15 Best Food Thermoses For Outings In 2024, As Per Expert
Specialty: Mediterranean, Greek, Italian, Middle Eastern and European cuisineExperience: 7 yearsMakos Koukakis was born and raised on the island of Crete, Greece. Makos grew up in a home where food played a major part in every big event and occasion. His mother and grandmother were both great cooks and he learned everything about Mediterranean cuisine by watching them cook.
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In This Article
Enjoy piping hot and fresh meals with the best food thermoses, no matter where you are. A thermos comes with an insulated exterior to maintain the food’s desired temperature for a few hours, whether hot or cold. It can come in handy when packing snacks or fresh fruits for children while going on a picnic or a school trip. Moreover, they may also be useful as a spill-free choice to pack one-pot meals, coffee, or soup for the entire family on road trips and travels.
The best thermos containers come in various designs, shapes, and sizes to suit your requirements. So, check out some tried-and-tested and expert-recommended options on this list and pick a suitable one.
Top Picks
Safety Tips To Follow While Using A Thermos
- Ensure that the food is of the optimum temperature before keeping it in the thermos.
- Instruct your child or the custodian at school to use the pressure release button to open the lid.
- If there is no pressure release button, then train your child to open and close the lid of the thermos using the prescribed technique.
- Do not let food stay in the thermos for more than the recommended time with the lid on.
- Always clean the thermos thoroughly and regularly check for mold.
15 Best Food Thermoses For School, Office, And Picnics In 2024
1. Best Temperature Retention: Thermos Stainless King Food Jar
With a stainless steel interior and exterior, this thermos can hold 16 ounces of food. It is made with vacuum insulation technology that helps in maximum temperature retention for hot and cold foods. This time-tested hot and cold food storage thermos also comes with a serving bowl and a foldable spoon.
https://www.thespruceeats.com/best-hot-food-thermos-4164596[2]Tested and Approved: The Best Food Thermos https://www.epicurious.com/expert-advice/best-food-thermos-article[3]The 7 Best Hot Food Containers to Carry on a Snow Day https://www.allrecipes.com/longform/best-hot-food-containers/
Pros
- Keeps substances hot for seven hours and cold for nine hours
- Made with durable stainless steel
- Exterior cold even with hot food inside
- Sweatproof while cold substances are inside
- Wide mouth to fill easily
- Leak-proof container lids
Cons
- Might be a bit small
- No separate compartments to keep different foods
"A staple for on-the-go meals, this thermal food jar impressed me with its extended heat retention. I really like the foldable metal spoon, and it is a great option for single servings. I use it both for my work lunches and my kids' school lunches."
2. Best Dishwasher-Safe: Thermos Funtainer Food Jar
The quality-tested thermos flask features vacuum insulation technology to retain the temperature of hot and cold meals–it can keep the food contents hot for up to five hours and cold for up to seven hours. This dishwasher-safe thermos has an easy push-button lid and weighs only 0.25lb. The high-quality 18/8 stainless steel food jar comes in different colors and patterns, and the set includes a foldable spoon.
Pros
- Easy to clean
- Compact
- Leakproof
- Durable design
Cons
- Might not be easy to open for some children
- Capacity may not be sufficient for some
"I like its compact design, which my son can carry easily. The included spoon is a nice touch. Although the mouth is wider than expected, my son can easily open the lid. It is also easy to use and clean."
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
More than 459 rave reviews on Amazon prove why we are so in awe of this product.
Do remember3. Best Compact: Mira Stainless Steel Lunch Thermos
This tried-and-tested thermos comes in ten attractive colors and compact sizes. The vacuum insulation and MiraGuard technology helps in keeping the food hot or cold up to five and ten hours, respectively, making it a lunchtime essential.
Pros
- Compact size
- Made with durable 18/8 food-grade stainless steel
- Wide mouth
- Matte finish and non-slippery
- Made with BPA-free materials
- Easy to carry
Cons
- Hand wash only
- Lid is hard to clean
"This container keeps meals warm, especially if you heat it up with hot water beforehand. Although the rubber seal can loosen over time, it is still a good choice for hot lunches on the go. It is a bit time-consuming to clean, but it serves its purpose well."
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
A whopping 8,812 reviews on Amazon make it obvious that users genuinely love this product.
Thermos Stainless King Food Jar | Thermos Funtainer Food Jar | Mira Stainless Steel Lunch Thermos | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | 4.8 ounces | 4 ounces | 13.5 ounces |
| Number of Items | 1 | - | - |
| Material | Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel |
| Dimensions | 3.7"W x 5.5"H | - | 3.25 x 3.25 x 5 inches |
| Color | Matte Steel | Pink | Purple |
| Shape | - | Round | - |
| Rating | |||
| Reviews | 31,477 | 459 | 8,812 |
| Price | $16.99 | $17.84 | $15.95 |
4. Best For Long Hours: Simple Modern Container Flask
The Simple Modern thermoses come in three variants of capacities 12oz, 16oz, and 24oz. These flasks have double walls and vacuum insulation, which helps to keep the food hot or cold for hours.
Pros
- Premium copper insulation layer
- The inner wall is made with 18/8 stainless steel
- Wide mouth for easy eating and cleaning
- Insulated lid with an easy-to-hold handle
Cons
- The rubber parts might smell
- Cleaning the lid could be difficult
5. Best Travel-Friendly: Stanley Classic Vacuum Insulated Food Jar
This thermos is ideal for packing hot or cold foods for school or while traveling. The travel-friendly thermos’ double wall with vacuum insulation helps in keeping the contents hot or cold for up to 15 hours. This also keeps the outer surface cool when carrying a hot lunch and sweatproof in the case of cold substances. The time-tested food jar is made of 18/8 stainless steel and is BPA-free.
Pros
- Made with high-quality 18/8 stainless steel
- Wide mouth opening and a 360° rotating lid
- Lid can also be used as a bowl
- Comes with an easy-to-hold handle
- Hot food containers are easy to clean
Cons
- Might be too heavy to carry for children
- Plain design
"I love using this Thermos to keep my drinks hot for hours. It has a large opening, and the lid doubles as a cup, which makes it very practical. I wish it was a bit more durable. I would recommend pre-heating to get the best results."
6. Best Microwavable: Zojirushi Stainless Steel Vacuum Jar
The Zojirushi thermos container comes with three separate bowls and a carry bag. The bowls are made of vacuum insulated stainless steel that may keep the contents hot or cold for six hours. These bowls are microwavable and measure 10.5oz, 11.2oz, and 6.8oz, respectively.
Pros
- Separate boxes with lids to store various food items
- Made with BPA-free plastic
- Comes with a fork and its protective cover
- Easy to clean and carry
Cons
- Some may find the bowls too small
- Liquids might leak
"I like that this lunch jar is microwavable and comes with a handy carrying bag, but the lid's seal may lead to leaks after repeated usage. However, I am satisfied with using it daily, and it comes in handy for keeping child-sized portions warm for long."
7. Best Stylish Design: Energify Vacuum Insulated Food Jar
With a functional design and vacuum insulation technology, this stylish thermos from Energify could help keep your child’s meals hot for 12 hours and cold for up to 24 hours. It is made of premium stainless steel and has a non-slip base. The vacuum-insulated flask can hold food and beverages such as coffee, soup, hot water, and more. It is available in two variants: 15-17oz and 22-24oz.
Pros
- Scratch-resistant and durable stainless steel body
- Flexible handle to carry easily
- Special compartment for a foldable spoon
- Air pressure release button to easily open the lid
- The lid can also be used as a bowl
Cons
- May not be durable
- The lid is difficult to clean
"This thermos has a user-friendly design with a nifty pressure release. I like the added spoon and serving-lid bowl as they make it easy to have lunch when I'm at work. It's great for those who want reliable hot meals on the move."
8. Best Triple-Layered: Lunchbots Thermal Stainless Steel Thermos
If you are looking for a simple thermos with a compact design, then do try this model from Lunchbots. It contains triple-layered insulated thermal technology that keeps food cold up to 12 hours and hot up to six hours. This expert-approved mealtime essential comes in two different colors and has a capacity of 16oz.
Pros
- Ethically made and certified to meet FDA standards
- Compact design and easy to carry
- Full stainless steel interior
- Sufficient space to hold two cups of food
- Insulated and airtight container
- Wide mouth
Cons
- The lid gets jammed when extremely hot substances are poured
- Children might find it hard to open the lid
"This container has been a reliable addition to my family's lunch routine. Just remember not to over-tighten the lid, or you may struggle to open it later. I prefer to pre-heat with hot water to enhance its heat retention. It's a decent product; go for it!"
9. Best Stainless Steel: Thermos King Stainless Food Jar
The matte high-quality 18/8 stainless steel thermos with vacuum insulation technology retains the temperature of hot and cold meals for ten and 24 hours, respectively. This thermos for hot meals has two microwavable containers and a built-in serving bowl for easy and convenient on-the-go meals. The jar’s capacity is 47oz, and it weighs 2.9lb.
Pros
- Wide mouth and a built-in handle
- Durable
- Dishwasher-safe
- Sweat-proof
- Leak-proof
Cons
- Might seem big for some
- Food might not stay piping hot
"I like this container's sturdy design with a convenient wide mouth. Also, the separate containers are a nice touch. Altogether, it's a practical solution for carrying meals to work or school."
Caution10. Best Bpa-Free: Skip Hop Insulated Baby Food Jar
The monkey-printed yellow and red kids’ jar with a built-in spoon and fork slot is the appropriate container to pack your little one’s meal and keep it warm for seven hours and cold for five hours. This jar includes a spork (spoon + fork) which could fit in a built-in holder to avoid losing it and has an 11 fl. oz capacity. Made from BPA-free, phthalate-free stainless steel, this safety-tested kids’ lunch thermos weighs 0.5lb.
Pros
- Leakproof
- Easy to clean
- Easy to carry
- Sturdy design
Cons
- Not dishwasher-safe
- Lid is not microwave-safe
"My kids love this thermos for school lunches. It does the job, but I've found that hand-washing is a must to keep it in good shape. The spork could be a bit safer for children, but I appreciate the easy-to-use twist lid, which little hands can operate easily."
11. Best For School Lunches: Kitsure Thermos Food Jar
Kitsure’s food thermos is suitable to carry school lunches for older children and can keep the food cold or hot for up to 12 hours. It comes with a capacity of 30oz and has dimensions 6.92 x 4.33in. The stylish lunchtime storage option comes in three different colors.
Pros
- A silicone lifting handle to carry easily
- Anti-slip bottom
- Wide mouth
- Inner plug for sealing tightly
- Lid can be used as a bowl
- Stainless steel folding spoon.
- Bonus brush makes cleaning easy
Cons
- The silicone handle might attract dust
- Screwing the lid on and off could be tedious for children
12. Best Non-Toxic: Mira Lunch Food Jar
Here’s one of the best food storage solutions you can lay our hands on. The vacuum-insulated 18/8 food-grade stainless steel thermos is designed with Miraguard technology to keep your food cold for ten hours and hot for five hours with its innovative triple-wall insulation. The jar features a copper coating to offer more temperature insulation. Made from BPA-free, phthalate-free, non-toxic materials, this jar has a unique powder coating to offer a better grip for holding. It comes with a foldable spoon and has a 15 oz capacity.
Pros
- Sweat-free exterior
- Rust-proof
- Leak-proof
- Easy to carry
- Wide mouth
Cons
- Cleaning might seem tedious
- Might dent easily
"I like that this thermal jar maintains the meal temperature well for several hours. The foldable spoon and lid compartment make it more convenient for carrying lunch to work. Overall, I would recommend this jar for its heat retention abilities."
13. Best For Easy Filling: Stanley Classic Food Jar
The double-wall vacuum-insulated thermos with a built-in spoon slot is suitable for picnics, outings, and long travels as it stores your food hot or cold for 12 hours. Offering high heat retention, this food jar comes with an integrated steel spork and is made from 18/8 BPA-free stainless steel. It has a leak-proof sealing lid and a wide mouth for easy filling. The net capacity of this jar is 18oz.
Pros
- Leakproof
- Dishwasher-safe
- Lightweight design
- Rust-resistant
Cons
- Might seem bigger than expected
- Might dent easily
"This thermos pleasantly surprised me with piping hot soup at lunchtime, and it has become my favorite for taking my work lunch. It doesn't leak, is easy to clean, and I find the side-slot spoon to be a thoughtful touch."
14. Best Easy To Carry: Jslove two Pack Vacuum Insulated Food Jar
This set comes with two food jars, with thermos container sizes of 17oz and 24oz. It also contains a foldable fork and a soup spoon. There are eight different colors to select from.
Pros
- Vacuum insulation
- Easy-to-carry handles
- FDA-approved stainless steel interior and exterior
- Airtight sealing lid
- Anti-skid pad at the bottom
- Air pressure release button
Cons
- The sizes could be too small
- Durability might be an issue
"These thermal containers are a solid choice, and they can handle various types of meals without leaks. They hold heat for hours, even in cold weather, and the easy-open lids are practical for my son's school lunches. I've had a few issues with the gaskets falling off, but no spills yet, and they clean up well."
15. Best Quality Interiors: Zojirushi Stainless Steel Food Jar
The Zojirushi food jar is made of stainless steel interiors and has a secure lid design to prevent leaks. The vacuum insulation helps in keeping the food hot or cold. It has a capacity of 11oz and comes in five different colors.
Pros
- Gasket-sealed lid to prevent leakage
- 2 ½ -inch wide mouth
- Compact design
- Dimples on the lid to open it easily
Cons
- Difficult to clean
- Water might get retained inside the rubber bottom
"I love that this jar does not require any preheating, and is also great for my kids' lunches. It is easy to clean, and the design is pretty sleek. This jar gets the job done, whether it's hot soup or tea. A worthwhile investment!"
How To Choose The Right Food Thermos?
You need to keep in mind certain aspects while buying a food thermos. Here are some of them.
- Insulation: The main purpose of a thermos is to keep the food hot or cold, so check the insulation technology being used. There are two types- vacuum and foam insulation.
- Capacity: This decides how much food a thermos can hold. Choose one that can carry a complete meal based on your child’s requirement.
- Easy to clean: It is important to choose a thermos that is easy to clean and reduce bacterial and mold growth.
- Material: The durability of the thermos is dependent on the materials used to make it. Usually, stainless steel, which is said to be durable and rust-free, is used in the making of food thermoses.
- Hours: Choose a food thermos depending on how many hours you would want to keep your food or cold. Some can keep your food hot or cold for around five hours, while others can keep it hot or cold for up to 15 hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I put food thermos in the dishwasher?
Food thermos should ideally be hand washed, as washing them in the dishwasher can reduce the lifespan of the insulation. Check the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning the food thermos.
2. How does a food thermos work?
A food thermos is constructed in such a way that the air between the two interior walls is sucked out, thus creating a vacuum. This vacuum acts as insulation and doesn’t let heat escape, thus retaining the temperature of the food.
3. How long does a food thermos keep contents hot or cold?
Most thermos can keep the food warm for five to six hours. Some more advanced thermos can keep food warm or cold for up to 15 hours. Liquid foods may stay warm a little longer.
4. Do food thermoses leak?
No, a food thermos is designed such that air does not come in contact with the food, thus retaining the food temperature. So, most food thermoses are leak-proof. If your thermos is leaking, it can’t retain the food temperature.
5. Is it easy to hold and eat from a thermos?
Yes, most thermoses come with a wide opening, providing easy access to the food. It doesn’t transfer the food temperature to the outside surface of the thermos.
6. Is storing food in a food thermos safe?
Your food stays warm for five to six hours, and thereafter, it starts cooling. So, there are slight chances of food getting spoiled after the recommended duration.
Why Trust MomJunction?
Sakshi John is an enthusiast of all things related to home and kitchen appliances. She has carefully researched several online product reviews to compile this product list of the best food thermoses. She has also put together some safety tips for children and a thermos buying guide with aspects to look out for when buying a thermos to ensure you make a wise decision.
The Bottom Line
With the best food thermoses at your disposal, you can enjoy piping hot and fresh meals anytime. Before making a purchase, ensure the flask is crafted from durable stainless steel with a wide opening for easy food filling, similar to the Thermos Stainless King Food Jar which also includes a handy integrated spoon. Look for FDA approval, a non-slip base, and an insulated exterior to monitor food temperature, much like the Simple Modern Container Flask which features an extra premium copper lining for peak efficiency. Furthermore, opt for easy cleaning, sufficient size, and a sleek, attractive design as seen in the space-efficient Stanley Classic Vacuum Insulated Food Jar.
Infographic: How To Use Thermos In A Healthy Manner?
Using a thermos gives you the benefit of eating fresh, hot home-cooked foods and soups outside. However, it’s essential to use it properly to prevent the food from getting spoiled and to avoid health issues. So, check out the following infographic to learn how to use a thermos safely. Illustration: The Bridal Box Design Team
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Read full bio of Makos Koukakis
