I know that you know that grinding coffee beans just prior to brewing coffee with them is best… but I also know that even YOU don’t want to do that every single day – every single time you make coffee.
Even though I’m a borderline coffee snob I still find myself grinding enough for a few days at a time and back when I was dealing with an infant in the home I would grind about a weeks worth of coffee all at once just to make my morning a tad bit easier as I juggled life at 5am on little sleep.
We also also know that there are a ton of different coffee storage containers to choose from sitting at a wide variety of price points… so, I felt it was necessary to build this list of our favorite airtight coffee containers to make things easier on you, the consumer.
For me I use the Coffee Gator canister in my kitchen because I’m partial to the brand. They make a lot of different coffee products and they are all made to a very high standard but there are obviously a number of really excellent alternatives.
When you get down to it the necessities of making a good storage container for your coffee are simple. You need:
- A sealed container that is air tight.
- Your container needs to be able to vent CO2.
- The container should block out all UV rays.
With those main points in mind let’s jump straight to the point let me say this:
I believe the Coffee Gator stainless steel container is the best airtight coffee canister because it meets these three main points and because it actually keeps your coffee fresh for the longest amount of time relative to it’s competitors – even when the container is only half full.
It is priced very low for the value it offers, see current pricing on Amazon here, and it’s the container I use in my own kitchen!
As I’ve already said, that coffee container, is not your only choice. There are other options which are really great too some of which are even less expensive so go ahead and scroll down just a tad to look at all of my top choices for airtight coffee storage.
The Best Airtight Coffee Storage Containers for the Home
This list below is presented to you in order of our preference, 1st to 5th. Please read our short product reviews and then click through for pricing and availability information.
1. The Coffee Gator Stainless Steel Container – Keeps your coffee fresh even when half full!
Coffee Gator Stainless Steel Container – Canister with co2 Valve, Scoop and eBookBy far and away this is our favorite coffee storage bin just as it is for so many other happy customers.
This is an airtight canister that will keep your coffee beans fresher longer than any other because of it’s CO2 release valve that lets CO2 out but doesn’t let oxygen in.
We love this bin because it comes with accessories and lots of literature and because the build quality is so high. Basically if you buy this unit it will last for a long time!
There are thousands of people who agree with this and the price is excellent. This is the best coffee container on the market!
2. Coffeevac 1 lb – The Ultimate Vacuum Sealed Coffee Container
Coffeevac 1 lb – The Ultimate Vacuum Sealed Coffee ContainerThis model is our second favorite vacuum sealed coffee canister because it’s just as durable as the Coffee gator mentioned above.
You’ll love it if you want a streamlined look in your kitchen (there isn’t a latch on the side) or if you want to choose your favorite colors – there are a lot of colors to choose from.
The price of this is lower than the Coffee Gator but the accessories aren’t included. Even still this is an excellent value and will keep your coffee fresh by letting carbon dioxide escape while not letting O2 enter.
3. Friis 16-Ounce Coffee Vault
Friis 16-Ounce Coffee VaultThis is another well priced coffee storage container that will vent gasses out but not let gasses in – this is exactly what we want to keep coffee from going bad.
As far as price is concerned the Friis coffee vault is fairly low in price (which is why we like it). It even comes with a scooper too!
We are also confident that this can will be durable enough to last you a long time due to it’s stainless steel construction.
4. Airscape Coffee and Food Storage Canister, 64 oz with Patented Airtight Lid
Airscape Coffee and Food Storage Canister, 64 oz with Patented Airtight LidThe Airscape canister is a great design for people who don’t want rickety latches. The screw-top lid creates the airtight seal you need to keep your coffee tasting it’s best.
Another benefit to this model is size, you have the option to buy this in large 32 oz or 64 oz sizes!
If you go through a lot of coffee then you will love this larger coffee vault!
5. OXO Good Grips Airtight Coffee POP Container
OXO Good Grips Airtight Coffee POP ContainerMost countertop coffee canisters are made of solid stainless construction. This is meant to keep out the light which has a negative effect on the coffee beans.
You’ll love this airtight coffee bin from Oxo because you can see how much coffee you have left at a glance while the bin prevents the harmful UV light from getting in to do it’s damage.
Not only is the Oxo coffee container going to keep your coffee fresh but it’s easy to pour out of, clean, and stackable… it’s priced very well too!
How Long Does Ground Coffee or Whole Bean Coffee Stay Fresh in One of These Containers?
To better understand the answer to that question you have to understand how coffee loses it’s freshness to begin with.
A green (unroasted) coffee bean can stay essentially fresh for a year or two in an ideal dry storage environment.
Once a green bean is roasted however it starts to oxidize, or react negatively to oxygen that touches it’s surface.
The vast majority of a coffee bean however is not located on the surface until it is ground up, at that point each bean particle has it’s own surface area and all of those areas start to oxidize, they release more carbon dioxide, and oils start to dry up.
Light can speed up the process while moisture can make the beans or grind go bad faster and in different ways. As we all know, moisture tends to allow bacteria to thrive.
Dry roasted coffee beans will not necessarily ever go bad but the freshness levels will decline significantly by the end of 3-4 weeks unless the beans are in a sealed and airtight environment free of as much airspace as possible.
When placed into a coffee vault or airscape environment there is less oxygen to eat away at the bean and the beans can stay a bit fresher for longer.
A highly trained and refined palate can tell when a roasted batch of coffee beans has been in an air sealed container for 2 months but the average person in their home typically cant tell until more time has passed.
With ground coffee the longevity of coffee freshness is much tighter.
Unsealed ground coffee starts to noticeably lose its fresh flavor after a day or two tops. If that grind is stored tightly in an air sealed canister I believe the vast majority of people won’t be able to notice a meaningful loss of freshness for 7-10 days depending on how finely ground the beans are.
Remember, this all has nothing to do with whether or not the coffee is going bad. You can safely drink stale coffee that is very old without getting sick… it just won’t taste good.
See this post for more on how to tell when coffee has gone bad.
The canisters listed above on this page are meant to slow the decline in freshness of the beans or grind but nothing can stop it.
In the best of all worlds you would roast your beans, wait three days for the initial CO2 to release from the beans and then grind them immediately before setting up your brewer.
I still believe the Coffee Gator container is the best holding place for those beans or the grind but its certainly not the only good canister. Buy the one that makes the most sense for you and your wallet… but above all, get one because even the worst one is better than nothing at all.
The 5 Best Airtight Coffee Containers to Keep Coffee Fresh
Fresh brewed coffee is always a welcome treat, anytime of the day. There are several factors that contribute to freshness of coffee. Unfortunately, there are also natural factors that make coffee bad, stale or just disgusting to drink.
There are several ways to keep coffee fresh.
- Roast your own beans. You can buy green coffee beans from coffee producers and roasters. You can connect online or in groups or forums. Buy green beans from them. Roast beans at home using a roasting machine or your stovetop popcorn maker. Roast beans good for a week’s use. This will ensure that your roast are fresh and new.
- Grind beans on demand. Just get some roasted beans and grind them on a daily basis or when you need them. If you want more convenience, grind beans good for a day’s use. This way, the roasted beans are less exposed to moisture, heat, air and light – the four main enemies of ground coffee.
- Buy less roasted beans. If you think that roasting beans is not your thin, buy less roasted beans instead of buying in pounds. Buy roasted beans that are good for a week’s coffee consumption. If you have more members in the family, buy roasted beans twice a week. If you buy it from the coffee shop, you can ask the barista to grind it for you. Then you can take it home and enjoy fresh coffee every time.
- Consume brewed coffee within 60 minutes. This is the ideal time frame to consume coffee. After that, the coffee starts to become stale. But, you can still enjoy fresh coffee if you put it in an insulated travel mug. It will keep your coffee hot for up to 6 or 8 hours, depending on the type of mug you have.
These are some handy information on how to keep coffee fresh. But it comes with some disadvantages.
- You need a roasting machine. If you want to roast beans at home, you might need to invest in a roasting machine for better yield. It means you have to shell out some money.
- You need a burr grinder. Another item to buy to complete your home brewing arsenal. There are affordable grinders as low as $40. It can be an option for you.
- You need to go to the supermarket or coffee shop to buy beans. It may be an additional task in your already busy day. Plus, supermarket coffee beans are not always fresh as it seems. If you want to do this, better go to a coffee shop and buy beans from your trusted barista.
Still, you really need to think of a way to keep your coffee fresh. Coffee has natural enemies, remember? Let us take a review of these natural element that reduce your coffee’s pleasant taste and aroma.
The Natural Enemies of Coffee
Coffee’s natural enemies include: moisture, temperature, light and pests.
- Moisture – Too much moisture can cause mold and mildew build up. This will destroy all your ground coffee. While you can let it air dry, the molds could affect the taste of your coffee beans and the stale-like smell can retain even after you roast it. You can place your ground coffee in a vacuum-seal pack, zip lock or airtight containers to avoid exposure to sudden temperature change and humidity.
- Temperature – Ideally, ground coffee can be kept at room temperature, which generally falls between 20 and 25ºC (68 to 77ºF).
- Light levels – Once your ground coffee are air-dried, it’s time to pack them and store away from direct sunlight. Too much light can cause premature aging and it can lose aroma and flavor faster than expected.
- Pests – Because we are dealing with an organic matter here, ground coffee can attract bugs, mites and other pests. But if you ensure airtight packaging, these pests will die in 48 hours because there is no air inside the container.
Notice that all four elements can be prevented by using one thing: an airtight canister.
Airtight Canister Buying Tips
Here are some tips to remember when buying airtight containers:
Vacuum-seal
The presence of air inside a pack of ground coffee will cause moisture. In turn, this will speed up the decay of the organic compounds present in coffee. If this happens, mold and mildew will grow in the coffee. Well, the molds will take time to grow. However, it will start altering the taste of coffee. Decaying matter inside emits carbon dioxide. This adds to the stale coffee taste and smell that we never want to happen. Ensure that your container is really airtight, vacuum-sealed.
Size
Keep in mind your available storage space at home and your buying needs. Once you have an airtight container, you can buy ground coffee good for at least 20 days. Think about how many people will be drinking coffee on a daily basis. If there will be only 2 or 3 people, you can opt to buy a medium-sized container that can fit up to 1lb of ground coffee. If regular coffee drinkers at home are about 4 or more, consider buying a larger one if you have more space in your pantry. Or still buy a medium one but be ready to make a trip to the supermarket when the grounds run out.
Color/Material
You can opt to use glass containers but maker sure it’s opaque or dark. Do not expose coffee to direct sunlight because it will affect the taste and aroma of coffee. UV light tends to alter the natural taste and flavor present in coffee.
Five Best Airtight Coffee Containers
Here are the five best airtight coffee containers you can choose from:
It’s Lovffee Coffee Storage Canister
The Lovffee Coffee storage container is a nice red jar that features a patented venting system. This system enables carbon dioxide to be released from the jar and prevent oxygen from entering. It is also made from stainless steel to avoid direct sunlight. All parts are dishwasher safe.
Coffeevac 1lb – The Ultimate Vacuum Sealed Coffee Container
The Coffeevac Coffee container is simple, straightforward and super functional. It has pressure release valve that automatically detects carbon dioxide and releases it out of the jar. It is large enough to hold one pound of coffee but very easy to store in the pantry. It has a slender body that can easily fit in your storage area.
Friis Coffee Vault
The Friis Coffee Vault can also hold up to one pound of coffee. It also features a freshness valbe that keeps carbon dioxide out of the jar. The body exterior is made from stainless steel and the lid is from BPA-free plastic. The ergonomic design is perfect for kitchen storage.
Coffee Gator Coffee Canister
The Coffee Gator Coffee Canister has a built-in date wheel so you can keep track until when your coffee is fresh. It also reminds you when to buy a fresh batch of coffee grounds. The canister has an efficient gasket and secure latching system to ensure freshness of the coffee. The stainless steel body blocks out the UV light that can easily affect the coffee taste and flavor.
Coffee Vault Stainless Steel Coffee
The Coffee Vault is true to its name of keeping coffee fresh, like money inside a vault machine. It uses high-grade stainless steel that is built to last. You can have this container for a lifetime. It also features an opaque, stainless steel body to prevent sunlight exposure of coffee. It comes with a stainless steel scoop for convenience. It can hold up to one pound of coffee beans or 210 oz of ground coffee.
The Top 7 Airtight Coffee Containers Reviewed
My last bad cup of coffee was just the other day, but just like every other bad cup, I continued to sip for the much-needed caffeine boost. Sometimes my coffee comes out like a fresh cup made from heaven itself, while others come out stale, like someone has pressed the mute button on flavor.
I’ve experimented with different brands, different varieties, and even checked out the difference between organic and regular coffee, only to still brew an occasional cup of bad joe.
One thing I should’ve taken into account earlier is the storage of my beans. I often brew my coffee straight from my haphazardly sealed bag of beans, which contributes to the slow decline in flavor and quality.
While coffee does have a longer shelf life than many other items in the pantry, it still is susceptible to the elements like sunlight, moisture and oxygen. Direct sunlight will cause the beans to go stale, oxygen will cause the beans to oxidize, and moisture will have the coffee spoiled in just a matter of days.
This is why it is crucial to keep your favorite coffee beans in an efficient airtight container. Choosing the right container can be difficult, as storing coffee isn’t always as intuitive as other products.
There are a lot of different options out there, ranging from ceramic to stainless steel, and the right choice comes down to your needs. Consider this list of best airtight coffee containers before making your purchase.
Airscape Coffee and Food Storage Canister
This container is designed with a patented lid meant to lock out air and protect all the flavor and freshness of the coffee.
The canister is great for storing coffee because the clear lid allows you to easily track how much is left so you never have to go through the surprise of opening your coffee container only to see a few beans at the bottom of the receptacle.
This container can be purchased in either the 32 or 64-ounce size, which is nice because you can assess your personal storage needs based on how quickly you go through coffee.
My favorite part about this container is how sleek and elegant it looks. It comes in three colors, “Brushed Steel”, “Candy Apple” and “Obsidian”, or silver, red and black. Each one looks extremely polished, and the colors are bold and eye-catching.
OXO Steel POP Container
This container has a sleek, modern, round-cornered design, making it perfect for a mess-free pour straight into a drip coffee maker.
The container itself is designed with a clear, BPA-free plastic body. This is great for keeping an eye on how many beans you have left, but also means you’ll need to keep it away from a window or space that hits direct sunlight. The airtight lid is made from stainless steel.
The best part about this product is the versatility, as it comes in a variety of sizes and they are designed to be stackable, allowing you to create your own unique storage system. The different sizes are labelled by products that would go in the container, with flour, candy, rice and spaghetti all indicating a size and shape.
Personally, I think the sugar container, which is 2.4 quarts, is a great choice for storing coffee.
BeanSafe Coffee Storage Solutions
The BeanSafe coffee storage container comes with a one-way valve that works to preserve the freshness of your favorite coffee. The valve is dishwasher safe, which is a huge plus for me because I hate handwashing.
This polypropylene container is white and comes with a bright orange scooper to match the bright orange valve. The BeanSafe container is lightweight and can hold up to 16 ounces of ground or whole coffee.
I find the added scooper to be extra useful, as it not only matches the valve in a cute way, but also means I don’t have to use some other random spoon I find to inefficiently scoop coffee.
Coffee Vault Premium Coffee Canister
Much like the BeanSafe, this container also features a scooper and a valve to keep out any oxygen. A couple of things stand out about this container, one being that the design allows for easy ventilation of CO2, keeping the coffee as fresh as possible.
The other unique feature of this coffee canister is the date wheel, which is a wheel that sits atop the airtight lid and allows you to track the roasted or expiry date on your beans. This is great for a coffee enthusiast who likes to keep a close eye on their products.
The canister is made from stainless steel and can hold up to a pound of coffee beans. I really enjoy the sleek, heavy-duty look of this container, and find it would look great in a coffee bar with visually similar items.
Lovffee Ceramic Premium Coffee Container
As far as look goes, this one tops my list. The ceramic container comes in five colors, but the royal blue with a hint of orange is my favorite.
Like some of the previous containers, this one has a patent-pending one-way valve, which works to keep the coffee fresh and flavorful.
This container also features a silicone bottom, designed to prevent any scratches from movement across countertops. This is a huge plus for anyone with new countertops, as the ceramic bottom will not be able to scrape the surface.
Like many coffee containers, this one holds up to one pound of whole beans, or 16 ounces of ground coffee. This ceramic coffee container also comes with a matching scoop.
Coffee Gator Stainless Steel Container
Like the Coffee Vault canister, the Coffee Gator also comes with a wheel for tracking freshness, and is designed to ventilate CO2. What I like the most about this canister is the locking mechanism. They use a stainless steel bail-clasp on the side to keep the container locked shut, and I find these kind of locks to be the easiest to use, and most effective.
The valve for this canister, like others, is on the lid. This lid is particularly effective for keeping things fresh, as it is made with a rubber seal. Since the seal is light-proof, and the container is stainless steel, the canister can be stored anywhere without fear of damage from sunlight.
It’s available in a variety of colors, with the bright orange and deep blue and red being my favorite of the bunch. All have a very sophisticated, sleek edge to them.
Coffeevac Ultimate Vacuum Sealed Coffee Container
This product boasts being Europe’s #1 coffee container, and it does have a lot of features to back it up. It contains a patented system that essentially creates a partial vacuum seal. This allows the coffee to breathe and release CO2, without letting any oxygen in.
This container gets an extra vote in my book for its earth-friendly features. The airtight container is recyclable. Just making the initial purchase feels good knowing that throwing it away in the future will not be as painful, because it is being recycled.
This container also offers a variety of looks, with the option of a clear or black body, and various colored lids.
BlinkOne Coffee Canister
Smaller than some others, this stainless steel container filters out moisture, air leak, and CO2. It comes with a matching scoop and can store up to 18 ounces of coffee.
This container can do wonders for those who struggle with making a good cup of coffee. It’s not always just the freshness of the beans that attribute to the flavor, sometimes the coffee is just prepared poorly.
With purchase of this canister, a complementary coffee guide is included, offering tips for making a great cup. This is a huge perk for me, as I tend to just wing it with my preparation each morning, making each cup a gamble.
How to Choose an Airtight Coffee Container
In order to combat the elements that diminish the freshness of your coffee, you’ll want to carefully select the right airtight container for your needs.
You’ll need to consider how much coffee you go through at a given time in order to decide the size of the container. If you go through a pound of coffee a week, it wouldn’t be efficient to purchase a canister that holds 18 ounces.
You’ll also want to consider the look of your coffee equipment. If you have a lot of stainless steel in your coffee bar setup, choosing one of the stainless steel varieties may be in your best interest to create a cohesive look.
Where you plan to store the coffee is an important factor as well, because storing coffee in a clear container with direct sunlight can cause the coffee to go bad quickly.
FAQs About Storing Coffee
Do ground beans store the same as whole beans?
The method for storing ground or whole beans is the same. An airtight container is the best option for both, as it will lock in the freshness. Ground beans are subject to losing freshness quicker, as more air contact can hit the surface area during the grinding process. If stored upon opening, or right after grinding whole beans, the coffee will stay fresh for a long time in an airtight container.
Where is the best place to store my coffee?
Once inside an airtight container, the beans should be safe and fresh. As mentioned above, keep any clear container away from direct sunlight to ensure freshness. The airtight containers listed above are all rather sophisticated and aesthetically-pleasing, so storing the container directly on the countertop can be a nice addition. The Lovffee canister is a great choice for storing on countertops because of the scratch-free silicone cover.
Can I just store my coffee in the fridge?
It’s best to seal your beans up in a real container. Putting a bag of coffee in the fridge opens up a lot of possible problems, one of them being moisture. The moisture will cause the coffee to lose freshness quickly. Even worse, the beans will probably start to take on the taste of other aromatic items in your fridge.
Conclusion
Choosing an airtight container for your coffee storage needs will make a positive effect on the taste of your coffee. The list of containers above is a great resource for making the decision, but it will come down to personal preference.
My pick goes out to the Lovffee Ceramic Premium Coffee Canister, for its elegant look and ceramic container. Ceramic is one of my favorite looks, so this canister would look and work great in my kitchen, as it also holds the right amount for me.
Take these different containers and functions into consideration and making the right choice will be easy.
