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CosmonautJizzRocket OP t1_j7wzg0d wrote

So guys these most likely have high levels of lead. I'm too lazy to do extensive research but after some surface level internet browsing i'd say that these are in fact not BIFL if we take into consideration the possible effects they may have.

Thanks for the comments

478

Occhrome t1_j7xak1f wrote

I would still keep them as containers for other things.

106

debeezy t1_j7xlm6n wrote

Like what

21

Geneocrat t1_j7xw22e wrote

Bullets, paint from the 60’s, vials of mercury from your old thermometer, anything you’re waiting to take to the hazardous waste day that is usually held for 2 hours during working hours once a year as published on the bulletin board at the fire station.

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TristanTheViking t1_j7z719p wrote

>as published on the bulletin board at the fire station.

In the basement, behind a sign saying "Beware of leopard."

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StellarValkyrie t1_j7zh7if wrote

I keep all that on a shelf in the garage next to my lawn darts set.

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Geneocrat t1_j7zhufi wrote

I had a broken thermometer safely stored in Tupperware and (super safely!) wrapped in a bread bag in my garage for three years.

Every so often I’d google how to dispose of it. I called places on lists and they had no idea what I was talking about.

Eventually I just threw it away. I decided it was safer than forgetting about it and someone accidentally exposing themselves.

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g00dis0n t1_j7xnyok wrote

Other people's teeth and belly button fluff

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QuickNature t1_j7ytapx wrote

Literally anything you won't consume that will fit?

0

JAK3CAL t1_j7ximaw wrote

Haha I inherited mint conditions boxes of this shit from my great aunt. We didn’t end up using it, and no one wanted it. During our last move, it went to the dumpster as sad as that is. Broke my heart honestly cause they look fucking sweet lol

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SmartM0nk3y t1_j7xodb8 wrote

New sets cost about $20 (at Costco) for a set bigger than this.....

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Jkbucks t1_j7y3ob0 wrote

Just make sure you microwave them often and run them through the dishwasher on hi temp. That’ll burn off those bad chemicals.

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dkb52 t1_j7y92fj wrote

I'm 70 years old. I've been drinking from, eating from, and storing food in Tupperware since the '60s. I consider myself - and I have witnesses - that I'm quite intelligent and have good common sense. I don't have sudden jerky movements or slurred speech. I think the dangers of Tupperware products are more concerned with developing children, but I'm not an expert in that field, so I could be mistaken.

I was also raised eating food served in, cooked in, and stored in 1960s Pyrex! (I was already about 10) It's true. "Thanks, Mom. The leaded casserole tasted great!" I 'stole' my mom's #5 blue Pyrex bowl when she started getting rid of her "old" kitchen stuff. I always use it to hold the cooked ground beef for tacos, just as my mom did in the way backs. :) She came to visit me one year and said, "You kept that old thing?" (MOM!) This is the same woman who threw out a lot of my treasured things because, hey, 6 kids, packing for traveling around the world. Not going to bring it if you can't wear it or eat it. She'll be 91 in April and we spend time on the phone laughing about the old days a lot.

*Sorry, I guess I don't know when to shut up. I will now.

7

ConnorGoFuckYourself t1_j7yl6v4 wrote

Out of curiosity, do you think that old Pyrex is leaded glass?

As I'm pretty sure the old stuff is borosillica glass, the same stuff that laboratory glass is made from, which is why it was so heat resistant and doesn't leech anything out (chemists don't want lead to ruin their reaction and the glass needs to withstand sudden temperature changes).

Newer American Pyrex is much more brittle due to it using a cheaper glass (quartz or sodalime, if I recall correctly), though apparently European Pyrex is still borosillica.

Another fun one that you may remember; fiestaware, the really brightly coloured ceramic dinner sets that were popular in the 50s/60s, the red, yellow and orange (I think) contained uranium oxide as part of all of the brightly coloured glaze, an acidic meal such as spaghetti would leach significant uranium out. It will also make a geiger counter sing like a canary.

Whereas uranium glass (bright green and glows under UV) doesn't carry anywhere near the same risk of leeching.

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musclegeek t1_j7zpkar wrote

Just an FYI: Borosilicate glass is and has always been very easy to break from physical impact. The og Pyrex was no different. Pyrex changed it to Sodalime glass because modern everyday usage of glass cookware saw much more breakage from slight drops or impacts.

Yes, sodalime is much more sensitive to temperature gradients but we just don’t make many frozen casseroles anymore or really have a need to take a dish from a freezer to an over like they used to.

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dkb52 t1_j80y3r5 wrote

Yes. I guess my family dodged the bullet.

2

Atanakar t1_j7yjee1 wrote

Plastics are not bifl in my book anyway. They all eventually degrade. Get glass or steel!

(if you don't store food in it then it doesn't really matter)

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2317 t1_j7zliq2 wrote

You can still BIFL as long as you don't mind it reducing the length of your life.

1

Paula92 t1_j80j34e wrote

I mean, how long of a life are we talking? Could technically still be BIFL…

1

PitoChueco t1_j7wvvh8 wrote

I drank an ocean of store brand Kool-aid out of those pitchers on the left in the early 80’s.

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graveybrains t1_j7wzf9j wrote

Same. I can almost taste it just by looking at this picture

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iwantmy-2dollars t1_j7xxedb wrote

Same. So much aspartame and red food dye. Mmmmmm.

Pro tip: when you go camping fill it with raw eggs (leave the shells at home). The Tupperware people were geniuses, there’s the exact right amount of tension to get one egg at a time.

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Mambo_Sized_Byte t1_j7yhrts wrote

Is that not a huge container to take eggs in? And eggs aren't known for being good to store raw and de-shelled in a potentially warm environment - am i wrong?

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iwantmy-2dollars t1_j7zoxe9 wrote

Always threw them in the cooler, worked well for us 🤷🏻‍♀️ I think it holds a dozen but it’s been awhile.

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atlas_nodded_off t1_j7y9bp2 wrote

We used eggshell to make the grounds settle in camp coffee.

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mikailovitch t1_j7yf3dp wrote

I'm sorry what? Can you explain?

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0MGWTFL0LBBQ t1_j7yvygb wrote

I think he went to Camp Coffee, where the grounds are notoriously raised and unkempt. Without the eggshells, he wouldn't be here today. The eggshells are the only thing to settle the grounds at Camp Coffee.

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MjrGrangerDanger t1_j7z4gqd wrote

Hmm. I read that as they didn't want to hire an excavator so they used eggshells as fill.

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Nostradameth t1_j86y9a9 wrote

Lmfao!!!! I can't remember the last time i laughed this hard at a Reddit comment. Excellent work.

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eucalyptusmacrocarpa t1_j7zjg49 wrote

I think if you are camping and make coffee that is just grounds and water in a pot ("camp coffee") and throw in some eggshell, the coffee grounds will sink to the bottom of the pot.

That's the boring answer

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DefinitionBig4671 t1_j7zkumu wrote

Camp Coffee (or Cowboy Coffee) is made over the campfire or a gas camp stove with a pitcher. You put the water and the coffee grounds in together and bring it to a boil for about 4-5 minutes or a rolling boil. You then add either cold water or eggshells to collect the grounds and have them settle to the bottom before pouring.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7UAoT21eqXI

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yungzanz t1_j7za5uy wrote

God i love aspartame

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redldr1 t1_j7zhw0r wrote

And cancer loves you

0

yungzanz t1_j7zz1hc wrote

No evidence it causes cancer

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redldr1 t1_j80uruc wrote

That's what big aspartame wants you to think.

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yungzanz t1_j81bozn wrote

It can't be worse for you than sugar. We've been consuming aspartame for 40 years and it hasn't been linked to any chronic illnesses. Sugar directly causes diabetes and cancer on such a massive scale in north america.

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topcat5 t1_j801qgo wrote

Aspartame was not used in the 1980s except in canned drinks after 1984. Everything else, not until the 90s.

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iwantmy-2dollars t1_j8039qa wrote

My parents were big fans of Equal (aspartame), Imperial Margarine, Diet Coke, and powdered butter flavor seasoning. My childhood Koolaid was powered by little blue packets.

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ashpatash t1_j7xprj6 wrote

I have similar memory but with one of those orange pitcher ones with beige lid that was permanently stained from Kool aid. Also drank so much frozen juice concentrate out of it. Wonder if people still drink that.

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radius58 t1_j7yuzu5 wrote

Frozen orange juice concentrate, a Saturday morning tradition growing up.

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AdmiralBonesaw t1_j7zugk3 wrote

The reason I thought I hated orange juice until I was an adult and had the real thing

1

whutchamacallit t1_j7xhnyv wrote

You ever think about items you've eaten and drank in terms of volumes? Like how many encyclopedias worth of pizza have I eaten?

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iamthejef t1_j7xlebx wrote

Somebody might be able to help you out if you'd pick a more relevant item for comparison, grandpa.

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whutchamacallit t1_j7xlrzi wrote

We're literally in a post talking about Tupperware from the 80s, sport.

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Chipimp t1_j7z3vxn wrote

Pizza not relevant anymore? Guess I'm stuck in the past.

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JohnnyDarkside t1_j7xseco wrote

My mom still uses the red pitcher with that push button lid.

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Twintoro t1_j7y4uck wrote

Same. She has two of them. They’ve been storing cold water for as long as I’ve been alive. Maybe I should get her some replacements?

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Strikew3st t1_j7zdrx2 wrote

Only if you're trying to pull a fast one to obtain those awesome pitchers for yourself, otherwise no.

1

OneMorePenguin t1_j7xzsa0 wrote

Same, except it was iced tea. I still have it, but haven't been drinking much iced tea.

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Funkycoldmedici t1_j7z6f0f wrote

Sweet tea tastes best from that pitcher. It’s a crucial ingredient.

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LiveFastDieFast t1_j7y0vzh wrote

First thought as well. And then pouring it into the plastic kool-aid cup that was usually red or white, had a handle, and had the kool-aid guy on it

2

Gnarlodious t1_j7xpihh wrote

Hate to say it but plastic does decompose after a long time and releases particles into your food. I wouldn’t consider such old plastic safe.

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BobbySwiggey t1_j7zhd6g wrote

Yup we had to throw out a bunch of Tupperware from the 80s for that reason, you could actually feel it starting to decompose. Not BIFL at all unfortunately.

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Shojo_Tombo t1_j7zqisy wrote

Iirc, the red, orange, and opaque yellow ones contain mercury based pigments. The science is still out about whether or not they can leech heavy metals, but I personally don't want to risk it.

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Trash_Emperor t1_j7zxdia wrote

Better to be bummed than to be sick. Old plastic degrades something fierce after a while, especially when exposed to sun. It's no wonder you can smash through old Dodge dashboards with your bare hands after a few decades.

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Sasselhoff t1_j80aqpw wrote

Shoot, really? I've got Tupperware going back 40 years, if not more....and dang-it, I just organized all of it! Now you're telling me I've got to dump it...sigh.

How far back is "too far" to be safe? I probably have a piece from every set starting a decade ago, back to 40+ years.

Or is it one of those things where I should just move them to the garage/woodshop and start using glass containers?

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DisguisedEleiphant t1_j84v46x wrote

I wanted to comment the same thing, like wtf, why would someone buy old plastic containers...

2

Gnarlodious t1_j852osx wrote

And if you ever do, smell them real closely. Old plastic was often stored in under-counter spaces and absorbed sewage odors that are impossible to drive out.

1

skiingst0ner t1_j7wnd4o wrote

Those are sweet but do research on the plastic to make sure they aren’t toxic

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CosmonautJizzRocket OP t1_j7wofno wrote

I was thinking about that, i'll do some research.

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Chambsky t1_j7wyjje wrote

It is highly likely that some of those contain toxic levels of lead. Not worth the risk in my opinion.

https://www.snopes.com/news/2019/03/19/lead-in-cookware-or-in-toys/

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CosmonautJizzRocket OP t1_j7wz3qm wrote

Alright perfect thanks for the warning i'll err on the side of caution.

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Geneocrat t1_j7xwb86 wrote

It’s incredible how many things used to have lead and how little is harmful. It never leaves your body. It just gets diluted as you make new blood. So crazy.

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trifelin t1_j7yk4yw wrote

I’m more shocked at the number of current products that have lead! Fidget spinners are still being produced.

2

gt0163c t1_j7xqnoo wrote

While it's certainly possible, particularly with the yellow pitchers. I would be surprised if the square/rectangular containers were manufactured before 1980. My mom was a "Tupperware Lady" from like 1979-1984 or '85 and I remember the change to the mustard yellow, orange and reddish brown color scheme and then the pastel/almost light mint green colors of those square containers on the right. The pastels were later and might not have been until the later 80's or maybe even early 1990's (we still got the catalogues and some containers even after mom stopped selling it). I've use Tupperware from the time period my mom was selling it pretty much continually (I'm in my later 40's). My family has no issues which could be attributable to lead or heavy metal poisoning.

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Chambsky t1_j7zgb9v wrote

>My family has no issues

...that you are aware of.

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gt0163c t1_j80avla wrote

That is true. But it's been like 40ish years. I suppose I could grow a third head tomorrow due to pretty much continuous use of the red Tupperware lunchbox I started using in first grade. I'll let you know if that happens.

1

Chambsky t1_j80jh98 wrote

Some other symptoms you might not notice include developmental delays, learning difficulties, headaches, difficulty with memory or concentration. Don't let me hold you back from using cheap products that science proves are not good for your health. You've been fine for 40 years right? Lol

0

eucalyptusmacrocarpa t1_j7zkf1q wrote

The square container on the very top is not that old either. It's a freezer container from the late 90s, I think

0

Wax_on_wacks_off t1_j7xbnq6 wrote

If they are toxic than color me cancer because my family has a set of those we’ve used for as long as I can remember

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GreatGrapeApes t1_j7wz9kr wrote

Mmmm heavy metals, matches my drink from the hose nostalgia collection.

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CosmonautJizzRocket OP t1_j7wwekr wrote

I wish someone could definitively tell me how much cancer this will give me so i can decide whether or not i should keep and use them.

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IandIreckon t1_j7x8u8l wrote

Send it. Anyone over 35 was drinking out of these daily; if you don’t use these replace everything you own with stainless steel no matter the cost. Everything gives you cancer.

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celticdove t1_j7y0u9m wrote

Unfortunately, Tupperware doesn't live in a cancer vacuum.

Tupperware + genetics + obesity + highly processed food + tobacco + alcohol consumption ...

2

physicscat t1_j7yiog7 wrote

Eaten of them my whole life and still do. No issues. People here are alarmists.

−2

CosmonautJizzRocket OP t1_j7wun7w wrote

Okay so i should gut these? All answers/info i'm finding are pretty vague.

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ssssskkkkkrrrrrttttt t1_j7wvdko wrote

Yeah, probably m8. Plastics degrade and if these are over (apparently) 13 years old then it’s not worth the risk.

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CosmonautJizzRocket OP t1_j7wvk90 wrote

These are like 50 years old so yeah i'll figure out what to do thanks

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tammigirl6767 t1_j7zpiks wrote

Tupperware will replace some of the older stuff even if it’s not cracked, chipped, broken or peeling. It never hurts to ask.

7

ssssskkkkkrrrrrttttt t1_j7zz02s wrote

Fax! Plus i feel like they’d appreciate the relics. and it’s their non-bifl product so the shame may play in your favor

1

DontKillKinny t1_j7zvycm wrote

I’d use them for other things - screws, nuts, bolts, fishing tackle, stickers, coins…

1

Rhenjamin t1_j7xmfw1 wrote

Those are amazing. They hold their flexibility because all the BPA compounds were still legal when those were made.

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smushedtoast t1_j7y9dbe wrote

*phthalates. BPA is used in rigid polycarbonate, not flexible plastic- you’re talking about phthalates here

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iamthejef t1_j7xmbib wrote

My dad used the bottom-right red one to bring his sandwiches to work for probably 30 years. He's 67 and has parkinson's now, though it's more likely to be related to farming chemicals than Tupperware, but it would be interesting to know.

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Rhenjamin t1_j7xmrej wrote

My grandparents both died of non Hodgkins lymphoma. The Dr said it was a one in a million chance. They used these every day for years. It was the farm chemicals though.

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7___7 t1_j7xnxjx wrote

I prefer using glass containers to avoid plastic and other contaminants in my food.

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kayisbadatstuff t1_j7xzdyo wrote

reading the comments after using these at my mom’s house my whole life haha these contain lead?????????? Like really???

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CosmonautJizzRocket OP t1_j7wme25 wrote

I'm guessing the bottom white piece is from a different and slightly older set as it's lid is a different style but a great find nonetheless.

8

Direct-Effective2694 t1_j7y1cjy wrote

Costco has the glass snap ware Pyrex dishes. They’re 100x better than any other Tupperware I’ve ever had

7

IsisOsirisHorusRa t1_j7yn3hq wrote

Nostalgia can kill ya. Think about it. They were just pumping whatever petrochemicals they had laying around into products like this. Not a bit of testing to determine any level of toxicity in those days. They were trying to squeeze every bit of profit from every drop of petroleum they could, just like today. Nice to look at, but don't store food in them, or worse, store liquid and drink from them.

7

dangerbird t1_j7xrw1d wrote

Gotta wonder how much that plastic is degraded by now.

5

hazelquarrier_couch t1_j7xf02o wrote

All Tupperware is lifetime guaranteed for the life of the item. If any of them ever break, no matter the owner, Tupperware will replace them.

4

JustAKidFromAkron t1_j7y7soq wrote

Did you buy these from a guy driving a bright orange Dodge camper van?

3

Strikew3st t1_j7zntwh wrote

No, we haven't seen your Dad, I'm sure he'll be back from getting milk and smokes soon.

1

IdealDesperate2732 t1_j809s2n wrote

No, ew... there is no way that shit is safe to eat out of any more.

3

Chocklateicecream t1_j7xvfk7 wrote

Did you go shopping in my moms kitchen? 😆

Great find!

2

AutisticPanda- t1_j7ywnz9 wrote

Saw this and thought why, then remembered my grandparents say they have had the same tupperware for like 40-50 years

2

lecoeurvivant t1_j7yyphv wrote

I remember those like yesterday!

2

cardinalsfanokc t1_j80ba48 wrote

Other than the plastic leaching issues and the fact that this isn’t BIFL, they don’t do a good job keeping things fresh compared to modern equivalents! Just get the glass ones with locking tops and THOSE are BIFL for sure.

2

Nodeal_reddit t1_j7x17kd wrote

Takes me back to being a kid in the early 80s. My mom put cereal in those pitchers. That’s back when cereal and chips used to go stale in a day if they were left open.

1

Slut_Fukr t1_j7y1f35 wrote

I can smell my grandparents kitchen in that picture. Grandma always put their cereal in those containers.

1

MurdocksTorment t1_j7y9i6r wrote

Make sure you burp them when needed.

1

tammigirl6767 t1_j7zpxgr wrote

You don’t burp the square Tupperware.

If it’s round, it needs a sound.

If it’s Square, give it air.

1

helloedboys t1_j7y9ve6 wrote

Are they Nupont Fiber Woven bowls?

1

Funkycoldmedici t1_j7z6s42 wrote

The truly shocking thing here is that you have all the lids. My whole life has been a cupboard of containers with missing lids and lids that do not fit any container.

1

cairob3 t1_j7z8m1y wrote

They look to be well cared for. Good for you!

1

Lonely-Connection-37 t1_j7zfwq2 wrote

Man I can see the Kool-aid Stains in the pitcher from here! Nice score 🤘🏿🤘🏿

1

wildmonster91 t1_j7zgt8f wrote

Did uncle rico ever send you the included special offer?

1

rickyharline t1_j7zuloe wrote

You get them bad boys off Uncle Rico?

1

Tredawgdaboss t1_j7zv5et wrote

Glad youre happy but this is definitely not bifl imo

1

Darrenwad3 t1_j7zw03r wrote

I hate these so much, unless you want soapy tasting food

1

gudmar t1_j7zzdrm wrote

Recommendations for BIFL containers to purchase now?

1

blacklab t1_j802q6k wrote

Those pitchers, damn

1

TheTemplarSaint t1_j802zzv wrote

Mmm, old fashioned BPA and other good stuff!

Definitely make sure you store fatty and acidic stuff in there to get the maximum benefit from all the classic chemicals.

1

HardButter t1_j806mbn wrote

Yep, look at the lids now cause they are going to be gone. To a place in the cupboard, with no entrance were skewing sticks be, with the only good veggie peeler and 1/4 tsp dance free.

1

ThirdeYe1337 t1_j89z8i7 wrote

I grew up using my parents' set of Tupperware that was red/orange/yellow, and have a sentimental attachment to them. I think they were called "Harvest Collection". Had many packets of ramen noodles in the larger bowls in those colors.

1

PaladinDark t1_j8b91lz wrote

i say good buy, those containers will last u a lifetime. im readin the comments and sure the plastic may not be the best but odds are ull be fine.

1

Pandatoke t1_j7xxc0j wrote

Absolutely a score!!

−1

Giggles567 t1_j7y881q wrote

Ahhh those sizes are so great!!!

−1

Dorkinfo t1_j7xhyvx wrote

Jealous!!

−2

lalaci t1_j7zwjma wrote

amazing! These will last you a lifetime

−2

spydrwebb44 t1_j7wltzr wrote

Score of a lifetime.

−4

ohyeaoksure t1_j7xgvne wrote

SCORE! That stuff lasts forever.

−4

One_Information3875 t1_j7xd5na wrote

Lead shmed. These are gold. Their new stuff is absolutely terrible.

−12