't realize that a good Southern lady must know how to make deviled eggs for any and all occasions, and those little suckers absolutely can not get messed up before bein' served to guests!!! A dozen eggs is just not enough to make either! I'm talkin' 'bout 4 to 6 dozen at a time. It's against the law to run out of eggs before the party's ended!

Well now, I've never had anything to do with deviled eggs, other than dining upon them.

But it strikes me that eggs come in disposable paper or foam containers, with twelve spaces.

If I were to make deviled eggs and take them somewhere--which probably won't ever happen in my life--it strikes me the egg cartons would make handy-dandy deviled egg carriers, and one can toss them into the garbage when they're empty.  No muss, no fuss, no using up cabinet space storing them.

[Randy]

All very true Frank, but if you devil 12 eggs you now have 24 to contend with and them lil devils is slippery. 

[AllosaursRus]

All very true Frank, but if you devil 12 eggs you now have 24 to contend with and them lil devils is slippery. 

Yep! Half an egg doesn't fit very well in a container meant for eggs on the shell! "Toots" has trays they fit in for serving and transport.

[debk]

Well now, I've never had anything to do with deviled eggs, other than dining upon them.

But it strikes me that eggs come in disposable paper or foam containers, with twelve spaces.

If I were to make deviled eggs and take them somewhere--which probably won't ever happen in my life--it strikes me the egg cartons would make handy-dandy deviled egg carriers, and one can toss them into the garbage when they're empty.  No muss, no fuss, no using up cabinet space storing them.

Are ya serious??!?!?!?

Help me....Ah declare, Ah think Ah has the vapors! 

Frank, darlin'.....deviled eggs are to pretty to smish-smash back in the egg container!!! If just tossed into a flat-bottomed container, they will slide around and get messed up. Which is just wrong.

Proper deviled eggs are egg white halves that have had filling carefully "piped" into them, then lightly dusted with paprika for just a bit of festiveness.

Most of my containers will hold 20 around the edge, and I can either put a few in the middle or put olives, or pickles in the middle. They have lids and will stack just fine in the fridge until time to eat or take to a tailgate or something. I have a couple of glass/crystal ones for "indoor'.

[thundley4]

We have zero Tupperware products in our house.  That being said my mom had quite a few when I was younger.  The thing that sticks with me the most is what happened when you'd pour soda into one of the plastic tumblers. Some sort of nasty film always formed on top.

[zeitgeist]

Are ya serious??!?!?!?

Help me....Ah declare, Ah think Ah has the vapors! 

Frank, darlin'.....deviled eggs are to pretty to smish-smash back in the egg container!!! If just tossed into a flat-bottomed container, they will slide around and get messed up. Which is just wrong.

Proper deviled eggs are egg white halves that have had filling carefully "piped" into them, then lightly dusted with paprika for just a bit of festiveness.

Most of my containers will hold 20 around the edge, and I can either put a few in the middle or put olives, or pickles in the middle. They have lids and will stack just fine in the fridge until time to eat or take to a tailgate or something. I have a couple of glass/crystal ones for "indoor'.

So I take it you don't think elegant dining is not drinking straight from the bottle?

[debk]

So I take it you don't think elegant dining is not drinking straight from the bottle?

 

About the only thing I drink from a bottle is water, or occasionally pop. I don't like drinking out of cans, particularly in a car, because usually I will spill it all over me. 

At home, I pretty much always use a glass, or a solo cup if outside. I take a bottle of water with me when I'm in the car.