Not sure you are avoiding plastic, I use a food service cambro plastic container.
My mother used an enamel ware container with a sliding top and my grandmother used a big bowl with a plate on top.

I use stainless steel or pyrex bowls w/ a pan lid, or a plate like lindac's grandma - whatever fits best.

Stainless steel is lighter & unbreakable.

I avoid plastic for most food storage as well & purged all my plastic storage containers long ago.

Bowls are such an awkward shape for refrigerators where real estate is at a premium! Square or rectangular is the most efficient, as is tall. I currently am using an ancient mix master bowl with a plate on top, but it's really heavy and takes up too much space. Thus my search...

Maybe the metal pans for steam trays? You should be able to find those at a restaurant supply store. Some come with lids.

would something like bee's wrap work?

https://www.beeswrap.com/

If so, you can find plenty of instructions for making your own all over the Internet.

I use a very large, tall crockery bowl but not sure if it would hold 3 batches worth. But I just use plastic wrap on the top, you could probably use a plate or pot lid on it.

If you are strong....you could use a 2 gallon pickle crock...with a plate on top
https://www.amazon.com/Stoneware-02436-gallon-Bristol-Crock/dp/B002P4LY6I

How about a clear glass lidded canister? Anchor Hocking.

FWIW, if you use a plate to cover a bowl, other items may be stacked on the plate, if needed.

Thanks to everyone for all the suggestions. I'm headed to a restaurant supply house this week to see what they have. I do like the idea of a lightweight metal/enamel coated stock pot (think camping cookware) and saw one at Target yesterday, but it was too big. I might search for a smaller one. I think I'll have to give up on the square idea. Also thanks for the intro to Beeswrap which I'm going to check out.

This is what I use for my bread. I like it so much, that when I broke my first one, I hunted up one just like it. I use plastic wrap, a damp towel, or a large plate on top.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Anchor-Hocking-Presence-11-Large-Serving-Bowl-Glass/35275886?action=product_interest&action_type=title&beacon_version=1.0.2&bucket_id=irsbucketdefault&client_guid=f243b887-b992-4a4b-31d7-63910864bddb&config_id=105&customer_id_enc&findingMethod=p13n&guid=f243b887-b992-4a4b-31d7-63910864bddb&item_id=35275886&parent_anchor_item_id=24471357&parent_item_id=24471357&placement_id=irs-105-t1&reporter=recommendations&source=new_site&strategy=PWVAV&visitor_id=W4FXsoT-NJ7oLSQF59nd0k

I like this one, because it doesn't have an edge.

PS: post recipes for the bread, please.

I've just been making a basic no knead recipe:

10.5 oz white flour

5 oz whole wheat flour (sometimes a little rye instead)

1-1/2 tsp fine salt

1-1/2 c filtered water

1/4 tsp instant yeast OR 1/4 c sourdough starter

There are lots of sites online that give full instructions, some with videos, including Breadtopia. It really is good to go beyond the 18 hours and let it sit in the fridge for 3 days or so.

I use a big Pyrex bowl covered with plastic wrap, but it's not optimal. Sometimes it runs over the sides and sometimes things get set on or knocked over upon the dough. I do have a big Anchor Hocking glass container with a lid, I use it as a cookie jar, but it's too tall. I've used a tall LockNLock, but that's plastic, which you prefer to avoid.

At any rate, I've not found anything that is really the right size or shape, of any material.

Annie

You should be able to get a food-grade stainless bucket at farm supplies stockists - that'd give you a handy handle as well as a light-weight hygienic long-lasting container!

I know you want to avoid plastic, but, like LindaC, I use square Cambro containers and, golly, but they're the bomb. Take up much less space, no fiddling with plastic wrap problems, easy to clean and store, yadayadayada. I love my "dough buckets."