These silicone lids are reusable, durable, and easy to clean. They can help cut back on waste, saving you money and time in the kitchen.
Silicone Food Covers For Reusable Kitchen Storage: What Are Silicone Food Covers and How Do They Work
One-third of all food in the United States goes uneaten. Food that's uneaten is essentially thrown out, wasted. This may be due to a number of reasons - including over-preparation and purchasing too much food. Beyond that, food can also spoil if it's not properly stored in the refrigerator or freezer.
To protect leftovers, most people use plastic wrap to cover food in bowls and other containers. Plastic wrap clings tightly to itself and is translucent. But it has some drawbacks: It can't be reused, it's difficult to maneuver, and it ends up in the trash. Instead - we tested silicone food covers that fit bowls and containers and can be used over and over again.
Benefits of Silicone Food Covers for Reducing Waste
Many foods have a shorter shelf life than we think they do. For example, "best by" dates aren't indications of food safety, but rather of peak quality. Use-by dates are when the manufacturer suggests you use the product for best quality. So, these dates may not indicate that the food is bad or unsafe to eat after that date.
Throwing away food isn't just wasteful for the environment, it's also expensive for individuals and families. The average U.S. household of four spends almost $3 -000 a year on food that's never eaten. By simply throwing away less food, a family of four could save up to $56 per week.
How Silicone Food Covers Compare to Plastic Wrap
Some of the best-performing silicone food covers we tested were made of a platinum-cured silicone that can be reused again and again. This type of silicone is naturally BPA-free and resistant to heat and tears. Plastic wrap, on the other hand, is intended for single-use only and can't be reused.
Although silicone covers are typically more expensive than a single roll of plastic wrap, they can save you money over time since they can be washed and reused. For example - over the course of five years, the cumulative expense of buying plastic wrap can easily range from $300 to $400, while a set of quality silicone stretch lids might cost around $26 initially.
Sealability, Durability, and Versatility Tested Head-To-Head
We tested four different types of reusable silicone food covers to evaluate how well they sealed various sizes of containers - how easy they were to use, and how durable and versatile they were. All of the silicone covers were given three stars or higher for being easy to use, washing well in the dishwasher, and being freezer safe. Three of the four were given three stars or higher for being heat resistant.
The top-rated GIR Suction Lids excelled at creating tight seals on containers. These round, shallow silicone lids stick to surfaces with minimal effort. We found that these silicone covers were slightly more versatile than the others we tested and could cover square and rectangular containers - along with round ones. Plus, they resisted stains and damage during our durability testing.
Are Reusable Silicone Food Covers Worth It
The short answer is yes. Not only are they environmentally friendly, but they will save you money in the long run. They're also easy to clean and reuse, which saves you time.
Our top-rated silicone food covers, the GIR Suction Lids - stored fruit salad as effectively as plastic wrap did. Their nearly round shapes covered bowls nicely and sealed a 12-inch skillet well. They fit a variety of containers, from mugs to large casserole dishes. The GIR Suction Lids are available in 4-, 6-, 8-, 10- - and 12.5-inch round models and are made of platinum-cured silicone.
