7 best lunch boxes: heating and keeping warm, which ones to buy, pros and cons

Modern lunch boxes, the ancestor of which is the container, can be useful when traveling, while observing the diet and diet, for parents and schoolchildren. Many models are able not only to keep food hot for a long time, but also to heat it up. And the presence of several sections will help you not to depend on the menu of the nearest canteen or cafe, thereby saving your family budget and preserving your health.

Choosing a lunch box that is convenient and suitable for your needs is not so easy, given the range of stores. Therefore, in the rating, I will not only talk about different models, but also describe their pros and cons, and draw attention to important details when buying a box.

Varieties of lunch boxes and material features

We mistakenly believe that lunchboxes came to us from America. Packaging of ready-made food in boxes has been known to the Japanese for many centuries. They have had a tradition since the 11th century to properly and beautifully pack rice, fish and meat to carry with them to work or travel. And already from the 16th century, the custom called "Bento" began to spread throughout Asia.

But in the United States, lunch boxes appeared only at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries and were intended for schoolchildren so that they could have a snack while studying. And initially, metal cans from under tobacco served as containers.

Today in stores you can find various containers with several sections. The main difference between them is in the materials:

1. Metal is the most durable and durable material that can be washed in a dishwasher. And in the presence of a double side, such containers can act as a thermos and keep warm for up to 8 hours.
2. Plastic is a malleable material, so you can make almost any shape out of it. These containers are cheaper and can have many sections, which is convenient for those who are looking for proper nutrition. Of the minuses, it is worth noting: the inability to maintain temperature, rapid wear and tear, and some plastics may release hazardous substances.
3. Silicone is able to maintain cool temperatures, making it great for nuts, fruits and smoothies. But such a product cannot be heated and used in microwave ovens.

Conventionally, all lunchboxes can be divided into cold and warm. The former simply allow you to carry food, while the latter can maintain the temperature of the dish for a long time or have the ability to be heated from the mains.

Rating TOP 7 lunch boxes

When making a rating of modern lunch boxes, I paid attention to the characteristics, materials of the products, as well as customer reviews. I present to your attention the participants:

Bliro double sealed

Compact lunch box 10 cm wide, 21 cm long and 11 cm high. It has two sections: the lower one is 400 ml, and the upper one is divided in half and has a total volume of 350 ml. The set includes a plastic spoon and fork, which are stored on a separate pad. The lid is sealed enough. The mounts are wide and long with a grip on both containers, but you can carry one container at a time if there is no need to fill the other. Plastic is harmless and can be heated in a microwave oven, but it is not recommended to wash it in a PMM. But there are many complaints on the Internet that the product breaks down in the very first days of its use.

It looks bigger in the photo than in reality. This is my first disappointment with this lunch box. If you easily pour soup into the lower tier, then you will have to tinker with the upper tier. The width and the dividing wall prevent the cutlet or fish from being put in.We have to cut, which already takes time. The lid is sealed, but after a week of use, a part of the latch broke off on level ground.

Sistema with bottle Lunch 3970

The model is designed only for dry products: nuts, fruits, sandwiches and sliced ​​sausages or cheese. The lids are leaking and therefore even salad dressing can leak. The lower compartment is large, but on the lid there are two additional small compartments for fruits and nuts. The kit includes a reusable bottle. Heating the box in the microwave is possible, but extremely inconvenient, since the lid is not removable. The plastic is of high quality and meets all international standards. Manufacturer: New Zealand.

I was lucky that there is a bottle in the kit. This is a really interesting solution and easy to use. But the lunch box itself cannot be called comfortable to use. My husband leaked a cucumber salad, which I put in the lower compartment. It is also impossible to heat the container in the microwave, since you have to either eat everything from the upper compartments or pull it out.

BRADEX double Bento TK 0050

Two-section lunch box, inside made of stainless steel. The manufacturer claims to retain heat for 5 hours, but in fact the box keeps it for an hour. Judging by the reviews, the lid is not completely sealed and this must be taken into account during transportation. The thermobox is not suitable for heating food in a microwave oven. The total volume is calculated at 1.2 liters. Dishwasher safe.

I bought it specifically so that the children could eat hot food. But I was very disappointed when I poured hot soup, and an hour later it was barely warm. It’s a pity for the money spent.

Monbento MB Capsule

Small box with a volume of 280 ml. Outwardly, it looks like a thermos, but only with a wide neck. Suitable for first and second courses. But there are no compartments inside, so you have to decide what exactly is better to take with you to work or on the road. Thanks to its double walls, it is able to retain heat for up to 5 hours. The inner coating is wear-resistant stainless steel, and the outer one is silicone. Therefore, you will not burn yourself against the side of the lunch box when carrying hot food. The cover is screwed with a silicone insert, which creates a tightness. Can be washed by hand and dishwasher (PMM).

I bought a thermos for food to take soup with me to work. It's comfortable and keeps you warm until lunchtime, which suits me perfectly. Eat from a thermos or pour into a plate. the neck is wide, so filling and cleaning the box is easy. And if I need to take a side dish with me, I take an extra container.

Take It electric 12V

This model has two compartments. The lower one has a heating function and you can pour soups into it, and a cold container with two sections is installed on top. Heating is carried out from a cigarette lighter or socket. For this, the kit includes two wires. There is a spoon in the lid, so there is no need to carry the cutlery with you. The product itself closes tightly with 4 latches and has a handle on the lid for transfer. Suitable for drivers, students and office workers. Easy to clean, as it is collapsible and there are no extra pockets.

I work as a freight forwarder and spend the whole day wandering around the city. I bought a lunch box with a heating function, so that there was an opportunity to have a bite of normal homemade food between points. Warming up takes place within 20-40 minutes. Of course, depending on the density of the dish and its volume. Overall, I am very happy with boxing. He helps me a lot at work.

Black + blum Original

A voluminous container made of stainless steel, designed for 600 ml. This is enough for a full meal. Best used for transferring second courses. For this, a gravy boat with a screw lid and a small additional compartment are provided. The disadvantages include the fact that the gravy boat and an additional container must be placed inside. There are no separate mounts and compartments for them. The lid is securely and hermetically closed with four latches. The kit also includes a metal plug.

I bought it as a present for my husband so that at work he could eat normal homemade food. The container does not hold the temperature, so it needs to be warmed up. But the volume is quite decent for men. My husband likes to take a second one with him and this lunch box is enough for him.

GIPFEL 0289/0290

The German manufacturer offers a container with a tight lid made of stainless steel. There is only one compartment and is designed for a volume of 0.9 liters. Soups and main courses can be carried in the lunch box. But it is worth noting that it does not hold heat very well and hot food will be at room temperature in one and a half or two hours. You can use it in the microwave with the lid closed. A valve is provided for this. And you can also wash it in the dishwasher, but without a lid.

We closed the dining room and had to find a decent container for ourselves. Chose Gipfel because of the value for money. The volume is completely mine and I always take meat and side dishes with me. I don't eat soups and didn't carry them with me, so I can't say anything about tightness. The lunch box does not keep warm, so you need to warm it up.

How to choose the right lunch box?

We do not always have the opportunity to eat in a cafeteria or cafe, so compact lunchboxes will come to the rescue.Ease of use and the ability to diversify your diet, make it correct and useful will depend on the right choice.

As I mentioned above, containers can be without a heating function. Such models are relevant for the transportation of sandwiches, fruits, nuts, salads, that is, food intended for a snack. If the lid is sealed and has locks, then you can pour soup into such a box or put a second one. In this case, the product will not open on the road.

If you are planning to travel or work is connected with hour-long trips in a car, then you should pay attention to lunchboxes heated by a cigarette lighter. Warming up the dish takes up to 20-25 minutes and you can always eat hot soup or meat with a side dish on the way, cooked with homemade warmth.

Models with a heat preservation function are especially relevant for schoolchildren and students who have no time to reheat food or will simply forget about it. And also suitable for adults who do not have conditions for heating food at work. Such products can keep the dish warm for up to 8 hours.

So, when buying a lunch box in a store, pay attention to the following points:

1. Material. It must be safe for health, as indicated by the labeling and description.
2. Compactness. The criterion depends on what you plan to wear the container in. Please note that when filled, it will weigh much more than empty.
3. The presence of sections. The parameter is important and will allow you to carry different dishes with you. Look for ease of use and the ability to carry food without mixing.
4. Tightness. When transporting the container, there should be no leaks. Special rubberized inserts and reliable latches on the sides are responsible for this.
5. Use in a microwave (microwave oven). Not all containers can be heated or cooled. Therefore, please check the specifications of the product before purchasing.

I wish you to find your own lunch box, which will delight you not only with its spaciousness, but also with the opportunity to eat right!