Collection: Food Storage Containers

Container shapes and styles

Commercial food storage containers fall into a few core formats, each suited to specific kitchen tasks:

• Round containers (Cambro-style): Stackable, 1L–25L sizes, with sealing lids for liquids, soups and sauces. Polypropylene base — freezer-safe, dishwasher-safe.
• Square and rectangular containers: Better space efficiency in walk-in fridges and shelving — square wastes less shelf width than round.
• Gastronorm-compatible containers: Standard GN sizes (1/1, 1/2, 1/3, 1/6) so containers move directly from storage into prep, cooking or service. Polypropylene (cold) or polycarbonate (clear, cold).
• Ingredient bins: Large-capacity wheeled bins for flour, sugar, rice and other bulk dry goods. Lockable lids and HACCP-friendly designs.
• Colour-coded containers: Visual food safety system — different colours for raw meat, seafood, dairy, vegetables and ready-to-eat — to prevent cross-contamination.
• GN-lid and seal-tight containers: Extended shelf life through tight closure — useful for proteins, prepped vegetables and high-value ingredients.

Choosing the right material

• Polypropylene (PP): The workhorse plastic. Freezer-safe to -40°C, dishwasher-safe, opaque white or colour-coded. Affordable and durable but not microwave-safe and not transparent.
• Polycarbonate (PC): Crystal-clear, shatter-resistant, dishwasher-safe. Ideal when you need to see contents at a glance. More expensive than PP but lasts longer in heavy-use environments.
• Stainless steel: The most durable option. Heat-safe (oven, induction, bain marie), HACCP-compliant, easy to sanitise. Heavier and more expensive — typically for gastronorm pans rather than bulk storage.
• Glass (Weck-style): Front-of-house display, deli and patisserie use. Microwave and oven safe. Heavier and breakable — back-of-house generally avoids glass.

HACCP compliance and food safety

Containers are part of a HACCP system, not a substitute for one. Best practice:

• Use colour-coded containers to separate raw and ready-to-eat foods, and to designate raw meat, poultry and seafood
• Date and label every stored item — most commercial containers have label panels or take food-safety label sets
• Check seal integrity — gaps and warped lids compromise shelf life and create contamination risk
• Sanitise between uses in commercial dishwashers rated for food-contact surfaces
• Replace any container with cracks, deep scratches or damaged seals

Storage container accessories and related ranges

Pair your containers with Gastronorm pans, Cambro storage, Commercial shelving, Food labels and Cling wrap and foil for an end-to-end prep and storage system.

Why buy commercial food storage containers from Hospitality Connect

• Australian-owned with a physical showroom — see materials, lid quality and seal fit before you commit
• Real warehouse stock — fast dispatch from our own warehouse, not drop-shipped
• Trade and volume pricing for fit-outs, multi-site operators and replacement orders
• Sizing advice from a trade-focused team that supplies restaurants, cafés, butchers and catering kitchens daily
• Bundled fit-out packages — matched containers, lids, racks and labelling supplied as a set
• Direct supplier partnerships with Cambro, Chef Inox, KH Classik Chef and Avanti

Container care and longevity

A few habits add years to a container's working life:

• Cool food before sealing — trapping steam warps lids and degrades seals
• Stack like with like — mixing materials and shapes accelerates wear at the rim
• Don't stack heavy loads on warm polycarbonate — it tolerates load less well than PP at temperature
• Hand-wash polycarbonate if you run a high-temperature dishwasher — it stays clearer for longer
• Replace lids before bases — seals fail before container bodies do, and lid-only replacements are cheaper
• Rotate stock through colour-coded sets so wear is shared across the system

Need help choosing? Talk to us

If you're fitting out a new venue, expanding a multi-site operation, or replacing a tired set of containers, our team can recommend a working mix and quote against your spec. Visit the showroom for a hands-on look at lid quality and seal fit, or contact your account manager for trade pricing on a bulk order.