How do you cover leftovers on the boat?
The Problem
Aluminum foil and plastic wrap have their problems: the space they take up and the fact that it’s almost impossible to reuse either, so you have more trash. And they’re usually packaged in cardboard. In foreign countries, both can be expensive . . . leading you to carry more rolls with you from places where they’re cheaper.
You can put the food into a plastic container with an airtight lid . . . but then you have an extra container to wash. If you’re trying to conserve water, that’s a problem.
Or you can put the original container inside a Ziploc – but it doesn’t always fit, and then you have to wash the Ziploc if you want to re-use it (and if you don’t reuse it, it’s no better than using the aluminum foil or plastic wrap).
I recently found a better solution!
The Solution: Silicone Covers
I picked up a package of these reusable silicone covers at the Annapolis Boat Show. I also misplaced them when I got back to the boat, so I ordered another set (different brand) from Amazon and then promptly found the first set.
While they haven’t totally replaced aluminum foil and plastic leftovers containers, they’ve cut down on those by probably 90%.
The silicone covers are round and very stretchy, so they’ll fit on either a round or square container. They don’t work very well on rectangular pans – that’s where I still have to use foil or plastic wrap.
For a round container, choose one that’s a little smaller than the diameter of the can or bowl and stretch it over the top. For square containers, choose one that is nearly the same diameter as the width of the pan, put it over two corners and stretch to fit over the other two. Because it stretches to fit, these covers do not work well on the disposable foil pans – they bend and collapse as you try to stretch the lid.
To get the best seal, wipe off the top and outer edge of the container. I usually don’t bother to, unless the cover just isn’t staying on. The only other “trick” is to make sure that it’s right side out – the two sides look very similar and it’s easy to get it inside out. A close look or running your finger over the surface reveals which way it really folds and yes, that’s usually the problem if it’s sliding off a bit (there are ribs on the inside to help it stay in place).
You can also use them to cover hard fruits and vegetables that have a cut surface. I’ve used them on both onions and oranges. Don’t use them on soft foods that will bruise easily, such as apples or avocados.
They wash up easily by hand – far easier than trying to get gunk out of the corners of Ziplocs to reuse them.
What Covers Work Best?
Okay, so what set to buy? I find that I use the small covers far more than the large size ones, and I often need several at the same time. So a set that has multiple small ones is a plus for me. And while the two sets that I have look to be identical except for one being clear and one blue, the clear one is actually a stretchier silicone (seems to be slightly thinner) and is therefore easier to use.
The original set that I bought on Amazon isn’t being sold any longer, but I bought this set as a gift for a friend and it seems to be just as good.
NOTE: The blue set that I got are “Kitchen+Home” brand. There’s nothing wrong with them; I simply like the clear, thinner ones as being easier to put on. See the blue ones here on Amazon.
Carolyn Shearlock has lived aboard full-time for 17 years, splitting her time between a Tayana 37 monohull and a Gemini 105 catamaran. She’s cruised over 14,000 miles, from Pacific Mexico and Central America to Florida and the Bahamas, gaining firsthand experience with the joys and challenges of life on the water.
Through The Boat Galley, Carolyn has helped thousands of people explore, prepare for, and enjoy life afloat. She shares her expertise as an instructor at Cruisers University, in leading boating publications, and through her bestselling book, The Boat Galley Cookbook. She is passionate about helping others embark on their liveaboard journey—making life on the water simpler, safer, and more enjoyable.
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Sonjashootingstar Wells says
Oh man, I have been looking for something like this forever! Bookmarked and Pinned, thank you 🙂
Helen Bell says
Thank u!
Brenda Greene says
We ordered two sets and love the idea if less plastic wrap. Does anyone have a trick for when the bowls are condensing and you can’t get the edges dry?
Delightful Premium says
Yea, this is a tricky one. Can you elaborate more as to why the bowls are condensing in your situation? I mean, do you have hot food in the bowl?
So, what is happening here is a buildup of upwards pressure, and the lid slips off? If the bowl had more of an edge, the Silicone Lid would grab on to it more, and would have harder time to slip off.
The Boat Galley says
Here you go: https://amzn.to/3whwZ7q
Paula Spence, M/Y Sea Eagle says
My BBF (Best Boater Friend) gave me a set of these last year for Christmas. I love them!
Beth Browne says
Wow, these look great! I wonder, will they seal tightly enough to keep canned milk from spilling in the fridge under way? What if the can tips?
Thanks so much for all these great tips!
Carolyn Shearlock says
They’ve kept the juice from spilling out of an open olive can — but I had it wedged in pretty well and we’re on a cat. I’ve always put true liquids in a container with a gasketed and latching lid, or a screw top bottle that has a gasket. So in other words, I don’t know — I think they’ll prevent splashes but won’t stop a leak if the can totally tips over.
Delightful Premium says
Hey Beth!
You know, I did a test where I had water in a glass. The outside of the glass was dry and so was the lid. I put the lid on the glass, and turned the glass upside down. No leakage. I could even shake the thing, and the lid was still on there pretty well.
Now, granted the glass is most likely smaller than what you keep your milk in. Still, I just wanted to share that experiment. I’m sure if it was like a huge container with room for more liquid, the weight of that could potentially press the lid down so it falls out. It also depends on if the lid has something grab on to or not with the tension around the opening.
Sandy Troff says
I use these and they are wonderful!
Rachel Roy Smith says
love this, thank you!
Sarah Burnham Swett says
Once again, your topics are some of the most useful information out there! Thanks
Diana K Weigel says
I have never heard of these. Thank you
Kathy Orr says
I saw these at the Annapolis Boat Show, and then found some cheaper on Amazon. They’re wonderful!
Jean Vento-Ireland says
Where can we find these?
The Boat Galley says
On Amazon. Link is in the article, and here it is again: https://amzn.to/3CUp02w
Dana Serafine says
I thought it was dangerous to keep food in opened cans
The Boat Galley says
Most sources that I read say that it’s okay despite what you may have learned as a child (most cans now have plastic liners and no longer have lead) but we generally use food up the next day. Remember how long that food has been in that can before you opened it!
Lester Griffith says
I’ve had trouble getting the larger one to seal after a few uses no matter how clean the container or cover.
Michelle Jacques says
I bought 2 sets and couldn’t get them to seal so threw them all out.
Carolyn Shearlock says
I’m really surprised at that. You have to be careful to wipe the rim of the can or dish off, but as long as I’ve done that (and not selected a too-small cover) I’ve had good results.
Pamela Dakin Harwood says
Another option to these lids is Bee’s Wrap https://www.beeswrap.com/
Anonymous says
Just checked the link, clear covers at Amazon are currently unavailable…
Carolyn Shearlock says
Thanks for letting me know. I added a link for some that I bought for a friend, who reports they are working well.
The Boat Galley says
Thanks! I just changed the link to very similar ones I bought as a present.
Tami says
Turn ziplocks inside out to clean them…
Lester Griffith says
Very frustrating to use unless conditions are perfect. One tore I contacted the company they said too bad for you. I threw mine away.
Jennifer L. says
I also like Food Huggers — silicone food savers — for storing half an apple, half a lime, or other round fruit or using as a temporary lid on a glass or jar. Easy to use and they nest for storage, so they don’t take up much storage space. https://foodhuggers.com/products/food-huggers