The best food thermos in the UK 2023

If you want to enjoy your homemade meals at work or on the go, get a good food thermos. Practical and economical, it is the essential equipment for transporting and preserving your food until you eat it. But you still need to find the right model and know how to use it properly. For this, we invite you to read our comparison of the best food thermos.

Thermos Stainless King 1
8/10

Best value for money

Thermos Stainless King

Best food thermos

You will be able to use the Thermos Stainless King with complete peace of mind. It has a wide opening for easy filling and cleaning. Its capacity of 470 mL is sufficient for a hearty meal.

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With the Thermos Stainless King, adopt a healthier lifestyle. Its innovative isothermal technology offers reliability and durability. Whether you're at the office, on a picnic or out in nature, this food thermos will keep your meals hot or cold. Its capacity of retention of heat or freshness is on average 12 hours.

The Thermos Stainless King is available in several colors. Its lid can be used as a bowl if needed. Made of stainless steel, it is extremely sturdy. Note that it is dishwasher safe.

Milu 450 mL 2
6/10

Best value for money

Milu 450 mL

Best entry-level food thermos

Ecological and reusable, the Milu 450 mL is very easy to maintain. Its insulated interior wall, made of stainless steel, ensures better insulation. Also, filling is effortless thanks to its large opening.

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Offered at a very good price, the Milu 450 mL is a high quality insulated bottle. It offers the possibility to keep and transport your food with ease. It is therefore a wise choice for those who are looking for a versatile model that can be used both at work and at play. As the name suggests, it has a capacity of 450 mL, but there is also a 650 mL version.

This food thermos can hold both hot and cold meals and drinks. For added convenience, the Milu 450 mL has a lid that doubles as a bowl and a folding spoon. The double-wall insulation ensures that your food stays cool and fresh.

Energify SH-QF5W-RX3H 3
7/10

Best value for money

Energify SH-QF5W-RX3H

Best premium food thermos

The Energify SH-QF5W-RX3H is surely the best in terms of food thermos. It has a stainless steel body and a double wall, which ensures a thermal insulation at the top.

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Want to keep your meals warm until lunchtime? Choose the Energify SH-QF5W-RX3H. It has the ability to keep warm for up to 12 hours and cool for up to 24 hours. This food thermos offers a decent capacity of 430.9 to 623.7 mL. In addition to its double-wall technology, this model also features a leak-proof system.

The body of this equipment is made from 304 stainless steel. The wide opening makes it easy to eat, fill and clean. Moreover, its practicality is reflected in the presence of its flexible handle, opening button, non-slip silicone base, foldable spoon and carrying bag.

Kaave bigJar 4
8/10

A great choice

Kaave bigJar

Best 3-compartment food thermos

The Kaave bigJar is distinguished by its enormous capacity. Indeed, it goes up to 1800 mL. This isothermal box can keep your meals warm for 6 hours and cool for 12 hours. The quality of manufacture will satisfy you completely.

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To be able to take your prepared meals to the office, camping or school, a food thermos like the Kaave bigJar will suit you perfectly. Its large capacity allows you to take a more copious and consistent meal. Indeed, it is composed of 3 stainless steel compartments offering the opportunity to take a complete menu or a meal for 3 persons.

The material of manufacture does not alter the taste quality of your food. It is free of BPA and any other toxic product. Its safety lock, pressure equalization valve lid and wide opening make it more comfortable to use.

Buying guide • November 2023

Best food thermos

Any specific needs?

Best food thermos

Best entry-level food thermos

Best premium food thermos

Best 3-compartment food thermos

Your guide : Samuel

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Comparison table of the best food thermos

TOP OF THE TOP CHEAP TOP OF THE LINE EXCELLENT
Thermos Stainless King 5
8/10
Milu 450 mL 6
6/10
Energify SH-QF5W-RX3H 7
7/10
Kaave bigJar 8
8/10
OUR SELECTION
Thermos Stainless King
Milu 450 mL
Energify SH-QF5W-RX3H
Kaave bigJar
You will be able to use the Thermos Stainless King with complete peace of mind. It has a wide opening for easy filling and cleaning. Its capacity of 470 mL is sufficient for a hearty meal.
Ecological and reusable, the Milu 450 mL is very easy to maintain. Its insulated interior wall, made of stainless steel, ensures better insulation. Also, filling is effortless thanks to its large opening.
The Energify SH-QF5W-RX3H is surely the best in terms of food thermos. It has a stainless steel body and a double wall, which ensures a thermal insulation at the top.
The Kaave bigJar is distinguished by its enormous capacity. Indeed, it goes up to 1800 mL. This isothermal box can keep your meals warm for 6 hours and cool for 12 hours. The quality of manufacture will satisfy you completely.
Capacity
470 mL
450 mL
430.9 g/623.7 mL
1.8 L
Material
Stainless steel
18/8 stainless steel-
304 stainless steel-
Stainless steel
Temperature retention
Hot

: 12 hCold

: 12 h
10 x 10 x 16 cm
10 x 10 x 19.3 cm
Hot

: 6 hCold

: 12 h
Dimensions
9.7 x 9.7 x 14.2 cm
Foldable spoon and carrying bag
Foldable spoon and carrying bag
27 x 14.9 x 14.7 cm
Accessories
Foldable spoon
3 stainless steel containers and 1 spoon

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Buying guide - food thermos

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How to choose your food thermos

When you don't always have time to go home for lunch, it is essential to have a food thermos. The main purpose of this tool is to store and help you take your meals with you on a daily basis. Despite the number of existing models, the choice will be easier if you observe these few important criteria:

#1 - The material

The material used to manufacture your food thermos will have an impact on its insulating capacity as well as its efficiency of use. The most common isstainless steel due to its strength and thermal insulation. Glass can also be a great choice if you want to store liquid.

#2 - The capacity

The ideal capacity depends on the portion of meal you need. Expressed in milliliters (mL), you can set it by using a measuring glass. For your child or someone on a diet, a model with an average capacity of 500 mL is more than enough. On the other hand, a food thermos with an approximate capacity of 700 mL is better suited for an adult or a big foodie.

#3 - Insulation capacity

The insulation capacity varies from one model to another, but it should be in line with your needs. In this sense, the time it takes to keep food warm or cool will depend on the interval between the time you leave the house and the time you take your lunch break. It should be noted that a good food thermos can keep your meal warm for a minimum of 6 hours and cool for 12 hours

#4 - The weight

For a long walk, the weight of the food thermos is very important. Indeed, the vacuum container and the meal it contains will be an additional load to support. In general, if it is made of a quality material, the isothermal box turns out to be heavier, but very resistant. So find the right compromise between weight and quality when making your choice.

#5 - Ease of maintenance

Some models are dishwasher safe, making them easier to clean. If this option is not indicated in the user's manual or on the label, hand washing is the best option. In this case, choose food thermoses with a large opening and with or without a cleaning brush.

How to use a food thermos?

Unlike a hot box, a food thermos does not require any electrical connection to function properly. Its double-walled system is enough to keep the food it contains warm or cool. However, there are a few simple things you need to do if you want to maximize the thermal efficiency of your equipment.

In the case of hot food, it is imperative to preheat or cool the walls of your food thermos. To do this, you will need to fill it with boiling water before use. Let it stand for 5 to 10 minutes, then empty the container and pour in your hot soup, beef stew or any other hot dish. The same is true for cold foods. Replace boiling water with ice cubes.

Make sure your food thermos is well filled. Don't overfill or half-load it. Your food can lose temperature quickly. Close the lid tightly so no air can get in.

The different types of food thermos

In addition to the selection criteria mentioned above, you should also be aware of the different types of existing models. In this respect, we distinguish between the model with only one compartment and the one with several compartments.

1 compartment food thermos

This food thermos consists of only one compartment. It is generally called isothermal food box. It is very practical for both solid and liquid foods. The presence of its wide lid means you don't have to carry an extra plate, cup or bowl. Its only major drawback is that you can only put onetype of meal in it.

Food thermos with 2 or more compartments

It works the same way as the simple model. The difference? You have several containers to choose from, allowing you to carry different dishes. Put liquid or solid food in it as long as the nature of the food remains the same (hot or cold). Although its use is very advantageous, its large capacity makes it less practical. The thermos and its contents are quite heavy.

Food thermos or heated lunch box?

Food thermos

The food thermos, like the classic thermos, is specially designed to preserve the temperature of food. Its thermal insulation system, one of the most effective, is the presence of its double wall stainless steel vacuum. Generally speaking, this type of equipment keeps the meal warm for at least 5 hours and cool for 12 to 24 hours. It avoids the use of a microwave or an oven for reheating.

It is ideal if you plan to take your home-made meals to the office, to school or on your various trips. Models for children and adults are available on the market and can hold different types of food.

Heated lunch box

The heated lunch box is a container used for transporting and heating food outdoors. Most of the time, this airtight container made of metal or plastic has a carrying handle. To ensure that it works properly, simply plug it into a power outlet or cigarette lighter.

You no longer need to queue up at the office to use the microwave or buy a snack for lunch. The heated lunch box saves you time and money in the long run.

Verdict

Larger than a traditional thermos, the food thermos is interesting insofar as you do not always have access to electricity where you go. Its thermal insulation system gives you the possibility to enjoy a hot or cold meal, depending on the initial temperature, in due time. On the contrary, the heated lunch box seems to be more suitable for people who have a source of electricity nearby in order to heat up their meals.

Tips

Avoid filling your food thermos to the brim.

Although it is airtight, the food thermos should not be filled to the brim. Fill it only to the level indicated. Also, check the position of the gasket to make sure it's tight.

Clean your food thermos after use.

Hand washing with soap and warm water is recommended. This process will prevent you from damaging the food thermos. A wide opening allows better access to the bottom and all the nooks and crannies of your isothermal box.

Remove bad smells easily.

The

food thermos often comes with a cleaning accessory such as a brush or a special sponge. Pour hot water into the container then add 2 tablespoons of baking soda. Shake it up and use the attachment to scrub the bottom thoroughly before rinsing.

Warm water is better than cold water.

Stains and dirt can build up over time. The best way to avoid this problem is to rinse the food thermos with warm water after use.

Do not leave your food thermos soaking in water.

When

cleaning, make sure the food thermos does not remain submerged in water. Rinse and then dry it with a clean microfiber cloth. Leave it in the open air to get rid of any moisture.

FAQ

What is the best food thermos?

The best food thermos depends on your needs and your budget. Read our buying guide for the best products available.

What is the average temperature retention time of food?

It can vary according to the model of food thermos chosen. However, the warmth can be maintained for an average of 5 to 8 hours, while the freshness can be maintained for up to 24 hours.

Is the food thermos dishwasher safe?

If you want to maximize the life of your food thermos, wash it by hand. Frequent use in the dishwasher can damage the seal.

What is the advantage of a double-walled food thermos?

Double-walled, the food thermos keeps your food hot or cold longer.

Is it possible to put the food thermos in the microwave?

It is better to reheat your dishes in another container to avoid damaging the thermos.

Sources

Note: Below are some of the sources we have consulted in writing this article. Links to other sites are not continuously updated. It is therefore possible that a link may not be found. Please use a search engine to find the desired information.
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Updates

March 2022 : Translation of this buying guide from our partner meilleurtest.fr

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Our selection
Thermos Stainless King 9
Thermos Stainless King
Milu 450 mL 10
Milu 450 mL
Energify SH-QF5W-RX3H 11
Energify SH-QF5W-RX3H
Kaave bigJar 12
Kaave bigJar

Lecteurs

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