I’ve been using OXO POP containers for dry storage (mostly flour and sugar) for the past 10+ years. I really want to love them, especially since I do love many other OXO products! However, I’ve observed in detail over the past decade what I do and don’t like about these containers, and I’ve recently decided to switch to other options.
The main catalyst for my switch was the lack of airtightness in the OXO containers. Above all, I want my containers to do their job of keeping ingredients fresh! After some incidents where my OXO POP lids easily pulled off even in “locked” position, I started doubting their airtightness. Seeing that Wirecutter‘s dry food storage container lineup had similar findings further validated my suspicions.
On top of that, the white lids on my OXO containers got really yellow over time, and now look permanently grungy. I will admit that I kept them out where sunlight from the window could reach them, so that might be my fault! I’ll take responsibility for that one, but if you have any white OXO POP containers around, you might want to keep them away from light to preserve their color.
How I choose container size and accessories
Both ProKeeper+ and OXO POP have a wide range of sizes and accessories designed to make specialized storage for specific types of ingredients even more convenient. There are built-in sifters, measuring scoops, clay brown sugar keepers, and more…enough to turn choosing the exact container for your pantry item into a daunting task!
I am of the opinion that a simpler, streamlined container is best. Specialized accessories such as the built-in flour leveler in the Flour ProKeeper+ or the lid-attached scoop in POP containers often get in the way. They also create little nooks for flour or water to get stuck, making the containers harder to empty out and clean. I’ve also used the POP scoop at a friend’s place a number of times, and it always slides off of the lid with a little 💨 puff of flour that lands on the counter. Not a huge deal, but that’s an additional bit of cleaning I’d rather not have to do!
I also prefer smooth, one-piece lids for cleanability and airtightness. The containers that have a smaller pouring lid built into the main lid introduce additional areas that need to be cleaned and have potential for leakage.
I like roughly 4-quart volume containers for general dry storage, because they hold a good amount while not getting too heavy for me to easily lift (even from a higher shelf) and pour from. For larger amounts of bulk ingredients, I use large airtight stainless steel drums.
Medium OXO POP vs. Large Coffee ProKeeper+
Given my personal preferences, I’ve been using the OXO POP Big Square Medium container for flour and sugar for many years, and recently switched to the Large Coffee ProKeeper+, which holds a similar volume.
While the Large Coffee ProKeeper+ does include a 1 Tbsp scoop, the scoop attaches magnetically to the underside of the lid without introducing crannies for anything to get stuck. The Coffee ProKeeper+ is also made of dark plastic instead of clear. This wasn’t a huge consideration for me, but since light degrades flour quality, that might actually help a little bit with flour storage.
After using the ProKeeper+ for a few weeks, here are my findings in a nutshell:
| Large Coffee ProKeeper+ | OXO POP Big Square Medium | |
| Capacity | 16 cup (equivalent to 4qt; there is headspace beyond the 16-cup line) | 4.4 qt |
| Airtight Seal | Good airtight seal, latch prevents accidental opening | Not airtight, lid comes off easily even when “locked” |
| Cleanability | Dishwasher safe Gasket is removable for cleaning Few areas for water to collect | Dishwasher safe Bottom part of lid unscrews for cleaning Lid has unreachable pockets that are hard to tell if clean and dry |
| Space Efficiency | Stackable, but less space efficient due to protruding lid parts | Stackable and space efficient cube design |
| Ease of Use | Can pick up with one hand Harder to open and close close lid, best done with two hands | Need two hands to pick up Very easy to open and close lid with one hand Be careful not to pick it up by the lid, because the container may fall off |
Cleaning ProKeeper+
I love that both lines of containers are dishwasher safe. Their size may make positioning in the dishwasher a bit tricky, though!
The ProKeeper+ has a removable gasket that comes out easily for cleaning. Before ripping it out, take note of which side of the gasket is right side up – the top and bottom are a little bit different. I didn’t pay attention the first time, and had to experiment a little when putting it back in. 🙃 (I believe the flat side goes on the bottom.)
Putting the gasket back in can be a little tricky. Here’s the process that worked for me:
- Match up the rounded corners of the gasket to the lid. Make sure the gasket is right side up (flat side down).
- Starting from one corner, press the gasket into the lid’s groove. Keep pressing all around until the gasket is fully set into the groove, stretching a little as needed.
- Go around the gasket and press it tightly in again.
- Fully close the lid and observe whether any parts of the gasket get pulled out.
- Reopen the lid and press those parts of the gasket in more tightly.
- Repeat steps 4-5 until nothing gets pulled out when closing the lid.
Aside from that slightly tricky process (which I willingly accept as a tradeoff for a tight seal), I really appreciate the design of the ProKeeper’s lid! Not only is it completely smooth for easier cleaning, the top of the lid has sloped sides so water easily runs off of it instead of getting trapped. The containers dry very quickly after washing.
Cleaning OXO POP
The body of the OXO POP container is very smooth and easy to clean. Yay! The lid, however, is a different story.
The bottom part of the lid with the gasket unscrews from the top, which has the button. Once you open it, you get this system of holes, nooks, and crannies:
When washing this, it’s hard to tell if water or other debris has collected anywhere, and hard to tell when it’s dry.
I think the idea is probably that when the lid is screwed together, nothing really gets into the top part of the lid. In practice, over 10 years of use, I can’t remember ever finding food in the inner part of the lid, so maybe it’s really not an issue! I’d personally rather have peace of mind that I can see and wash out the whole thing, though.
Storing containers side-by-side
Thanks to their cube design, OXO POP containers win on space efficiency! When two containers are placed right next to each other, there’s only a small gap between them. This is because the containers are slightly tapered and the lids stick out a little bit. (Note: I have two different “vintage” styles of OXO POP containers in the above picture, but they’ve mostly stayed the same shape over time.)
On the other hand, the Large Coffee ProKeeper+ has a more rounded design as well as divots for holding the containers in one hand. Plus points for ease of use, but you can see a lot of unused space. On top of that, the hinge and latch on the lid stick out, so the containers can’t stand right up next to each other. They’d probably fit closer together if they were placed horizontally, but that would defeat the purpose of the hand holds.
Both types of containers are stackable.
Using containers in a practical setting
I’d say both types of containers are easy to use, but in different ways.
I have very small hands, so the OXO POP Big Square Medium is much too wide for me to pick up in one hand. The Large Coffee ProKeeper+ has convenient divots for holding, so I was delighted to find that even I could easily hold it in one hand! (Caveat: If you fill the container up and it’s heavy, it may be hard to hold in one hand unless you have enough grip strength for it.)
On the other hand, it’s super easy to push the button on the OXO POP lid with one hand and use the popped-up button as a knob to open the container. It takes very little effort to open and close (thanks to the aforementioned lack of a tight seal 😅).
To open the ProKeeper+, you need to unlatch the lid and push down on the container while pulling up on the lid. I use the latch as a handle to open the lid because there isn’t really another way to grab the lid. (The latch has a real hinge and seems sturdy enough to stand up to being used that way.) There are some “wings” next to the latch that I push down on to keep the whole container from lifting up, because it takes some force to open the lid. It’s doable with one hand, but a lot easier with two!
Similarly, to close the ProKeeper+, you need to push the lid down tightly and latch it. Since it has a tight seal, the lid will want to bounce up slightly as you close it. Again, it’s closeable with one hand, but much easier with two.
Both containers have wide openings that are easy to fill into or pour larger quantities of ingredients from. It’s also easy to dip a scoop or measuring cup into either one.
Which would I recommend?
The right container for you depends on your personal needs and usage patterns!
Overall, I prefer the ProKeeper+ because airtightness and cleanability are very important to me. I also think they look attractive, and I have the space in my pantry to keep them.
I’d recommend OXO POP over ProKeeper+ if you have any injury or disability which makes it difficult to use your hands. The lid button is super easy to press, and virtually no force is needed to open and close the container.
You may also prefer OXO POP if you are strapped for space in your pantry and need a very space efficient design. However, in this arena, there may be other containers that fit the bill while still being more airtight (these Mepal Airtight Stackable Storage Containers look interesting, but I haven’t tried them).
Of course, there are tons of other options out there, too! If not one of these, what are your favorite dry storage containers?