A great food thermos will keep hot foods at safe temperatures for hours and won’t leak into your bag, whether you’re bringing chili for lunch or oatmeal to eat after your morning commute.
With the best hot food container, taking homemade food along to the office, school, or on a road trip is a cinch.
We looked into the best items for storing leftovers or preparing meals ahead of time, as well as foods to pack in the kids’ lunchboxes, to help you find one that meets your needs. We conducted tests to determine how long the best models could keep hot food warm and cold drinks cold.
The best food containers for the entire family, both hot and cold, are listed below.
Table of Contents
Best Hot Food Container: Top Picks
- 1. Best Overall: Thermos Stainless King 16-Ounce Food Jar With Spoon
- 2. Best for Kids: Thermos Foogo Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Food Jar
- 3. Runner-Up, Best for Kids: Thermos 10-Ounce Funtainer Food Jar
- 4. Best for Travel: Fewoo 27 oz Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Lunch Thermos
- 5. Best Budget: Simple Modern Vacuum Insulated Food Jar Thermos for Hot Food
- 6. Best Wide Mouth: Bentgo Stainless Insulated Food Container
- 7. Best at Keeping Soup Hot: Zojirushi Stainless Steel Food Jar
Best Hot Food Container Reviews
1. Best Overall: Thermos Stainless King 16-Ounce Food Jar With Spoon
What We Like
- Retains heat well
- Firm seal prevents leaks
- Affordable
- Includes full-size spoon
What We Don’t Like
- Plastic laminate gradually peels off
- Not microwave-safe
The Thermos King claims to have the best temperature retention for both hot and cold food thanks to an ultra-tight seal. That is attributable to the insulation provided by the two stainless steel walls. With the standard-sized stainless steel folding spoon that is included, the lid can be used as a bowl, which is another important advantage.
We put that claim to the test in a kitchen at home since Thermos King claims that this can keep liquids hot for nine hours and cold for up to 14 hours. Our reviewer put freshly made mac and cheese in all 16 ounces of the thermos and checked the temperature every hour. Not until the ninth hour did the temperature begin to fall. Furthermore, our tester still saw ice cubes in the thermos after 14 hours, demonstrating its superior ability to keep water ice-cold.
The thermos was accidentally dropped by our home tester, who noted that it was undamaged. Additionally, its large mouth is advantageous for eating directly from the container and for quick hand washing. This model’s parts can all be safely washed in the top rack of your dishwasher, making maintenance simple for active professionals on the go.
2. Best for Kids: Thermos Foogo Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Food Jar
What We Like
- Dishwasher safe
- Easy-to-grip rubber lid
- Wide mouth is easy to eat from
- Affordable
What We Don’t Like
- Lid seal needs occasional deep cleaning
The BPA-free Foogo was ergonomically created with children in mind and is a favorite with parents because its cool-to-the-touch 10-ounce body is the ideal size for a child’s lunch.3 The base and lid are made of rubber to make the jar easier to grip for smaller hands. Cost effectiveness and an impervious body to scratches are additional benefits.
Due to the fact that adults can also use this for hot sides and beverages, our home tester appreciated the double-wall insulation and its small size. However, our reviewer concentrated on one of a thermos’s most crucial features: how long will it keep your food hot? This failed in our tests despite Thermos’s claims that it could keep food warm for up to 5 hours. The mac-and-cheese only stayed warm for two hours, was still edible after four hours, and required five hours to be microwaved (in a different container). Ice cubes were still present after a full workday when it came to cold liquids, so it did live up to its 9-hour claim.
Although this is dishwasher safe, our tester observed that hand washing might be preferable when it came time to clean up. A sponge scrub was required to remove food debris from the lid, gasket, and container.
3. Runner-Up, Best for Kids: Thermos 10-Ounce Funtainer Food Jar
What We Like
- Affordable price
- Available in a variety of colors and themes
- Wide mouth is easy to eat from
- Durable
What We Don’t Like
- Hand wash only
- Too small for older kids and adults
The Funtainer comes in a wide variety of colors and character themes that children will adore. The stay-cool exterior won’t hurt their hands, and more importantly, a wide brim makes eating easier for young children learning to use utensils. The best part is that it is small and light enough for little hands to open and carry in their backpacks.
Following the usage instructions to the letter is essential, such as warming the interior with hot water for five to ten minutes before adding any food that will be consumed later. Even if it was opened every hour to check the temperature, our in-home tester discovered that when you did, this kept hot food warm for 5 hours. Additionally, it kept cold drinks cold for seven hours while still having ice cubes at the end of the test.
Our tester found it a little challenging to clean this in a kitchen at home. Although the hot water and detergent in the dishwasher might harm the exterior, it can still be used. It does take a sponge and some manual labor to clean the inside of the lid.
4. Best for Travel: Fewoo 27 Oz Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Lunch Thermos
What We Like
- Large capacity
- Includes insulated bag
- Attractive design
What We Don’t Like
- Doesn’t come with fork
Consider this acclaimed thermos for food transportation outdoors with confidence. The 27-ounce capacity is more than enough for your soups or on-the-go meals, and the interior is made of 18/8 stainless steel, ensuring no flavor transfer or lingering odors. This item’s convenient insulated bag is our favorite feature. It not only keeps your container safe during transportation but also increases the amount of heat your thermos and its contents can hold. Also included is a tiny spoon that can fold up.
The silicone sealing ring makes sure that no liquids or odors leak out of the container, which is important for long trips because it gets jostled around in your backpack. It is offered in a variety of attractive colors, including rose gold, vivid yellow, and jewel-toned blue, in addition to the standard shade of grey stainless steel.
5. Best Budget: Simple Modern Vacuum Insulated Food Jar Thermos for Hot Food
What We Like
- Stylish
- Rust-resistant stainless steel
- Easy to clean
What We Don’t Like
- May be prone to scratches on exterior
For a budget-friendly leak- and sweat-proof container, check out Simple Modern’s Vacuum Insulated Food Jar Thermos. The wide opening at the top makes it simple to clean by hand, and the rubber ring inside the lid can be taken out for more thorough cleaning to avoid mold buildup. It is also convenient to carry around thanks to the included handle.
The exterior paint options come in a variety of colors, from pastel blush and sage to vibrant and lively patterns that will stand out from the ordinary. Additionally, the premium food-grade stainless steel is rust-resistant. It can retain cold for up to 10 hours and heat for an average of about four hours.
6. Best Wide Mouth: Bentgo Stainless Insulated Food Container
What We Like
- Fully leak-proof
- Wide mouth
What We Don’t Like
- Not easy to open
This Bentgo container has three layers of vacuum insulation that will keep your food hot and ready to eat for many hours. You can pack soups and stews without worrying about leaks thanks to the airtight lid. The wide mouth of this cup is one of its best qualities because it is simple to fill, use, and clean. Additionally, it is available in five colors: black, silver, gold, rose gold, and aqua, giving it a sophisticated look to go with its remarkable functionality.
Some reviewers complain that it’s difficult to open this container. The airtight seal release valve, however, is simple to use once you get used to it.
7. Best at Keeping Soup Hot: Zojirushi Stainless Steel Food Jar
What We Like
- Didn’t leak
- Narrow container fits easily in one hand
- Five-year limited warranty
What We Don’t Like
- Difficult to put back together afterwards
The Zojirushi Stainless Steel Food Jar performed among the best in our tests for retaining the heat of soup. The tomato soup in the 12-ounce thermos was able to cool from 193 degrees Fahrenheit to 144 degrees Fahrenheit over the course of six hours while remaining above the safe food temperature of 140 degrees. The 17-ounce Stanley Classic and the Black and Blum Food Flask (which has a cumbersome strap around it) were the only thermoses that performed better because larger volumes of liquid take longer to cool.
Zojirushi claims that its thermos will keep food at a safe temperature for about 6 hours, and we were happy to see that for liquids, the thermos exceeded the estimate (it will also keep food cold for 6 hours, although we didn’t test for this). I frequently use the Zojirushi Stainless Steel Food Jar to carry my morning green smoothie to work. I’ve also used it to store oatmeal, soup, chili, and other foods.
Foods are still kept at the proper temperature, and it has made it through numerous commutes. For more than three years, Zojirushi’s travel mugs have been our top choice; the company produces the best insulated mugs and thermoses we’ve found.
You May Also Like: How To Keep Food Hot While Traveling?
Factors to Look for When Buying a Hot Food Container
Below are some key points to pay attention:
Design
Thermoses for food are typically shorter and wider than those for drinks. This makes it possible to both pour contents into the flask, like soup, and eat from it. Most have a lid that twists on, which helps avoid spills. To further prevent spills, some thermoses come with additional seals or interior lids.
Material
The preferred material for thermoses is stainless steel. It cleans up easily and won’t absorb color or flavor from food that is kept hot for a long time. A partial vacuum surrounds an inner flask, preventing heat from being transferred outside of the flask and keeping the contents warm. You can hold the container without sweating or getting your hand burned thanks to an outer case, which is typically made of steel. Additionally, a coating or plastic may be used to enclose the outer case.
Even low-cost models frequently use vacuum-sealed stainless steel. Other materials, like glass and plastic, can be sealed with a vacuum, though. It is not suggested to use them because they are not as resilient as stainless steel.
Size
The purpose for which you intend to use a thermos will determine its size in large part. Adult thermoses typically weigh around 16 ounces, while those for kids are typically a little bit smaller. If there is too much air in the thermos, the food will cool down more quickly, so if you want your food to stay hot for several hours, use the thermos that is the right size for the amount of food you’re putting inside it. Choose 10 ounces or less if all you want for lunch is the option of a small soup bowl. 16 ounces is most likely the better choice if you want to pack a substantial meal in your flask.
Price
You can typically purchase a durable thermos for between $15 and $30. Thermoses are typically fairly inexpensive. The more expensive models might feature more vibrant colors, a lid seal that is extra strong, or specific accessories, but they all use the same stainless steel vacuum-sealed design.
Maintenance
Cleaning a stainless steel thermos isn’t too difficult. You can treat it like any other dirty dish and wash it with soap and water because it won’t pick up the flavor or color from your food. Some thermoses, but not all, can be washed in the dishwasher. Dishwashers might ruin the vacuum seal, but this isn’t because of the material used but rather the construction. To remove accumulated dirt, additional hand-washing may be necessary for interior lids and other accessories like collapsible forks.
Also Read: Best Dehydrator For Jerky
FAQs
What Type of Container Keeps Food Hot?
THERMOS Stainless King Vacuum-Insulated Food Jar with Spoon. With stainless steel that stays cool to the touch no matter how hot the contents of the jar may be, this vacuum-insulated food container from one of the most well-known brands in the category can keep hot food hot or cold food cold all day long.
How Does a Thermos Work?
An inner flask keeps its contents at a constant temperature thanks to its vacuum-sealed stainless steel construction, which makes it difficult for warm or cold air to enter or exit. The thermos can be comfortably held and transported without any liquid leaking out thanks to the outer material, which is typically made of hard plastic or steel.
What Thermos Keeps Food Hottest the Longest?
After our heat retention test, the Stanley Adventure Vacuum Food Jar and MAXSO Food Container won.
Can You Clean a Food Thermos in the Dishwasher?
Depending on the model, a food thermos might be able to be washed in the dishwasher; we advise consulting the manufacturer’s care guidelines. The Stanley Adventure Vacuum Food Jar, one of our favorites, can go in the dishwasher without any issues.
How Do Restaurants Keep Food So Hot?
Warming ovens, or holding cabinets, are found in most professional restaurant kitchens. In order to keep extra food items warm until they are ready to be moved to a steam table or a customer’s plate, this kind of commercial food warmer equipment is crucial.
Read More: Can You Use An Oven To Keep Food Warm?
Final Verdict
Look no further than the Thermos Stainless Steel King Food Jar for a respectably sized thermos that will keep meals like soup, stew, and pasta warm for up to an impressive nine hours. The wide-mouthed Thermos Foogo Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Food Jar, on the other hand, will appeal to children thanks to its bright colors and trendy design. For more food storage information, read our post on how to keep food warm for a party.