A food storage bag can hold leftovers in the refrigerator, but it's a thinner film and gives frozen food less protection from air. Air dries the food's surface and causes freezer burn. For anything going into the freezer, start with a freezer bag and press out as much air as you can before closing it.

Storage and freezer bags otherwise look much alike. Both come in common kitchen sizes and use resealable closures. Freezer bags use thicker film for cold storage. Storage bags suit the refrigerator, pantry, and marinades. Sandwich bags carry food for the day, while smaller snack bags divide dry snacks and other small portions.

Which Bag for Which Job

Signature SELECT covers all four tiers, and its gallon freezer bag and gallon food storage bag can carry the same closure while serving different jobs. Check the use printed on the box, not just the size.

Choose a size that leaves enough room to close the top without stretching it. Hefty Storage Slider Jumbo 2.5 gallon covers bulky food that will not fit in a gallon bag.

Freezer Bags vs. Storage Bags

Freezer bags use thicker film to limit the air that reaches frozen food. Signature SELECT's gallon freezer and food storage bags both print "Double Zipper" and "BPA Free" on the package, but the front labels identify one as "FREEZER" and the other as "FOOD STORAGE."

Signature SELECT Freezer Click & Lock Double Zipper, gallon, 28 ct

One freezer-bag shopper wrote, "I love jewel freezer bags. They seal easily and keep the freezer out of the bags" under the headline Love. A freezer bag cannot limit air well if part of its zipper remains open.

Signature SELECT Food Storage Click & Lock Double Zipper, gallon, 19 ct

Food storage bags are made for refrigerator leftovers, pantry ingredients, and marinating. A customer who uses them often wrote, "I use a lot of storage bags and like the signature bags." The review headline was Signature storage bags.

Freezer burn begins when air reaches the food and dries its surface. Thick film helps, but sealing technique matters more than the brand. Put the food in the bag, move it toward the bottom, and press out the air without forcing liquid toward the zipper. Close the seal fully, then check it from one end to the other. Leave room for liquids to expand when frozen.

Ziploc Freezer Bags, gallon, 28 ct

For meat with an awkward shape, freezer paper is another option. Its coated side goes against the food so the wrap can fit closely and block air.

Zipper, Slider, or Fold-Over

A zipper closes when you press its tracks together. Signature SELECT prints "Click & Lock Double Zipper" across its resealable line. You can run your fingers along the closure and feel whether the tracks have joined. For a bag lying flat on the counter, this closure takes little room around the top.

A slider moves a tab across the closure. It is easier to work with one hand because the tab brings the tracks together. Hefty's gallon storage slider bag also prints "STAND & FILL EXPANDABLE BOTTOM" on the box. The expanded bottom lets the bag stand while you spoon or pour food into it.

Hefty Storage Slider Bags, gallon, 30 ct

"Easy open and close," wrote one Hefty shopper. The review appeared under Easy to use and durable. Ziploc describes a similar filling aid on its freezer-bag line as "Stay Open, designed for easy filling." Both packages emphasize filling the bag while it stands open. Choose a slider for one-handed closing or a zipper when you prefer to feel the seal close under your fingers.

Fold-over bags have no zipper. The Signature SELECT sandwich box prints "FOLD & CLOSE." A flap folds over the opening to help contain a sandwich or another item that will be eaten soon. It does not make an airtight seal.

Signature SELECT Sandwich Bags Fold & Close, 300 ct

One shopper uses them for more than sandwiches, writing under Great product.: "Fold and close bags can not be beat. I use them for all small food items."

Sandwich and Snack Bags

Sandwich bags suit a sandwich, cut fruit, or another portion meant for the same day. A fold-over bag keeps those foods together without making an airtight seal. For a sandwich that needs a closed seal, choose a sandwich bag with a zipper.

Snack bags are smaller and sized for crackers, fruit, and other small portions. Signature SELECT's snack package prints "Double Zipper" and "BPA Free." A shopper called the size Convenient and wrote, "Just the right size for a whole lot of things everyday."

Signature SELECT Snack Bags Reseal, 40 ct

The Bag That Goes in the Oven

Ordinary plastic food bags stay out of the oven. Ziploc Endurables is a reusable silicone pouch, and its package identifies a different set of uses. It reads "From Freezer, To Oven, To Table" and shows four icons: freezer safe, microwave & oven safe, dishwasher safe, and reusable silicone.

Ziploc Endurables Reusable Silicone Pouch, large, 64 fl oz

The box also prints "SECURE SEAL." One shopper used that seal in a cooler and wrote, "it's waterproof. I sealed our sandwiches in a cooler and nothing was soggy!" The headline was Essential for the kitchen.

Use the pouch only as its package directs, including its oven and microwave instructions.

Common Questions

Can I use a storage bag in the freezer?

Use a freezer bag for frozen food. Its thicker film gives the food more protection from the air that causes freezer burn.

What makes a freezer bag different?

The film is thicker than the film used for a food storage bag. The closure may look the same, so read the use printed on the box.

Are slider bags better than zipper bags?

They work differently. A slider can be easier to close with one hand, while a zipper lets you feel the tracks join as you press along them. Some slider bags also have an expanded bottom that stands during filling.

Can you microwave a Ziploc bag?

Read the package for the exact Ziploc product in your hand. Use it in a microwave only when that package labels it microwave safe, and follow its directions.

Can you reuse freezer bags?

Check the package directions for the bag you bought. A reusable silicone pouch is the product on this shelf made and labeled for repeated use.

What size bag do I need for a turkey or a big batch?

A gallon bag may be too small for a turkey, a large marinade, or a bulky batch. The Hefty 2.5 gallon jumbo slider is the larger storage option on this shelf. For freezing, divide the food among freezer bags that close without straining, or wrap a large cut closely in freezer paper.

Freezer bags or freezer paper, which should I use?

Freezer bags work well for portions that fit comfortably inside and for food you want to open and close. Press out the air before sealing. Freezer paper can fit closely around large or uneven cuts of meat and gives you a paper surface for labeling.