Durbl Stories

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.

Meet the Durbl Fold-Up Bag: your go-to container for a reusable future. Available in three sizes, they’re perfect for whatever you need to stash. The lightweight design and leak-free seal mean you can take them anywhere, and the wide opening lets you eat (and pour) right from the bag — whether you’re in the office, at the park, or on the road. Like your favorite Durbl bags, they're dishwasher safe, very durable, and heat resistant up to 425º F.Our team put the Durbl Fold-Up Bags to the test and came up with some creative ways to use (and reuse) them. Here are six favorite hacks:1. Happy Hour HackDurbl Fold-Up Bags make perfect cocktail shakers, thanks to their leak-proof seal and easy-pour design. Let’s make mojitos: choose the bag size (small, medium, or large) based on servings. For each serving, you’ll need 1.5 ounces of white rum, 1 ounce of fresh lime juice, 2 teaspoons of sugar, 6 fresh mint leaves, soda water, and ice. Put everything in the Durbl bag, add ice, seal, shake, and pour. Cheers!2. The Perfect Popcorn Bowl Durbl microwave popcorn is a classic hack that eliminates the waste from store-bought microwave popcorn. Here’s an upgrade: prep, pop, and enjoy — all from one Durbl bag! Add ½ cup of popcorn kernels and 1 tablespoon oil to the half-gallon bag. Partially seal the bag, leaving a small opening for air (but not popcorn) to escape. Microwave until the popping stops. Use a hot pad to carefully open the bag, then add butter and seasonings to taste.3. Cereal-ously CrunchyWhether you prefer yogurt and granola or cereal and milk, crunch is key. Here’s a hack to keep things crisp: if you’re into yogurt and granola, fill a medium bag with yogurt and fruit and use a small bag for granola. For cereal, fill the medium bag with cereal and the small bag with milk. When you're ready to eat, transfer the contents from the small bag to the medium bag, grab a spoon, and enjoy.4. Egg cellence in a Bag Durbl Fold-Up Bags are great for cooking, especially egg dishes. Most recipes for microwave, baked, or sous vide eggs can be prepared and cooked right in the bag. Try these options:Microwave Scrambled Eggs: Put all ingredients — eggs, veggies, cheese, herbs, and seasonings — in the bag. Seal and shake to mix. Slightly open the bag to vent, then microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring each time until cooked. Use a small bag for a single serving or increase the size for more servings.Oven-Baked Frittata: Use the large bag for your favorite frittata recipe. Combine all ingredients in the bag and bake according to the recipe instructions. Durbl bags can withstand heat up to 425º Fahrenheit.Sous Vide Egg Bites: Follow a sous vide egg bites recipe using Durbl quart bags instead of mason jars. Seal each bag tightly, removing as much air as possible before submerging in water to cook.5. Ice Cream Dreams Durbl bags are perfect for homemade ice cream without needing an extra kitchen appliance. Combine your ice cream ingredients in a small bag, seal, and place inside a medium or large bag filled with ice and rock salt. Shake for about 10 minutes, and you’ve got a bag of homemade ice cream! Try a simple two-ingredient ice cream recipe for easy, delicious results.6. Keep Cool On the Go Turn anything into a cooler with Durbl bag ice packs. Fill a bag with water and freeze, or pack it with ice cubes. Seal carefully to prevent leaks as the ice melts. These ice packs are great for keeping groceries cool while running errands or for a day out. When the ice melts, use the water for plants or fill a pet’s water bowl. Bonus: Durbl bags also make great on-the-go dog bags.These are just a few ways to use your Durbl Fold-Up Bags. Their versatility makes them a must-have for anyone looking to reduce single-use plastic and embrace a more sustainable lifestyle. Enjoy these hacks and discover your own creative uses for Durbl bags!

As the golden hues of dawn caress the shores of Bangtao Beach in Phuket, the ebb and flow of the Andaman Sea gently unveils a less picturesque reality—a mosaic of plastic debris scattered across the sand, a silent testament to human neglect. This striking contrast between natural allure and environmental plight frames our urgent dialogue on sustainability and introduces a beacon of hope: Durbl products.The Weight of WasteThe images of Bangtao, captured with disheartening clarity, portray a beach gasping beneath the weight of plastic pollution. Each bottle, straw, and bag represents a piece of the million-ton puzzle that chokes our oceans annually. The implications are dire—marine species mistake plastics for food, ecosystems falter under the unnatural invasion, and local tourism, the lifeblood of Phuket, stands at risk as the beauty of its beaches wanes under waste. A Sustainable Horizon with DurblIn this challenging scenario, Durbl emerges as a brand and a harbinger of change. With a suite of products designed to outlast and replace their single-use counterparts, Durbl embraces the ethos of sustainability. Durbl's items are meticulously crafted to reduce environmental impact without compromising quality or convenience. Durbl offers a pragmatic path forward for consumers and businesses, from reusable bags to containers.The Local Loom of ChangeWhile individual actions are pivotal, collective effort is paramount. In Phuket, concerted initiatives—beach clean-ups, recycling drives, and educational outreach—sow seeds of environmental stewardship. Durbl extends its commitment beyond products, actively engaging in community efforts to preserve the natural splendor of places like Bangtao. Through partnerships and sponsorships, Durbl aligns its mission with the pulse of Phuket's environmental heartbeat.Embracing the Durbl DifferenceEmbodying the essence of innovation and responsibility, Durbl products stand as a testament to what we can achieve when purpose meets practice. It's not just about selling a product—it's about promoting a lifestyle that values the longevity of our planet.As the sun sets on Bangtao, let it not be a curtain fall on its future. We invite you, reader, to take a stand, choose sustainability, and choose Durbl. Join the movement towards a cleaner, greener Earth—one product, one beach, one choice at a time. Join the Durbl MovementTake action. Choose sustainable alternatives. Support the global effort to restore the vibrancy of Bangtao Beach and countless other natural wonders. Let your choices reflect your commitment to this planet we call home. Visit Durbl's website to learn how you can be a part of the change.

Remember, the best friends of food are dryness and cleanliness, while its biggest enemies are moisture and bacteria!

Making your dried fruit might be the perfect choice if you're looking for such a snack. With durbl food-grade silicone bags, creating delicious, nutritious, and portable dried fruits becomes a breeze.

Creating homemade pet treats doesn't have to be complicated, and this recipe proves just that with its simple four-ingredient list. What's even better is the flexibility to adjust the quantities easily based on your needs. Imagine if our furry friends could vocalize their desires; they're undoubtedly urge us to whip up a large batch of these treats and store them in a durable container until snack time arrives. Personally, I find it convenient to grab a week's supply from the fridge, ensuring my pet always has access to fresh goodies whenever they crave them – a surefire way to keep tails wagging! Ingredients: 1 cup quick oats 1 cup pureed pumpkin (store-bought baby food does the trick) 1 cup shredded zucchini (about 2 medium-sized) 1 cup whole wheat flour Yield: Approximately 30 treats Instructions: Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a durable silicone baking mat. Combine all the ingredients in a Durbl Fold-up Container-Mega, mixing until well blended. Using a tablespoon, portion the dough into walnut-sized balls, then gently flatten them to around 1/2 inch thick. Bake for 18-20 minutes or until the treats are firm and set. After mixing up the ingredients in my trusty Durbl container, a quick hand wash and dry are all it takes before repurposing the same container to store the treats –minimal cleanup means more time for playtime with your furry companions! For variations, consider substituting unsweetened applesauce, canned butternut squash puree, or other suitable baby food options for the pumpkin puree. And if your pet has a sensitive stomach, be mindful of ingredients that might not agree withthem. Rumor has it that not only dogs but also horses have a fondness for these delightful treats!

Become a sustainable bulk shopper with Durbl reusable bags. Learn how to shop in bulk, reduce waste, and save money by using Durbl Quart Bags, Sandwich Bags, and other containers. Keep your food fresh and enjoy an eco-friendly lifestyle. Share your tips on social media with @thisisdurbl.

The scorching summer heat always demands a refreshing chilled beer or a cool drink to beat the heat. If you want to create an unforgettable summer bash for your dad, using Durbl silicone bags to make ice-cold beer and beverages is fantastic!

When Paradise Becomes a Plastic Graveyard: The Global Crisis We Can't Ignore Picture this: you're walking along what should be a pristine beach, only to find the shoreline littered with plastic waste as far as the eye can see. This isn't a dystopian fantasy or a news report from some distant land—it's the harsh reality confronting our planet today. According to the United Nations Environment Programme, every day, the equivalent of 2,000 garbage trucks full of plastic are dumped into the world's oceans, rivers, and lakes. UNEP data shows that 19-23 million tonnes of plastic waste leaks into aquatic ecosystems annually. Within this staggering volume of waste, single-use food packaging represents a particularly troubling segment. From takeout containers and plastic bags to beverage bottles and food wrapping films, virtually every meal in our modern lives has the potential to contribute to environmental degradation. Research from Our World in Data indicates that plastics account for at least 85% of marine litter, making them the largest, most harmful and most persistent component of ocean pollution. This "use once, discard immediately" consumption pattern extends far beyond environmental concerns—it reflects a fundamental disconnect in how we approach daily living. According to UNEP's Global Plastics Outlook, over 400 million tonnes of plastic are produced worldwide every year, with plastic production doubling between 2000 and 2019. When convenience culture collides with sustainability imperatives, we face a critical question: is it possible to maintain the ease and practicality of modern life while dramatically reducing our environmental footprint? The answer to this challenge emerged from an unexpected moment of clarity on a Thai beach, where environmental awareness transformed into actionable innovation. From Beach Shock to Simple Solution: The Birth of a Mission In 2023, while living in Bangtao, Thailand, Michael experienced a profound shift in perspective during what began as a routine beach walk. The shoreline that had once represented natural beauty and tranquility was now blanketed with plastic debris, predominantly consisting of disposable food containers. In that moment of environmental awakening, a simple yet powerful question emerged: "What if these containers could fold up small like camping gear? What if they were made of silicone instead of plastic?" This spontaneous insight marked the genesis of durbl—not just as a product concept, but as a response to environmental urgency. Michael recognized that outrage alone wouldn't drive meaningful change; real progress demanded concrete action. Rather than attempting to revolutionize entire industries overnight, he focused on a targeted solution: developing food storage containers that wouldn't end up as beach trash while making something better, one container at a time. The founding philosophy behind durbl deliberately embraces pragmatism over grandiosity. As a micro brand originating from Bangtao, durbl makes no claims about solving global plastic pollution single-handedly. Instead, the brand commits to measurable impact through incremental change—transforming individual consumption choices that collectively contribute to environmental improvement. This authentic, no-nonsense approach distinguishes durbl from brands that rely on empty environmental promises or superficial green marketing. Michael's vision crystallized around a fundamental principle: addressing complex environmental challenges through elegant, accessible solutions. Rather than requiring consumers to sacrifice convenience or functionality, durbl would prove that sustainable choices could enhance daily life while reducing environmental impact. This insight became the cornerstone of a brand dedicated to practical environmentalism—where doing good doesn't require compromising on performance, usability, or satisfaction. The transition from personal revelation to brand mission illustrates how individual moments of environmental consciousness can catalyze broader change. By grounding durbl's origin story in authentic experience rather than market research or trend analysis, the brand established credibility and purpose that resonates with environmentally conscious consumers seeking genuine alternatives to conventional products. Design Philosophy: Why Collapsible Silicone Represents the Future Following the establishment of durbl's environmental mission, the next critical challenge involved translating sustainable principles into practical product design. After extensive research, prototyping, and user testing, durbl selected food-grade silicone as the primary material and implemented an innovative collapsible architecture. These design decisions reflect careful consideration of safety, functionality, and environmental impact. The choice of food-grade silicone addresses multiple consumer concerns simultaneously. Unlike conventional plastics that can leach harmful chemicals into food, particularly when exposed to heat, food-grade silicone maintains chemical stability across extreme temperature ranges (-40°F to 450°F). This temperature resilience enables versatile usage scenarios—from freezer storage and microwave reheating to dishwasher cleaning—without compromising food safety or container integrity. The material's non-reactive properties ensure that flavors remain pure and uncontaminated, addressing a common complaint about plastic containers that retain odors and stains. The collapsible design innovation directly addresses one of urban living's most persistent challenges: space optimization. For city dwellers contending with compact kitchens and limited storage capacity, traditional rigid containers consume valuable real estate even when unused. Durbl's space-saving design reduces storage footprint by up to 80%, transforming cluttered cabinets into organized, efficient spaces. This isn't merely about storage convenience—it represents a fundamental reimagining of how kitchen tools can adapt to modern living constraints. Beyond space efficiency, the lightweight construction makes durbl particularly suited to mobile lifestyles. Whether preparing office lunches, gym snacks, or travel meals, durbl containers provide portability without the weight penalties associated with glass alternatives or the environmental concerns linked to disposable plastics. This mobility factor has proven especially valuable for professionals, students, and active individuals who prioritize both convenience and sustainability. The user experience optimization extends to every design detail, from ergonomic edges that facilitate comfortable handling to leak-proof sealing systems that prevent spills and maintain freshness. As verified through testing with over 50 female users, these thoughtful design elements ensure that durbl containers perform reliably across diverse usage scenarios. User testimonials consistently highlight the combination of durability and convenience—containers that are "heavy duty enough to be sturdy, but don't feel heavy to cart around," as one customer noted. Transforming Daily Life: Real Impact Through Sustainable Choices Since launching durbl, we've documented substantial positive changes in user behavior and lifestyle quality, demonstrating how sustainable food storage solutions can create ripple effects far beyond their primary function. Based on comprehensive feedback from our user community, durbl is generating measurable value across three key dimensions: promoting healthier eating habits, optimizing living spaces, and fostering environmental consciousness. The health and nutrition benefits have exceeded initial expectations. Users report that durbl containers are particularly effective for storing salad light meals, healthy snacks, and portion-controlled light meals. The recommended 600ml-900ml capacity range aligns perfectly with nutritional guidelines for balanced eating, while the container's versatility encourages meal preparation and planning. Survey data indicates that durbl users reduce takeout dependency by an average of 70% while significantly increasing their consumption of home-prepared, nutritious meals. This shift not only generates cost savings but establishes sustainable eating patterns that support long-term health goals. Space optimization results have been equally impressive. The collapsible design has transformed kitchen organization for users dealing with compact living situations. One customer enthusiastically noted, "These are great! But I wish they would offer more buying options. They only come in a 3-pack and they don't offer just the size you want individually." This feedback, while suggesting areas for product line expansion, also confirms the strong demand for space-saving solutions among urban consumers. Users consistently report dramatic improvements in kitchen organization and storage efficiency. Perhaps most significantly, durbl usage appears to catalyze broader environmental awareness and behavioral change. Many customers describe how adopting durbl containers sparked increased consciousness about daily consumption choices and environmental impact. As one user explained, "I individually use these for work lunches and that they are safe to heat up in the microwave. They seal well and are heavy duty enough to be sturdy, but don't feel heavy to cart around." This testimonial illustrates how practical sustainability solutions can shift user mindset from viewing environmental choices as burdensome to experiencing them as beneficial lifestyle improvements. The cumulative impact extends beyond individual users to workplace and social environments. Many durbl users report colleagues asking about their containers, creating opportunities for environmental conversation and influence. This organic word-of-mouth effect demonstrates how well-designed sustainable products can function as catalysts for community-wide behavior change, amplifying impact far beyond direct usage. Future Vision: Authentic Growth for Lasting Impact As durbl continues evolving as a micro brand, our future vision balances ambitious environmental goals with realistic growth expectations. Rather than pursuing rapid scaling or market domination, we remain committed to authentic development that prioritizes product quality, user satisfaction, and genuine environmental benefit over conventional business metrics. Our roadmap focuses on responsive innovation driven by user feedback and emerging sustainability needs. We're exploring expanded size options, enhanced functionality features, and complementary products that extend our sustainable food storage ecosystem. Every development decision will be filtered through our core values: real impact, authentic communication, and practical environmentalism. As we stated from the beginning: "Real small business from Bangtao. Real story, real impact. No PR spin." This commitment to transparency and genuine environmental contribution will continue guiding durbl's growth, ensuring that scaling success never compromises the authentic mission that sparked our creation. We're building something meaningful, one container at a time.