8 Best Thermos Food Containers | Perfect Thermos Jars for School or Office Lunches and Camping | Buyer’s Guide 2022
Whether you’re packing for a hike, preparing a go-to lunch, or getting your kids ready on a cold winter day, a great thermos is a must to keep your foods hot so that all of you can enjoy coffee or a soup while driving or camping. We’ve sifted through a great deal of chaff online to find the best thermos options for your family. In this review, we’ll learn a little bit about how this technology works and take a good look at the TOP-8 best food thermos on the market that would appeal to anyone!
What You Will Learn from This Guide:
- What is a thermos and how it works?
- Search criteria: what to look for when shopping
- TOP-8 Best food thermos
- Best options for kids
What is a thermos and how it works?
Thermos invention goes back to 1892 when Sir James Dewar put one flask within the other and joined them at the neck. He found that the gap between the flasks created a near-vacuum which substantially reduced the heat transfer. The technology didn’t see the mass production up until the mid 20th century when it was sold to the Thermos company, which started to produce the vacuum flasks for home use. Eventually, other companies joined in and expanded the technology by using various materials, adopting different sizes, and shapes.
But what’s a thermos exactly? The thermos is a container that keeps liquid hot or cold over an extended period of time. It uses thermal insulation to prevent the transfer of thermal energy. The best insulator is essentially a vacuum because there’s no air to transfer heat. Thus, a thermos is, in its essence, a double-walled container with the vacuum between its walls that’s created during the construction process. The modern technologically advanced thermoses also use other layers to ensure there’s no transfer of thermal energy, like Styrofoam, additional layers of plastic, etc.
Now that we know how a thermos works, let’s see what you have to look for when buying one.
Search criteria: what to look for when shopping
Size
Besides the form factor and the thermos design, you have to make sure the thermos is of the right size. You obviously have to consider when and where you intend to use it, so you won’t end up with a huge container for seeping coffee while driving or a tiny flask on a cold night while camping. The most popular sizes are 10, 12, 16, and 24 oz.
Price
The cost would be the most important factor if you’re on a tight budget, and also the least – if you don’t mind spending more. On average, a good thermos will cost you somewhat around £30.
Heat retention
One of the most important factors to consider is how long your beverage will stay hot. Heat retention time can vary from 4-5 hours to as long as 12-13 hours. It’s a no-brainer that you would want a longer time for camping. The thermos is usually better at retaining cold temperatures, and while heat is maintained for 12 hours at most, you can expect a cold beverage to stay cool for even longer than that (usually +2 hours).
Material
And while plastic will greatly reduce the cost of your thermos, it also doesn’t retain heat very well. If heat retention is your greatest concern, then go for stainless steel, because it is more durable and better at inhibiting thermal energy.
TOP-8 Best food thermos
Now, let’s look at the TOP-8 Best Food Thermos that are available on the market in 2018. We’ll cover the best options with the longest heat retention times, with spoons, handles, and microwavable containers. We’ll also review the two best school options that your kids will love. Anyway, hop on to discover the amazing world of thermos containers!
Stanley Classic Vacuum Insulated Soup Thermos – up to 12 hours (17 and 24 oz)
Stanley is a huge brand that’s been in the business for more than a century. The Stanley Classic Vacuum Jar featured in this guide is made of 18/8 stainless steel naturally BPA-free. The container is also leak proof. It’s available in two sizes for your convenience, namely 17 and 24 oz. The vacuum insulation will keep your beverages hot or cold for at least 12 hours. The wide mouth of the container might be an ideal option if you like to drink soups or chili.
An overwhelming number of consumers were more than satisfied with the container, some even saying that Stanley was the one which did the job as expected. Those who left negative comments said that they received a dented product, which was obviously damaged during transportation. However, it didn’t affect how the product performed, was just a little unpleasant nuisance. There’s a lifetime warranty for this product, in case you wonder, which makes it practically risk-free.
Stanley Classic Vacuum: Check the current price
Thermos Funtainer Bottle – up to 12 hours, with a straw (12 oz)
This is a classic thermos from the Thermos company that needs no flowery introduction. Although it’s smaller than its previously described counterpart, being only 12 oz, it does its job perfectly well at keeping things hot or cold for 12 hours in a row. It’s also made of durable stainless steel. The product also comes with a straw that makes it very convenient to sip hot coffee or tea while on the go or driving.
Customers are pleased with the product and its performance, many of them used the soup thermos for babies and older kids. Those who were left unimpressed often complained that the thermos leaked.
Thermos Funtainer Bottle: Check the current price
Thermos Stainless King Food Jar – 7-10 hours, with a folding spoon (16 oz)
This is yet another bestseller from Thermos that’s made of stainless steel. Unlike the smaller version above, this one has a large mouth which is easy to fill and clean and might be an ideal option for soups. It also comes with a foldable stainless steel spoon, which adds even more convenience and usability to the product. Hot liquids will stay hot for 7 hours, cold – for 9.
Consumers who tested the thermos praised the sturdiness of the container, its durability, and were generally pleased with having a spoon. Detractors said the performance of this item was far from perfect and left a great deal to be desired with hot beverages not staying hot enough for the time claimed by the manufacturer.
Thermos Stainless King: Check the current price
Thermos Food Jar – 4-6 hours, with a microwaveable container (12 oz)
This Thermos jar, however small, comes with a special Tritan copolyester inner liner that is microwave and dishwasher safe, so in case your food is not hot enough, you can always microwave it in the container. Just like any other thermos items we’ve covered, this one is no exception, it’s made of stainless steel that’s super durable and easy to clean. Wide mouth ensures your mac and cheese will fit it perfectly! The hot food will stay hot for 4 hours, and cold – for 6.
However, customers were not as enthusiastic and cheerful about this item, as they were for previously reviewed options, often complaining about its performance and a poor design. So if you’re primarily concerned about heat retention properties, then we suggest you look into other Thermos containers.
Thermos with a microwaveable container: Check the current price
Thermos Dual Compartment Food Jar – 5-7 hours, with compartments, (16 and 20 oz.)
This item from Thermos has two compartments, one (16 oz) is made of a traditional stainless steel that’s pertinent to all Thermos products, and another one (20 oz) is BPA-free Eastman Tritan top. Each container comes with a locking stopper that prevents leakage and aims to retain temperature. Hot things will stay hot for 5 hours, cold for 7. The thermos comes with an integrated carrying handle for maximum portability.
Customers were generally satisfied with the product, and those who complained, said while the compartments idea was fabulous, the design was flawed and needed improvement. Others said the lids were very hard to twist off and on, making it somewhat unusable for kids.
Thermos Dual Compartment: Check the current price
Simple Modern Provision Food Jar – 7-9 hours, with a handle lid (12, 16, or 24 oz)
The Simple Modern thermos looks really sleek and hightechish. It’s available in an array of outlandish colors if you want to liven up your accessories a bit. You can also purchase 12, 16, or 24 oz containers. This beast will keep your food hot for 7 hours, and cold for 9. It’s wide-mouthed and comes with a handle lid for portability. It’s 18/8 stainless steel which is BPA free.
Testers left wonderful comments about the item, often praising its design, performance, and usability. There were a few, however, who were not just as pleased, complaining about the fragility of the plastic lead and overall flimsy construction.
Simple Modern Provision with a handle lid: Check the current price
Best options for kids
Thermos Funtainer Food Jar Batman 7-9 hours (10 oz)
In case your little one is a Batman fan, then this thermos is a must! In the run-up to Christmas holidays, this is a wonderful gift idea. The item’s also made of stainless steel for maximum durability and will keep your kid’s lunch hot for 7 hours straight. People really loved the product leaving comments like it was a “lifesaver for school lunches”, “winner of unofficial tests”, and ‘kids loved it”. Those who didn’t share the enthusiasm complained about the leakage, receiving a defective product, and the product’s overall high-maintenance.
Thermos Funtainer Batman: Check the current price
THERMOS FOOGO Food Jar 7-9 hours (10 oz)
Another Thermos item that would serve its purpose wonderfully is this Foogoo food jar. It’s also stainless steel BPA free, keeps food hot for 7 hours, and comes with an ergonomically-designed lid with a rubber grip for easy handling. The base is scratch resistant and non-slip. Might be a perfect option for toddlers. Overall, a consumer response is positive with people saying that you “couldn’t go wrong with this product”. Others complained about inconsistent quality that varied by the batch.
THERMOS FOOGO: Check the current price
FAQ
All options we covered in this guide are BPA free.
Most of them are. All the options described above are dishwasher safe. However, manufacturers often recommend handwashing items prior to putting them in a dishwasher.
There’s only one option which we’ve covered that can be safely microwaved: Thermos Food Jar – with a microwaveable container (12 oz)
Open the lid, pour the liquid of your choice and seal the lid tightly. For specific instructions, read the manufacturer's instruction manual that comes with a particular thermos.
Most of them are dishwasher safe. However, it’s best to handwash them to prevent mold from growing in-between the container’s parts.
Yes, they are. If you think, however, that your funtainer leaks, then you obviously received a faulty product and need to return it.
Depends on a particular thermos: from 5 to 12 hours.
Your food will already stay hot in a thermos, there’s no secret way you can make it even hotter.
You can put any type of food in a thermos. If your container has a wide mouth, then you can safely use it for soups, chili, pasta, anything with a sauce or some liquid, really. If the opening is small, then use it for beverages.
The manufacturers do not recommend leaving food in a thermos for more than 24 hours.
Tips for using a thermos
- Use foods that have some liquid in it, like sauce. Thus, it will stay hot for more hours than just food with no liquid at all.
- Once you open your thermos, consume the food immediately and throw any food not eaten to prevent harmful bacteria from growing.
- Before using a thermos, clean it thoroughly, then fill it with boiling water (if you want the thermos to stay hot) or with an ice-cold water (if you want it to stay cold).
- Fill your container with hot/cold food items just before living home
- Help kids to open a thermos, especially with hot beverages to avoid burns.
Best-Selling Thermos Food Containers | Comparison Table
Thermos Stainless King Food Flask, Red, 470 ml
- Thermos vacuum insulation keeps food hot for 9 hours or cold for 14
- Durable stainless steel interior and exterior
- Insulated lid doubles up as a bow
- Includes full-size folding spoon
- Cool to the touch with hot liquids, sweat-proof with cold
- Wide mouth is easy to fill, eat from and clean
- 5 year guarantee
- LxWxH: 9.4x9.4x14.2 cm
Thermos Stainless King Food Flask, Red, 710 ml
- Thermos vacuum insulation keeps food hot for 9 hours or cold for 14
- Durable stainless steel interior and exterior
- Insulated lid doubles up as a bowl
- Includes full-size folding spoon
- Cool to the touch with hot liquids, sweat-proof with cold
- Wide mouth is easy to fill, eat from and clean
- 5 year guarantee
- LxWxH: 9.4x9.4x18.3 cm
Prime Horizon Food Flask - 500ml Stainless Steel Vacuum Double Wall Jar with Folding Spoon, Leakproof and BPA...
- BEST IN CLASS FOOD FLASK: Our 0.5l food flasks allow you to take your favourite meals with you anywhere in style. Prime Horizon stands for elegance, quality and durability. You will never want or need another food flask again.
- LONG LASTING INSULATION: The bottles are double-walled with vacuum insulation to reduce heat loss. Depending on outside temperatures, food (e.g. soup, porridge or baby food) will stay hot for up to 6 hours, and cold (e.g. fruit, ice cubes) up to 9 hours.
- ELEGANT DESIGN: Our food flasks redefine standards when it comes to elegance and quality. Whether you are hiking in the mountains or having lunch in a corporate office, our stainless steel thermos bottles will make you stand out from the crowd.
- SPOON AND BAG WITH CARABINER: The foldable spoon is lodged neatly inside the lid of the flask, you won’t have to bring your own. Also, your order includes a carry on bag with thermal insulation and carabiner attached to it. The water resistant bag is beautifully finished with a PU leather handle. Ideal for hooking on to your backpack on a long mountain hike.
- SAFE AND DURABLE MATERIALS: We provide a premium quality 304 stainless steel food container and spoon, with a 100% BPA free and phthalate free polypropylene lid. Highly rust resistant and absolutely leak-proof.
Pioneer Vacuum Insulated Lunch Box, Leak-Proof Food/Soup Flask with Extra Wide Opening, 4 Hours Hot 8 Hours Cold,...
- Double walled, vacuum insulation technology for maximum temperature retention, keeping hot for 4 hours and cold for up to 8 hours
- Unbreakable 18/10 stainless steel interior and exterior with insulated, leak-proof lid and secure grip hold - 100% BPA free!
- Always cool to touch and sweat proof when filled with cold food or liquid
- Extra wide opening is easy to fill, clean and eat from using normal sized cutlery
- This product is dishwasher safe, however hand washing is highly recommended
Food Flasks, 800ML BPA Free Wide Mouth Soup Container,Stainless Steel Lunch Insulation Pot for Hot Food,Leak...
- Safe and Portable Food Flask -- Made of premium quality 316(Highest Food Grade Level),304 stainless steel BPA and PVC Free.Durable stainless steel interior and exterior are perfect for you.Take your Food Flask to school, work or travel without needing to reheat or refrigerate your food.
- Innovative Vacuum Insulation-- This Stanley Food Flask have Double wall vacuum insulation technology for maximum temperature Keep your food cold for 10 hours or hot for 10 hours with our highly rated insulated food jar. Our Food Flask uses our innovative MiraGuard Technology to maintain temperatures for hours. Explore new meal possibilities with your Food Flask for hot food and cold food.
- Large Capacity Food Jar-- With a 27 oz (800ml) capacity, this soup canister is big enough to fit an entire meal yet small enough to fit nicely in kids lunch boxes or adult lunch bags.
- Functional Style-- This stainless steel lunch Food Flask is great for toddlers, kids and adults.The wide mouth of this modern lunch jar makes filling and cleaning the jar a simple task. Use your food containers for hot foods such as pasta, soup or chili.
- Leak Proof Soup Container-- With silicone sealing ring,the food jar has been full sealed to prevent spilling accidents.Perfect to carry soup or food to work or school. The air button on the inner lid is for prevent burning accidents by the hot air pressure.(WARM NOTE:Use something except fingers to press down air hole)
Lunch Box with Stainless Steel Thermal Insulation, 1 - 3 Layers Of Food Containers Leak Proof For Kids Adult -...
- It is made of food grade materials and high quality stainless steel. Non-toxic, health and safety.
- Arched handle, more comfortable to wear.Seal ring of the box design let has a good tightness.
- Easy to clean, practical, low maintenance and environmentally friendly.
- It can keep the food warm 3-4 hours (but varies depending on your local station, the weather and temperature, the exact time cannot reach this keep the heating time)
- Air hole design allows you to open the box much easier.
Insulated Lunch Container Food Flask, 600ml (20 oz) Stainless Steel Vacuum Hot & Cold Food Thermos Insulated Food...
- Vacuum insulation: Double-wall vacuum insulation technology eliminates the transfer of temperature to the outside，and the outer layer will not condense moisture.Delicious lunch, soup and snacks can be kept up to 6 hours or cold to 8 hours.Homemade food can keep your healthy.
- 304 Stainless Steel: Food container made of 304 stainless steel, will not rust.This environmentally friendly food carrier can does not contain BPA and will not cause any adverse harm to human body. This cup preserves the flavor of food and allows you to eat fresh food anytime and anywhere. It can be used for breakfast, lunch, dinner, soup or dessert
- Leak Proof Soup Thermos: With silicone sealing ring,the food jar has been full sealed to prevent spilling accidents.Perfect to carry soup or food to work or school
- Easy to eat and clean: The 2.75-inch opening allows the contents to be poured into a bowl or eaten directly from the container. It also makes cleaning easy and suitable for any cleaning brush or sponge
- Great After Sale Service：We will provide you with professional after-sales service within 24 hours, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact us
WayEee Food Flask, Food Flask for Hot Food Stainless Steel King Food Jar with Folding Spoon-450ml (Blue)
- ✔【Double Insulated Stainless Steel Design】Durable stainless steel interior designs for keeping hot and cold for 12hours. Double lips including one external lip and one internal lip make the food and soup in the food flask insulate from outside temperature completely
- ✔【Folding meal Spoon Free】The external lid is made up of food grade material. It can be used for hold soup and food. The internal lid comes with a stainless steel folding spoon. You can regard the spoon as a back up tableware or you can use it directly to save more spaces for lunch box or bag
- ✔【Release Air Button】An air hole is designed under the folding spoon in the internal lip. The gas pressure will grow when the temperate is different between inside and outside. Meantime, the food flask may not be open easily. Just push the air hole button, all problems solved
- ✔【Leakproof and Easy to Clean】Extra wide mouth and 450ml capacity. Seamless welding food jar can hold any food, pasta or soup without leakage. The size of it fits for children's lunch and adults' meals
- ✔【Great After Sale Service】WayEee provides a after sale service on food flask for quality issues. Any problems you would like to solve or any questions you want to ask, please don't hesitate to contact us
720°DGREE Thermo Food Flask “wunderJar“ - 450ml, 650ml - Premium Stainless Steel Insulated Box - Perfect...
- ✔ FOR YOUR SENSES - Take your delicious food always with you - Put an end to expensive, unhealthy convenience food - COMPACT DESIGN - Perfect size to go. Ideal for office, university, school or camping. Get successful and saturates through the day (capacity: 450ml).
- ✔ PREMIUM QUALITY, NOTHING ELSE - 100% taste experience made from food-grade stainless steel - Naturally BPA-free - Safe-to-use experience through safety lock - Equal pressure equalization by pressure relief valve button - SAFE TIME - FAST & SIMPLE - Wide neck closures facilitate filling & cleaning.
- ✔ KeepDGREE-Technology | Double wall vacuum design at the highest level. With additional COPPER LAYER for extra insulation. Always the RIGHT TEMPERATURE - Up to 9H Hot / 16H Cold, depending on initial temperature. Dimensions: Container body Ø 10 cm x 12.8 cm height, total height with cover: 15.9 cm, container opening Ø 7.1 cm, cup Ø 8.4 cm, cup height 5.9 cm, weight: 400g.
- ✔ FOR THE ENVIRONMENT'S SAKE - With the reusable "WunderJar" thermo container, you are actively helping to reduce packaging waste. No more convenience food with unnecessary packaging. So you can save nature and money in the long term.
- ✔ 100% SATISFIED OR MONEY BACK - Be sure of your investment. 720°DGREE stands for EXCITING CUSTOMER SERVICE with thousands of HAPPY CUSTOMERS. If you do not absolutely love the "WunderJar" send it back within 60 days and we will refund you the full amount in no time. Add your 720°DGREE "WunderJar" premium insulated food container NOW to Basket.
Conclusion
Hopefully, the reviews above provided you with a good starting point in your search for a perfect thermos. With this guide, you may now feel confident that you’ll choose only the best items for you and your loved ones. With rapid advances in technology, we’re pretty sure more great products are to come! So, I guess, see you back in 2019 or 2020!
