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We traveled all over New York City with seven thermoses — on public transportation! Up and down stairs! Crossing crowded sidewalks! ——Just want to find the best thermos for keeping food hot and warm. Turns out, there wasn’t a single bad thermos in this batch. No leaks, spills, or disappointingly warm thermoses. While we have our favorites, we can confidently say that the world of food thermoses is vast and reliable. Keep reading to find the shape and size that’s right for you; scroll down to learn the exact methodology behind our testing and what to consider when choosing a food thermos.
It’s no surprise that Thermos is a top-notch brand of thermoses. We were particularly impressed with the King Food Jar. The double-walled, vacuum-insulated container kept our cream of pumpkin soup hot from morning until lunch (about five hours) while remaining cool on the outside. While this thermos is a little wider than some of the other mugs we tested, its ribbed design makes it easy to hold. It comes with a telescopic stainless steel spoon, which adds to the overall weight but is very convenient overall. We found it very convenient to eat straight from the main cup, and thanks to the classic thermos cup design, the lid doubles as a mini thermal bowl. One Amazon user commented, “There’s enough room between the cup body and the stopper to fold a small paper towel for easy cleanup after eating.”
When it comes to cleaning, there are no hard-to-reach nooks or crannies. The spoon guard is made from a single piece with a removable rubber ring that won’t hide food debris. Although the dishes are top-rack dishwasher safe, hand washing is recommended. The container is strong enough to withstand a dozen or more drops, and it’s backed by a five-year warranty.
In our previous product testing, we loved the ability of this Japanese brand’s travel mug to retain heat, and we also loved its thermal mug. After five hours, the soup was still hot and ready to be enjoyed without reheating. This vacuum-insulated mug is made from 18/8 stainless steel, which is said to be resistant to rust, discoloration, staining, and leaks (great for soups and harmful chemicals). Plus, the product’s insulation performance is backed by a five-year warranty. The mouth of the mug is wide enough to accommodate any size of dishware.
The Zojirushi Thermos lid has a unique design that makes up for the fact that it can’t be used as a cup. The cup lid has grooves for a comfortable grip and vents to relieve pressure inside the cup, making it easy to open the lid. This will prevent you from having to struggle to unscrew the lid of your cup and spill hot soup on your feet. We also found the lid to be more slip-resistant than other thermos mugs we tested. The lid has more parts, including a rubber gasket, but you can disassemble all the parts for a thorough cleaning.
The Zojirushi thermos has a fun and stylish design and is available in a variety of colors, including royal blue, pink, cream, dark brown, and stainless steel. We tested the 11.8-ounce container, which is easy to hold and carry, even for little hands. If you need more capacity, there are 16.9-ounce and 25-ounce versions. It takes up very little space in your bag and fits perfectly in most lunch boxes. Cleaning is a breeze, thanks to the easy pull-out, large opening, and non-stick interior. It is not dishwasher safe, like most thermoses.
We filled each thermos with hot water (180 degrees Fahrenheit to be exact), screwed on the lids, and let them steep. (We didn’t preheat the cups with hot water, since that seems like an extra step most people avoid.) Every two hours, we opened them and checked the temperature and heat retention. In between temperature checks, we hung out with our thermoses. We walked up a few flights of stairs, shook them, and rolled them across the counter. Another time, we microwaved a batch of soup in the morning, filled each thermos with 8 ounces of soup, and brought them into the office. About five hours later, when it was time for lunch, we unscrewed the lid and ate a few spoonfuls. This will also help determine how easy it is to feed directly from the container.
We also filled all the thermoses with cold water and 10 ice cubes and checked the temperature every two hours. However, we did not emphasize the importance of storing food in the refrigerator. Most people need a thermos to keep food hot, and most of the reviews we read suggested putting a few ice packs in the thermos to keep the food cold.
We are looking for a thermos that can keep food hot for five hours. We do not use a thermometer to measure the temperature, but instead judge the suitability of the contents by touch and taste.
Of course, we needed a thermos that wouldn’t leak. We needed it to withstand the bumps of the subway and the climbs and descents of stairs. If this thermos was given out in a lunchbox, would it survive a ride on the school bus or on the playground?
We didn’t want to buy a thermos that was too bulky, as that would definitely discourage people from bringing their lunch to work. We also wanted a thermos that would allow for easy access to food. Why get another thermos dirty?
We tested how easy it is to disassemble and assemble each thermos. Is it dishwasher safe? Is it easy to hand wash? Does your thermos have too many nooks and crannies where food can easily hide?
After reading various reviews, articles, and Amazon reviews, we selected seven thermoses to test. We looked at models ranging from 10 to 17 ounces, as we ultimately wanted a thermos that we could take to work or school. We found that all of these thermoses insulated well and remained sealed under pressure, but as strict critics, we also found some downsides. The Stanley Thermos does a great job of keeping things cold or hot, and its nostalgic look appeals to most people, but it’s too bulky for the daily commute. While the Hydro Flask Food Flask is brightly colored and easy to use, the manufacturer claims it keeps food hot for three hours instead of five. The Black and Blum Food Flask looks stylish, but its faux leather strap and spoon clip don’t feel as hygienic as the Thermos brand’s collapsible spoon. The MIRA lunch container has the same design as the Hydro and Black and Blum flasks, but the exterior gets dirty easily. The Funtainer has a very similar look and feel to the Zojirushi container, but without the added functionality of a lid and the ability to remove it.
Get the Thermos King mug for compact and portable use. It comes with a spoon and bowl to keep your lunch hot all day long. For a more stylish and compact thermos, get the Zojirushi thermos.
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