Best food thermos - which one to choose?
The lunch thermos is an accessory that stands out from classic thermoses. It is characterized by a lower, wider shape that resembles a small pot, making it easier to comfortably eat meals directly from the container. Such a thermos is perfect in any conditions where there is no possibility to heat a meal — during outdoor work, on hiking or cycling trips, and also during long car journeys.
Read our article to find out how to choose the best lunch thermos for you. Check what capacity of the lunch thermos will be suitable for you and how significant the role of the material it is made from plays.
A good lunch thermos — what to pay attention to when buying?
Are you unsure which lunch thermos to choose? Below we will present key features that will help you buy a model tailored to your needs. A good lunch thermos should primarily maintain the temperature of the stored food or drink for a long time — both hot and cold. Its resistance to damage and the appropriate capacity are also important. Remember, aesthetics, although pleasing to the eye, is a secondary issue, and practicality is what counts the most.
Capacity of the lunch thermos
One of the first things to pay attention to when buying a lunch thermos is its capacity. Here everything depends on your needs — how much you eat and how many meals you intend to take. It also matters if you want to take food just for yourself or maybe for two people. Depending on the manufacturer and model, lunch thermoses can have different capacities — from 500 ml to even 1000 ml and more.
However, it can be generally accepted that a small lunch thermos with a capacity of about 500 ml is sufficient for one person who does not need very large food portions. On the other hand, a capacity of 750 ml is optimal for people who need slightly larger portions. If you plan to share a meal with another person, it is worth investing in a thermos with a capacity of one liter, which will hold two standard meal portions.
Maintaining temperature
The next important step in choosing the best lunch thermos is checking (for example, on the product card) how long it can maintain the appropriate temperature of food or drinks. It is worth choosing models with a construction consisting of double walls filled with a vacuum, which guarantees excellent insulating properties. Thanks to this solution, the thermos not only keeps the temperature for a long time but also prevents the condensation of water vapor on the outer surface, even with large temperature differences.
If you need a lunch thermos mainly for work, where you eat lunch a few hours after leaving the house, a model that keeps food warm for 6-8 hours will be sufficient. However, if you plan to use the thermos for a later dinner, for example, during a long journey, it is better to choose a model with higher quality insulation that keeps the food at the right temperature even for 12 hours.
For most thermos models, it is worth applying a simple trick to extend the maintenance of high temperature. Before placing a hot meal, pour boiling water into the thermos and leave it for about 4 minutes. After pouring out the boiling water, immediately put in the hot dish — this way, you significantly extend the time for which the meal will remain at the optimal temperature.
Remember that if you fill the thermos only partially, the remaining empty space will cause the food to lose heat much faster. Therefore, it is worth matching the thermos capacity to the size of the portion. We also remind you that lunch thermoses maintain not only heat but also cold very well — in summer, you can store, for example, cold lemonade in them, not just a hot meal.
Material and casing of the thermos
If you plan to buy a lunch thermos, check what material it is made from. The best choice are models made of stainless steel because they are resistant to damage, corrosion, and easy to clean. Besides, stainless steel maintains the appropriate temperature well and does not affect the taste of food.
Also, check if the plastic parts of the thermos, such as the cap or seals, do not contain harmful BPA. If you decide on a model with a handle, make sure it is securely attached — no one wants a hot meal to land on the ground. However, if you prefer to do without the handle, special lunch thermoses with a silicone cover are available, providing a firm grip even when wearing gloves.
Tightness
This is one of the most important features of a good lunch thermos. A tight seal secures the contents from leaking and losing heat. Therefore, it is worth paying attention to models equipped with silicone gaskets and solid sealing systems that ensure the safe storage of meals.
Ease of cleaning
You should particularly care for the cleanliness of the lunch thermos since you store your food in it. For this reason, it is important that it is easy to clean. The best thermoses are those with a wide opening - thanks to this, you can easily insert, for example, a soft-bristle brush and thoroughly wash the entire interior.
It is worth choosing thermoses that have a special silver coating on the inner walls. Silver has antibacterial properties, which means it prevents the growth of bacteria. Thanks to this, the food stays fresh longer, and the thermos is easier to keep clean.
Wide opening
It is very important for the lunch thermos to have a sufficiently wide opening because this makes it easier to insert food into the interior. It also allows you to eat comfortably straight from the thermos — unlike a narrow opening, which makes it difficult to scoop with a spoon and limits access to the contents. Additionally, a wide opening greatly simplifies cleaning, as in thermoses with a narrow opening, food residues settle in hard-to-reach places, where an ordinary sponge or brush does not always reach.
Lunch thermoses that keep warm for a long time — recommended models
In this part of the guide, we will present three recommended models of lunch thermoses, which you will find in the MILITARY.EU store offer. Of course, our assortment includes many more products, so if you are not interested in those below, we invite you to check out our entire range of lunch thermoses!
1. Esbit Food Jug 0.5 l lunch thermos
The first proposition is the Esbit Food Jug thermos with a capacity of 500 ml, which is suitable for storing a single meal portion. It stands out with a unique construction guaranteeing long-lasting temperature maintenance, making it great for storing both hot meals and cold drinks.
The thermos's thermal performance is confirmed by tests conducted at 20ºC (+/- 2ºC). Water with an initial temperature of 98ºC reached the following values:
- after 6 hours - 70ºC
- after 12 hours - 60ºC
- after 24 hours - 40ºC
The Esbit Food Jug thermos is made from BPA-free materials, making it safe to store food without worries about your health. Its practical construction includes two caps. The inner one is responsible for sealing and has a pressure equalizing button, which significantly facilitates opening. The outer cap serves as a bowl, so there is no need to take additional dishes with you in the field.
2. Badger Outdoor Food Jar Hot Pot 750 ml lunch thermos
The next proposition is the Badger Outdoor Food Jar Hot Pot thermos with a capacity of 750 ml, which can easily hold a larger portion of lunch or two smaller dishes. It is made of high-quality 304 stainless steel, and its outer surface is covered with an elegant, black protective coating. The thermos is completely free of harmful BPA compounds, and its interior does not absorb the tastes or smells of stored food. Its practical, wide filling opening significantly facilitates both filling the thermos and its thorough cleaning.
The thermos's thermal performance is confirmed by tests conducted at 20ºC (+/- 2ºC). Water with an initial temperature of 98ºC reached the following values:
- after 6 hours - 70°C
- after 12 hours - 55°C
- after 24 hours - 40°C
The thermos's cap has a special safety valve that releases excess pressure. This is especially useful when storing hot food or drinks in the thermos. It prevents the risk of sudden opening of the cap and escaping hot steam or contents. Additionally, the thermos's wide cap can serve as a cup.
3. Esbit Sculptor Food Jug Sleeve 1 l lunch thermos
The last proposition is the Esbit Sculptor Food Jug with Sleeve thermos with a capacity of one liter, which allows you to store lunch for up to two people. This model maintains temperature well thanks to its double walls. Additionally, its solid stainless steel construction makes it very durable and resistant to damage.
The thermos's thermal performance is confirmed by tests conducted at 20ºC (+/- 2ºC). Water with an initial temperature of 98ºC reached the following values:
- after 6 hours: about 75°C,
- after 12 hours: about 60°C,
- after 24 hours: about 45°C.
The thermos has a wide opening, making filling and cleaning easier. The cap can serve as a bowl, so there is no need to take additional accessories with you in the field. The entire thermos is free from harmful substances, such as BPA and phthalates.
Supply of lunch thermoses at MILITARY.EU
Familiarize yourself with our full range of lunch thermoses from brands like Esbit, Rockland, Badger Outdoor, M-Tac, and Hi-Tec. We offer both compact models with a capacity of 500 ml and larger variants that can hold more food. Find the best lunch thermos for you!