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What have you found to be the best storage and microwavable units for dysphagia food menus?


I've got a good mini food processor, am still looking for a small potato masher for small containers of fruit from MOW, but have had problems with storage units.


I've used a particular well known brand, pureed the MOWs, refrigerated them and Dad microwaves them to heat them up when he's ready for a meal.


Now I've noticed that there's a type of "fraying" of the plastic in the containers. In the past I haven't microwaved that often, so I was unfamiliar with this deterioration and didn't realize until I contacted the manufacturer that the containers were only mean for 30 second maximum heating in a microwave. Recommendation was to throw them away, so that's over a dozen containers that will be deposited in the recycling bin.


As a result, I'm searching for containers than handle up to a few minutes of reheating w/o deteriorating.


My sister had some very good ones which I also use, more like the quality of Melamine. But the manufacturer said they "probably" are not being produced any more. Searching in the kitchen section of a Target a few days ago, I saw only the lighter weight containers like the ones that haven't worked out for us.


A friend suggested Corelle, but again I only saw the cheaper thinner containers. I really want something substantive that will last.


Any suggestions? What do you use to reheat meals, and are they BPA free? That was one of the advantages of the containers I bought. No BPA is mandatory.


Thanks for any suggestions.

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GA There are some nice glass containers with plastic lids made by Pyrex. I got mine in Walmart, Target should have them too. They are on a seperate display not close to the plastic containers. I take the lid off before microwaving and cover with a plate. I use one of the small high speed blenders to puree food (about $20) . I also have a stick mixer which is ideal for mashing potatoes. They come out really smooth.
Look on the Walmart site for glass food storage containers. I'd do it but will loose my post. Actually look on any site that sells this stuff. I am limited to Walmart where I live because there isn't anywhere else. They are out there. certainly stop using the plastic to heat anything it can leach into the food. They are fine for storing dry goods so why not donate to thrift store someone can use them.
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Garden
My favorite is one I found at SurLaTable. They had a promotion, BOGO and I bought the egg poacher for the microwave and the microwave dish. The egg poacher was horrible or maybe I didn't use it right but the microwave dish I really like for my aunt as it heats the food to a hot temp but the bottom and sides of the dish doesn't get hot so she can eat right out of the dish. Joseph Joseph M-Cuisine Microwave Dish. At $10 its a little pricey to buy several but what I do is take the food out of the container it's stored in and put it in this dish to heat. I know you are thinking well if I wanted to do that I could put it in any number of things to reheat. True, but this one is safer for elders to hold and eat out of as the sides and bottom are not hot. No BPA. I googled the name just now and see that several places carry them at various price points and styles.
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I won't use ANY plastic in the microwave, none are rated to be re-used multiple times.

I like my mini food processor very much but it is a little too small, I think a 3 or 4 cup size would be ideal.
I never wanted a stick blender but when I was given one I loved using it to blend soups, smoothies etc.
I used a very cheap mixing jug (the kind sold to blend protein powder drinks) every day for thickening water and juices.
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I don't reheat anything in the storage containers. Instead, I dump it out onto the serving plate and heat it up that way. Same number of dirty dishes, but no problems with the plastic containers.
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Slightly differently question, but OT recommend I get cylinder foam to put over mom's utensils to make it easier for her to grasp

Anyone use these ? Not sure they would even get used or mostly likely get lost at her facility
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Uhm, they do make different kinds of special cutlery, depending on her needs, and given the amount you are spending on extra aides I assume you are willing to spring for the real deal. I can't imagine why they would make such a suggestion, or how the foam could possibly be sanitized.

(edit) They should be providing this kind of thing, and yeah, they would probably lose them.
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OK, I've been searching Amazon and I can see the logic in getting the foam vs investing in special cutlery, the foam is a lot cheaper (as long as you know what size to get and don't have to buy several variety packs). The foam is closed cell (like a pool noodle) so it should not get soiled easily, I'm still not sure about putting them in the dishwasher though.
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I've been keeping up on the responses here and really appreciate the suggestions. I'm hoping to find out a little bit more by researching online in the next few days; there are some specific products I've looking for. Then I'll update the thread and respond to the suggestions.

One of the issue which I forgot to mention is that I need to have covers for the containers as I puree the food, cover and refrigerate them, then Dad takes them out to eat when he's ready. If they're left open in the frig, well, you what happens to food that's not covered.

This seems to be one of the problems. Not all of the good quality containers have covers.

I never would have thought that at my age I'd be spending so much time trying to find microwavable containers with covers!
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I really like my Rubbermaid glass containers. I use the plastic ones for things like salad or cookies or cut up fruit. But for anything I will reheat, the glass are best!
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Still checking on Veronica's recommendation and trying to find microwavable Pyrex with lids. Jeanne, I haven't even seen Rubbermaid glass containers, but will look for them. These are microwavable, right?

I really wish I could find the Anchor Hocking ones that my sister bought years ago. They were perfect.

Off to the store and more pureeing.
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GA, I'm seeing both pyrex and anchor hocking food storage sets on the Walmart website.
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CWillie, thanks for that info. I'll check it out. I did find both Pyrex and Anchor Hocking today at the grocery store, bought some and will try it out, but I'm still looking for some more of different sizes.
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