What Is The Difference Between Pint And Quart To Go Containers?

Take-out containers come in a variety of sizes to accommodate different portion sizes and uses. Two of the most common sizes are pint and quart containers. While they may seem similar at first glance, there are some notable differences between pint and quart take-out containers in terms of size, intended use, cost, and environmental impact.

This article will examine the key differences between pint and quart containers. We’ll look at the exact size of each, typical use cases, cost comparisons, environmental considerations, popular foods commonly packaged in each size, and other distinguishing factors.

Definition of Pint

In the United States, a standard liquid pint contains 16 fluid ounces. According to the Pint Wikipedia page, one U.S. pint of water weighs 1.04318 pounds, which is approximately 16.6909 ounces. Therefore, a common saying is “A pint’s a pound the world around” when referring to a U.S. pint.

However, in the imperial system used in the United Kingdom, a pint contains 20 imperial fluid ounces. The imperial pint is approximately 20% larger than the U.S. pint. This difference in pint sizes stems from the slight variations between the U.S. customary system and imperial system of measurement. So a pint of beer will be noticeably larger at a pub in England than at a bar in America.

Definition of Quart

A quart is a unit of volume typically used in the United States to measure liquids. There are two common definitions for a quart:

• A U.S. standard quart contains 32 fluid ounces (oz). This is equivalent to 0.946 liters or 0.833 imperial quarts. A U.S. quart is divisible into 2 pints or 4 cups.
• An imperial quart used in the UK contains 40 fluid ounces. This is equivalent to 1.136 liters or 1.2 U.S. quarts. An imperial quart is divisible into 2 imperial pints or 4 imperial cups.

The key difference between the two is that a U.S. standard quart is 25% smaller than an imperial quart. This is an important distinction when converting between fluid ounces and quarts, or when substituting quart measurements in recipes.

Common Uses for Pint Containers

Pint takeout containers are commonly used for soups, single serving entrees, and individual sides. Their size makes them ideal for containing a lunch portion or smaller meal. Some common uses of pint containers include:

Soups – Pint containers are just the right size for most soup servings. They can hold a hearty bowl of soup and keep it securely contained for takeout or leftovers. The lid seals in heat to keep the soup warm.

Single servings – Many restaurants use pint containers for single serving entrees like pasta or rice dishes. The pint size is sufficient for one average meal serving. Using pint containers allows customers to order individual portions.

Sides – Sides like salads, baked potatoes, or veggies often come in pint sized takeout containers when ordered individually. This allows customers to get the perfect portion of sides to complement a meal.

Snacks – Pints can hold a nice sized serving of snacks like chips, nuts, cut fruit, yogurt, pudding, or other bite sized foods. The containers keep these items fresh until ready to eat.

Overall, the portable pint size makes these containers useful for carrying individual meals, sides, soups, snacks, and other smaller food portions.

Common Uses for Quart Containers

Quart containers are often used for storing larger amounts of food, such as soups, stews, pasta dishes, or salads that can feed an entire family or be shared with others. Their larger 32 oz. capacity makes them useful for carrying family-style takeout meals from restaurants or dividing up leftovers into single servings. Quart containers are handy for bringing a homemade lunch to work that you can eat over the week. Their lid and leak-resistant design also makes them suitable for soups, chili, curry and other messy or liquid-based foods (Epicurious).

With their generous capacity, quart containers have become popular for storing and transporting food to potlucks, picnics, barbecues or other gatherings where you want to contribute a large prepared dish. Their standardized sizing with secure lids makes quart containers a convenient option for easily splitting up leftovers into single portions. Unlike flimsier takeout containers, reusable quart deli containers can be reliably used for storing and freezing sizable amounts of food (Eater).

Pint vs Quart Sizing

When comparing pint and quart containers, the key difference is in the size. A pint container holds exactly half the volume of a quart container.

Specifically, a pint is 16 fluid ounces, while a quart is 32 fluid ounces. This 2:1 ratio makes converting between pints and quarts quite straightforward. Whether you’re measuring ingredients for a recipe or portioning food for leftovers, knowing that a quart is simply two pints allows for easy scaling.

For a visual size comparison, a typical pint container used for food would be about half the height of a quart container. Though the exact dimensions vary by manufacturer, pint containers generally range from 4-5 inches tall with a 3-4 inch diameter. Quart containers are around twice as tall, commonly 6-8 inches high with a 4-6 inch diameter.

Cost Comparison

When comparing the costs of pint versus quart takeout containers, quarts typically end up being more expensive. This is simply due to the fact that quart containers hold a greater volume, so you need more material to produce them. According to one source, a 100-pack of 16 ounce plastic pint containers costs around $15 from Amazon, while the same quantity of 32 ounce plastic quart containers is closer to $20 (https://www.epicurious.com/expert-advice/deli-containers-are-the-food-storage-solution-of-my-dreams-article). The cost difference becomes more pronounced when buying eco-friendly plant-based containers, with compostable sugarcane pint containers priced at $18 for 100 and quarts at $30 for 100.

Despite the higher price tag, many people find the extra cost worth it for quart containers. Their larger size makes them ideal for storing leftovers for a family, freezing bulk cooked grains or soups, and keeping pantry ingredients like flour, sugar, or coffee. While pint containers suit smaller households best, families or meal preppers benefit from the quart’s greater capacity and the convenience of having to use fewer containers overall.

Environmental Impact

The environmental impact of pint vs quart takeout containers mainly comes down to the amount of plastic waste produced.[1] In general, using larger quart-sized containers results in less plastic waste overall since fewer containers are needed for the same amount of food. However, there are some advantages of the smaller pint containers as well:

Pros of pint containers:

• Smaller size = less plastic per container
• Easier for consumers to reuse/repurpose pint containers at home
• More versatile – can hold smaller portion sizes

Pros of quart containers:

• Need fewer containers for same food volume = less total plastic waste
• Better for large portions or family meals
• Sturdier and less prone to cracking/breaking with reuse

Overall, opting for quart sized takeout containers when possible reduces total plastic usage, while pint sizes may have some advantages for versatility and repurposing. The best approach for sustainability is moderation and reuse when safe and practical.[2]

[1] https://onmilwaukee.com/articles/environmental-impact-of-carry-out
[2] https://www.epicurious.com/expert-advice/is-it-safe-to-reuse-plastic-takeout-containers

Popular Foods for Each

Pint containers are commonly used for smaller, individual-sized portions of food. Here are some examples of popular pint takeout foods:

• Soups – A pint is a perfect size for containing a single serving of soup, like chicken noodle or tomato basil.
• Salads – Pint containers can hold an individual salad serving, with ingredients like mixed greens, chopped vegetables, dressing, etc.
• Yogurt – Pre-portioned yogurt cups typically come in pint sizes.
• Cereal – A pint container can hold a single cereal serving with milk.
• Frozen yogurt – Many frozen yogurt shops use pint containers for takeout orders.

Quart containers are better suited for larger, multi-serving sizes. Some examples of popular quart takeout foods include:

• Pasta entrees like spaghetti with meatballs or macaroni and cheese.
• Sandwich/sub platters with multiple sandwiches cut in halves or quarters.
• Large salads, coleslaws, potato salads, or other sides to serve 4-6 people.
• Soups in larger, family-style portions.
• Chili, stews, or chowders in hearty servings.

The larger quart size allows restaurants to package more generous portions for group meals and leftovers.

Summary: Key Differences Between Pint and Quart Containers

In summary, pint and quart containers have some key differences in terms of their size, typical use cases, cost-effectiveness, and environmental impact.

Pint containers generally hold 2 cups or 16 ounces of volume. They are best suited for individual meal portions or side dishes. Quart containers have a volume of 4 cups or 32 ounces, making them ideal for large entrees, main courses, or family-style meals meant to serve multiple people.

Quart containers tend to be more cost-effective for restaurants ordering in bulk since they allow for serving larger portions. However, pint containers may be better for the environment as they reduce overall plastic usage and minimize food waste from uneaten leftovers.

When choosing between pint or quart takeout containers, consider factors like intended portion sizes, number of people, food type, restaurant bulk ordering costs, and desire to limit environmental footprint. Evaluate which size makes the most sense for your needs.