Metal tuboware?

cormie

So I got a 12 piece tuboware set in Aldi a few weeks ago and since then, I've managed to break about 8 of them from either dropping them with stuff in them, or else by trying to cut slices of frozen stuff after they have just come out of the freezer. So I need something that can take a few bashes because I don't want to have to replace them every few weeks.

Is there anywhere I could get a metal/tin or whatever would be good set of tubs with lids on them that can go in the freezer without a problem? Or else a really durable set of plastic ones that can be frozen/microwaved etc?

Any feedback appreciated

Alun

Do you mean "Tupperware"?

Anyway, one of the problems with all of these types of plastic containers is that the plastic gets very hard and brittle when they get really cold like that. A big problem is the lids, which can break easily when trying to remove them while frozen.

An easy way to get around it is to just run the whole container under the tap, preferable a warm one, for a short time before trying to open the lid. And if you're trying to remove something to defrost/reheat then do the same on the base of the container and it'll loosen the contents sufficiently to allow the contents to release, so that you can put it into something else to pop into the microwave.

Of course, the quality of the plastic has a lot to do with it as well, and some are just better performers at low temperatures than others. I've got some ones I bought in Germany ages ago made by a company called emsa (http://www.emsa.de/english/index.php), and some others by Rubbermaid (I always giggle when I see that name, somehow ) which have lasted for years without problems, and also some that I've bought over here made by Addis that seem pretty robust. The same thing about raising the temperature of the lids slightly before trying to remove them still applies though.

cormie

Hehe, yep, must be tupperware The main cause of them breaking on me, is because I make my own chocolates and brownies and all sorts of healthy alternatives to what you get in the shops here. I'd keep them in the freezer and if I ever get a craving (at least 3 times a day ) I'd go and cut a small bit from the tub and put it straight back into the freezer. So they break mainly from if the knife slips or goes too deep, it'll just crack the bottom/side of the tub making it unusable in the future. Have never had a problem with the lids on the last set I had. I wonder would I still have problems with the knife on the brands you mentioned?

Alun

Ah, I see. To be honest, I don't know, but it certainly seems from your description that it's cracking due to it being brittle from the cold as I described.

Thinking laterally here, wouldn't it be better for the kinds of things you're freezing to portion them up first and freeze them, probably on an open nonstick tray to start with to stop them sticking to each other, and only put them in a suitable container once they're frozen? Then you can just open the container and grab a portion at will? You could even just use a plastic bag instead then.

cormie

Yeah, but that's more effort :P also some of the things I make can't really be cut up before being frozen, although I could cut them up when they are half way there I suppose!

I really do ask some ridiculous things on this site! haha

cormie

Ended up going the route of pre-portioning Alun I got 4 silicone ice cube trays in Dunnes (€5 each). They each have 15 deep enough pockets which I put the mix into one by one, takes a good bit of time but saves me having to go and cut each out after and breaking the tubs they are in. Once they are solid, you can just pop them out of the silicone tray easily and then put them into another container and they are the perfect size for a nibble and look quite presentable too.

Dunnes have quite a selection of silicone food thingies which you can freeze and bake with up to something like 240d celcius. I got some muffin type silicone trays too, but their a bit too big for a bitesize portion.

Alun

Glad to hear you got it sorted! Those silicone baking thingies are great aren't they?