Freshware Meal Prep Containers Review

If you’ve scrolled through any fitness pages on Instagram, or even checked out a community page such as r/MealPrepSunday, it’s likely that you’ve noticed what amounts to a black box with a side of rice and some steamed veggies inside.

Freshware Meal Prep Containers [50 Pack] 1 Compartment with Lids,…

• ✅ SAVE TIME & MONEY: 50-Pack of Bento Boxes features 1 compartments in one container. Each meal prep container can store…
• ✅ HEALTHY MEAL EVERYWHERE: Featuring food storage containers with portion control to help keep your meal prep plan and l…
• ✅ PREMIUM QUALITY & DESIGN: Most meal prep containers don’t last for a long time. They crack after a few uses or melt in…

$20.72

Buy on Amazon

But let’s face it. When you pay for a pack of 50 containers for a cheap price, you’re certainly not expecting fine china. The big question is: can these containers be reusable at all? Or are these just high-end takeout containers that melt in your microwave?

We have examined the use of the containers from bodybuilding forums and meal prep groups to determine whether the Freshware 1-Compartment Containers withstand the weekly routine.

The Lifespan: Reusable or Disposable?

The marketing promise is “reusable,” but reality is “semi-disposable.”

• The Cycle Count: Many have found that the ‘sweet spot’ for these bins is somewhere between 10 to 30 dishwasher cycles. At this point, the plastic can become fatigued.
• The Point of Failure: Unlike glass, which lasts for eternity, these will suddenly develop corner cracks or the top clasps can be expected to pop off after numerous heating and cooling cycles.
• The Strategy: Most people treat them as “fancy disposables.” You reuse them for a month or two; then when one breaks or becomes too gross, you throw it away guilt-free since they only cost pennies per item.

Will It Melt Your Lunch? (Microwave Test)

“Pitting” greasy foods melting tiny holes into the plastic has always been a negative thing associated with low-cost black plastic.

The Verdict: Freshware is made with Polypropylene (PP) with surprisingly good heat resistance (up to ~320°F).

• Dry Food: They are perfect to reheat rice, chicken, and veggies.
• Greasy Foods: While superior to dollar store brands, very greasy sauces will, on occasion, alter the plastic texture slightly upon nuking.
• Safety: They are BPA-free, which is the minimum standard, and they do not warp into an unusable form after a 2-minute heating like thinner brands.

Backpack Hazard: Soup vs. Chicken

This is where one can see the value of a $1 pot versus a $10 pot.

Solid Foods Only When packing grilled chicken, pasta, or a salad, the containers close up tightly. They store well stacked together in a refrigerator and don’t spring open when left inside a lunch bag.

The “Upside Down” Risk Do not use these containers with any kind of liquid. It is not safe because there is no silicone gasket. If you fill this container with a cup of tomato soup, then toss it in a backpack, you can expect to ruin the bag. Reddit reviewers have made it a point to state these containers may not be water-tight.

The “Dead on Arrival” Risk

When you pack 50 thin plastic shells in a cardboard box, physics occurs.

• Shipping Reality: One thing you will notice about Amazon and Woot’s services is that it seems like the bottom 3 to 5 boxes in any stack always arrive broken.
• Expectation Management: When you buy a 50-pack, you’re really paying extra for a “45-pack.” It’s well documented that it’s a problem with the shipping. If you get them all in one piece, then you’re lucky.

Freezer Performance: Handle with Care

Can you freeze a week’s worth of chili in these? Yes, but there’s a catch. Polypropylene becomes brittle at freezing temperatures.

• The Danger Zone: If you remove the frozen container from the freezer and attempt to open the lid by the corner immediately, the lid will snap.
• The Fix: Leave it on the counter for 60 seconds or use warm water on the edge of the lid to open. So long as you handle them gently, they endure the freezer just fine.

Final Verdict: Who Should Buy This?

Buy Freshware 50-Pack If:

• You are a Meal Prepper: You prepare 10 meals simultaneously and require all of them to stack perfectly inside the refrigerator.
• You Hate Doing Dishes: You can leave a container at work or it gets so filthy that it can’t be cleaned – then throw it away when it suits you.
• You Eat “Dry” Meals: Your diet is comprised of solid foods (proteins, carbs, veggies).

Skip It (And Buy Glass) If:

• You Carry Soup: These will leak. Period.
• You Want “Buy It For Life”: These are consumables. You will replace the set in a year.
• You use High Heat: If you reheat lasagna or oily curries on a frequent basis, glass is a safer and non-staining choice.

Finally, if you’re going to be cooking in large quantities, then hands down, Freshware is the way to go as far as “bang for your buck.” Just don’t expect them to be family heirlooms.

read more: Is Rubbermaid Brilliance Glass Food Storage Review Microwave Safe?