Thanks for another nice deal Woot.

I had never heard of letterboxing until today. Sounds interesting....

http://www.letterboxing.info/articles/00000001.php

splott wrote:Why do they come in "round"? Who ever heard of a ROUND fridge or ROUND cabinets??

Round = easy to clean
Square = PITA to clean

I've been using for years. These are the best. The price is awesome. I use the larger containers for long term storage, sugar, flour, etc. The smaller ones for the fridge. I've only frozen sauce in them, but that worked out well. I WOULD SUGGEST vacuum sealing meats. These are the only plastic I would ever use.

These are excellent for geocache hides! They stand up well to the elements, and in Vermont, we've got plenty of elements!

I wish thes nested inside each other for storage like my larger sets of lock and lock, but I still love the product. Have used them for about 5 years.

These need to hurry up and sell out. I've had to stop myself from buying them like 5 times today. I don't know how much longer I can hold out.

Mom's gonna love these. No more re-using cool whip and butter tubs.

ahacker wrote:If you're concerned about the stains all you have to do is go to the dollar store and buy a jug of bleach to soak your containers in. Problem solved.

And if you don't like the toxicity of bleach, there is always oxyclean and it's many knockoffs.

schoolcb wrote:They are not in retail packaging, just gently packaged in a woot box.

Gently Packaged = Packed as tight as possible and label attached "Carrier, please drop/kick/throw me as much as you'd like"

Just introduced these to the chef living next to my parents house (if you know the Giant Eagle super markets in the PA 100 mile area of Pittsburgh - he is the chef that re-does all the Market District things).

He just stopped over with some soup (yummy). He and his wife cant stop complimenting about L&L (I got them a similar but smaller set as todays woot - which came around Christmas - and in a box all marked in Korean!!! Bonus!!!).

All the cooking folk around him cant wait to steal everything L&L from him so they really have to count and do pat downs.

Wishing this was one of those pyramid scheme things!

fjp999 wrote:- he is the chef that re-does all the Market District things)

As someone from Pittsburgh, I still have no idea what this means.

why do people like these? they don't stack well and they're too small. the only thing they've been good for has been storing small amounts of food for our toddler. out of the set, maybe 2 pieces are capable of being used as "regular tupperware". the terrible storage ability makes these more of a headache than they're worth. don't believe the hype.

I urge all Wooters to pass this one up. Not because these aren't good at what they do or aren't a great deal (I'm sure both are true), but generally you shouldn't prepare, store, cook in or serve on plastic. PLASTIC IS BAD. There are few absolutes in this world, but PLASTIC IS BAD is an absolute when it comes to food prep. BPAs are, I'm sure, just the tip of an iceberg science has yet to uncover.

Trust your grandparents! Trust their grandparents!! Use glass, steel, cast iron, and wood in your kitchen for all food-contact needs.

We have increasing problems with ADHD, autism, diabetes, obesity, etc etc. People have been looking for causes but haven't come up with anything definitive. But look at the correlation of the rise of all these problems and where the curve begins: back when plastic became a common household food prep material. I'm not a scientist, but I take no chances; I believe plastic is killing us and my kitchen is plastic free.

A REVIEW
I bought the smaller set a few months ago and so far, I'm impressed. I generally hate plastic storage ware because they retain smells and really hold on to grease (there's a scientific reason for this ... plastics are made from petroleum, and generally speaking, oil attracts oil). This probably isn't a problem if you have a dishwasher, but we hand wash and it often takes 2-3 scrubbings and rinses to clean a container. Well, these are surprisingly easy to clean and don't seem to retain odors as much. One container still smelled like garlic after scrubbing but the smells dissipated after a few days (don't cover). And they definitely don't discolor because of food, i.e. tomato sauce. And the locks prevent the broken nails I used to get from opening cheaper containers. So far, I'm impressed.

A HINT
Keep in mind these have an upper temperature limit of 210°F. Water reaches a rolling boil at 212°F. In other words, you can't cook in these, or even microwave anything to the point of a rolling boil.

Also keep in mind that foods high in oil or grease will heat higher than 212°F in a microwave. That can melt the plastic so monitor the container carefully. Once the food is reheated, stop the microwave. You can see the effects of overheating in styrofoam takeout boxes from salad bars. Microwaving often results in holes that are brown from frying in the heated oil.

Great deal and good price!!

crisdopher wrote:I urge all Wooters to pass this one up. Not because these aren't good at what they do or aren't a great deal (I'm sure both are true), but generally you shouldn't prepare, store, cook in or serve on plastic. PLASTIC IS BAD. There are few absolutes in this world, but PLASTIC IS BAD is an absolute when it comes to food prep. BPAs are, I'm sure, just the tip of an iceberg science has yet to uncover.

Trust your grandparents! Trust their grandparents!! Use glass, steel, cast iron, and wood in your kitchen for all food-contact needs.

We have increasing problems with ADHD, autism, diabetes, obesity, etc etc. People have been looking for causes but haven't come up with anything definitive. But look at the correlation of the rise of all these problems and where the curve begins: back when plastic became a common household food prep material. I'm not a scientist, but I take no chances; I believe plastic is killing us and my kitchen is plastic free.

Well, I am a scientist (Medical Researcher), and I don't have those reservations. The causal relationship between the illnesses you claim and plastic is tenuous at best, and non-existent at worst. No well-controlled study, for example, shows any causal relationship with obesity. Did you ever consider that plastic made it easier for people to store and have easy access to food, which might lead to more food consumption?

The time correlation you're trying to make is nonsensical. You can just as easily make such correlations with the increased use of sugar, the Television Age, prevalence of transistors, etc. What you ignore is the fact that many types of plastics, and many uses for plastic. The interior of your refrigerator, for example, contains plastic. Does your plastic-free kitchen have a refrigerator? How about bottle and jar lids? Most have a plastic lining to prevent rust and the interaction of food with bare metal. And how about your knives and cutting boards? Are you sure the wood wasn't bonded with artificial glues, i.e. silicone? Likewise for your sink, since most are sealed with silicone.

And how have you ensured that your store-bought foods did not use plastic in storage, preparation or transport? Many foods, for example, are fermented in plastic containers. The most authentic Jewish pickles are often stored in plastic vats on NY's famous Lower Eastside. And many butchers use plastic to store their meats in storage. And many food grade paper and cardboard, and paper bags use plastic glues as binder. As far as I know, there is no certification, including "organic," that guarantees the avoidance of plastic in all phases of its preparation.

In short, living a plastic-free life is nearly impossible and I have no qualms about judiciously using plastic for food -- just as I would any other material.

Got mine right before they sold out! Great deal

A HINT
If I'm storing very odorous or greasy foods, I sometimes line the container with cellophane wrap. It's even great for liquids like spaghetti sauce. The lid can go over the plastic, making storage still airtight. Simply throw out the wrap when the food is consumed. That way, there is no clean up of the container except for the lid.

A HINT
Looking for matching lids is easy because we color code the lids with color Sharpie™ markers. Basically, we draw a large color circle in the corner of the lids and containers. You can put a small piece of clear duct tape over the color dot if i gets rubbed off. It hasn't taken us more than 10-15 seconds to find a lid. We also store the lids in a plastic bag in the drawer so they stay together.

There is also no reason why you can't store these containers with their lids on or nearby. For example, several small containers with their lids on can fit inside the largest one, also with its lid on. That's how my mom does it.

A HINT
It's a good idea to take out the silicone gasket now and then to let them air out. Otherwise, water that is trapped inside can get moldy.

in for 1...great deal.

A lot of people complain that they don't stack. That's untrue since they stack on each other just fine. There are even ridges on the lids to prevent the top container from slipping off. See photo below. Perhaps you mean nesting, where you can put the containers in each other? That requires sloped sides.

There are two reasons not to make sloped edges, which would allow nesting. First, it weakens the sides. Second, it lessens the capacity of the container. It also makes Width x Length x Height measurements misleading and meaningless.

A HINT
If you have too little cabinet space but some spare fridge or freezer space, simply store the containers there. As a bonus. fill them with water before storage. That will save you energy because the chilled/frozen water will keep the interior cold without having to turn on the compressor. Plus, it can be a godsend if you have power outages.

A HINT
All plastics become softer and more pliable when heated. On the flip side, they get harder and more brittle when frozen. Some people have complained that their snaps have broken off. That may happen if the lids are just taken out of the freezer and the snap (specifically the crease) is still somewhat inflexible. I always warm the frozen lids under hot water before opening them. It takes about 5 seconds.

A HINT
When sealed oontainerss (including bags) are cooled, the air inside shrinks (remember the Ideal Gas Laws from high school?). Putting these containers with hot food directly into the freezer will create the most dramatic shrinkage. The shrinkage results in a vacuum so strong that the lids will often concave inward. That indicates a vacuum, making it very difficult to open. I've ripped several fingernails doing so. The solution is to submerge the container under hot running water. That expands the internal gases, getting rid of the vacuum.

As a bonus, it will soften the plastic, making the hinges less brittle when opening. See previous hint.

To you whiners who think that these will take up a lot of space. here's proof that they won't. Here is my 28 piece set, nestled together. Admittedly, 2 or 3 containers are missing because they are being used, including a large one. But that would probably be in the case in most household: at least 2 or 3 would be used at any given time.

As you can see, the entire unused set is just a bit longer than the 12" ruler. And the height is only about 10" -- probably lower if you placed the lids neatly. Again, you can store the lids separately, flat in a plastic bag.

A HINT
Always wipe the brim of the containers clean before locking on the lids. If there is grease on the brim, it will enter the lid's lip and gasket, which are hard to clean. It's especially tough if you hand wash since it's hard to squeeze a sponge in the small space. This applies to ALL plastic storage containers, not just these.

A HINT

SOme have complained that that the plastic lids warped after food is reheated too long. That can happen because these are rated for 210F, and foods with oil can get higher than that. But there's a solution.
You can often re-shape plastic by heating then rapid cooling. I've never had to do it with these containers but the process is simple.

1) Boil some water and have a large container of ice water nearby (cold running faucet water is also okay, but not as good).

2) Put the warped container in the boiling water for a few seconds. I usually do it for 5-10 secs but my attempts were on thin plastics and these containers are thick. Use your judgment.

3) Take it out (using heat proof gloves) and quickly reshape it until it looks even and balanced again. It helps to push it down on a table or counter. It may also help to put a lid on as a mold.

4) Quickly put in the ice water to cool so that the new shape takes hold, and solidifies.

You can probably also do this by boiling water in the container in a microwave.

HINT #2

Pour the water you just used down your drain while it's still near boiling hot. The heat will melt any grease and gunk stuck on your pipes. Quickly follow by running hot water from the faucet to wash all the dirt away from your drains.

sdc100 wrote:Well, I am a scientist (Medical Researcher), and I don't have those reservations. The causal relationship between the illnesses you claim and plastic is tenuous at best, and non-existent at worst. No well-controlled study, for example, shows any causal relationship with obesity. Did you ever consider that plastic made it easier for people to store and have easy access to food, which might lead to more food consumption?

The time correlation you're trying to make is nonsensical. You can just as easily make such correlations with the increased use of sugar, the Television Age, prevalence of transistors, etc. What you ignore is the fact that many types of plastics, and many uses for plastic. The interior of your refrigerator, for example, contains plastic. Does your plastic-free kitchen have a refrigerator? How about bottle and jar lids? Most have a plastic lining to prevent rust and the interaction of food with bare metal. And how about your knives and cutting boards? Are you sure the wood wasn't bonded with artificial glues, i.e. silicone? Likewise for your sink, since most are sealed with silicone.

And how have you ensured that your store-bought foods did not use plastic in storage, preparation or transport? Many foods, for example, are fermented in plastic containers. The most authentic Jewish pickles are often stored in plastic vats on NY's famous Lower Eastside. And many butchers use plastic to store their meats in storage. And many food grade paper and cardboard, and paper bags use plastic glues as binder. As far as I know, there is no certification, including "organic," that guarantees the avoidance of plastic in all phases of its preparation.

In short, living a plastic-free life is nearly impossible and I have no qualms about judiciously using plastic for food -- just as I would any other material.

I'm not arguing with you because you do make some good points. All I would say is that given how many chemicals go into making a plastic container I find it hard to believe that we found the one and only (BPA) that is harmful. I would also add that plastic does breakdown. There is nothing that can be done about it. It does break down and microscopic pieces will wind up in the food you eat. It is well established that contact with petroleum can cause all manner of health problems (certainly cancer). So how does it make sense to digest small pieces of something made from petroleum? Obviously you can't avoid plastic all together but you can lessen your exposure. If you have seen what crude oil looks and smells like and you know that it is the remains of long dead plants and animals, why would you then want it anywhere near your food?

sixiam wrote:As someone from Pittsburgh, I still have no idea what this means.

My Giant Eagle didnt have one of these Markets... They redesigned the whole store to put this area in. Now they serve freshly made full dinners, salads, soups, etc.

There are hot food bars, cold food bars, a sushi bar, a meat and cheese area with a specialist...

There is a nice area to sit down to eat/drink. They have a huge selection of beers there. The usual coffee, soda, regular drinks. It has a large screen TV and a fireplace.

As the chef, he set up the menu for the hot food section. They have a special where you can get a main course and two sides for $6 or $9 depending on the main... or anything can be purchased by the pound.

After he sets up the menu he goes onto the next Giant Eagle...

dwasifar wrote:You win one hundred internets.

I will invest them wisely...or store them in a BPA-free plastic container buried in my backyard.

mechanicalindian wrote:I'm not arguing with you because you do make some good points. All I would say is that given how many chemicals go into making a plastic container I find it hard to believe that we found the one and only (BPA) that is harmful. I would also add that plastic does breakdown. There is nothing that can be done about it. It does break down and microscopic pieces will wind up in the food you eat. It is well established that contact with petroleum can cause all manner of health problems (certainly cancer). So how does it make sense to digest small pieces of something made from petroleum? Obviously you can't avoid plastic all together but you can lessen your exposure. If you have seen what crude oil looks and smells like and you know that it is the remains of long dead plants and animals, why would you then want it anywhere near your food?

I thought our food was basically dead plants and animals anyway???

maybejet wrote:I thought our food was basically dead plants and animals anyway???

Yes.

Bought 2 last time around, in for 3 today.

mechanicalindian wrote:They sure are. And they taste great. But perhaps you have heard that things eventually rot and putrefy. You wouldn't want a putrid animal anywhere near your food. Why would you want what's left of something that died millions of years ago near it?

1) You need to go to a water treatment plant and see how water looks before it s filtered and purified. Ask the manager where the water comes from.

2) Look up the manufacture of salt, especially sea salt.

3) Look up natural farming, and see where the soil and fertilizers come from. And see how mushrooms and truffles feed.

4) Find out how many nutritional supplements are made, and the sources of their minerals.

5) Look up the food chain of fishes, who swim in an environment of their own feces and dead carcasses that has accumulated since the earliest signs of life.

6) Learn how wood is manufactured, and how the trees feed before they become harvested. Learn how roots absorb nutrient, and the source of those nutrients in the soil.

7) Finally, learn the refining process and how petroleum becomes plastic. Let's put it this way: Food grade plastic is MUCH further from unrefined petroleum than your dinner fish is from putrid carcasses. And educate yourself on the many types of plastic, i.e. food grade silicone, which is chemically inert and not made from petroleum.

sdc100 wrote:Well, I am a scientist (Medical Researcher), and I don't have those reservations. The causal relationship between the illnesses you claim and plastic is tenuous at best, and non-existent at worst. No well-controlled study, for example, shows any causal relationship with obesity.

I admit my summation of current research was sloppy. However, a lack of hard studies proving a causal link does NOT indicate the link doesn't exist. And only when people start noticing correlations and becoming suspicious (as was the case with lead paint, leaded gasoline, burning coal, etc) do the studies get done. The problem with any studies trying to narrow down causes of our recent spate of health problems is that we have so inundated our environments with possible causes that they're virtually impossible to separate.

sdc100 wrote:Did you ever consider that plastic made it easier for people to store and have easy access to food, which might lead to more food consumption?

Occam's Razor. Of course. But people have stored food for decades before plastic. I still buy aluminium foil and wax paper.

sdc100 wrote: What you ignore is the fact that many types of plastics, and many uses for plastic. The interior of your refrigerator, for example, contains plastic. Does your plastic-free kitchen have a refrigerator? How about bottle and jar lids? Most have a plastic lining to prevent rust and the interaction of food with bare metal. And how about your knives and cutting boards? Are you sure the wood wasn't bonded with artificial glues, i.e. silicone? Likewise for your sink, since most are sealed with silicone.

All considered and taken care of as far as currently possible. My food doesn't touch the inside of my refrigerator - it rests only in its original packaging or in glass containers. Nothing I can do about the rampant use of plastics in food packaging, but I can avoid using items or taking food prep steps that add to the body's plastic load.

ard13 wrote:Agreed!! Wonderful containers, but zero stacking capabilities. I was really surprised that anyone would make such an item and not make it stackable (nestable). If they would nest/stack I would buy another set. These things really seal well and are in great, usable sizes.

Considering the design, the thickness and the latches/rim it wouldn't stack well regardless, anyways half of mine are always in use anyways, so storage isn't a problem. whether rubbermaid or any other "nestable" they are flimsy and lack the features of these boxes, so i'm not sure why folks are complaining.

as for more practical sandwich box size you have to buy those separately, these are ones they can cram together in a big pack.

sdc100 wrote:1) You need to go to a water treatment plant and see how water looks before it s filtered and purified. Ask the manager where the water comes from.

2) Look up the manufacture of salt, especially sea salt.

3) Look up natural farming, and see where the soil and fertilizers come from. And see how mushrooms and truffles feed.

4) Find out how many nutritional supplements are made, and the sources of their minerals.

5) Look up the food chain of fishes, who swim in an environment of their own feces and dead carcasses that has accumulated since the earliest signs of life.

6) Learn how wood is manufactured, and how the trees feed before they become harvested. Learn how roots absorb nutrient, and the source of those nutrients in the soil.

7) Finally, learn the refining process and how petroleum becomes plastic. Let's put it this way: Food grade plastic is MUCH further from unrefined petroleum than your dinner fish is from putrid carcasses. And educate yourself on the many types of plastic, i.e. food grade silicone, which is chemically inert and not made from petroleum.

You'll notice you can't find my comment that you replied to because I retracted it almost immediately. Not sure how you still replied to it. I'm honestly more worried more about the chemicals that go into the manufacture of plastic. And the fact that they will eventually wind up in my body. like I said, it's hard to believe that BPA is the one and only harmful chemical in plastic. I would say the same about the chemicals that go into the manufacturing of many of the things you mentioned. I would not go so far as to single out plastic as the cause of all our problems as a previous poster did. But I don't think it's that crazy to suggest a link between the rise of the industrial age (with it's use of various known to be harmful chemicals and increased burning of fossil fuels) and the rise of health problems in the world. We put all kinds of things into our bodies today (on purpose and more often without knowing) that they were never meant to process. I simply think it's probably a good idea to try and keep it to a minimum.