Does Snapware Really Work?

Snapware is an extensive lineup of both glass and plastic food storage containers. The big draw here is that it creates an airtight seal that you can open and close with one hand. Sounds like a winner so we explored further to see what people really think.

Overview
You’ve got to credit Tupperware with putting specialty food storage containers in the spotlight. By coming up with the idea of sealing a lid simply by pressing down on it they revolutionized an industry that otherwise might not have grown to the size it is. Now it’s a heavily saturated market with all sorts of options, including the cheap disposables, all the way to more expensive sets that are meant to last for years.

The Claim
Snapware claims that because they include a rubber gasket in their lid, that an airtight seal is created so the food you put in will stay fresher longer. They also say that they’re BPA free, dishwasher and microwave safe, leakproof and stainproof. These are all concerns that could be raised with lesser quality containers, and you definitely don’t want to be cooking or storing food in something that has BPAs.

The Hype
Most of the food storage companies out there like to being up the fact that the average consumer wastes a lot of food each year by letting it spoil, or by not having a good way to store it. But many times it seems like they are trumping up the numbers in an attempt to get us to justify the expense of their food storage solution.

Pros and Cons of Glass and Plastic
Snapware comes in two different varieties, glass and plastic. Glass is good because it’s more durable and you’ve got a better guarantee on that airtight seal. Plastic is nice because it’s lighter and should provide the same quality of storage. It’s up to you which one you think would best suit the needs of your family and your kitchen. You might find that a mix of glass and plastic works best, choosing one or the other in the moment based on what is needed.

Some people also don’t like the idea of

using plastic to store their food, even if it is BPA free. Glass has a much better track record for storing food, even for the long term. Just ask anyone that’s pickled foods or made preserves. They’ve been using glass Mason jars for decades, and no studies have come out showing the dangers of storing things in glass, the way they have for plastic.

The Cost
Snapware costs more than disposable containers of course, but it is still reasonable. You can get a 38 piece set of their plastic variety for $46, so a little more than a dollar a piece. This would also get you a good assortment of sizes so you won’t be left wishing you had just the right size container for the food you’re putting away.

The Commitment
The point of buying these would be to make things easier for you in the kitchen. It should make it so you’re not fumbling with a container trying to get the lid on or off. They say you can even operate things with one hand, which comes in especially handy for new moms and dads out there that end up trying to do lots of things with a baby in the other arm. This would also be a good feature for an enfeebled person, allowing them to be more independent.

Evaluation
The plastic version of Snapware gets mixed reviews, but the glass does better. Common complaints with the plastic

are that the lids don’t snap on easily enough, and that they’re not dishwasher safe. But for the glass you are assured that they’re both dishwasher safe and microwave safe, and there aren’t any complaints about the lids.

How much you end up saving each year by storing your food properly really depends on how much you get involved with the process. Remembering to use your containers is job one, but also remembering to eat your leftovers or use your stored foods in other meals before they spoil is just as important. If you end up storing things but then forgetting about them, you’re just delaying the throwing out of them.

Final Snapware Review

We’re giving the glass Snapware a Thumbs Up, and the plastic Snapware a Try rating. There’s just too much discrepancy between the two to say they’re both created equally. The glass is their flagship product and what they originally came to market with, and the plastic just seems like an afterthought, to see if they could pull it off. In most instances their glass kit will be all that you need to get things organized in your kitchen and keep your foods fresh until you’re ready for them.

Our Recommendation
We recommend going with the glass version if you go with this. Chances are you’ll have a better experience with it than you would with the plastic, but the plastic ones do have their own benefits, like being lighter. The plastic they use is BPA free, but if you still don’t like the thought of storing your food in plastic, go with the glass. Plastic might be nice to pack a lunch for school or work since it’s lighter, but if you’re just storing food in the refrigerator glass is the best choice.

What do you think? Does Snapware work or not?