Stasher Bags Are the Best Thing I Bought for My Kitchen — Here’s Why
I am not proud to admit it, but I use a lot of single-use plastic bags. I find myself reaching for them to pack up leftovers, carry toiletries when I travel, and organize all sorts of items, from pretzels to necklaces. These little plastic baggies are just so convenient! I’m well aware they’re not the most sustainable option, but it’s hard to give them up when the alternatives like plastic and glass food storage containers can take up so much fridge space and aren’t exactly tote-bag or carry-on-friendly.
That’s why I’ve had my eyes on Stasher bags for so long. These reusable silicone bags come in a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes; and they promise to replace all of your single-use plastic bags. While I had been hearing people sing the praises of these bags everywhere, from social media to my friends and family, there was something holding me back. Replacing one of my most convenient kitchen accessories seemed like quite a tall order — could these really hold up?
After thinking about it for over a year, I finally decided to give Stasher a try and bought the Sandwich and Snack bags. I’ve only had them for a few months, but they’ve quickly become two of my most-prized kitchen essentials. Not only are Stasher bags just as convenient as your traditional single-use plastic bags, they’re also better in every way. They’re eco-friendly, durable, and endlessly reusable.
Stasher makes bags in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors to fit all of your storage needs. From a 3.5-inch pocket bag that’s perfect for holding spices to an 8-cup bag that also functions as a bowl, as well as bundles to give you a bit of everything, Stasher’s selection leaves nothing to be desired.
Each bag is made from a food-grade silicone that looks and feels a lot more durable than thin single-use plastic, and that’s because it is! You can put your Stasher bags in the fridge, freezer, microwave, oven (up to 425°F), and even in the dishwasher when it comes time to clean them — which means they’re super versatile and absolutely perfect for leftovers. Just pull a bag out of the freezer, pop it in the microwave, and you have dinner on your plate in minutes without dirtying multiple dishes. If you don’t want to dirty anything at all, the Stasher Bowl stands up on its own, so technically, you can eat out of it — genius!
The Sandwich bag is much more versatile than its name would suggest, while the Snack bag super helpful when I’m packing a few handfuls of trail mix or half an apple to take on-the-go. Bulky containers can take up a lot of space in my bag, while plastic bags filled with berries or cut fruit is just a mess waiting to happen. Not only does it ruin snack time, but it also ruins everything else in my bag. Because Stasher bags are more sturdy and thick than single-use bags, I never have this problem. So thank you, Stasher, for making it a breeze to take my favorite snacks with me wherever I go.
Probably one of the most important parts of a reusable bag is the seal. Stasher’s is just like what you’d find on the single-use options, but way more durable. The brand has patented its Pinch-Loc seal, which is made to be airtight and leak-free. I find the seal closes seamlessly every time and has done a great job at keeping the contents inside safe.
Single Stasher bags start at $7.99 and can go up to $34.99 when they’re not on sale, and bundles cost even more. Off the bat, these numbers can seem jarring — especially when you can usually find 100 Ziploc bags for under $10. But when you crunch the numbers, a Stasher bag will save you money in the long run — not to mention saving tons of plastic from entering landfills. A single-use plastic bag is designed for just that — one use — but a Stasher bag is designed to be used endlessly, so there’s no limit to how much use you can get out of these things. While the investment upfront is big, use your Stasher bags regularly and the cost-per-use will be less than pennies.
Before this, I was hesitant to replace my single-use plastic bags with Stasher’s silicone versions. Now, I’m sad when my Stasher bags are all in use and I have to use the plastic ones — that’s how much better they are. While I still have a long way to go in making my life more environmentally friendly, I’m pretty happy I found this sustainable solution. And I truly hope it won’t be long before all of my single-use bags are replaced with Stasher ones.
Buy: Stasher Reusable Silicone Bags, starting at $7.99