The main downfall is that the price point makes them not as easily accessible as their competitors, or even, shall I say, a disposable Ziploc bag. I knew that making the switch to silicone storage bags would be easier on the environment. Zip Top's reusable silicone bags come in two sizes: Sandwich and Snack. Read on for my full Stasher Bag review after owning and using them frequently for the past two years. If this happens, let your Stasher bathe in some vinegar or boiling water to sanitize. Select is editorially independent. First things first:Do not turn your Stasher bag inside out. They usually arent leakproof, though, and arent safe to use in the oven or microwave. I just got a new dishwasher, so I was hoping hand washing and putting it in the dishwasher would be sufficient. I stumbled upon a video detailing how to make popcorn in a Stasher Bag and immediately tried it. Stasher bags are designed to help people cut back or completely eliminate the use of single-use plastic bags in their homes, the brand says. However, during my testing I washed mine in the dishwasher (on the top rack) multiple times. You can also fit a few soda cans or mini water bottles in this bag, which Ive found works well for picnics, camping and hikes. Leaky food storage bags can be a big inconvenience. Theres also no zipper to worry about breaking, which was one of my biggest complaints when I tried other reusable silicone bags. I own all shapes, sizes and colors, and turn to them to bring food on the go and store it in the fridge and in the freezer. And it took me no time at all to realize theres no better way to store raw meat than inside a lavender midsize Stasher. It wasnt long before I had filled my lime green reusable gallon bag with dozens of cookie dough balls destined for the freezer and an aqua-hued sandwich Stasher with crackers from a half-eaten charcuterie board. Zoe Malin is a digital editorial intern for Select on NBC News. Or put the bag in the fridge over night. Send your new Stasher bags straight into the sous vide hot tub. Dishwasher-, microwave-, freezer-, and oven-safe, Not dishwasher-, microwave-, or oven-safe. Snack- and pocket-size Stasher bags meant I was no longer wasting half-cans of tomato paste or the last chipotle in adobo. Your Stasher bags can last fordecadesas long as you treat them right. It's got a greasy residue from cooking oils and it's even taken on a stain. This budget Amazon option performed just as well as pricier brand-name bags and costs much less per bag. Ive found that it can be helpful to put your phone in the bag if youre commuting in the rain, using your tech at the beach or texting while poolside. But I dragged my feet. PEVA is cheaper than silicone but less versatile. Not for me. Some are dishwasher-safe on the top rack on low heat. The brand also says its products meet all U.S. and Canadian food safety standards. We promise it's not as time consuming as it sounds! The baking soda will help with stains and smells, the vinegar will kill bacteria, and the lemon juice will cut grease while leaving a fresh scent. What do you suggest for that? Parents who want to brighten up their kids lunchbox, look no further. And, if you are like me, if it cannot be washed easily and thrown in the dishwasher without causing any problems, then it is not worth my time! For this, I am not going to suggest a knock-off version of the Stasher bag, because (1) there are too many to try, and (2) the far cheaper alternatives do not lie in a reusable bag. ), your Stasher bags can go straight in the dishwasher! For typical sandwiches and snacks, however, I didnt need this feature. Microwave a stand-up bag filled with last nights chicken tagine and basmati, leaving it half-open for optimal ventilation and half-closed to contain splatters and keep that meat moist. They come in a multitude of shapes, colors and sizes and are advertised as being freezer, dishwasher, oven and microwave safe. I bought a small, low-profile drying rack that fits in my kitchen drawers and use it to line up my Stasher bags according to size. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. If you clean Stasher bags in the dishwasher or sometimes when you let them air dry, you can get water spots on the silicone. It took forever to make eggs sous vide. They might be good for boiling up a home fixed meal when camping, too, especially on backpacks where fires are not allowed. So, upon receiving the bags, I filled each with water, closed it, then turned it upside down and shook it vigorously to see whether or not any water came out. Maybe if they become more popular the cost will decrease. The Kaizen bags look and feel like a knock-off version of the pricier (re)zip bags, reviewed below. Hi, I'm Megan! Love for sous vide and like microwaving greens in the standup bags. As youd expect, these reusable zipper bags will run you a few more bucks than standard single-use plastic bags, but the investment is worth itand over at Amazon, Stasher bags are 30% off during Prime Day. Using the first dishwasher that was not as nice, the bags never dried during the drying cycle, so I had to let them air dry after running them through the dishwasher and it took about a day to get them fully dry and ready for their next use. But don'tworry! Theres no denying that Instagram influenced me to buy my first Stasher bag. When testing out this product, I used them for just that and anything else that I could think of. It can be used as a standard sandwich or snack bag, of course, and its also safe to use in the oven (up to 400F), freezer, microwave, and for sous-vide cooking. IE 11 is not supported. Both brands bags are 100% PEVA. The main downside to the Stasher bags is their price. As I mentioned previously, peanut butter and raw cookie dough are not good ideas. Here are some highly rated options that are microwave-, dishwasher- and freezer-safe. Also, I found it to be one of the easiest bags to hand wash. Those planning to store all sorts of food in their reusable lunch bag shouldnt get this one; youll eventually be limited by its lack of versatility. Yes. I would avoid storing any of the stickier food items in the bags. My current obsession is DIY solar power projects, which I've been building since 2020. Stashets are a hefty investment I think well be there way of the future. Set the bag on your drying rack or towel dry by hand for best results. Tip: When drying your reusable sandwich bag, place a glass upside down on your dish drying rack then place the bag upside down over the glass. Typically I put 2 breasts in a Ziplock bag and then put the bag in a bowl of cold water, changing it every 20 min. Does you friend handwash, boil, then dishwash? Fortunately, burping the bag by squeezing the air out is an easy workaround. While Ive been burnt in the past on budget Amazon brands, this is one that performs its basic task well and that I feel comfortable recommending. For example, I was asked about storing chocolates and cut avocado in the bags. The bags also feature a leak-proof seal, according to the brand, and the smaller bag nests into the larger one. Come ON! The colors are nice, but you never know if the colors you see online are the actual colors they are when they arrive, and I wanted my husband to have no excuses to use them! The brand says that toxic chemicals won't leak into the bags contents when heated (to a limit of 425 degrees Fahrenheit), which is why you can cook with Stasher bags in the oven, microwave or even in boiling water over the stovetop, according to the brand. While I knew that it would take long-term systemic environmental progress to safeguard the future of our planet, I also knew the least I could do was curb my dependence on wasteful plastic products. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Cond Nast. The silicone and PEVA bags I tested are all leakproof. It made it easy to carry moist foods, such as washed grapes, without having to worry about the bag leaking in my backpack. I wanted to test these claims. Stasher says platinum silicone is safe for food, as are the colorants used to give the bags their vibrant hues. The seal easily closes when you pinch it together Ive never had any trouble closing my bags. The bag is available in Pink, Green and Clear. Admittedly, popcorn is still my go-to, but cooking with Stasher bags has simplified and streamlined my weeknight meals. Apply your mixture all over the inside of your Stasher and let it soak for 20-30 minutes. You can stack multiple bags on top of each other, too. The (re)zip bags are similar in look and feel to regular sandwich bags. These leakproof bags are an excellent budget option for those who simply need some bags to store snacks and sandwiches. Theyre BPA-free, PVC-free, and plastic-free. Nuts and dried fruit. I am going on two years of using mine (although not daily use) and they are still in great condition. The Stasher Reusable Silicone Bag won me over with its versatility and durability. Copyright 2022 Footprint Hero LLC. Almost too expensive to buy for just freezing some meat. If you search for Stasher bags on Amazon or any other marketplace, you will see that there are a lot of different options for reusable storage bags. After each test, I visually inspected the bags for warping or damage. They are a good conversation starter (just like any reusable product that is new to the market)! You are using a reusable product and are eliminating waste, The Stasher bags can successfully store food in the freezer, The bags have sturdy zipper seals on them, They are really expensive (especially compared to disposable plastic bags), Depending on your dishwasher, they can be hard to/take forever to dry, Depending on what you put in them, they can be hard to clean (whether by hand and/or in the dishwasher), It is hard to keep sandwiches together in both the sandwich and stand-up bags.

The Stasher Stand-Up Bag quickly became my go-to reusable bag for large amounts of food. The seller doesnt recommend putting them in the dishwasher, though. (It's always good to have the tools for the worst case scenario!) Once you get liquids involved, it is a lot more difficult to clean the bags. Polyester and polyester blends are mostly used to make reusable sandwich bags with fun and colorful patterns. Avoid using or cleaning knives near your Stashers. If youre thinking about investing in Stasher bags, we broke down everything you need to know about the brand and its offerings. I also store makeup and pet supplies in Stasher bags, and Ive learned how to use them to cook. Another word about that sealStasher bags close so tightly (shout-out to the airtight Pinch-Loc seal technology) that they double as leakproof freezer bags, and you can even sous vide in them.