Would you like to enjoy a hot tea or coffee to go on a comfortable picnic? Looking for a convenient way to keep your food safe and cool? It's time to invest in a thermos to keep your meals hot or cold.
Whether you're heading to work or sending your little ones off to school, preparing a meal is always the best way to get through the day. Plus, it's easier to get into the habit of stopping for a quick, homemade snack when you're always on the go. However, one of the main goals of customers is to get their food back at the right temperature when they eat it. To that end, a food thermos is a great way to ensure that your food stays at the right temperature.
To get the best food thermos on the market, you need to focus your choice on criteria of thermal insulation, capacity, material and lid closure.
To help you find the one that suits your needs, we propose in this article a comparison of 7 new models followed by a powerful buying guide. But first, let's discover this utensil that is currently in the news.
What is a food thermos?
A food thermos is a food container with a double-wall insulated interior designed to keep food products warm or cool. They are usually constructed by mounting two jars together and connecting them with an adhesive neck to keep air out of the immediate vicinity of the container. The best food thermoses have many uses and can be used by different people in different places.
In the market, you can easily recognize them because they are different from lunch boxes in terms of size and design. Lunch boxes are generally larger than food thermos and can be used to store different types of side dishes.
In contrast, an insulated lunch thermos is structured to hold only one dish at a time. Also, these containers are usually round in shape, unlike lunch boxes which are designed like a box.
How does a food thermos work?
As you can see, the main role of the thermos food bowl is to keep drinks hot and drinks cold as long as possible. To achieve such a performance, it is built in such a way that the heat transfer to the environment is as low as possible.
Technically, the food can consists of two components:
an outer shell, usually made of stainless steel or polypropylene plastic;
an insulated container inside.
The latter usually has a stainless steel wall.
Then, there is vacuum insulation between the outer shell and the insulated container, which prevents heat conduction. In many thermos jugs, the inner container is also mirrored so that heat is reflected back into the beverage and the temperature retention effect is increased.
By preventing heat exchange with the environment, the temperature of the beverage in the container stays hot or cold longer. Better still, the ambient temperature cannot influence the temperature retained by the thermos airtight container.
Therefore, your goals when choosing a thermos will influence your choice of which type of thermos to buy. Let's move on to our selection to make your choice easier.
Top 7 best food thermos 2023
The Black Isothermal Lunch Box
The design of this food thermos is reminiscent of an original soup can. However, this first model of our selection has much more to offer than just an attractive appearance. Indeed, the editorial team was seduced by its unbeatable insulation performance.
In our practical test, the hot water contained in this thermos food container was still at its temperature after 12 hours. The best result so far in our test. Technically, the insulated lunch box is protected by 6 layers of thermal insulation. You can even keep your hot drink in it for 24 hours, provided you insert it in an insulated bag.
Moreover, everyone can get used to the price of this hot food thermos which is relatively cheaper.
Why choose this product?
- Dimensions: 9.5 cm x 14 cm I 10.5 cm x 16 cm
- Capacity: 500 ml and 750 ml
- Design material: Stainless steel and PP
- Thermal capacity: Keeps food hot and cold for up to 24 hours
- Color: Black
- Available accessories: Stainless steel folding spoon and insulated bag
- Delivery : Secure
The Blue Insulated Lunch Box
This beautiful isothermal food box offers a simple and elegant design. In terms of storage capacity, it is available in two different versions: one with a capacity of 630 ml and another with a capacity of 1 L.
Moreover, the food thermos is made of stainless steel to keep all its isothermal properties. To this effect, different tests have shown that hot water can keep its temperature between 2 and 4 hours during winter. The user can largely increase this conservation time up to 6 hours by keeping the thermo meal warm in an isothermal bag.
To pour the contents, the insulated lunch box can be easily operated with one hand, as its lid is equipped with a double handle.
Why choose this product?
- Dimensions: 11.8 cm x 11 cm I 13.2 cm x 12 cm
- Capacity: 630 ml and 1 L
- Design material: Stainless steel and PP
- Heat capacity: Keeps food hot and cold for up to 6 hours
- Color: Blue
- Special features: a waterproof lid; a price accessible to everyone
- Delivery : Secured
The White Isothermal Box
This insulated food thermos immediately stands out with its unusual design and attracts attention on every coffee table. In addition, it also has an interesting thermal insulation for a 480 ml food thermos. In the test, the soup was still warm after 6 hours. Of course, this is not the limit of the thermos food box, as hot and cold can be kept for 8 hours with the intervention of an insulated bag.
On the other hand, the thermos food holder gets positive points thanks to its hermetic character. This is essential to avoid the leakage of liquid food. Also, you can easily clean it by hand or in a dishwasher.
Why choose this product?
- Dimensions: 9 cm x 15.5 cm
- Capacity: 480 ml
- Design material: Stainless steel and PP
- Heat capacity: Keeps food hot and cold for up to 8 hours
- Color: White
- Features: BPA and PVC free; 3 layers of insulation; child friendly food thermos.
- Delivery : Secure
The Green Isothermal Lunch Box
Even if the design of this large food thermos remains classic and minimalist, it will not leave environmentalists indifferent. Obviously, they will certainly appreciate the green color of the external wall of this thermos for hot food.
Moreover, thanks to its design, you can easily carry it in a handbag or a backpack. Its push-button closure is also easy and pleasant to use. It reinforces the watertightness of the lid to ensure better safety during your travels.
The most striking feature of the food thermos container is its very good insulating capacity. In our practical test, it confirmed that it can maintain the temperature of your meals for over 12 hours without an insulated bag. Whether hot or cold, its performance remains unchanged. Simply preheat or cool its stainless steel wall before putting your food.
Why choose this product?
- Dimensions : 10.5 cm x 16 cm
- Capacity: 750 ml
- Design material : 304 stainless steel and PP
- Thermal capacity: Keeps food hot and cold for up to 24 hours
- Color: Green
- Available accessories: Stainless steel folding spoon and insulated bag
- Delivery : Secure
The Blue Thermos Lunch Box
The hot food thermos looks great and is available in a blue color. It is the ideal accessory for meals at school or on hikes, as it provides you with a nice capacity of 800 ml. So we understand that it is clearly intended for growing teenagers and adults.
Unlike other models, this food thermos is made entirely of stainless steel. This may well reassure customers looking for a healthy, food-certified and BPA-free material. On the other side, the lid of your hot food thermos is removable for easier cleaning.
According to the manufacturer, the hot coffee and cold drink should still be intact after 10 hours of storage. Rest assured, this has been well confirmed by our team of testers. You can count on the good insulation and the 6 layers of protection of this insulated hot meal box.
Why choose this product?
- Capacity: 800 ml
- Design material: Stainless steel
- Thermal capacity: Keeps food hot and cold for up to 10 hours
- Color: Blue
- Available accessories: Folding spoon
- Delivery: Secure
The Golden Isothermal Lunch Box
We continue our top 7 with this beautiful product that carries all the promises of the best food thermos. First of all, it has an intricate lid that looks like a stopper. You can easily remove it to pour your soup or hot chocolate.
Besides, it is quite convenient and easy to handle with its nice size of 350 ml. Best of all, it's the ideal food canister for kids. During recess, they will be able to enjoy a hearty lunch that will always keep its flavor. For this purpose, you are dealing with a long-lasting hot food thermos, because the thermal retention time is 10 hours. For a small isothermal lunch box, we must admit that it is a great performance.
Why choose this product?
- Dimensions : 9.5 cm x 15 cm
- Capacity : 350 ml
- Design material : 304 stainless steel
- Thermal capacity: Keeps food hot and cold for up to 10 hours
- Color: Gold
- Available accessories: Reusable spoon; carrying bag
- Delivery : Secured
The Isothermal Chocolate Bento
Are you a fan of hot chocolate, especially in winter? The brand has thought of you with this box to keep your food warm. First of all, it shines by its very unusual design for thermos bottles. More precisely, it is a rather greedy design that refers to melting chocolate.
Secondly, this thermos canteen food remains convincing in all areas as far as insulation performance is concerned. Specifically, it keeps food cold and warm for 3 to 4 hours with an increase of 6 hours.
With its 700 ml, the food box keeps warm offers a capacity slightly higher than most products in this selection. And to make it easier to hold, you have a fairly solid carrying handle. Last but not least, the hot food canister is undeniably cheap.
Why choose this product?
- Capacity: 700 ml
- Design material: Stainless steel
- Thermal capacity: Keeps food hot and cold for up to 6 hours
- Colors: White and chocolate
- Available accessories: Folding spoon
- Delivery: Secured
Is a food thermos safe?
It is safe to use a bento box thermos to store food for up to 12 hours if you purchase one of Healthy Lunch's signature products. Just remember to cook the food to the right temperature and then reheat it at a very high temperature.
This way, there is little chance of the food in the thermos spoiling. However, throw away any leftover food after you open the thermos. If your thermos doesn't keep your food hot or cold, don't eat it. Harmful bacteria may have already started to grow and it is not safe to reheat. It's best to throw it away and get a new thermos. But rest assured, this type of handling is not necessary with Healthy Lunch.
How to choose a food thermos?
Before you decide on a thermos flask, you should take a closer look at a few aspects. On the one hand, there are criteria that speak about the quality of the thermos flask and on the other hand, some characteristics depend on your own requirements:
- The insulation or thermal capacity;
- The design material;
- The storage capacity;
- The closure of the lid.
The thermal capacity of the food thermos
The most important criterion for your stainless steel insulated food thermos is the insulation. Although there is no ideal regulation standard, it is important that your meal box can keep food hot or cold for several hours. The most efficient thermos can keep the temperature for up to 12 hours. Even after 12 hours, your beverages can still stay hot or cold for 24 hours with the use of an insulated lunch bag.
The design material of the food thermos
The material of the thermos naturally also influences the insulation. If you choose glass, keep in mind that this type of material keeps your drinks warm longer.
However, glass is more fragile than stainless steel and the thermos can be damaged very easily even during cleaning. In addition, it is also a question of which material is healthier. For this purpose, the best answer comes down to food-certified stainless steel. Further on, there is also PP plastic on the outer shell for a bpa-free food thermos.
For your food safety, always check if the plastic that is part of the composition of your thermos is healthy and chemical free. Indeed, some tests have shown that various plastics are contaminated with harmful substances. In the case of thermoses, this is of particular concern, as food/drinks come into direct contact with the plastic. If you want to avoid this, you need to make sure that the manufacturer states that the hot food thermos is BPA and PVC free.
The storage capacity of the food thermos
You should also look at the capacity and dimensions before making a choice. Depending on the model, thermos flasks have a capacity of between 300 ml and 2 liters. So find an airtight box that is suitable for the number of people you want to supply. For example, for a personal need for coffee or herbal tea, a small food thermos will do the trick.
The closing of the food thermos
If the food box is intended for a child's use, you will have to check if the closure will be accessible and secure for your child. The goal is to open for drinking without spilling the hot or cold contents on yourself. Generally, thermos flasks come with simple lids, spout lids, removable caps, infuser lids, or snap-on closures. Better yet, some offer carrying handles for comfortable opening.
What can you put in a food thermos?
Besides soups or classic liquid foods, here are some references that the thermos can keep warm.
- Tea: the thermos can be used to fill all kinds of tea. Keep in mind that black tea usually leaves residue and you need to clean the container more often to avoid discoloration. For new experiences, try the delicious fresh peppermint tea or ginger iced tea.
- Coffee: Another classic thermos is coffee. If it's your favorite drink, boil it and fill your insulated bottle for work.
- Water: If you prefer water over hot and cold drinks, you should only fill your thermos with non-carbonated water. Otherwise, simply carry a hot liquid as needed.
- Wine and hot chocolate: In winter, it is always nice to share a few moments with your "friends" over a cup of wine or hot chocolate.
Of course, this is not an exhaustive list. You can always use your isothermal thermos according to your food products.
How to clean a food thermos?
When its wall is made of brushed stainless steel, the maintenance method of the food thermos requires some techniques.
First of all, you must fill the thermos flask with hot water and clean it with a brush. Cleaning with steel wool or a hard brush is not a desirable option.
Then rinse the dirty water out thoroughly. If you don't see any more dirt, your insulated mug is already clean. If there is visible discoloration or unpleasant odors, or once a month, you should do a more thorough cleaning:
- Step 1: Fill the thermos with hot water.
- Step 2: Here you can choose from three home remedies: use baking powder, salt or vinegar. One packet of baking soda, 2 teaspoons of salt or one tablespoon of vinegar.
- Step 3: Stir and leave for 30 minutes.
- Step 4: Close the lid and vigorously shake the thermos bottle and its contents.
- Step 5: Empty the contents and rinse several times with hot water.
- Step 6: When you no longer see stains and smell baking soda, salt or vinegar, the cup is clean.
Who can use a food thermos with compartment?
The insulated food thermos box is a practical and beneficial product that everyone can use in their daily life. Specifically, it is for anyone who is looking for a durable and effective container to pack their child's lunch. It's also for people who want to drink hot coffee or take homemade food to the office or job site. No matter what you put in your thermos, it will stay warm and cool for x hours.
Furthermore, these double-walled stainless steel food thermos cans are accessible in two main versions:
- Those that are used to hold food like soups and stews;
- Those that are usually used to contain drinks/coffee like the coffee thermos.
FAQ
Which food thermos is the best?
The best thermos is one that offers excellent thermal insulation, comes in a sleek, yet classic design and is available at a good price.
How does a thermos work?
Inside, thermos jugs are surrounded by a vacuum that stops heat conduction. This way, the temperature of the drink cannot be released into the environment, which means that the drink inside stays cool or hot longer.
Are food thermoses dishwasher safe?
Depending on the manufacturer, some mugs or utensils are dishwasher safe. However, it is best to use a gentle hand wash with warm water and a mild detergent. This will maintain the thermal performance.
Where to buy a food thermos?
The Healthy Lunch store is the best reference to find the best food thermos that currently dominate the French market.