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PERFECT SEAL - grips snug and secure, yet easy to open

My two favorite types of PLASTIC food storage containers are: (1) these Rubbermaid Flex & Seal containers (which always have the blue edge on the lid), and (2) the Lock-n-Lock brand which has a gasket in the lid and four hinged flaps on the lid that lock onto the sides of the container.

Rubbermaid makes multiple lines of food storage containers, which vary in cost, durability, and security of lids. The Flex & Seal are the best quality, in my opinion anyway. We have owned several of this type, in various sizes, for 3+ years, and are very happy with them.

The lid always stays securely on the container, with NO leaking, ever. My husband takes leftovers (such as spaghetti and sauce) in one of these containers, tosses it into his backpack, carelessly throws the backpack into the car, and the lid never comes off or leaks. We have also taken these containers to picnics.

Yet when it is time to remove the lid, it is easy, because the edges of the lid are flexible and rubbery, and on one corner there is a little tab to grasp.

We have not tried any of the divided containers yet. I am guessing that if a divided container were thrown in a backpack, the food might not stay within its divided section.

No stains yet from tomato sauce, spaghetti sauce, etc.
We usually wash these containers and lids in the dishwasher, only on the top rack off course. They have not shrunk or warped or gotten misshapen in the dishwasher. The lids still work great after a trip through the dishwasher.

The container and the lid are stamped with an identifying letter, such as A or B or C, to aid in finding the right lid for the container. Some of the sizes look similar, so the identifiers are important.

When not in use, this rectangular container can be nested inside other rectangular Flex & Seal containers of the same size or larger size. Because the lids have a tab on one corner, they don’t nest as perfectly, but they are almost flat, and don’t take up much room anyway.

My own complaint or concern, is the same concern I have with all brands of plastic food storage containers. Just about all brands have instructions now that say the container may be used for REHEATING food in the microwave. They don’t say whether it is safe to COOK food in these containers in the microwave. Why not? Is there some danger? If there is, at what point is it dangerous? Some cooking is a lot like reheating. If we goof and overheat some leftovers too long, does something unsafe happen? Because of this unknown, I prefer to use glass containers to microwave. However, we still use these plastic containers when we want something that is easy to carry and won’t leak.

When someone used a sharp knife to cut servings, from food still in one of these containers, it left light scratches in the plastic; but that is to be expected from any see-thru plastic container, and the container remains usable and durable despite the scratches.

Overall great quality for a reasonable price.

Update (2/8/2012): This item is currently on sale here for the lowest price I’ve seen.

The featured review for this product, Rubbermaid FG5153RDBLUE Flex & Seal Rectangle 3.4-Cup Food Storage Container Kitchen Jan 10, 2006, was written by cynthia_colorado.

The average rating for this item is 3.7 out of 5 stars, according to 3 reviews.