- TikTok users are thinking outside of the box when it comes to food storage.
- This viral hack shows you how to transport foods that don’t always fit conveniently in containers.
- Our experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances Lab weigh in on the method.
I have tried and failed multiple times at transporting foods from point A to point B, whether it’s been by car, bus or train. When it comes to delicate foods (mostly cakes and other desserts), I always find myself smudging the icing on top, or worse — completely smushing it.
When I saw TikTok’s kitchen container hack, I realized I had been storing and transporting foods all wrong. And I have to admit, I was a little mad at myself for not coming up with this trick on my own.
The method suggests flipping the container upside down, using the lid as a base and snapping what would typically be the bottom of the container to the top so that it covers taller foods. The best part? When you’re ready to serve (or eat your leftovers!), all you have to do is take off the top.
We checked in with Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances Lab Director Nicole Papantoniou to make sure the hack works, and as an expert, it’s no surprise she was already familiar with the method. “I’ve used this for cakes, cupcakes or anything a little taller that I need to transport — even pastries I want to keep fresh for a couple of days.”
However, storing food this way, although more convenient, is not always a piece of cake (wink, wink). “The main thing to remember is it’s not fool-proof — food can still move around (I learned the hard way!) so I’d say just be super careful when transporting.”
For the best results, only transport tall, solid foods using this method and keep the following tips in mind.
- Choose glass or plastic containers with secure lids to help preserve freshness and avoid mess while in transit.
- Use clear containers especially for delicate foods so you can keep an eye on them.
- Always place containers on a flat surface if you’re not holding onto them.
Laura Millar (she/her) is the assistant lifestyle editor for Good Housekeeping, where she covers home design. Prior to joining Good Housekeeping in 2024, she wrote for NBC’s TODAY.com, where she covered everything from entertainment news to pop culture updates.
