Effective coffee bean storage is a vital yet easily overlooked factor in the taste of coffee.
When it comes to storing coffee beans, we've tried a variety of methods over the years, from vacuum-sealed bags to plastic containers. However, we've found that the Coffee Gator Stainless Steel Coffee Canister stands out from the rest.
Table of Contents
- Why you need a coffee storage container
- What you should look for in a good coffee storage container
- The best coffee storage containers available right now
- Best Overall: Coffee Gator Stainless Steel Container
- Runner Up: Airscape Coffee & Food Storage Container
- Best Budget Option: OXO Good Grips Airtight Coffee POP Container
- Best Upgrade Option: Fellow Atmos Vacuum Canister
- Best for Ground Coffee: Progressive ProKeeper PKS-600
- Best for Coffee Pods: DecoBros K-cup Storage Drawer Holder
- Frequently Asked Questions About Coffee Storage Containers
Coffee Storage Container Roundup
| Top Coffee Canister Picks* | Features |
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Coffee Gator Container - $21.91 | Best Overall |
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Airscape Coffee Canister - $36.00 | Runner Up |
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OXO Good Grips Airtight Coffee POP Container - $15.95 | Best Budget Option |
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Fellow Atmos Vacuum Canister - $40.00 | Best Upgrade Option |
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Progressive Large Coffee ProKeeper PKS-600 - $15.99 | Best for Ground Coffee |
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DecoBros K-cup Storage Drawer $24.87 | Best for Coffee Pods |
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*Price at time of publishing
Why you need a coffee storage container
Before we take a look at the best coffee storage containers on the market today, it makes sense to reveal why this purchase is a necessity.
The answer to this question is very simple: freshness! If you want to consistently make a dreamy cup of coffee, you will need your coffee beans to be fresh at all times. However, this can be a lot easier said than done, as coffee beans can oxidize when they are exposed to the open air.
Even mild exposure to oxygen or sunlight diminishes the flavor and reduces coffee’s shelf life, which is why it is important to choose a coffee storage container with care. Once a coffee bean touches air, coffee smell and flavor begins degrading, as solubles start oxidizing, just like iron becoming rusty when it is exposed to oxygen for too long.
You can avoid oxidation by keeping your coffee beans away from air, heat, moisture, and light. This is why an effective coffee bean storage container is not a luxury, it is a necessity.
What you should look for in a good coffee storage container
Unfortunately, not all coffee storage containers on the market today are going to keep your coffee beans fresh. This is why it is important to choose with care. Two of the most important things you need to look for when choosing a coffee storage container are airtightness and keeping the beans dry.
Considering that there are three things that result in coffee grounds losing their potency:
- moisture
- air / oxygen
- light
Your storage container is only going to be as effective as its ability to keep your grounds away from those things.
You need something that will block UV rays effectively so that the coffee is not exposed to air and light. This means you need something airtight that is not transparent, which is why stainless steel is such a popular choice.
It is also imperative to search for a coffee container that is airtight. If you are serious about your coffee, a container with an airtight seal will prevent carbon dioxide from escaping while keeping oxygen out.
The best coffee storage containers available now
Now that you have a better understanding of why coffee containers are so important and what makes a good container, let’s take a look at some of the best options on the market today.
Coffee Gator Stainless Steel Coffee Canister
There are a number of reasons the Coffee Gator Canister rises to my top pick for both whole bean and ground coffee.
This canister has a one way CO2 valve that protects your ground coffee from oxygen while letting it de-gas.
The most unique feature is the date wheel on top of the lid of Coffee Gator's canister to track how long your coffee has been stored. Using either the roasted date or the ‘best by’ date, simply set the month and day by twisting the dials.
Coffee Gator even throws in a stainless steel scoop to scoop out coffee from the canister and four replacement valves.
The canister comes in three colors (stainless steel silver, gray, or black) and three sizes:
- The small canister holds about 9 ounces or 260 grams of whole coffee beans.
- The medium container will hold a typical full bag of coffee (16 ounces or 455 grams of whole coffee beans).
- The largest container holds 22 ounces or 645 grams of whole coffee beans.
While not dishwasher safe, the inside of the Coffee Gator can be washed with a sponge without any issues.
Although it costs more, if you want an airtight container for your coffee grounds, this is one of the best. But if you are looking for a true oxygen-free environment, this container may not be the best choice.
| Pros | Cons |
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Airscape Coffee & Food Storage Container
The Airscape Coffee Container truly lives up to its name creating one of the best air-free environments for your beans. When the inner lid is pushed down, any existing air in the canister is pushing out. It helps prevent your coffee beans from spoiling and keeps them fresher than coffee in canisters that aren't airtight.'
The Airscape lid also lets carbon dioxide escape. When coffee beans are roasted, carbon dioxide escapes, and this degassing process can last 2-3 days and continue to lose carbon dioxide afterward. If you buy freshly roasted coffee or happen to be a home roaster, a coffee canister that allows for the release of carbon dioxide is a must.
Planetary Design makes the Airscape in two sizes, a small canister that holds about ½ lb of whole bean coffee and a medium-sized one which holds about 1 lb of whole beans. The canister also keeps UV light at bay with numerous galvanized steel color choices.
While not dishwasher friendly, due to its large opening, the Airscape was easy to clean with a damp sponge. Overall, this coffee container is reasonably priced, even the larger canister, in comparison to the protection it will provide your beans.
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OXO Good Grips Airtight Coffee POP Container
Another airtight container that we have been impressed with is the OXO Good Grips Airtight Coffee POP Container. With just a push of a button, you can enjoy an airtight seal with this container.
This container ticks a lot of boxes. It is a good size, enabling you to hold plenty of coffee, which is ideal if you buy in bulk. You will also enjoy much more security with this container when compared with other models on the market.
Another plus point is that the design is stackable and modular. This means you can easily slide it on top of other containers with the same design, helping you to keep everything nice and organized in your kitchen. If you use a lot of containers, spreading them out on the kitchen counter can take up a lot of space, so this is definitely a great solution in that regard.
One of our concerns is that the UV ray-blocking qualities may not be as good as some of the other models after prolonged use. This is because opaque plastic is used, rather than stainless steel. We would much prefer for the light to be completely blocked out instead of partly blocked, which is what will happen to the plastic as time goes on.
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Fellow Atmos Vacuum Canister
Fellow manufactures coffee canisters that are full of style. These sleek-looking jars come in three sizes, and two materials. You can opt for stainless steel, in either matte black or white, or a clear glass.
Note, however, a clear glass container will not protect your coffee from light so if your storage preference is on the counter next to your coffee maker, it is recommended to choose the matte black or white stainless version.
Other stainless steel canisters allow you to pump the air out, while the Fellow Atmos adds a unique functionality that sets it apart. The vacuum pump is incorporated into the lid. To activate it, you twist the outer part of the lid back and forth, which gradually removes the air.
After four or five twists, the green indicator lets you know your coffee beans are air-free, keeping it fresh for up to 50% longer. When you’re ready to brew, it’s as easy as pushing the button on top to equalize the pressure and release the seal.
The storage container is available in three sizes:
- small ( which holds 6 ounces of whole bean coffee)
- medium (10 ounces)
- large (16 ounces)
The price could definitely be a drawback for some. Personally, I found the biggest drawback being the level of effort required to enable the vacuum seal - especially when the container was low on beans.
Twisting the top a dozen or more times may be more work than anticipated - especially for those who are multi-cup drinkers throughout the day.
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Progressive Large Coffee ProKeeper PKS-600
Last but not least, the Progressive Large Coffee ProKeeper PKS-600 is another good choice for storing ground coffee thanks to it's built in scoop. The user-friendliness of this design is what really sets it apart. It is see-through enough so you can easily see how many coffee grounds you have left, ensuring you do not run out of your supply.
We also feel that this coffee container is a good size and the vacuum seal is airtight, helping you to keep your coffee fresh for longer.
The downside is that even though the transparency means you can see how much coffee you have left, it does mean it is not fully UV-proof. Although the brand claims it is, this sort of plastic is prone to breaking down over time, and so this product is unlikely to block the sun out forever.
So, when determining whether or not this coffee container is right for you, it is all about what is more important.
Do you want a convenient container that gives you visibility?
Or, would you prefer to go for a different model that keeps the sun out fully?
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DecoBros K-cup Storage Drawer Holder for Coffee Pods
Coffee storage isn't just for grounds and beans.
Pod users will love the DecoBros K-Cup Storage Drawer, which fits 36 K-Cups and even more Nespresso capsules. The simple sliding drawer is a great way to organize your go-to coffee supply and keep your countertops clean.
When closed, the size fits comfortably beneath a coffee maker. It's also discreet because of the sleek black steel design. When closed, the item measures 13.25 inches wide, 12.5 inches long, and 3.125 inches high.
Unfortunately, the product is only available in black but the storage container is very durable and after use there was no notable squeaks or creaks when operating the drawer.
Unlike some of the dishwasher friendly coffee canister options mentioned above, the drawer has to be cleaned by hand, but this shouldn't be an issue since it stores much less messy K-Cups instead of coffee beans.
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>> Read the full review of the best K-cup coffee makers
Frequently Asked Questions About Coffee Storage Containers
Do coffee beans stay fresh longer than ground coffee?
Yes, coffee beans will always last longer in comparison to ground coffee.
This is because coffee grounds have more surface area, enabling the oxygen to impact more of the coffee molecules at once.
Should you refrigerate coffee?
The short answer to this question is no!
The fridge is not the right place for storing coffee in any form, be it whole bean or ground. As coffee works as a deodorizer, it will simply absorb all of the aromas in your fridge.
Should you store coffee in stainless steel?
Stainless steel is certainly a good material for a coffee canister. Typically, you want to store coffee beans in a container that does not allow any light to get through, and stainless steel certainly ticks this box.
A lot of people assume that coffee canisters use stainless steel purely to look stylish. While the aesthetics are sleek and contemporary, material like this is necessary because humidity is coffee’s worst enemy.
Where is the best place in the kitchen to keep ground coffee fresh?
You need to keep your coffee grounds dry, so stay away from storage spots exposed to moisture. This means you should not store your coffee on a shelf above your stove or in the refrigerator.
A cool, dry place is best, such as the pack of your pantry.
Will coffee stay fresh in a mason jar?
You can store coffee in a mason jar. However, the main thing to remember when it comes to a coffee canister is that you need an airtight container.
Mason jars tend to be used for storing jams, which also need an airtight container for freshness.
However, to make sure your coffee stays fresh for long, purchasing a specially-designed coffee storage container always makes the most sense.
Ensure your coffee stays fresh and tastes amazing
So there you have it: some serious contenders when it comes to coffee storage.
Our selection of the best coffee canister will ensure your coffee stays fresh and enjoys a long shelf-life.
Your choice will depend on your personal preference:
- How much coffee are you looking to store?
- What’s your budget?
- What space do you have available?
No matter your needs, our list has you covered. For true coffee lovers, you simply cannot afford to cut corners when it comes to storage.
You can have the best coffee grinder on the market today but if you are not storing your coffee effectively, you are undoing all of the machine’s hard work.
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