Best Soup & Food Thermos Container Reviews

by Christopher Jones

A lukewarm beverage on a scorching hot day can be properly irritating for the person unfortunate enough to be forced to drink it.

Imagine going out on a camping trip and bringing a bottle of water or lemonade only to find out that it turned into a warmish slush from hell! Tough stuff, indeed, but it can get even worse, believe it or not!

As you know, there are some beverages and liquid meals ( such as soups, stews, and broths ) that don't really fare well when exposed to heat. Leave a vegetable soup out in the open for a couple of hours and it will form unsightly bubbles on its surface, rancid smell of acidic food, and texture of industrial glue.

Nasty stuff, indeed.

Luckily enough, this doesn't mean that there is no way to bypass these annoying AND potentially health hazardous issues. Thanks to a brilliant invention called thermos, you can now carry hot and cold beverages wherever you like without worrying they'll be spoiled when exposed to extreme temperatures.

Of course, this doesn't mean that you can keep a beverage safe from the outside factors infinitely. Even the best thermos will eventually stop providing thermal isolation to the beverage inside. However, if you'd like to keep your liquid foods, juices, and beer cool and warm (depending on what sort of matter is in question), a thermos can triple or quadruple the amount of time you'll have it ready at your disposal!

In this article, we'll talk about the top 8 thermoses for food and soup currently available on the market. All of these are tough and reliable, so whichever model you choose, you won't make a mistake, really. To help you make your choice more easily, we've also prepared a brief buying guide where you can see the most important features you need to look for in a thermos.

Right then, without further ado, here's the deal!


Buying Guide For Best Soup & Food Thermos Container

Best Soup & Food Thermos Container Reviews
Best Soup & Food Thermos Container Reviews

Material


Even though you can still find some old thermoses of yore, which are made out of cheap metal and some BPA-rich plastic parts, most of the modern-day thermoses are actually made out of some sort of stainless steel.

Soup Thermos Buying Guide
Soup Thermos Buying Guide

To ensure the thermos you're buying is sturdy and capable of surviving adverse conditions, get a model that's made out of food-grade stainless steel if possible. This sort of metal has been specifically treated for food storage and preservation, so there's will be no better material than this one!

When it comes to various accessories such as carrying bands, caps, and protective pieces - these are often made out of either plastic or rubber. If it is, indeed, plastic, make sure that it's BPA-free.

Volume


Depending on what purpose you aim to use your thermos for, its volume is going to play an important role in its efficiency and usefulness. This is why these thermos manufacturers make their products in different sizes, to begin with.

If you're only planning to keep cold beer or water in your thermos, a smaller, 10-ounce model can work just great for you. It will be easy to carry and pre-chill, so it can be a perfect option for people who are constantly on the go.

Best Soup & Food Thermos Container
Best Soup & Food Thermos Container

On the other hand, if you plan to pack your or your kids' lunches in it, obtaining a larger thermos makes more sense, of course. Some of the larger models can hold from 15 to 22 ounces (there are probably some models that can hold even more), which is pretty much enough for a full meal to fit inside!

Cap Design


Since the cap is the only opening on a thermos, and these utensils are used for preserving the temperature of the food inside, it's important to pay attention to the design of the cap itself.

Generally speaking, there are three main types of thermos caps - valve caps, glass caps, and screw caps or lids. While all of these will do a pretty good job of retaining the temperature inside, there's another thing to keep in mind here - leaks.

Out of these three, the glass ones are the most likely to leak if there's liquid inside the thermos. So, if you plan on putting beverages, soups, or stews inside your thermos, a screw cap may be the best solution. The valve ones are also good, but they're also more complex meaning that if something goes wrong, it can start leaking. Also, food particles can get stuck into their little crevices, which can be annoying to wash.

Price


Thermoses, as a rule, are relatively inexpensive.

Even the most cutting-edge models won't really impoverish your home budget, and the good thing is - once you buy a high-quality one, you're good for years!

As far as the factors determining the price of these temperature-retaining utensils, the most important are the material used, the size, and then the manufacturing brand in question.

Other than that, certain features such as specialized valve caps and additional collapsible spoons, for example, can also add a couple of bucks to the overall price tag.

Top 8 Best Hot Food Thermos Reviews

1. Zojirushi 11.8-Ounce Stainless Steel Food Jar Review

Zojirushi Stainless Steel Food Jar, 11.8 Oz, Aqua Blue
Zojirushi Stainless Steel Food Jar, 11.8 Oz, Aqua Blue
Possessing the appearance of a bullet with a small elephant drawn on it, this Zojirushi stainless steel food jar is a curious-looking food preservation utensil that can do wonders to keep your stews, marinated steaks, and broths as fresh as a daisy.

The capacity of this jar, as its name suggests itself, is 11.8 ounces. Of course, it's always a good idea to leave a little bit of room at the top to prevent spillage and overflowing. Most of this utensil is made out of stainless steel, but there are some plastic parts, as well. Those parts are all BPA-free, so you needn't really worry about the potential harmful implications of this chemical.

The lid itself is made out of plastic and features small vents for air circulation. This does mean some leaks can occur, but these are brought to the minimum thanks to the clever design on the part of the manufacturers.

Pros:

  • Gasket-sealed lid
  • The lid leaves room for some ventilation
  • Made out of stainless steel and BPA-free plastic
  • The stainless steel parts feature a special protective coating
  • Can hold 11.8 ounces of liquid

Cons:

  • You need to hand-wash this product
  • The paint can start chipping after a while ( for the painted versions, the clear-coated one is alright )

2. Thermos Funtainer 10-Ounce Food Jar Review

Thermos Funtainer 10 Ounce Food Jar, Hello Kitty
Thermos Funtainer 10 Ounce Food Jar, Hello Kitty

If you have kids and plan to pack their lunches to take to school or on an excursion somewhere outdoors, this cheeky-looking model from Thermos can be an excellent choice for you. Or for your kids, rather.

To preserve foods and beverages inside, this utensil uses vacuum insulation technology, which ensures optimal temperature retention over a long period of time. Both interior and exterior of this thermos are made out of high-quality stainless steel, so you can rest assured it will survive any sort of fall, scratch, or punch your kids may deliver to it, so to speak.

The capacity is 10 ounces, and once it's all filled up, this container can keep a cold meal cold for up to 7 hours, while a warm meal can retain its temperature up to 5 hours. No matter what you put into it, however, the temperature of the exterior will remain the same.

Pros:

  • Made out of high-quality stainless steel
  • Features a wide mouth that is easy to fill
  • Keeps cold meals cold for 7 hours
  • Keeps warm meals warm for 5 hours
  • Comes in many different kid-friendly colors and themes

Cons:

  • You have to hand-wash this one, as well
  • Some users claim the food doesn't stay warm inside for long enough

3. Thermos Stainless King 16 Ounce Food Jar Review

THERMOS Stainless King Vacuum-Insulated Food Jar With Spoon, 16 Ounce, Matte Steel
THERMOS Stainless King Vacuum-Insulated Food Jar With Spoon, 16 Ounce, Matte Steel

As our entry number 3, we've got another model from the Thermos company. Similarly to the product above, this model also features all stainless steel build, the main difference being that this product also comes with a stainless steel collapsible spoon.

The interior has been designed to retain both cold and warm temperatures of the liquids inside, so whatever it is that you've decided to stick inside it, you can be sure it's temperature will hold for hours on end. To be precise, cold meals will remain cold for up to 9 hours, while the warm ones won't lose their warmth for up to 7 hours.

As far as the exterior is concerned, it should be noted that this model features a build that prevents the 'sweating' effect when you put cold meals inside and also remains cool if you put something scorching hot in it.

Pros:

  • Stainless steel interior and exterior design
  • No 'sweating' on the exterior when you put cold meals inside
  • Comes with a special stainless steel collapsible spoon
  • Features a wide mouth for easy filling
  • Vacuum insulation technology

Cons:

  • Some users have reported poor heat retention
  • The protective laminate can start peeling off after a while

4. Thermos Vacuum Insulated Food Jar Review

Thermos Vacuum Insulated Food Jar, 10 Oz
Thermos Vacuum Insulated Food Jar, 10 Oz

Here we have another model from Thermos that's quite similar to the entry number 2. And 3, if we're honest. Equipped with a stainless steel build that can survive a nuclear blast and a capacity of 10 ounces, this model can become your sturdy outdoorsy temperature-retaining food container! ( If you decide to purchase it, of course. )

On the outside, this thermos features a standard stainless steel build and then a sort of protective cap on top and on its bottom. These serve to, as we said, further protect this thermos against impact (in case you're camping, for example) but also to offer you an ergonomic grip and ensure easy opening of the lid.

When the temperature retention is in question, similarly to the standard line of Thermos-made, well, thermoses, this model also can keep the cold foods cold for some 7 hours, while the hot foods will only make it up to the 5-hour mark. (Still pretty good.)

Pros:

  • Made out of durable stainless steel
  • Protective and ergonomic cap and bottom part
  • Advanced vacuum insulation technology
  • Lightweight
  • Attractive design

Cons:

  • The food remains hot for only about 3 hours, according to some users
  • Requires some extra cleaning ( there are two seals that tend to get dirty over time )

5. Thermos Thermocafe Darwin Stainless Steel Food Flask Review

Thermos Thermocafe Darwin Stainless Steel Food Flask With Spoon 500ml
Thermos Thermocafe Darwin Stainless Steel Food Flask With Spoon 500ml

Featuring a cheeky name of Thermocafe and an even 'curiouser' design, which makes it looks like an overgrown coffee jar with a cap on it, for good measure, this Food flask with a spoon can be an excellent choice for a person in need of a thermos both for beverages and foods. (Or liquid foods.)

Following through with their trend of using the double-walled stainless steel insulation technology, the folks at Thermos decided to equip this model with such a temperature-retaining configuration, as well. The design itself further incorporates a rather wide mouth, so you won't be needing a funnel to fill it up with whatever it is you so desire. Also, pouring stuff from it, or indeed, eating directly from this flask is also a piece of cake.

Pros:

  • Made out of durable stainless steel
  • Double-walled design for better heat retention
  • Comes with a plastic folding spoon
  • The exterior design prevents 'sweating' and keeps 'its cool' when hot food or beverage is inside
  • Elegant design

Cons:

  • A bit heavy
  • Might appear too large for some users

6. MIRA Brands Lunch And Food Jar Review

MIRA Lunch, Food Jar - Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Lunch Thermos - 13.5 Oz - Sky
MIRA Lunch, Food Jar - Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Lunch Thermos - 13.5 Oz - Sky

If you fancy getting yourself a food jar that sort of looks like Amazon's Alexa, just without the ability to speak, and with much less general knowledge, this thermos from MIRA Brands can be just what you've been looking for.

Made out of high-grade 18/8 stainless steel, this thermos possesses excellent temperature retention properties. Also, there's no annoying flavor transfer to worry about, and since stainless steel doesn't rust, you can rest assured that no matter how exposed this unit is to liquids, it will never show signs of oxidation.

To ensure that the outer layer of this thermos is even more protected against bumps, falls, or some other disaster, the folks at MIRA have decided to provide a special powder coating that prevents damage to the outer walls. Also, it allows convenient, non-slip grip for the user.


Pros:

  • Made out of high-grade stainless steel
  • 5-ounce capacity
  • Covered with a special powder coat finish for durability and non-slip grip
  • Stylish and attractive
  • Eco-friendly and BPA-free
  • Leak-proof

Cons:

  • Quite heavy
  • The rubber ring inside must be regularly washed (it tends to retain some of the food and liquids)

7. Energify Vacuum-Insulated Stainless Steel Food Jar Review

Energify Vacuum Insulated Food Jar - Stainless Steel Food Thermos With Folding Spoon, Soup Bowl, Lunch Container, Soup Thermos Cup, Blue
Energify Vacuum Insulated Food Jar - Stainless Steel Food Thermos With Folding Spoon, Soup Bowl, Lunch Container, Soup Thermos Cup, Blue

Modern looks, advanced double wall insulation design, that little rubber thing you hold to carry it around - this thermos has got it all, folks! It comes from a company with a rather interesting name of Energify, which presumably has the goal of highlighting the main purpose of their products. Well, that's fair enough.

This particular model comes in two different sizes. The smaller one can hold up to 15.2 ounces while the bigger one holds 22 ounces of food or liquid. (Or both.) The body of this sleek-looking thermos is made out high-quality stainless steel marked 'food-grade 304′, and its cap, which is made out of plastic, does not have any BPA in it, so it's a well-rounded, eco-friendly product that won't affect your health in any negative way.

Thanks to its attractive design and the generous capacity, this thermos from Energify can be used for a wide variety of purposes. Whether it's sending kids to school with one of these in their backpacks, going camping with your friends, or packing your lunch, one thing is sure - when your friends and colleagues see you with one of these, they'll become green with envy!

Pros:

  • The cap is made out of BPA-free plastic
  • Two different capacities
  • Made out of food-grade 304 stainless steel
  • Attractive and modern design
  • Can be used for a variety of purposes
  • Comes with a spoon

Cons:

  • Its efficiency in keeping food warm can drop after a couple of months of use
  • A bit heavy

8. Thermos Foogo Vacuum-Insulated Stainless Steel Food Jar Review

Finishing off this list, we've got another product from the famous Thermos company. This model is a smaller, 10-ounce variant that features more or less the same build as the models you've seen above that come from this same company.

The build, materials in use, and the insulation principle are also all roughly the same. The contents of this thermos will keep warm for up to 5 hours and their cool for up to 7 hours. Of course, it's always a good idea to preheat or precool the thermos itself before actually filling it with food or water. This can lengthen the temperature retention time for a little bit.

As the manufacturers themselves claim, this product was designed with kids in mind. Its stainless steel build will ensure its near indestructibility and its exterior is resistant to the 'sweating' effect of the instances when you put cold things inside. Also, the outside of this thermos will remain relatively cool even if you put hot food and beverages in it.

Pros:

  • Keeps cool for 7 hours; keeps warmth for 5 hours
  • Great for kids
  • Made out of stainless steel
  • Double-wall insulation technology
  • BPA-free plastic parts

Cons:

  • Some food can get trapped in the lid
  • Some users have reported lids getting stuck

Advantages Of Using Food Thermos

  • It goes without saying that life can get pretty hectic for families during the work week. In between after-school activities for the kids, dinners with friends, tough work schedules, and trying to maintain healthy relationships, it can become extremely difficult to fit well-balanced meals into the mix.
  • When it comes to making sure that you eat lunch every day while you're at work, it seems to be much easier to grab some fast food rather than pack a lunch before you leave in the morning. Unfortunately, eating out every day can turn into an extremely expensive habit, and more importantly, eating fast food all of the time is absolutely horrible for your body. Luckily, food thermoses can turn a stressful problem into a nonexistent one.
  • While there are plenty of advantages to bringing your lunch to work in a thermos, the biggest benefit of a thermos is its ability to keep hot food hot and cold food cold. Many people don't have access to a microwave or a refrigerator in their workplace, which is why so many of them choose to eat out on a regular basis.
  • Instead of struggling to figure out what to have lunch every day, or having to deal with the same boring sandwich day after day, people are choosing to bring a thermos to work filled with their favorite foods.
  • Thermoses are also great for those of you that meal plan for an entire week. Before you go to work in the morning, just grab your meal for the day, heat it up, and throw it in your thermos. Not only will you have a delicious meal, but it will stay warm until you're ready to eat it.

Of course, thermoses can't hold everything. For example, you wouldn't put a steak in your thermos, but you can use it for pasta, soup, and a variety of other great foods.

How To Properly Carry Food In Your Thermos

Now that the possibility of better lunches has been presented to you, let's discuss how to actually carry your lunch in a thermos.

Great Foods For Thermoses


Best Soup & Food Thermos Container
Best Soup & Food Thermos Container

It's clear that you can't put whatever you want into a thermos, so let's talk about all of the things that you can put into a thermos. For starters, thermoses will keep anything warm that is liquid or semiliquid. For example, thermoses are great for soups, chilis, and beans. Pasta and casseroles can also go into thermoses as long as there is a substantial amount of sauce included in it. Just remember that there needs to be a little liquid to stay warm and you'll do just fine!

Prepping Your Lunch


Before you add your food to the thermos, add some boiling water to your thermos and allow it to sit for a couple of minutes. While you're doing that, heat up the food that you're wanting to put inside of it until it's warm to the touch. To ensure that the food is heated evenly, it's recommended that you heat it up on the stove rather than a microwave.

Safety First


It's absolutely essential that you thoroughly clean your thermos before each use to avoid bacteria from building inside of your food. As stated before, heat up your food just before you leave for work to avoid it having to sit in the thermos longer than necessary. Keep in mind, if the food drops below 140 degrees for longer than two hours you can run the risk of harmful bacteria growing on your food.

Clean Up


It's not safe to re-heat thermos leftovers, so if you don't eat all of your lunch, make sure to throw the rest of it away at the end up the day. Using boiling water, rinse out the inside of your thermos thoroughly and then wash it clean with just a bit of soap and water. Make sure that the inside of the thermos is completely dry before putting the lid back on it.

Frequently Asked Questions On Best Soup & Food Thermos Container

What Container Keeps Foods Hot?

  • Ans: If you're looking for a great way to keep your meals warm while you're at work or your kids are at school, you have a couple of options to work with. The first being the food thermos that we were talking about previously. The second option is using an insulated lunch bag to house a sandwich bag filled with boiling hot water.

How Long Does Food Stay Hot in a Thermos?

  • Ans: The answer to this question is completely dependent on the type of thermos that you're using. Your food will only stay hot or cold for as long as the thermos that you purchase says that it will. Trying to keep it in there longer than the stated amount could cause harmful bacteria to develop. Also, remember that once you open the thermos you should eat it all at once or throw away the leftovers to avoid the development of bacteria.

Does Tupperware Keep Food Warm?

  • Ans: While Tupperware is great for storing and easily transporting food, it isn't capable of keeping your food warm for long periods of time. For example, if you put hot food directly into the Tupperware it will stay warm for a while, but it will eventually cool down. If you're looking for something to keep your food warm for several hours, then you should consider purchasing a thermos or an insulated lunch box.

xHow Do You Keep Food Hot in a Thermos?

  • Ans: Keeping food hot in a thermos is actually an extremely easy thing to do. Right before you leave for work or school, heat your food up on the stove (using the microwave will cause your food to be heated unevenly). Then, put the food inside of the thermos, and as long as it's over 140 degrees it will stay warm for several hours.

Is Using a Stainless Steel Thermos Safe?

  • Ans: Stainless steel is one of the mostly commonly used materials for thermoses. Not only does it keep the food warm for many hours, but it's also safe for your food to sit inside for quite some time. Keep in mind, if you're sending your child to school with a thermos full of hot food, make sure to send a note to the teacher asking for help so your child doesn't burn themselves.

How Do I Keep My Sandwich Warm for Lunch?

  • Ans: It goes without saying that it can be a pain to enjoy a warm meal while you're at work, but that's where thermoses or insulated lunch bags come in handy. When it comes to keeping your sandwich warm, though, use an insulated lunch bag and a plastic bag filled with boiling water. Put the plastic bag in the bottom of the insulated lunch bag and it will surely keep your roast beef or meatball sandwich warm for many hours.

Buy on Walmart

THERMOS Stainless King Vacuum-Insulated Food Jar with Spoon, 16 Ounce, Matte Steel - Walmart Link

Thermos FOOGO Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel 10-Ounce Food Jar, Blue/Yellow (B3000BL002) - Walmart Link

THERMOS FUNTAINER 10 Ounce Stainless Steel Vacuum Insulated Kids Food Jar, Violet - Walmart Link

MIRA Lunch, Food Jar - Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Lunch Thermos with Portable - Walmart Link

Hydro Flask 12 oz. Insulated Food Jar - Stainless Steel with Leak Proof Cap - Walmart Link

Stanley Classic Legendary Vacuum Insulated Food Jar 18 oz - Stainless Steel, Naturally - Walmart Link

Hydrapeak 18oz Insulated Food Jar, Kids Thermos for Hot Food | Leak Proof Stainless Steel - Walmart Link

DaCool Insulated Lunch Container Hot Food Jar 16 oz Stainless Steel Vacuum Bento Lunch - Walmart Link

Energify Vacuum Insulated Food Jar Made of Premium BPA-Free Stainless Steel. 17oz Thermos - Walmart Link

High Sierra 14 oz Thermos for Hot Food, Wall Insulation, 18/8 Stainless Steel, Keeps Warm - Walmart Link

Soup Thermos Food Jar Alxeme Vacuum Insulated Lunch Container Wide Mouth Bento Box with - Walmart Link

Buy on eBay

THERMOS Stainless King Vacuum-Insulated Food Jar with Spoon, 16 Ounce, Matte Steel - eBay Link

Thermos FOOGO Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel 10-Ounce Food Jar, Blue/Yellow (B3000BL002) - eBay Link

THERMOS FUNTAINER 10 Ounce Stainless Steel Vacuum Insulated Kids Food Jar, Violet - eBay Link

MIRA Lunch, Food Jar - Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Lunch Thermos with Portable - eBay Link

Hydro Flask 12 oz. Insulated Food Jar - Stainless Steel with Leak Proof Cap - eBay Link

Stanley Classic Legendary Vacuum Insulated Food Jar 18 oz - Stainless Steel, Naturally - eBay Link

Hydrapeak 18oz Insulated Food Jar, Kids Thermos for Hot Food | Leak Proof Stainless Steel - eBay Link

DaCool Insulated Lunch Container Hot Food Jar 16 oz Stainless Steel Vacuum Bento Lunch - eBay Link

Energify Vacuum Insulated Food Jar Made of Premium BPA-Free Stainless Steel. 17oz Thermos - eBay Link

High Sierra 14 oz Thermos for Hot Food, Wall Insulation, 18/8 Stainless Steel, Keeps Warm - eBay Link

Soup Thermos Food Jar Alxeme Vacuum Insulated Lunch Container Wide Mouth Bento Box with - eBay Link

Conclusion for Food Thermos Container Buyers

All in all, a sturdy, well-made thermos can make your every meal away from home feel and taste exactly like the one you eat at your dinner table. Indeed, whether it's camping outdoors and you need a cold beer, or you're off to work and need a hefty and warm lunch during the pause, taking your own thermos with you can really be a lifesaver!

About Christopher Jones

Chris is a true globetrotter. He has been to many destinations and tried different types of food from all over the world, yet he still loves finding new places and tasting their specialties. Chris has always had an entrepreneurial spirit and so he decided to go back to school at age 24 for his MBA at University of San Francisco so that he could have a better understanding of business strategy in order to start his own company. His favorite motto is “how can one live well, travel well, and work well without having good food every time?”


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