7 Zero Waste Snacks for School

That pot of warm chili still steaming on the stove—should you let it cool completely before putting it in the fridge? The answer may surprise you—and it matters more than you think. A Common Kitchen Habit That Deserves a Second Look After dinner, there's a bit of leftover mac and cheese or chicken stew still warm in the pot. Maybe you’ve been told, “Let it cool first—it’ll spoil if you put it in the fridge hot.” This advice is incredibly common—but also scientifically outdated. In fact, food safety experts now recommend the opposite: refrigerating hot food properly and promptly is actually the safest approach. Why Waiting Can Do More Harm Than Good Many people hesitate to refrigerate hot food out of two concerns:First, that it might “damage the fridge” or overwork the compressor.Second, that it could raise the temperature inside the fridge and spoil other items, like dairy or leftovers. These concerns stem from older appliance limitations and well-meaning family traditions—but today, they can do more harm than good. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), food kept between 40°F and 140°F (4°C to 60°C)—the so-called “Danger Zone”—allows bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli to grow rapidly.Leaving cooked food at room temperature for more than two hours (or one hour if above 90°F) significantly increases the risk of foodborne illness. As food safety advisor Meredith Carothers (USDA FSIS) told Simply Recipes: “Waiting for food to fully cool before refrigeration can significantly raise the risk of bacterial contamination.” In short, the danger isn’t putting food in the fridge too soon—it’s waiting too long. Yes, You Can Put Hot Food in the Fridge—If You Do It Right Modern refrigerators are built to handle small amounts of hot food without issue, especially when you use the right method. The key is not whether the food is warm—it’s how you cool and store it. To refrigerate hot food safely: Portion it out into shallow containers or food-safe silicone bags to help it cool quickly. Let it steam off briefly (about 5–10 minutes), but don’t wait for it to cool completely. Leave the lid slightly ajar at first to allow excess moisture to escape. Place it in the fridge with space around it for air circulation. By using these simple practices, you help the food move quickly out of the “Danger Zone” and into safe storage conditions—preserving freshness and protecting health. The Right Tools Make All the Difference At Durbl, we believe storing food safely shouldn’t be complicated or wasteful. That’s why our platinum-grade silicone storage bags are designed to support modern food safety habits without compromising sustainability. Here’s how Durbl bags are built for hot food storage: Heat resistant (-40°C to 230°C / -40°F to 446°F) — perfect for chili, roasted veggies, meat sauce, and more Flat-bottom design for quick cooling — bags stand upright or lay flat to spread heat evenly Multiple sizes (Quart, Half Gallon, Gallon) — great for portioning leftovers Easy seal with optional venting — allows steam to escape before sealing tight Reusable & dishwasher safe — better for the planet, better for your wallet Cooked a batch of pasta Bolognese?Divide it into a few Durbl Half Gallon bags, let it sit open for a few minutes, then pop them in the fridge. Your sauce cools fast, your fridge stays efficient, and your next meal is just a warm-up away. Safe Storage Is Also a Sustainable Choice Refrigerating hot food the right way isn’t just a smart move for your health—it’s also a step toward a more sustainable kitchen. By switching from disposable plastic to long-lasting, non-toxic silicone, you're helping reduce waste and minimize the environmental footprint of everyday habits. And when you combine safe food storage with reusable containers, you’re not just protecting leftovers—you’re protecting what matters. Can hot food go directly into the fridge?Yes—and in most cases, it should. Outdated food myths can put your health at risk. With the right storage habits and the right tools, like Durbl bags, you can confidently preserve meals without compromising safety or sustainability. Your fridge can handle it. So can your food.And with Durbl, your kitchen just got a whole lot smarter.

Learn how to properly use and clean your Durbl bamboo drying rack with this simple, step-by-step guide. Discover easy care tips to keep your rack fresh, durable, and beautiful—while supporting a more sustainable lifestyle.

As more people embrace low-waste living, reusable silicone storage bags have quickly become a kitchen essential. Safe, durable, and endlessly versatile, they’re ideal for everything from packing lunches to freezing soup to sous vide cooking. With many options on the market, how do you know which silicone bag is right for you? To help you make the best choice, we’ve compared popular silicone bags — including our own Durbl Half Gallon and Sandwich Bags — across six key dimensions: seal strength, material feel, ease of use, cleaning convenience, value, and temperature performance.   Seal Strength That Actually Holds Some silicone bags use press-and-pin seals or minimalist one-piece designs. While these may work well for dry snacks or kids’ lunches, they can struggle with leak resistance under pressure or tilt. Durbl bags feature a wide, double-layer seal with a satisfying “click” when closed — offering exceptional leak protection. Whether you're storing soups, marinated meats, or leftovers for the freezer, you can count on it to stay sealed.  Thickness & Feel: Structured vs. Foldable Not all silicone feels the same. Some bags are ultra-soft and thin, which makes them easy to fold — but also prone to stretching or even tearing over time. Others are thick and self-standing, but rigid and hard to store. Durbl strikes a thoughtful balance with medium-thick, platinum-grade silicone: soft and flexible enough to fold, yet sturdy enough to hold shape on your countertop. Ease of Use: Open, Grab, Go One frustration with some bags? Trying to hold open a collapsing pouch while your other hand fumbles with food. Some thinner designs require both hands to operate smoothly. Durbl bags naturally stay open just enough for you to add or remove food easily — even with one hand. That makes them especially handy in busy kitchens or during meal prep. Cleaning Made Easy Some silicone bags collapse in the dishwasher or develop cleaning dead zones. Others are hard to flip inside out, making hand-washing a hassle. Durbl bags are fully invertible, with a smooth interior that rinses clean quickly — and they dry fast, too. Whether you're scrubbing by hand or running the dishwasher, cleanup is always simple. Everyday Value, Without Compromise Premium silicone bags can be surprisingly expensive — especially if you want to buy several for your pantry, freezer, and lunch kits. And while some brands focus on color variety or aesthetics, that doesn’t always translate into durability. Durbl is built for daily, long-term use and priced for practical households. With bundled sets and generous sizing, it’s easy to replace your entire drawer of disposable plastic bags at a reasonable cost.  Ready for Heat, Cold, and Everything in Between All high-quality silicone bags should work in the freezer, microwave, and dishwasher. But in practice, some go soft and slippery when heated, while others become stiff and hard to grip. Durbl bags maintain a consistent, comfortable texture across temperature extremes — from frozen to microwaved. No slipping, no sagging, no stiffness. At a Glance: How Durbl Stands Out Feature Durbl Reusable Bags Leak Resistance ✅ Excellent for liquids and marinated foods Material Feel ✅ Soft, sturdy, foldable One-Hand Usability ✅ Easy to open and grab from Cleaning ✅ Invertible, quick-drying Value ✅ High performance, family-friendly price Heat/Freeze Durability ✅ Handles temperature changes with ease Choose What Works for You There’s no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to sustainable living. If you value a leak-proof seal, easy cleaning, and long-term performance at a practical price, Durbl may just be your perfect everyday solution. 👉 Ready to upgrade your storage routine?Explore Durbl Half Gallon and Sandwich Bags → [Shop Now]