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Coffee is best enjoyed when it’s fresh. Whether you buy ground coffee or whole beans, investing in a suitable storage container ensures you get the best flavour from your chosen brewing method. When it comes to coffee storage containers, the main options are vacuumed sealed or a simple air-tight seal.
We’ve picked out a few of each to help you find the best storage solution for your coffee needs. At the end of the article, we’ve also put together a few bonus storage tips to help you get the best out of your coffee.
Death Wish Coffee Airtight Canister
| Price:
|
Around $33 (Currently unavailable) |
| Size: | Approx. 1lb |
| Colour: | Black (with the Death Wish Coffee logo in white) |
| Storage type: | Vacuum sealed |
Despite the fact that it’s branded with the Death Wish Coffee ‘skull and crossbones’ logo, our first choice is just a great general use vacuum-sealed coffee storage container that’s getting rave reviews. It features vacuum technology, which sucks out the air and prevents oxygen from getting to the coffee.
To use, you simply push the inner lid (or seal) down, place the top lid on, and push the handle down until the air is released, forming an airtight seal. You can use this canister to store up to a pound of coffee, either whole bean or ground (not supplied with the canister, unfortunately!). Internally, the canister is made from stainless steel for easier cleaning and added coffee freshness.
Verdict: This is a fine Death Wish Coffee-branded storage tin that keeps coffee fresh and looks distinctive sitting on the kitchen counter!
Coffee Gator’s Stainless Steel Coffee Container (Medium)
| Price:
|
Around $35 |
| Size: | Approx. 14oz ground coffee or 1lb whole bean |
| Color: | Blue, red, gold, grey, and stainless steel options |
| Storage type: | Airtight / not vacuum sealed |
Our second choice is the highly-rated Coffee Gator coffee container, which, rather than a vacuum seal, features a simple flip lid that is locked in place with a latch with a rubber seal to ensure it remains airtight. This is a durable container that does what it promises – keeps your coffee fresh! It has a one-way valve that allows carbon dioxide (Co2) to escape but stops air and light from getting in.
There is also a handy date wheel that allows you to track the expiry date on your beans, the date you ground the coffee, or the date on which you opened the bag. The Coffee Gator container is sold in a range of vivid, eye-catching colors, in addition to the more subdued charcoal grey and stainless steel options. As a bonus, the container is sold new with a coffee scoop.
The medium canister stores just under a pound of coffee, but if you need more storage space, Coffee Gator sells a large version of this container too, which holds about 1-2oz more.
The Coffee Gator container is sold in a range of vivid, eye-catching colors, in addition to the more subdued charcoal grey and stainless steel options. As a bonus, the container is sold new with a coffee scoop. The medium canister stores just under a pound of coffee, but if you need more storage space, Coffee Gator sells a large version of this container too, which holds about 1-2oz more.
There is also a handy date wheel that allows you to track the expiry date on your beans, the date you ground the coffee, or the date on which you opened the bag. The Coffee Gator container is sold in a range of vivid, eye-catching colors, in addition to the more subdued charcoal grey and stainless steel options.
As a bonus, the container is sold new with a coffee scoop. The medium canister stores just under a pound of coffee, but if you need more storage space, Coffee Gator sells a large version of this container too, which holds about 1-2oz more.
Verdict: This is a simple to use, yet effective, airtight coffee container that’s sure to brighten up any kitchen.
Coffeevac’s Ultimate Vacuum Sealed Coffee Container
| Price: | Around $15 (Check here for the latest discounts.) |
| Size: | Approx. 1lb |
| Color: | Black |
| Storage type: | Vacuum sealed (partial) |
Our next choice proves that you don’t have to spend a lot of money to get a quality coffee storage system. The Coffeevac is sold as Europe’s number 1 coffee container and is part of the Tightvac family of patented partial vacuum-sealed containers. To activate the partial vacuum seal, you simply press the button and push the lid down onto the body of the container, making it airtight. The Coffeevac also has a valve to release the Co2, while keeping oxygen from getting in and damaging the coffee.
It is worth noting that this canister is made from plastic, rather than metal. Sold in sleek, shiny black, this particular container holds a pound of coffee. The company makes a whole range of different size containers to suit a variety of needs (ranging from 1.4oz all the way up to 5lb).
It is worth noting that this canister is made from plastic, rather than metal. Sold in sleek, shiny black, this particular container holds a pound of coffee, but the company makes a whole range of different size containers to suit a variety of needs (ranging from 1.4oz all the way up to 5lb).
Verdict: This is a handsome and highly effective vacuum-sealed coffee storage solution that’s sold at a very attractive price.
Friis Coffee Vault
| Price: | Around $25 |
| Size: | Approx. 1lb |
| Color: | Black, red and stainless steel options |
| Storage type: | Airtight / not vacuum sealed |
Our next choice is the popular and highly-rated Coffee Vault by Friis. This is an airtight (but not vacuum sealed) storage container that holds up to a pound of whole bean or ground coffee. The container is made from stainless steel, with a durable plastic lid.
It features a closure lock with a rubber seal to make the container airtight. There is also a plastic ‘freshness valve’ to prevent Co2 build-up. It should be noted that unlike the other coffee containers on our list, with the Friis, the valve does need replacing every two months or so (as recommended by the manufacturer).
The Coffee Vault is sold in black, red, and stainless steel color options. Friis also sells a 12oz version of its Coffee Vault. Note that the container is sold new with a measuring spoon and a one-year supply of freshness valves.
Verdict: This is a popular and highly-rated container that provides airtight storage for your whole beans and ground coffee.
Chef’s Star Coffee Canister
| Price:
|
Around $35 |
| Size: | Approx. 1lb |
| Color: | Stainless steel |
| Storage type: | Airtight / not vacuum sealed |
Our final choice is the premium quality, stainless steel Chef’s Star coffee canister. While in some places it’s advertised as a vacuum-sealed canister, it does, in fact, feature a good old-fashioned flip top and catch, which forms an airtight (non-vacuum) seal.
This oversight aside, the Chef’s Star remains an easy-to-use, effective coffee storage container. It benefits from a one-way Co2 gas vent valve and an adjustable date wheel, so you can keep track of roasting, grinding, and storage dates. Available in a handsome steel grey with a black lid, the Chef’s Star can hold up to a pound of whole beans or ground coffee. It is also sold new with a lifetime warranty.
Verdict: While not vacuum-sealed, as claimed, this remains a quality airtight container that will keep your coffee fresh.
Tips on the best way to store coffee
As promised, to finish, here are a few general storage tips to keep in mind to ensure your coffee retains optimal freshness:
Keep exposure to a minimum
Remember that coffee’s greatest enemies are air, moisture, heat, and light – so the best way to store coffee is to keep it away from all these elements.
Buy less
Buy little and often – the best advice is only to buy as much coffee as you plan to use over a maximum of one to two weeks (coffee starts to decline in quality within a few hours of roasting).
Use specifically designed coffee storage containers
Don’t store your coffee in the packaging you bought it in – after opening, transfer it to a suitable container (such as one of those on our list!).
Buy whole beans
Whole beans last longer than ground coffee – if you have the choice, buy your coffee in whole bean form and grind just enough for each batch you brew, and check the roast date on the packaging.
Unroasted green coffee beans can last for a long time (up to a year) when properly stored – for optimal freshness, why not consider roasting your coffee?
As noted above, freshly roasted coffee beans contain Co2 – to prevent gas build-up make sure you select a container that has a one-way valve to let Co2 out while stopping air from getting in (that’s what that little plastic button on the coffee bag is for, by the way!).
Keep them out of the cold
Refrigerator vs freezer – there are all kinds of views on whether coffee should be stored in a refrigerator or freezer: the consensus seems to be that the fridge is preferable to the freezer. However, neither is really necessary as long as the coffee is kept in a suitable container and protected from its 4 main ‘enemies’.
