If you look closely at a stainless steel food container, you will often notice one non metal part: the seal.
And that raises a fair question.
If the goal is to avoid plastic, why is there a seal at all? And why is that seal made of what it is made of?
Let’s explain.
Why Stainless Steel Containers Use Seals
The seal has one simple purpose: to make the container leak resistant.
Without a seal, liquid food would escape more easily. Moisture would enter the container. Freshness would decrease faster.
The seal allows the lid to sit tightly and securely on a rigid stainless steel body.
It is a functional component, not a structural one.
So What Is Silicone, Exactly?
It is a synthetic material. That much is true, and we are not going to pretend otherwise.
But it is not the same family as polypropylene or polyethylene — the materials that make up most lids on most shelves.
Food grade silicone is:
- Stable at high and low temperatures
- Flexible without cracking
- Resistant to oxidation
- Stable in contact with food
It does not rely on softeners or plasticizers to stay flexible. Many other synthetic materials do, and that is precisely why they become brittle with age. Silicone does not go that way.
That is why it is widely used in medical applications, baby products, and professional kitchen tools.
Why We Use Food Grade Silicone
For seals, there are only a few realistic options.
Rubber can degrade and absorb odors.
Foam materials break down over time.
Rigid polymers can warp or crack.
Food grade silicone offers the most stable balance between flexibility, durability, and safety.
It does not come into constant contact with your food like the container walls do. It simply creates the seal between lid and container.
Why We Recommend Removing the Seal When Cleaning
Even stable materials benefit from proper care.
We recommend removing the seal occasionally and rinsing it separately. This prevents moisture buildup and ensures the seal stays clean and odor free.
After cleaning, dry it completely before placing it back.
This keeps everything fresh and long lasting.
So… Is It Safe?
Yes.
When it is food grade and properly maintained, silicone is considered safe for food contact. It is stable, durable, and widely used in high quality kitchen environments.
Why We Name It
Two materials. Both named. That is the whole list for every container we make: 304 stainless steel, and the seal in the lid.
We could have said “one material” and hoped nobody looked closely at the lid. We would rather tell you there are two, tell you what the second one is, and let you decide.
Our focus is removing unnecessary plastic contact where it matters most: the body of the container, where your food rests every day.
The seal exists to make the container function properly. Nothing more. It is also the part that eventually wears out, so we sell it separately rather than let a worn ring end a container that has nine good years left in it.
Food should be stored without doubt.