OXO Smart Seal Glass Containers: An Honest Review
In this blog, I will provide my honest review of the OXO Smart Seal glass containers. Read more if you want to know if the OXO containers are really worth the price.
Having a reliable set of reusable containers in your kitchen is a must. I sleep well at night knowing the food in my refrigerator or pantry is well sealed and staying fresh, especially since I make about 80% of the food I eat. After over a year of owning a 16-piece set, I have repeatedly put them through a variety of real life tests such as heating, freezing, dropping and more! I can confidently discuss the best features of the OXO Smart Seal and where they may be lacking.
WHAT'S INCLUDED?
First, let's take a look at what a set of the OXO containers will get you. These reusable glass containers are sold individually and as a set on the OXO website as well as other in-store and online retailers. A 16 piece set is sold on the OXO website for $67.99, the set includes:
One 7 cup round glass container & lid
One 4 cup round glass container & lid
One 2 cup round glass container & lid
One 1 cup round glass container & lid
One 8 cup rectangular glass container & lid
One 3.5 cup rectangular glass container & lid
One 1.6 cup rectangular glass container & lid
One 0.5 cup rectangular glass container & lid
VALUE
At first glance, nearly $70 for a set of containers can seem pretty steep, but the reusability aspect of this extends your $70 for many years.
Coming in a variety of different sizes and shapes, OXO provides solutions for numerous food storage needs. I can easily hold a week's worth of made-ahead lunch or dinner in the 7 or 8 cup containers, and can fit a single serving of lunch or dinner in the 3.5 or 2 cup containers. The smaller containers are great for holding dipping sauces or a petite serving of fruit or snacks.
The glass containers are dishwasher and microwave safe, but I would avoid using the plastic lids in the dishwasher or microwave. Although the OXO website says everything is dishwasher and microwave safe, avoiding the harsh environments of both appliances will ensure a longer life of the plastic lids. The best method for washing the lids is in the sink with hot, soapy water. You can even remove the silicone lining of the lids to ensure a deeper clean.
RELIABILITY
OXO uses borosilicate glass which is more reliable than the average glass. Borosilicate is shown to be less sensitive to temperature changes, meaning the freezing temperature of your freezer or an extremely hot oven is less likely to cause the glass to crack or shatter. On top of this, the thickness of the glass is extremely reliable. I have accidentally dropped the containers on hard surfaces which left no cracks or breaks in the glass.
The next place where these containers thrive is the lid seal. Throughout my life, I have dealt with cheap plastic containers where liquid easily escapes the threads or seal of a lid. Having a sticky or oily liquid leak all over my lunch bag or car is extremely annoying and messy. Not once has the seal of the Smart Seal containers broken. I am very satisfied with how reliable the seal has been.
The one downside I have found is that the lid on my 2 cup round container does not easily lock into place. At first I thought it may have been user error, but none of the other lids and containers have given me an issue. The four locking tabs for some reason do not easily stay attached to the glass rim. When I do manage to get all four locked, one of the tabs will randomly pop up. With that being said, this container has still never leaked even with just 3 of the 4 tabs in place.
PROS & CONS
Pros:
Variety of container shapes and sizes
Leak proof
Borosilicate glass (temperature resistant)
Thick glass (drop resistant)
Microwave & Dishwasher safe containers
Cons:
Price
Hand Wash plastic lids
1 defective lid
CONCLUSION
Although containers are not what I would categorize as “kitchen gadgets,” I believe storage containers are an integral part of keeping your kitchen clean and organized. Whether for meal prepping, storing leftovers, or keeping snacks fresh, having a set of reliable containers will make your life so much easier. Not only do reusable glass containers contribute positively to your everyday life, but they have a positive impact on our planet. Reusable containers contribute to less waste than single use plastic. Single use plastic bags can take up to two decades to decompose, while plastic containers may take up to five hundred years - these items can also melt in your microwave and may not be dishwasher safe. Glass containers are microwave and dishwasher safe and can be reused for years!
The OXO containers are extremely reliable and have withstood the test of time, temperature, and occasional drop. Although they may be a little pricey up front, they are an investment for years and years of use. I highly recommend the OXO Smart Seal glass containers for any one looking for dependable, high quality kitchenware.