r/BuyItForLife • u/CrashCarSuperstar • 13h ago
Discussion Looking for replacements
Getting divorced and the ex is taking a lifetime of BIFL purchases. Looking to get the following replaced and seeing if there are newer/better options out there than what I had.
Bowls/plates
Bakeware
Tubberware
Air fryer
Laundry baskets (weird, I know)
Steam cleaner
Vacuum (robot?)
Standing desk
Bath towels
Sheets
Pillows
I do not buy junk, i would rather save for a week or do a side hustle that buy anything less than high quality (I realize quality is not necessarily/usually the most expensive).
TIA
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u/Redditor2684 13h ago
If you were happy enough with the stuff you used before, just rebuy that stuff.
Bowls/plates: Corelle
Food storage/Tupperware: Any glass stuff should be fine. Pyrex, Anchor Hocking, IKEA, etc.
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u/Galaxy-Thief 10h ago
Everyone always touts PYREX but Anchor Hocking is a surprising beast!! Affordable and lasts forever, I still have mine from 10+ years ago that look brand new
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u/Redditor2684 10h ago
I agree that Anchor is good stuff. I've been using the same containers for lunch meal prep for the past several years without any issue (until I chipped the edge of a bowl recently when I was banging on it with a metal serving spoon lol...my fault).
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u/Euro_Lag 5h ago
I second Corelle. We got 2 sets of plates and bowls and the damn things are lightweight and practically bullet proof.
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u/Resident_Elk_8987 11h ago
I wonder why the ex is the one taking all of those things. It's a lot of invisible labor to buy all of those things. Ask me how I know.
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u/cielitogirl 13h ago
Your spelling Tubberware is hilarious lol
Happy divorce! Hope you are only accepting high quality in all aspects, not just your belongings ♥️
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u/frylock350 12h ago
Bowls/plates
Corelle
Bakeware
USA Pan or Nordicware
Tubberware
Pyrex
Vacuum (robot?)
Miele canister, robot vacs are never BIFL
Bath towels, Sheets, Pillows
None of these are BIFL, buy what makes you comfortable
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u/Tdw75 10h ago
Miele's quality has slid with many of their options being made in China, and more difficult to service.. If you want a true BIFL vacuum SEBO is the best in class. D - series. Made for repairs, including being able to take their power head apart for clogs and jams. But I agree. Canister is the way to go. My 18month old Robot vacuum is doing funny shit all the time and doesn't do a good job at all.
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u/ijustsaidthat12 12h ago
Costco occasionally has a great deal on glass food storage/tupperware called “Snapware”. A big set of them is like $25 on sale. Been using for years and nothing has broken.
Ninja air fryers are the best if you want something easy to clean. Get one with just one big basket.
OXO for kitchen tools. Also, get a wooden spatula and spoon so you don’t end up with a melted plastic one.
T-Fal nonstick pans are affordable and mines going strong 10+ years
Kenmore Intuition vacuum cleaner. Just thank me later.
Collapsible laundry basket (not a hamper). Unsure on longevity, but definitely nicer to store when not in use.
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u/NorraVavare 9h ago
Collapsing laundry basket is 2 years tops. Or 5 with lots of tears. Its annoying AF.
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u/ijustsaidthat12 7h ago
Good to know, thanks! I have a friend with one, but unsure how often they are collapsing/opening
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u/Teagana999 4h ago
I nominate silicone and/or metal for utensils. I don't trust wood to last.
Metal spatula for the cast iron pan you should be getting, silicone because it's nice to stir things, hot or cold.
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u/Forsaken_Lifeguard85 4h ago
We got rid of our collapsible laundry basket because it was heavy and annoying.
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u/nutmegtell 12h ago
I LOVE my Corelle. I’ve had it 30 years. I get mildly irritated doing dishes at other people houses who use stoneware lol.
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u/andraconduh 13h ago
I've seen other threads about bowls/plates here and the consensus seems to be Corelle.
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u/bamalakazam 12h ago
As someone that cheaped out on a standing desk. Get one with 4 legs all of the ones with the single leg on each side wobble at height
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13h ago
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u/kirby056 12h ago
Re: sheet pans: move to MN, the Nordic Ware factory store is amazing. They have cooking classes, too, and all the weird bundt cake pans. I'm talking a four pound number shaped like a jumping carp. Wolf face. Pumpkin. And you could probably drive over them with your car. For like fifteen bucks.
Blow a sidewall out, sure, but that pan is gonna be fine.
Also, if anyone moves to MN for aluminum bakeware, Room and Board was started and is still based in MN. We have the factory outlet, and the stuff they sell rules. I'm on one of their couches right now, it's like taking a nap in a cloud. Weighs like two hundred pounds, solid walnut (and jaquard and down, which isn't my favorite fill, but next couch can have something different in like 2055) construction, and they have technicians that'll come to your house for free if there's a squeaky spring.
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u/lilelliot 12h ago
The majority of these things aren't BIFL categories.
- Bowls/Plates: Corelle (cheap and durable, and easy to store)
- Glassware: Duralex Picardie (similar to PYREX)
- Bakeware: doesn't have to be fancy. Just get something from a local restaurant supply house
- Tupperware: If you need plastic, I can't help you. If you are ok with glass, I recommend Pyrex with aftermarket silicone (Amazone) lids.
- Air Fryer: no idea, don't have one
- Laundry baskets: the cheap plastic ones will last better than any "BIFL" material (wicker, woven cloth) options. I know because we have had all three. Just get a plastic option with reinforced handles.
- Steam cleaner: We have a Rowenta and it works fine. We bought it because we like uor Rowenta iron so much.
- Vacuum: Miele or similar canister vacuum if you need that, Dyson for casual use.
- Standing desk: Just pick one with the materials & features you want. You're HIGHLY unlikely to wear out a desk. We have two Uplifts and they're both perfectly great. I think they only get raised or lowered a handful of times per year.
- Bath towels: not BIFL. We've tried a bunch of brands and have a split household at this point. My wife & I use Onsen waffle towels ($$$$) and the kids use Lands End supima towels ($$). I highly recommend Lands End. They're good quality and frequently on sale for 40%+ off.
- Sheets: I used to recommend Land End, especially for their Portuguese flannel, but the fabric isn't the same as it was a few years ago. I still think their non-flannel is fine, and the value is solid. For flannel, we just bought a set of Coyuchi sheets on sale and they're like what Lands End 6oz flannel used to be. They are $$$, though.
- Pillows: this is a highly personal decision. We standardized our household on some no-name brand of foam-filled bamboo pillows from Amazon several years ago. They're adjustable (just remove as much foam as you want to make them comfortable), and everyone seems to like them. ~$40/ea. We just get cheap pillows from Target or TJ Maxx for non-sleeping-head use.
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u/Equivalent_Tap6986 11h ago
Is the idea to rack up receipts and deplete money? Trying to find out if your joining in the game of blowing money or just after replacements. I wouldn't be thrifting if you know halfs getting taken and they are spending whilst it's both of yours?
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u/DigitaIBlack 12h ago
Thrift a lot of this, especially stuff that goes in the oven. Pyrex and PYREX stand out as great options.
Vacuum? Even though it's not BIFL I believe Dyson still has an insane warranty on their products. Look into their warranty policy for your jurisdiction.
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u/IndependentNo8520 10h ago
Bowls and plates usually break because of their material
Bakeware expensive but worth it kitchenaid, and William soma brand is great,
vacuum robots are not BIFL, they usually last 3-4 years before something has to be replaced
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u/poonknits 13h ago
Air fryers are so new I don't know if we even know if any are BIFL but if I were in the market for one I'd get the toaster oven style ones. More metal parts than plastic and you could oven roast a meatloaf in there without using the giant oven and save a bunch of power and probably not heat up your kitchen as much.
For baking sheets I've been very happy with my Nordicware ones. Made in USA.
For the rest of the cookware, just thrift it. Pyrex and steel pots last forever and both items frequently end up in thrift stores. Same with the dishes. Corel is great, very durable and easy to care for and frequently found in thrift stores.
For the Tupperware, look for glass ones. You can even use them to make a meatloaf in your aforementioned toaster oven then just put the lid on the leftovers and toss it in the fridge.
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u/baciahai 12h ago
Also don't know if any airfryer would be buy it for life, but I recommend Cosori, mine is 8 years old and going strong, absolutely nothing wrong with ity. Which is a shame because I'm waiting for it to break down so I can buy the newer version toaster style 😂😂 to fit more in
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u/poonknits 12h ago
I have the pot lid type, which admittedly is not as good as its job, but I don't have the space for a toaster oven or one of those egg shaped air fryers. I have air fryer envy.
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u/Fantastins 12h ago
Just don't thrift these ones
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u/baciahai 8h ago
Ah yes, I've heard of this. UK sold models were thankfully not affected.
Thanks for linking, valid information for everyone 👍🏻
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u/GullibleDetective 13h ago
Use the search luke, this is like asking others to do your homework for ya. Any specific questions about one of those products?
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u/captainstormy 12h ago
I can help you on the laundry basket for sure!
I bought one of these a few years back. You can get them with or without the bar, but that bar is the best part IMO. No more straining your back lugging baskets around the house and it's sturdy as a tank.
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u/chaximum 12h ago
For plates, I found a good-looking set of Gibson at the Goodwill 10+ years ago and think I’ll have those forever. For bowls I found a great style of heavy duty ones at Grocery Outlet. For combo bowl-plates (think entree-sized salads or pasta or anything you don’t want sliding off a plate) I’ve been really impressed by “KooK pasta bowls, set of 4” in navy blue, which match the rings on my Gibson plates. (Loads of color choices.) I bought them on Amazon. I use them all the time and they’re showing no visible wear.
For Tupperware, I like Rosti Mepal nested storage bowls, both the shallow and deep sets. They’re from Holland.
For towels, I like Onsen from Japan (but worth waiting for a good sale). For big fluffy towels or beach towels I like Slowtide.
My air fryer is in a multi-function Breville convection oven.
Hope that helps!
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u/DrukMeMa 12h ago
We’ve had these clothes hampers for 15 years - they fit in narrow spots and really hold up. https://www.ikea.com/ca/en/p/skubb-laundry-bag-with-stand-white-90224048/?gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=12395663642&gbraid=0AAAAACqC6Er6SAymMVFgVF8X9q2pNT-ND&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIufzE3fPNlgMVYEH_AR035wLCEAQYBSABEgJy7PD_BwE
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u/myownweirdway 11h ago
I still love my Lodge cast iron no matter what else they come out with, and I have the uncoated mlm pampered chef bar pans that I love. Also a couple of their knives, but I understand that it's not a good company to support unless you can thrift them. The IKEA stainless steel pots are great. I have a cheap toaster and can opener from Walmart. They last for decades. I think they cost less than $20 each. We have a Cosori air fryer that has been really good, but it's clearly not BIFL because the fan sounds like it's going out.
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u/Liberteabelle1 10h ago
Hit up some estate sales. If it were me, I’d pickup an entire set of china, which is BIFL. You pay a bit more, but will handle daily wear without chipping, and it looks and feels like quality. They’ll have a lot of miscellaneous stuff too… artwork, furniture, etc.
Sorry to hear about the divorce… it sux starting over. I did that too, but loved making my new life, and hope you do too!
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u/iamcharity 9h ago
For anything kitchen, America’s Test Kitchen will tell you what the best is. Just go to YouTube and type “ATK item”. They do reviews on just about every kitchen item imaginable. I’ve been buying their recommendations for years and haven’t been disappointed yet.
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u/NorraVavare 9h ago
A lot of Leonex is freezer, oven, and dishwasher safe. It will say right in the bottom if it is.
I inherited a set and make small pot pies in the bowls then freeze them. (Assuming you know, but reminder don't put cold dishes in hot ovens, they'll explode.) Love their coffee mugs too.
The leonex is too heavy for me as plates so I use corelle as dishware.
Oxo good grip metal utensils are great and long lasting. The metal, plastic isn't.
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u/calebs_dad 8h ago
Fiestaware is BIFL. My pasta bowls have virtually no wear after 20 years. But the aesthetics are not for everyone.
Sterilite for laundry baskets, specifically the square, 1.5 bushel size.
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u/Cowdog68 7h ago
I love those tall rectangular “Lamper” laundry baskets. Sterlite makes them. Another vote for Corelle dishes and i think Shark vacuums are reliable and well priced. I like my Cosori Dual Blaze air fryer.
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u/Hillaryrose1127 6h ago
Bath towels- Land’s end. Super high quality hold up over time. Sheets- under the canopy. I’ve had mine for 6 years still going strong, Tupperware- glass snapware. Costco has a great deal on them. I buy a box whenever I go so I can replace using plastic in my house. I’ve had my original set for 8 years. Make sure to wash the lids top shelf of dishwasher only.
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u/Forsaken_Lifeguard85 4h ago
We've had these laundry baskets for well over a year now and they're going strong (family of 5 and we hang out all of our laundry so these get a workout)- https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00C4TSZ2A?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_2&th=1
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u/karensacaligal 3h ago
I feel the same way. Yet the Better Homes & Gardens towels someone gave me ftom Walmart are my best, strongest towels!
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u/bagofletters 13h ago
For food storage I like oxo glass containers. It’s borosilicate and the only issues I’ve ever had with it are if you heat things in the microwave with the top on it sometimes the gasket causes super suction, it’s happened twice in like 4 years.
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u/Comfortable-Nature37 13h ago
Hope your fresh start brings everything you’re looking for!
- Bakeware: Emile Henry for stoneware; Hestan for stainless baking pans
- Standing desk: Herman Miller
- Bath towels: Restoration Hardware (thinking of replacing mine at the 10 year mark this year, very impressed with how they’ve worn)
- Pillows: Stearns + Foster
- Bowls/plates: I like Wedgwood but have some mixed feelings on the durability at the moment.
- Laundry baskets: Sterilite hip huggers from years/decades? ago
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u/SVAuspicious 10h ago
Opinions will vary. These are mine.
Bowls/plates - I'd get Room Essentials from Target until you are settled. Mine are 20 years old and still our backup.
Bakeware - PYREX from a thrift store or any borosilicate glass product. I use a lot of disposable foil tins for cooking ahead to feed the freezer.
Tubberware [sic] - Lock n Lock storage containers. Look carefully for those that nest and choose sizes so that as many lids as possible are interchangeable.
Air fryer - pass. Gadget. Find a place to live with a real convection oven. If need by, you can find combi microwaves that include a convection oven in the same case.
Laundry baskets (weird, I know) - Mesh pop up bags. Not BIFL but mine have lasted years, they're inexpensive, and easier to carry around than solid ones.
Steam cleaner - pass.
Vacuum (robot?) - Rikkar or Miele. No robot.
Standing desk - you know these are bad for you, right? Ask any orthopedist or human factors engineer. Or anyone who works in retail or food service. Get a good chair and a sturdy conventional desk and get up regularly and walk across the house and back.
Bath towels, Sheets, Pillows - read reviews and filter out the paid ones
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u/circular_reference11 29m ago
I’m so sorry you’re going through this! I have recently done the same. :(
Bowls/plates
Look for ones that are oven proof and dishwasher and microwave safe.
Bakeware
I second everyone on the PYREX not Pyrex. There are always plenty at the thrift store/Etsy/ebay. For cookie sheets, I like USA Pan. Hand wash and dry in the still-warm oven so it doesn’t rust.
Air fryer
I like my Breville and have stopped using my big oven completely. USA Pan makes a half-sheet pan that fits perfectly in the Breville.
Tupperware
Instead of Tupperware (plastic’s been cancelled 😂) I use wide mouth mason jars and the plastic screw on caps instead of fussy around with the metal ones, which are frustrating and will rust. The jars are cheap to buy by the dozen and space-efficient because they go vertical. You can use them for so many things and they will always be the same, so if you break one, no sweat. There are many mason jar accessories and uses. I even recently bought a cocktail shaker lid. Get a wide mouth stainless steel funnel or two (IKEA’s are great) to make getting things into them easier. You can also freeze things in them (only the wide mouth)-just leave a good inch+ of room at the top.
Laundry baskets
I’ve been using the same white IKEA recycling bags for 15 years. I have three so I can pre-sort and I hang them from the bottom closet rod with an s-hook because I hate stuff sitting on the floor.
Linens/pillows/towels
Go watch Bryce Gruber on TikTok or insta - she wrote about this in particular for Reader’s Digest and has it down to a science. Her laundry instructions for this kind of stuff is great, too, and will extend the life of whatever you purchase.
Best of luck to you!
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u/USofAThrowaway 13h ago edited 12h ago
For me: go to your local goodwill/thrift and grab PYREX for baking dishes. They always have tons of it at mine for a few bucks a pop. BIFL and cheap.
EDIT: Pyrex to PYREX