It's an open secret that food boxes are all the rage right now, and rightly so. If you want to keep food cool or warm, they are the best equipment you need. They are easy to transport and spacious enough to hold food and drinks for several people. However, it is not always easy to find the right one.
To choose the right lunch box, you should opt for a BPA-free lunch box so that you can heat it in the microwave without any problem. As for the design, there are many choices and you should choose the lunch box according to your needs.
Not all lunch boxes are alike and do not share the same specifics. It is therefore easy to make a wrong choice, especially when you are not familiar with the market. Do you want to invest in the best lunch box? This article clearly shows you how to choose a brand.
Criteria for choosing a lunch box
The lunch box is a product that you will use almost every day and in precious moments. Therefore, it is obvious to take into account some essential criteria before placing an order.
The size
The size of a lunch box also refers to its capacity which is expressed in liter or milliliter. Here, it must be recognized that the selection may depend on the type of meal you want to pack. For example, if you intend to store a sandwich and fruit, you probably won't need a 1 liter box.
On the other hand, it is important to point out that the capacity is not always the same depending on the type of its owner. Generally, we recommend a cooler of about 500 to 750 ml for women. Men can be satisfied with a volume between 700 ml and 1 L. It all depends on your appetite.
Finally, we don't forget the parents who hesitate about the size of a box for their children's meals. Here are some references for an optimal selection:
- Between 2 and 8 years old: think of a hermetic box of at least 350 ml;
- Between 10 and 15 years old: opt for a 500 ml box;
- Between 17 and 20 years old: invest in a 700 ml can.
Usage
It is obvious that you cannot choose a meal box if you do not intend to use it frequently. The type of use is therefore an essential point that should not be neglected. Do you want to take it to the office every day? Do you plan to make it your faithful ally during recreational outings like a picnic? These are all questions that will help you make the right choice.
Moreover, this criterion is particularly dependent on the previous one. Indeed, the type of use that you envisage for your lunchbox can influence its size. A mother who wants to buy a lunchbox for her little boy will not consider the same volume as a couple who loves picnic meals.
The materials
The design materials of the lunchboxes allow you to have an overview of their performance. For this purpose, there are two categories of lunch boxes:
- The non-insulated box;
- The insulated box.
The boxes without insulation are generally made of tempered glass, plastic or wood. As a reminder, the first two materials have the ability to heat up food in the microwave. Unfortunately, this is not the case with natural wood. On the other hand, this type of model is antibacterial, shock resistant and suitable for vegetarians.
On the other hand, the category of thermal boxes offers lunch boxes made of stainless steel or polyester. Particularly rigid and insulating, they can keep warm or cold for several hours.
The compartments
Apart from the above-mentioned elements, the practicality of an isothermal bottle also depends on its compartments. For some manufacturers, they are available as storage levels according to the shape of the containers (square, oval or rectangular).
In any case, they are internal spaces that allow you to ensure a better storage of dishes. Between beverages, fruits and starches, you won't need to opt for external packaging. Thanks to the tiers or compartments, all of your food is transportable.
Here are a few essential criteria for a successful purchase. Therefore, it is up to you to determine your needs for a "made to measure" choice.
Which lunch box to choose ?
Once you have a clear idea of your preference, it is time to choose the ideal lunch box. On the market, there is a wide range of products offering various functions. To make your life easier, here are three versions of jars that you absolutely must experiment with.
The bento box
Of Japanese origin, the bento comes from the Chinese slang "Biandang", which means "practical". It allows you to easily carry your lunch anywhere in complete peace of mind. Its history dates back to the 13th century, which makes it a reliable instrument that has proven itself in the field of food.
Very often, the bento comes in the wooden model. Specifically, you can choose between:
- The bento made of bamboo fiber ;
- The bento made of wheat straw;
- The ordinary wooden bento.
They are all singular with an enticing design, but suffer from some shortcomings. For example, you can't put a traditional bento box in the dishwasher. Also, it does not support low temperatures and may deteriorate with time. All in all, this model will be more suitable for people who value aesthetics over practicality.
If this is not your case, there are still bentos designed in silicone with several compartments to separate your dishes.
The heated lunch box
Considered as a "technological jewel", the heated lunch box is an almost all-terrain model. It can be used in the car (ordinary or truck), at work, outdoors, at the sport, etc. Moreover, it has the particularity of not needing a baking oven or a microwave to heat the food.
This is easy to understand when you know that it works thanks to a power supply by plug and reinforced by a cigarette lighter cable. Even better, some models come with a USB port.
In this kind of situation, all you have to do is plug the container into the port of your laptop. For the more skeptical, you can put your fears about the risk of damage to the machine to rest. Obviously, the heated dishes have an accumulator system that prevents your PC from overheating.
In just a few minutes, the meal is warm and you can move on to enjoy it. Even frozen meals are not exempt from the efficiency of this machine. In a sentence, it is the ideal kitchen utensil for people who are constantly on the go and love warm food. However, you will have to spend a little more money for its purchase.
The isothermal lunch box
To keep cool or warm, this class of stainless steel box is the ultimate you need. It has internal walls that allow it to offer an impressive shelf life. On a practical level, we think of a time range between 4 and 12 hours.
On the market, we do not forget to specify that the insulated lunch box present an internal layer without BPA. In other words, it is a film that preserves all the flavor and quality of your warm meal. So you'll always eat in a healthy way.
The other advantage of this isothermal box is the number of compartments it provides to users. Depending on your requirements, it is possible to get a large cooler with 5 tiers. It should be noted that there is no question of tight spaces. They provide a good seal to better store their container.
Where to find a lunch box?
If you are looking for the perfect place to get your lunchbox, the Healthy Lunch brand's online store is the eldorado. Under several categories, it gathers the best lunchboxes in France. Here is a top 2 of the products not to be missed:
The Lunch Box Electric Grey
Wrapped in a white color and reinforced by some grey outlines, this lunch box is perfect to carry your meals in the car or at the office. Indeed, it has a main compartment. It is waterproof, divided into three spaces and offers a large capacity of 1 liter. Moreover, you can count on its lid that makes the device totally airtight. We can't forget to mention its 45 watt power which allows you to heat up your food in less than 20 minutes.
The Black Isothermal Lunch Box
Currently on sale at a flat rate on the Healthy Lunch store, this black colored soft cooler offers you optimal preservation in its three compartments. Its interior is entirely made of stainless steel and it is BPA free for your food safety. On the other hand, you will love its large capacity and its ergonomic dimensions that make it easy to carry.
We also want to mention that the iso bowl is reusable and easy to maintain. Like a plate, it is dishwasher safe. Finally, don't forget to take advantage of the spoon that comes with it.
