What Kind Of Tupperware Is THE Best To Bungkus Ramadan Dinner?

All these different food containers to hold whatever food you’re craving for.

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The month of Ramadan is coming up, and that means lots and lots of food at Ramadan bazaars!

Of course, this also means a LOT of food that will be packed in flimsy plastic bags and disposable containers.

How many plastic bags, on average, do you throw away each time you bungkus food?
(Credit: Facebook)

But if you’re keen on trying to reduce your plastic waste, why not bungkus your iftar dinner in your own reusable containers? Here’s a simple cheat sheet to help you pack light and clean up efficiently:

1. Sturdy Plastic Containers

We’re not saying that ALL kinds of plastic containers are bad! If you have the reusable kind made of sturdy material, then this is THE easiest kind to carry around and use.

Everyone probably has at least a few lying at home.
(Credit: Envato)

However, everyone knows the pain of trying to wash an oily plastic container. As such, these are best used for non-oily appetizers such as kuih raya, fruits, or vegetables.

PROS:

Lightweight
Microwavable
Most are leak-proof

CONS:

Hard to clean oil stains
May have lingering smell
Some may leach toxins

2. Stainless Steel Containers

From tiffin carriers to stainless steel containers with rubber seal-locks, metal has long been used to hold food.

Plus, most tiffin carriers now are revamped to look extremely cute!
(Credit: Choo Choy May/Malay Mail)

Use these for oily food or curries as they do not stain or absorb smells if washed in time.

PROS:

Easy to clean
Relatively light
Can withstand being dropped (if you don’t mind dents)

CONS:

NOT microwavable
May forget about food inside (not transparent)
May leak with hot food

3. Tempered Glass Containers

Glass is a relatively divisive material for food containers, but it is sturdy and best for holding and heating up almost everything.

You can easily chuck your food into a microwave to heat it up immediately after you get home.
(Credit: Envato)

Glass does not stain or retain strong smells, which makes it best for holding stuff like thick curries or meat with gravy.

PROS:

Easily keep track of your food with its transparent body
Good quality tempered glass can withstand the microwave, oven, and steamer
Can be kept in the freezer

CONS:

Heavy, not quite convenient to carry around
Could shatter if dropped
Hot soups may leak as glass does not expand at the same rate as the rubber seal

The Verdict

For the Ramadan month, most people will be packing a lot of food home to eat within a short time. Most food will be able to stay warm for that period of time, so reheating food would not be such a big issue.

Stainless steel tiffin carriers make for simply carrying and easy cleanup.
(Credit: Envato)

However, navigating the crowded Ramadan bazaars and picking your favourite foods would be more important, which is why we think stainless steel containers are pretty awesome at getting your food home with you with no extra plastic waste.

Since they are quite light and washes out easily, they would be most suitable to use daily.

Still, all food containers are good containers as long as you get to reduce the waste of single-use plastics. So it might be a good time to dig around your kitchen cabinets for any Tupperware or food containers you’ve forgotten about!