I Found Bugs in My Rice and Flour — Here’s How I Make Sure It Never (Ever) Happens Again

When I moved into my first apartment, I didn’t have all the kitchen gear that I do now. I didn’t own a stand mixer or Dutch oven, and I definitely didn’t have a great food storage system. I used to store my flour packages and rice bags by rolling down the top and “sealing” them with a binder clip. One day, I set out to bake some cookies only to find little creepy crawlies all over my flour. 

I opened up bag after bag in my pantry and found — to my absolute horror — more bugs all over my grains and flours. Even packages that I thought would be safely zipped up inside a storage bag were bug-ridden. After regaining my composure, I set out to buy airtight food storage containers and am happy to report that my pantry goods remain bug-free all these years later. So, if you’d rather avoid an insect takeover of your flours and grains, learn from my mistake and grab these airtight containers from OXO, Rubbermaid, Joseph Joseph, and more while they’re on sale.

The Best Deals on Airtight Food Storage Containers at Amazon

• OXO Good Grips Pop Containers, Set of 3, $45, originally $56
• OXO Good Grips 5-Piece Pop Container Set, $44, originally $55
• Rubbermaid Brilliance Airtight Food Storage Containers, Set of 3, $33, originally $42 
• Vtopmart 24-Piece Airtight Food Storage Containers, $32, originally $53
• JoyJolt Borosilicate Glass Jars With Bamboo Lids, $23, originally $46
• Zwilling 6-Piece Fresh & Save Cube Storage Organizer Set, $44, originally $63
• Dwëllza Airtight Food Storage Containers for Pantry, $40, originally $52
• Joseph Joseph Podium Dry Food Storage Container Set with Stand, $29, originally $50
• FreshKeeper Airtight Cereal Containers Storage Set, $22, originally $26

OXO Good Grips Pop Containers, Set of 3

OXO Pop containers are my go-to dry food storage solution. They’re truly airtight thanks to the giant button on the lid that engages a strong seal. When I need to access my ingredients, I just push the button to release the seal — no need to struggle with prying off the lid. This set is designed specifically for bakers and includes a scoop that attaches to the lid of each container.

OXO Good Grips 5-Piece Pop Container Set

For other ingredients like pasta or legumes, this versatile 5-piece set has tall and short containers that are great for spaghetti, tea, lentils, and more. The lids come apart for easy and thorough cleaning, and the containers are easily stackable to keep your pantry organized as well as bug-free.

Rubbermaid Brilliance Airtight Food Storage Containers, Set of 3

Rubbermaid makes our favorite food storage containers. These containers are both airtight and leakproof thanks to the locking lids that have a really strong seal to prevent anything from going out or in. This set of three containers also comes with scoops for easy access to your ingredients.

Vtopmart 24-Piece Airtight Food Storage Containers

From the smallest container for your chocolate-covered raisins to the biggest container that can hold large batches of oats or cereal, these Vtopmart airtight containers have four side-locking lids to keep ingredients fresh and safe from pesky insects. The set also comes with labels that you can use to organize your pantry items.

JoyJolt Borosilicate Glass Jars With Bamboo Lids

If you’re looking for a glass set, these JoyJolt round jars have airtight bamboo lids that are easy on the eyes. They beautifully display ingredients while keeping them fresh and locked away from any crawling bugs. They’re also 49% off right now.

Zwilling 6-Piece Fresh & Save Cube Storage Organizer Set 

To ensure an extra level of freshness, this Zwilling cube storage set pairs with a Zwilling handheld vacuum sealer to expel excess air from the containers. The cubes are also stackable for easy storage and are made of a BPA-free material.

Dwëllza Airtight Food Storage Containers for Pantry

This six-pack of mid-sized airtight containers has silicone gaskets around the lids to ensure a tight seal. The latch on top of each lid easily snaps down to engage the airtight seal.

Joseph Joseph Podium Dry Food Storage Container Set with Stand

This set from Joseph Joseph comes with a clever shelf that keeps all the containers organized. At 42% off, the set has airtight lids that easily pressure-fit into place. Thanks to the shelf, you don’t have to worry about containers toppling over when you go to grab ingredients. In case this set sells out, we also like this Vtopmart set of small airtight containers with easy locking lids.

FreshKeeper Airtight Cereal Containers Storage Set

These airtight and leakproof containers have a spout on the lids so you can easily pour out pasta, cereals, oats, and more stored goods. The body of the containers also have an ergonomic shape, making them easy to grip as you move about in the kitchen.