446327 Sun Sep 30 15:13:53 -0700 2007 45 27 General Chowhounding Topics 0 2990826 All of my tupperware seems to leak, and it DRIVES ME CRAZY! I also like to bring uncooked oatmeal with milk poured over it so I can heat it up in my microwave at work. Last week the tupperware leaked all over the place and I haven't done it since! I find this very frustrating. Help? Sun Sep 30 15:13:53 -0700 2007 39328 IndyGirl 1 2990840 I keep small glass jars, like spice containers with good screw lids. The BF just informed me that his still sometimes leak and suggested wrapping the bottles in paper towels and putting them in a plastic bag...but not enough to pack his own lunch. Sun Sep 30 15:24:19 -0700 2007 2990826 59951 thinks too much 1 2990867 I like the screw top suggestion - also helps to pack little tupperware of dressing in larger salad tupperware so there are a couple of caontainers to leak through. As far as the oatmeal, individual soymilk containers are the way to go (if you can handle soymilk, maybe there are individual milk containers as well?). Small Nalgene bottles also work great! Or could you keep a small carton in a work fridge? Sun Sep 30 15:34:15 -0700 2007 2990826 121538 amycakes 2 2990948 They do have individual milks now, and they don't even need to be refrigerated, just like the soy milks. Sun Sep 30 16:16:27 -0700 2007 2990867 15675 KellBell 1 2990874 I have a bunch of itty-bitty plastic screw-top jars from Penzey's. They're useful for lots of things, including taking along your own salad dressing. You can order them on-line. Sun Sep 30 15:37:35 -0700 2007 2990826 11995 pikawicca 2 2991580 Oh, that's a great idea. I have tons of Penzey's spices. I will just have to wait until I'm out of something and then use that jar, or, I guess, head to the store for some jars! Thanks! Sun Sep 30 21:11:39 -0700 2007 2990874 39328 IndyGirl 1 2990876 You can buy a rubbermade type bowl with a compartment in the lid designed just for this purpose - you open the compartment onto the salad when you're ready to eat. Hope you can find one. made by guateplast and purchased in the supermarket of discount store Sun Sep 30 15:37:54 -0700 2007 2990826 130905 jh nj 2 2991730 There are some sold at Bed Bath & Beyond with a thin thing of blue ice you store in freezer until you take your lunch thing with you. They have a salad one with built in dispenser but I did not like that one; I got the oblong one, very nice. I, too, use the empty salsa containers for the salad dressing. Sun Sep 30 23:08:06 -0700 2007 2990876 12520 walker 2 2992170 Careful of the Fit n' Fresh brand container. What a piece of garbage. The salad dressing release thing didn't work once. Mon Oct 01 07:13:46 -0700 2007 2990876 41864 optimal forager 1 2990902 I use bottles I bought on eBay for Bento Boxes. Just search under "bento". Sun Sep 30 15:49:50 -0700 2007 2990826 13794 SilverlakeGirl 1 2990977 Real Tupperware should not leak. If there is a lid malfunction- it is warped- they will replace any size for a minimal fee (it was $1, may be more now) contact a local Tupperware Rep or online. The stuff is guaranteed forever. You should put the lid on and turn the piece upside down and around before you leave the house to see that it is sealed. It should not accidentlaly pop open on a drive, or even under pressure in an aircraft. If it is a malfunction, all lids have a letter imprinted on it that shoud match the letter/number on the bottom of the piece (i.e., each size container has a corresponding lid) and that is what you need to tell them. Sun Sep 30 16:34:57 -0700 2007 2990826 12123 Cathy 2 2991582 Just to be clear-this is not "real" Tupperware. It's Target tupperware. It's fine for non-leaky things. Sun Sep 30 21:12:22 -0700 2007 2990977 39328 IndyGirl 3 2991692 So why not just get real tupperware? It's easy enough to find, just need to remember to bring it home, wash it, and store until next use. I personally like the pyrex glass containers with tops - I got a set of them at Costco a few years back. Those don't leak, and they look just as good as when I first bought them. Sun Sep 30 22:28:04 -0700 2007 2991582 124390 LMelba 3 2993850 OK, way different situation. I thought it was a legit complaint about Tupperware, which does cost more but indeed does last forever. I have some from my mom from the 1950's/60's that still seals. No need to buy any of those disposable/breakdownable/leaky things for the rest of my lifetime. Just test whatever you think you are going to use filled with water and placed upside down on your counter for an hour when you first buy it. You'll know what leaks right away. Mon Oct 01 14:38:59 -0700 2007 2991582 12123 Cathy 1 2990980 I bought a few baby food jars just for this purpose. Washed them out and I never have a leak problem. Sun Sep 30 16:36:26 -0700 2007 2990826 64168 kkak97 2 2991696 Brilliant! Sun Sep 30 22:33:00 -0700 2007 2990980 13525 JasmineG 2 2992793 So simple... I feel stupid I never thought of it! (No babies, but I secretly like the baby applesauce anyway! ;-) Mon Oct 01 10:19:31 -0700 2007 2990980 12813 Katie Nell 1 2990994 Zip-Lock bags have worked for us in the past. They transport well as long as pressure isn't applied to them and you can cut a bottom corner to dispense the dressing. To temporarily seal the cut corner, use one of those clamp-type paper clips to hold the twisted corner closed. I know it's kind of a waste to use a ziplock in this manner, but we don't do it often and rationalize that wasting one plastic bag is less of a crime than possibly creating a spill that will cost a dozen paper towels and who knows what else to clean the potential mess. Sun Sep 30 16:43:11 -0700 2007 2990826 64003 bulavinaka 1 2990999 glass spice jars baby food jars or a safer/less breakable alternative...plastic, travel-size toiletry bottles - widely available at drugstores [i still put the jar or bottle in a small ziploc as additional insurance against leakage.] there are also a couple of specialty products on the market now that were created specifically for the purpose of transporting your salad & keeping the dressing separate: http://www.containerstore.com/browse/Product.jhtml?PRODID=73789&CATID=77350 https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_/002-3205286-7689617?initialSearch=1&url=search-alias%3Dhpc&field-keywords=fit+%26+fresh&x=24&y=17 Sun Sep 30 16:45:37 -0700 2007 2990826 103920 goodhealthgourmet 1 2991117 I used to carry dressing in empty film containers (back when I still used a film camera). Now I just keep a bottle of dressing in the office fridge. Sun Sep 30 17:32:40 -0700 2007 2990826 10681 piccola 2 2991127 I'd advise against using film containers for storing food; they're not meant for it and weird chemicals can leach out into what you're eating. This also applies to any other nonfood containers. Sun Sep 30 17:36:06 -0700 2007 2991117 44876 Fuser 1 2991210 I use Starfrit Lock & Lock containers. They're definitely leak proof. Sun Sep 30 18:15:28 -0700 2007 2990826 11858 mrsleny 1 2991433 How about empty prescription vials with the childproof caps? Sun Sep 30 20:05:07 -0700 2007 2990826 11791 DonShirer 2 2991518 Put some water in one, turn it upside down, leave on the counter at home and see if the water leaks out... Sun Sep 30 20:37:53 -0700 2007 2991433 12123 Cathy 2 2991565 wouldn't suggest it. childproof definitely doesn't mean leak-proof. Sun Sep 30 21:02:50 -0700 2007 2991433 103920 goodhealthgourmet 2 2992923 I work at a pharmacy - those bottles are NOT leakproof. However, we do dispense plenty of liquids medications in bottles with leakproof tops. I'd just ask your pharmacy for one - they are called "oval bottles." The 2 oz size is perfect. They cost less than a quarter each, so unless they are being really grumpy, they shouldn't mind giving you one. We've had students ask for them for projects and such. Here's what they look like: http://www.vials.com/product.php?categoryid=12 Mon Oct 01 10:51:57 -0700 2007 2991433 114561 Ditdah 1 2991455 We have a fridge at work and I just keep a bottle of dressing in there. Otherwise, I'd use the Tupperware containers that "Santa" put in my stocking a few years ago. I believe they were made for just that purpose. Sun Sep 30 20:13:28 -0700 2007 2990826 129072 mercyteapot 2 2991583 See, I hate bottled dressing. I have a real aversion to it. It used to be fine but then I started making my own and now any bottled dressing tastes checmically to me. So I make my own, which is why my little olive-oil-and-expensive-Zingerman's-vinegar dressings leak all over the place. Sun Sep 30 21:14:08 -0700 2007 2991455 39328 IndyGirl 3 2991621 if you have a fridge at your office, can't you just keep a batch of your own/homemade dressing in there? Sun Sep 30 21:39:04 -0700 2007 2991583 103920 goodhealthgourmet 4 2992196 They throw everything out of our fridges each Friday, including dressing, whatever. Even if you mark it "keep." Sux. Mon Oct 01 07:21:06 -0700 2007 2991621 19518 rockandroller1 5 2992877 it's a catch-22. think of it this way...at least you don't have to worry about some idiot leaving their half-eaten takeout in there to rot or fester & grow some insidious bacteria that could potentially contaminate everyone else's food and make you all sick. some office refrigerators can get so filthy & nasty that you couldn't pay me to store my food in them. i always wonder why it's so difficult for people to clean up after themselves in public common areas...and whether they would ever let the condition of their own homes deteriorate to that point. sorry, random off-topic tangent. i still think spice or baby food jars are best. as i said earlier, as far as glass, i always have a few extra spice jars on hand for various purposes...and even though i don't have kids, i occasionally use organic baby food fruit purees in my baking, so i just keep the jars once they're empty. so handy! if you prefer plastic, pick up some travel-size plastic bottles at the drugstore [check the grade/code to make sure they're food-safe], wash them well when you get home, and use those. not only are they basically unbreakable, some also have spouts/nozzles that are perfect for measured squirting/pouring of your condiments. Mon Oct 01 10:41:35 -0700 2007 2992196 103920 goodhealthgourmet 1 2991679 I have a bowl that I bought at Target. It is made by Corning, white ceramic, with a seal tight plastic lid and a knob to let the steam out. I think it only cost around $5 or $6. Last year, I was taking a class that started at 8 am and one of my classmates brought oatmeal in that same container. Sun Sep 30 22:18:40 -0700 2007 2990826 129072 mercyteapot 1 2991694 My best friend utilizes her son's containers from "The First Years". Set of 8 for about $4, I believe. She'll pack garnishes for potlucks in them, or send her man off to work with one filled with grape tomatoes. I believe they are four ounces. I bought a set and use them for sauces and small portions of snacks. Sun Sep 30 22:30:11 -0700 2007 2990826 42707 brekkie_fan 2 2991705 For dressing, it finally occurred to me to look for those little plastic containers (w/ lids) they have at salsa bars. Found them at Smart & Final & what a convenience it is! I now use it for my daughter's school lunch whenever I need to pack soy sauce, hummus, cream cheese, etc. Came in a pkg of 200 or 250 for oh I don't remember, may be $7? Sun Sep 30 22:42:56 -0700 2007 2991694 108661 ceekskat 1 2991698 At pharmacies, they sell mini plastic travel bottles that you can fill w/ toiletries/shampoo/lotions/etc... I fill em with dressing. Sun Sep 30 22:35:25 -0700 2007 2990826 15572 Emme 1 2991817 I use an old fashioned asprin container with the snap lid. Never leaks. Cleans up well w/ hot water, soap and a good shake. And doesn't cost a thing. Mon Oct 01 01:08:18 -0700 2007 2990826 10642 bryan 1 2992194 I just use the small tupperware (or off-brand) containers and put that inside a ziploc in case it leaks. Mon Oct 01 07:20:23 -0700 2007 2990826 19518 rockandroller1 2 2993728 I do something similar - no ziplock, but I put the liquid container into the larger salad container, or in the case of sandwiches I'll put the tomato container into a larger container with the remainder of the sandwich parts. Mon Oct 01 14:00:07 -0700 2007 2992194 63906 odkaty 1 2992456 ziplock bags. The smaller ones from the major brands seal really well. To make sure they don't get squeezed open you can put them inside a rigid container. The really large ziplock bags will make a large proof sheild over your old Tupperware, but then you still have a big mess inside it to deal with... Mon Oct 01 08:41:59 -0700 2007 2990826 87093 renov8r 1 2992489 ziplocks and little penzey's bottles. The bottles are better because you can shake them. Mon Oct 01 08:52:42 -0700 2007 2990826 43893 C. Hamster 1 2992771 My answer is boring...I just bring a small bottle of evoo and small bottle of balsamic vinegar, the bottles I purchased them in and keep them in the office kitchen cabinet. Occasionally, I'll bring in some lemons and just do evoo and fresh lemon juice on my salads. Mon Oct 01 10:14:07 -0700 2007 2990826 11983 Val 2 2992807 Exactly what I was about to write! I keep a small bottle of e.v. olive oil at work and just bring my salad with a wedge of lemon plopped right inside & pour oil & lemon juice at lunchtime. I also keep salt, a pepper mill & other seasonings at work. Mon Oct 01 10:22:02 -0700 2007 2992771 20128 morebubbles 1 2993595 I get these at the Korean grocery, but you can get `em on Amazon now. If it keeps kimchi sealed, it's gotta be gold... http://www.heritagemint.com/jump.jsp?itemType=CATEGORY&itemID=7&path=1%2C2%2C7 Mon Oct 01 13:33:40 -0700 2007 2990826 106260 trentyzan 1 2993691 Smart & Final or any restaurant supply has a wide variety of small take out containers with lids. Perfect! Mon Oct 01 13:53:06 -0700 2007 2990826 76226 Oh Robin 1 2993961 I just saw a display featuring Rubbermaid (new?) Twist & Seal containers. Box said they're leak-proof...this was at Long's Drugs. Mon Oct 01 15:12:13 -0700 2007 2990826 10877 Sarah 2 2994136 Rubbermaid used to sell stain-proof containers... they were a Lexan-type plastic and hada great, tight-fitting lid with a wide band around the lip. I don't know if they're still in stores, but I bought one to store spaghetti sauce in and it's now coveted by my boyfriend for taking leaky food to work for his lunch. It's the only container we have that doesn't leak. http://threedogkitchen.com Mon Oct 01 15:58:37 -0700 2007 2993961 42944 leanneabe