Proper storage has a big impact on coffee flavor, which is a crucial but commonly overlooked factor. It is recommended to store coffee beans in a dark, vacuum-sealed container, as even slight exposure to air or sunshine shortens their shelf life and taints their flavor. However, not all receptacles are made equal, so we took the time to test a variety of specialty coffee canisters in order to determine which best preserved beans resulted in the greatest cup of coffee.
Perfect for Ground Coffee
Coffee Gator Stainless Steel Coffee Canister
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- Capacity: 16-oz bag of coffee beans
- Material: Stainlness steel
- Dimensions: 5.7 x 5.55 by 4.8 inches
- Dishwasher-Safe: No
This canister is a great choice, especially for ground coffee, and it starts with an airtight seal. A one-way CO2 valve in the design lets the coffee degas while shielding it from oxygen. In our experiments, this worked well because the coffee kept in the canister remained noticeably fresher than the same amount of coffee kept in a bag.
What sets this canister apart from others is the date wheel located on top of the lid, which allows you to keep track of how long your coffee has been stored. Along with the purchase, Coffee Gator includes four replacement valves and a measuring scoop made of stainless steel.
There are several colors and three sizes available for this canister. One pound of ground or whole-bean coffee fits comfortably in the medium canister that we tested. To check the integrity of the airtight seal, we filled the canister with water and shook it upside down over the sink. You can see how well your coffee beans will be secured inside because not a single drop of water leaked out. Although we cleaned the interior of the canister with a sponge without any problems, the item should not be placed in the dishwasher.
pros:
- Incredibly robust
- Calendar wheel monitors freshness
- Strong and simple to use clasp
Cons:
- Dishwasher not Safe
Best in Bulk
Planetary Design Airscape Kilo Coffee Canister
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- Capacity: Coffee beans, 35.2 ounces
- Material: Stainless steel
- Dimensions: 7.5 x 8 inches
- Dishwasher-Safe: No
The only thing better than coffee is a ton of it, but buying in bulk might be challenging if you’re concerned about the beans going bad. Fortunately, the Planetary Design Airscape Kilo is one of the largest airtight coffee canisters available, holding a massive 2.2 pounds of ground or whole bean coffee in addition to 5 pounds of flour and sugar. Because it comes in matte hues like white, gray, or charcoal, it appears elegant and understated on the countertop despite its size.
The inner top of this coffee canister, which you press down with a handle to expel air from within, is what actually makes it unique. Because of the inside lid’s effectiveness, this coffee canister tied for first place in freshness and flavor out of the 15 that we tested. Despite not being dishwasher-safe, the Airscape is also among the simplest coffee canisters to clean because of its huge size, which makes it possible to reach every area inside with a sponge.
There are two other sizes of the Airscape canisters made by Planetary Design, if you like it and want to buy the whole set for your kitchen: a little one that contains 8 ounces and a medium-sized one that can carry up to 1 pound of coffee. Even this bulk option is offered at a fair price. Though certain persons with strength or mobility limitations may find it difficult to lift and pour due to its size, keep that in mind. To assist with this, we suggest scooping.
Pros:
- Excellent freshness is provided by the inner lid.
- Good for additional storage
- A strong, airtight seal
- Fairly priced
Cons:
- Hard to pour beans from a little bit
The Best Budget
OXO Steel POP Coffee Container
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- Capacity: Coffee beans in ounces
- Material: Plastic and steel
- Dimensions: 6.5 x 4.3 x 6.3 inches
- Dishwasher-Safe: Yes (only the silicone gasket and the container).
Pop containers are part of OXO’s assortment of products designed to make homes function more efficiently. Comparing this coffee canister to other models, the 1.6-liter model is among the best deals available and is made especially for coffee.
Pressing down on the pop button creates an airtight seal inside the user-friendly lid. When the button is raised, it also functions as a handle. While it is believed to become sticky after a while, our long-term testing revealed that it is incredibly smooth. Because of its rectangular shape, the BPA-free canister is small enough to preserve critical counter space while still being big enough to contain a 1-pound bag of coffee, whether ground or whole bean.1 Also included in the purchase is a coffee scoop. However, the corners of the Pop container are rounded, so if you’d like, you may pour the beans straight out of it.
An improved model of the OXO coffee canister is this one. Both models are comparable in terms of size, cost, and design; however, the more recent model has a few enhancements, particularly in terms of cleaning convenience. Before, you could only hand-wash it; however, now that the lid is off, you can put it in the dishwasher.
Pros:
- The rectangular form conserves counter area.
- Simple to pour from
- Safe for the dishwasher (excluding lid)
Cons:
- Button can adhere after extended use