Durbl Life Stories

Silicone and plastic are common for food storage containers. Silicone, being flexible, durable, non-toxic, hypoallergenic, and heat-resistant, outperforms plastic. Using reusable silicone food storage bags educes environmental impact compared to plastic. Choose silicone for better food protection and sustainability. Embrace the "silicone era"!

You've probably noticed that our products are plastic-free and BPA-free. But what does BPA-free mean? BPA, or Bisphenol A, has raised concerns over the past few years.  You might be wondering what it is and why its absence is significant. Let's explore what BPA is, how it affects you and your family, and the importance of using BPA-free food storage. What is BPA? BPA is a widely used compound in plastics, found in items like reusable water bottles. BPA was widely used because it makes products stronger. But, it can mess with hormones and is risky for human growth, especially in babies and kids. It's linked to problems like higher blood pressure and type 2 diabetes, and it's also bad for the environment. BPA-free means a product is manufactured without Bisphenol A. As worries about BPA getting into food and drinks increased, many makers promised to stop using BPA. But, just because something is BPA-free doesn't mean it's totally safe. Other chemicals like Bisphenol S (BPS) and Bisphenol F (BPF) might also be risky. If you're concerned about BPA, you can take steps to reduce your exposure: Choose BPA-Free Products: Buy items labeled "BPA-Free," especially for food and beverage containers. Avoid Plastic Containers: Use glass, stainless steel, or ceramic containers whenever possible, especially when heating food. Don't Microwave Plastic: Avoid using plastic containers in the microwave, as high heat can cause BPA to release. Limit Canned Foods: Many canned foods have BPA in their lining. Opt for fresh or frozen foods to reduce exposure. Check Plastic Codes: Avoid plastics marked with “PC” or recycling code 7, as these may contain BPA. At Durbl, our products are all free from BPA for your health and safety. We use food-safe silicone, not plastic, for our silicone bags and lunch containers. This material is safe, doesn't smell, and handles temperatures from -48 to 250 ℃. You can use them in ovens, microwaves, and dishwashers without worry. Our BPA-free lunch containers are made from food-grade silicone. Durable and collapsible, they save 50% space when not in use. You can refrigerate yogurt or heat lunch in the microwave. For a great lunch box set, consider our fold-up containers-3Pack.

Durbl Bags are the ultimate travel companion, offering eco-friendly, space-saving storage solutions. Their waterproof, moisture-proof, and reusable design keeps your belongings organized and dry. Perfect for clothing, electronics, and personal items, these bags enhance your travel experience by promoting a responsible way of traveling.

If you enjoy cooking, packing lunches, or storing leftovers, you'll understand the importance of reliable food storage containers. Food storage containers are essential kitchen items in various sizes, materials, shapes, and designs. Choosing an eco-friendly, durable, and well-suited container or bag to your needs is your best bet. We've compiled this guide to help you save time and ease confusion. Keep reading! Safety of Food Storage Containers When choosing food storage containers, consider the following safety aspects: ● Material safety: Ensure that the containers are made from food-grade safe materials, avoiding those with harmful chemicals, phthalates, or lead. ● Heat resistance: Ensure they are heat-resistant and labelled as microwave or oven-safe. Some plastics may melt or release chemicals when heated.● Sealability: Containers with good seals are preferable as they keep food fresh longer and prevent leaks and contamination.● Freezer suitability: Ensure they are freezer-safe and capable of withstanding low temperatures without cracking.● Easy to clean: Containers should be easy to clean, without intricate designs that can harbour bacteria. convenience.● Transparency: Seeing the contents without opening the container reduces the chances of forgetting food and letting it spoil. Plastic Food Storage Bags or Containers Pros: ● Lightweight and easy to carry and store.● Durable, less prone to breaking or shattering.● Generally more affordable compared to glass, metal, or silicone containers. Cons: ● May contain chemicals that can leach into food, especially at high temperatures.● Poor heat resistance, may melt or deform at high temperatures.● Sealing performance of plastic containers may be subpar, affecting food freshness.● Prone to staining and absorbing odors, challenging to clean thoroughly. If you genuinely prefer plastic containers for their affordability and durability, opt for BPA-free options to minimize health and environmental risks. Avoid using plastic containers in high-temperature environments like microwaves or ovens to reduce the release of microplastics into your food. Glass Food Storage Containers Pros: ● Glass is a very safe material, free from harmful chemicals like BPA.● Non-absorbent glass surfaces do not retain food odors or stains, making them easy to clean.● Glass containers are typically heat-resistant and safe for use in microwaves, ovens, and dishwashers.● Environmentally friendly and sustainable, as glass containers can be reused. Cons: ● Fragile and prone to breaking if dropped.● Heavier than plastic or silicone, making them less portable.● Higher cost compared to plastic or silicone containers.● Some types of glass containers may be sensitive to rapid temperature changes, leading to breakage. Glass food storage containers are favoured by those seeking durability and sustainability. They also do not stain or retain any odours, a significant reason many choose them over plastic. However, they are more prone to breaking. Silicone Food Storage Bags or Containers Pros: ● Eco-friendly and reusable, promoting environmental sustainability.● Heat and cold-resistant, suitable for freezing and microwave heating.● Excellent sealing capabilities, keeping food fresh longer.● Flexible and space-saving, as silicone containers can be folded when empty.● Chemically resistant, less likely to absorb odors or stains compared to plastics. Cons: ● Generally higher in price compared to plastics or fabric materials.● Occasionally challenging to clean thoroughly, especially when dealing with oils and pigments.● May not be as scratch-resistant as hard plastics or glass. In summary, silicone food storage bags or containers are popular for their eco-friendliness, durability, and versatility. However, for those who are sensitive to slight odour retention, they may not be the ideal choice. Still, choosing silicone food storage containers has many benefits, allowing you to overlook minor drawbacks: 1. Non-toxic materials, BPA-Free.2. Multi-functional, safe for use in the temperature range of -40°C to 230°C, safe for refrigerator, dishwasher, and microwave.3. Durability can be reused multiple times.4. Aesthetically pleasing: Silicone containers come in various designs and colours, making them an excellent addition to any kitchen decor. How to Clean and Maintain Silicone Bags and Containers: 1. Do not turn the durable bag inside out.2. To air dry, stand the bag up on a cup or mug.3. Wash with warm, soapy water.4. Eliminate smells by soaking in a 50/50 water and vinegar mixture.5. Gently scrub with a brush to remove built-up debris. Why Choose Durbl Silicone Food Containers and Bags?Our food storage sets are made from food-grade platinum silicone, safe for dishwasher use, suitable for heating in the oven and freezing in the refrigerator, and versatile for various purposes. They come in different sizes and designs to meet your kitchen and lifestyle needs. If you're interested in eco-friendly and sustainable kitchen aids, Durbl silicone bags and containers are your perfect choice.

Reducing non-plastic waste is central to the "Durbl: More Uses, Less Waste" philosophy. In the United States, about one-third of the food valued at $161 billion goes to waste. If you're becoming more aware of food waste, you're looking for ways to reduce it, from perishable produce to leftovers. But what do you do when your vegetables, meat, and fruits aren't spoiled yet and stored in the best way to extend their shelf life? We've gathered some recipes and methods to help you reduce waste and protect your wallet!Meat and Protein Make Meat Sauces or Fillings: Grind or chop leftover meats and store them in reusable silicone containers and bags, ready to be used as filling for pies or as a sauce for pasta. Add to Soups: Enhance the flavour of vegetable or bean soups by adding leftover meat. Prepare Meat Salads: Dice the meat and mix it with vegetables in a silicone container or bag, then toss with salad dressing. Vegetables Cook Vegetable Soup: Boil leftover vegetables to make a nutritious soup. Bake Veggies: Slice vegetables, season them, and bake to create healthy snacks. Create Salads: Chop fresh or cooked vegetables and mix them with dressing for a quick salad. Fruits Fruit Salads: Cut various fruits into small pieces and combine them. Bake Desserts: Use fruits to make jams, pies, or cakes. Make Smoothies or Juices: Blend fruits with ice to make refreshing drinks. Always pay attention to food safety and expiration dates when handling leftovers to ensure they are fresh and safe. These methods not only help reduce food waste but also allow you to enjoy a variety of delicious foods. In addition to creatively reusing leftovers, controlling your purchasing habits and proper storage in everyday life are essential to protect natural resources and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.Plan Your Shopping List  Prepare a shopping list before you go to the supermarket, considering what meals you plan to make next week and how much of each ingredient you'll need. Check your fridge and pantry before leaving, and stick to your list at the store to avoid impulse buys and potential food waste.Proper Food Storage  Store fruits, vegetables, and meats in durable, reusable silicone bags instead of plastic bags, then place them in the appropriate sections of your fridge to keep them fresh longer. Use mesh shopping bags as an alternative to plastic bags. Storage Tips Choose the Right Size: Pick the appropriate size of storage containers or bags to avoid wasting space. Label Dates: Mark the date on food storage bags to track freshness. Store at Proper Temperatures: Store foods at room temperature, in the fridge or freezer, as appropriate. Prevent Cross-Contamination: Store raw and cooked foods separately to prevent bacteria from spreading. Clean Regularly: Keep silicone food storage bags clean and sanitize them regularly. Reducing food waste is also crucial for protecting the environment and your finances. Check out durbl.com for more sustainable containers and bags to help you start a zero-waste lifestyle with "more uses, less waste" products.

Sous vide: This is not just a mysterious cooking method reserved for top chef contestants. Although it may seem scary initially, we are here to tell you that you don't need a cooking degree to cook at home. But let's support it and gain a deeper understanding of what vacuum cooking is all about.Sous vide is known for its precise cooking, ranging from perfect protein to vegetables. The best part is that it is simple and easy, especially when using Durbl bags and containers. Let's have a deeper understanding of the significance of vacuum cooking. What is sous vide? Sous vide is a cooking method that involves sealing food in a vacuum-sealed bag and cooking it at a precise and consistently low temperature in a water bath. This cooking technique is known for its ability to produce food with precise doneness and enhanced flavors.Due to the proteins being sealed in a bag along with the sauce or marinade, they are slowly and gently heated to the temperature of the water. This process aids in breaking down the food, making it more tender, and is an exact cooking method that yields consistent results. How do you start your sous vide? Preparing Ingredients: Choose the ingredients for cooking and process them appropriately, such as cutting into pieces, marinating, or seasoning. Prepare Durbl Bags: Use Durbl bags designed explicitly for vacuum cooking, ensuring they can withstand high temperatures of 450℉. Place the ingredients and seasonings into the bags, leaving enough space to ensure effective sealing. Vacuum Seal: Utilize a vacuum sealer to extract air from the bags, ensuring a tight seal. Follow the instructions of the sealer to complete the process. Preheat Water Bath Equipment: Start your sous vide machine or prepare a water bath with a constant temperature. Set the water bath temperature, typically based on the ingredients being cooked. Place in Reusable Durbl Bags: Insert the sealed bags into the preheated water bath. Ensure the bags are entirely submerged in water to guarantee even heating. Cooking Time: Determine the appropriate cooking time based on the selected ingredients and set temperature. Considering that vacuum cooking often requires longer durations, plan accordingly. Finish Cooking: After cooking, remove the ingredients from the bags. To enhance color and texture, you can consume them directly or undergo a brief surface treatment, such as searing or grilling. What is the origin of the sous vide? The concept of sous vide cooking traces back to the early 1970s when French chef Georges Pralus introduced it. He discovered that placing foie gras (goose liver) into a vacuum-sealed bag and slow-cooking it at low temperatures resulted in a more tender texture without significant loss of volume. Over time, sous vide cooking gradually transitioned from professional kitchens to home cooking, gaining widespread recognition worldwide. What are the benefits of sous vide? There are many benefits to using the sous vide method. Here are a few standouts: Texture and Mouthfeel: Slow-cooking at low temperatures and sealing ingredients in a durable freezer bag allows sous vide to maintain the original texture and mouthfeel of the ingredients. Meats tend to be more tender, and vegetables retain their crispness. Nutrient Preservation: Low-temperature cooking aids in preserving the nutritional content of food, causing less damage to vitamins and proteins compared to traditional cooking methods. This promotes healthier food preparation. Precise Control: Sous vide enables exact control over temperature. This means you can set an accurate temperature, ensuring that ingredients reach the desired level of doneness throughout the cooking process, avoiding overcooking or undercooking. Consistent Results: Thanks to precise temperature control, sous vide produces consistent cooking results. Similar temperatures and time settings yield comparable textures and appearances, ensuring predictability and satisfaction with each cooking session. Flavor Infusion: Since ingredients are in a Durbl bag, they can absorb seasonings and spices more effectively, resulting in more prosperous and intense flavors. Extended Shelf Life: Vacuum sealing allows ingredients to be stored in refrigeration or freezing for a longer time, slowing the impact of bacteria and oxygen and extending the shelf life of ingredients. What are the best bags to use for sous vide? You can sous vide in a vacuum-sealed bag, a reusable silicone bag, or a silicone container. Most sous vide bags sold are plastic, but we're partial to food-grade platinum silicone Durbl Bags and Containers because they are reusable, plastic-free, and BPA-free.Durable bags also have the added benefit of being dishwasher-safe, making them easy to clean up once you're done cooking. Bonus: they're endlessly reusable, so you don't have to worry about single-use plastic waste from those plastic sous vide bags. What about sous vide recipes? There are an endless number of recipes you can make using the sous vide method. Here are some of our favorites using Durbl bags:1. Orange-Infused Pepper-Marinated Cod:Cod chunks seasoned with orange juice and pepper, vacuum-sealed and slow-cooked in a low-temperature water bath.2. Olive Oil Rosemary Vegetable Parcel:Seasonal vegetables (such as carrots, onions, and broccoli) seasoned with olive oil and rosemary, vacuum-sealed and slow-cooked in a low-temperature water bath.3. Lemongrass Coconut Chicken Thighs:Chicken thighs soaked in lemongrass coconut milk, vacuum-sealed and slow-cooked to tender perfection.