I (Finally) Found the BEST Pantry Canisters

If you’ve been reading my blog for any length of time, you likely know that I have a thing for kitchen organization. Pantries, in particular. There are no less than 8 unique pantry posts on my site already, but I can’t help but add another one. Because after years (years!) of hating my pantry canisters, I finally upgraded; and I am beyond smitten. I try not to push too many products on you guys, but if you’re in the market for pantry canisters, you’ll want to know aaaaalllll about these!

Then vs. Now

10ish years ago, I inherited a massive set of brand new Oxo pantry containers when we cleaned out my childhood home. 

(Yes, they were stashed in the basement, still in boxes with price tags on them!)

For 10 years and across 6 homes, we’ve used them to hold our pantry staples. But I never really loved them.

They weren’t exactly air tight, the pop-top lids were prone to breaking, and I could never get a whole bag of anything (flour, sugar, etc) to fit all at once. 

But most of all, I hated that all the different sizes and shapes were really hard to fit into most pantries in a functional, usable way.

Yes – I got creative – using baskets and drawers to take advantage of their odd sizes. 

But when we arrived here in southern CA last summer, there was no way I was getting them to fit into our (then) very small pantry without wasting a TON of space.

So I finally decided it was time to upgrade.

After extensive research, I ultimately decided on the Rubbermaid Brilliance line, and I am obsessed.

I regret not upgrading so much sooner; because not only does my pantry look better, but these function better than anything I’ve ever used!

Why I Love Rubbermaid Brilliance Pantry Containers

Okay, you’re going to think I’m exaggerating, but here is why I find these containers so superior.

1 – They really are crystal clear. We’ve had them for about a year now, and there are no scratches, dents, smudges, or fogging. They practically still look brand new.

2 – I think Rubbermaid really thought through the sizing on these containers. They are perfectly designed to hold a 5 lbs bag of flour (L), a bag of sugar (M), etc. No overflow. No backstock. Everything always seems to fit.

3 – They really are air tight. The snap-lock lids are snug. They keep food in and air out, and they don’t budge when a canister is dropped.

4 – The openings are a good size. So you can actually get a measuring cup (plus your hand) inside to scoop foods out without making a mess. 

5 – And finally – my very favorite feature – they are modular. The heights are all different but the depths are all the same, allowing you to stack them in a variety of layouts. And when you do, they line up in a perfectly straight line. 

Let me repeat that – a straight line. Which means you’re able to take advantage of the full height of your pantry shelves (by using a variety of sizes) while also creating a display that is neat, orderly, and oh-so-pretty.

Like I said. Obsessed.

These days, I feel like I research and research and research a product only to be disappointed because something is just…off. 

But these pantry containers really do seem very well thought out, and my only regret is that I suffered through my Oxo ones for so long.

Shopping Tips

If you’re ready to give the Rubbermaid Brilliance line a try, here’s a few tips:

• I recommend figuring out what sizes and how many you need first. These canisters come in lots of different bundles, and it can be a bit tricky to figure out the best deal for the sizes you need. 
• You might not need every size available. I hate having some random size container with nothing to fit into it and no where for it to go. As such, I stuck to 4 basic sizes that stack the most efficiently.
• If you do want a pasta canister (tall, skinny), I recommend you buy it within a bundle. I haven’t been able to find one à la carte.
• These canisters tend to go on sale during all the Amazon Prime Days (Spring, Summer, and Fall) so hold out for those sales if you can!

What I Bought for Our Pantry

I bought 4 sets of this 4-container set (so 16 containers total). They fit 8 “stacks” across – each stack with 2 containers each. The variety across the four canister sizes is just right to hold all my main pantry staples.

I skipped on the pasta container, cereal container, the 6.6 cup and the 1.3 cup sizes because they didn’t match the same depth as the rest of the pantry containers.

Rubbermaid Brilliance Pantry Canisters