Progressive International Prepworks Plastic Flour & Sugar Canisters, 6-Piece

Canister sets make for wonderful home organization tools, and they can be used in any room of your house. If you plan to use them to store dry food, choose ones designed for this purpose; they should have airtight seals. Clear ones are ideal when you want to know what is inside, but some are printed with words like “flour” or “coffee,” so you won’t have to guess.

Before buying, check to see how much space you have for the canisters. Some kitchen closets are small, so canisters that stack might be a good pick. These sets can be made from plastic, stainless steel, ceramic or other materials. Product descriptions should include item measurements and weights, so if you don’t want something too heavy, avoid ceramic and similar materials. Also, check to see if the containers you’re considering are dishwasher-safe; hand-washing and air-drying can be time-consuming.

• Some canisters are designed to hold specific amounts, like a five-pound bag of flour. This is helpful because you won’t have to fill it up as often. It will be heavier, though.
• See what size openings the canisters have. They should be large enough to fit a scoop or measuring cup if you plan to use them for flour, sugar and other similar kitchen essentials.
• When shopping for canisters to store food, one of the most important features is an airtight seal. See what kind of mechanism the seals have, too.
• Plastic can be easy to clean, but be sure to buy containers that are BPA-free.