Hot & Cold Food Tips

Keeping Hot Lunches Hot (or at least warm) and Cold Lunches Cold

As you're probably aware, trying to heat & eat lunches within the time given has become a bit of a problem at the school lately. One solution could be to not send "hot" foods (foods that need to be heated) for lunch. Another could be to limit how often "hot" foods are sent (maybe once or twice a week). Likewise, you could try one of the tips, tricks, and/or products that I've found over the years to help keep hot foods hot (or at least warm), and cold foods cold.

Insulated Thermoses and Containers*
An insulated thermos can easily keep foods, such as soups, stews, chili, and even pasta, warm for a few hours. Before placing food inside the container, fill it with boiling water and let it sit for a few minutes while you heat up the food. Then, when you're ready to pack it, drain the water out and put the food inside. This will temper the container and help keep the food warm for a longer period of time. Likewise, if you are packing something that needs to stay cold, put the container (open) in the freezer or fill with ice and water. Once closed, the container should remain closed until lunchtime. This works VERY well.

Insulated Lunch Box*
Although typically not as good as an insulated thermos, an insulated lunch box (or bag) is another way to keep foods warm for a few hours. Unlike a thermos, larger foods, such as hot dogs or nuggets, can fit in one of these. Wrapping the hot foods in foil inside of the insulated lunch container will provide some additional insulation as well.

Using food to your Advantage
If you are packing a few cold items together, it could help to freeze the drink ahead of time and pack it with any other cold items in the morning. Not only does it save space (versus packing an extra ice pack), but it helps to keep the other items cold and usually thaws out (to a nice ice cold temp) by lunch time. Likewise, if you're packing a few "hot" items, wrap them all together with foil (even if you've already wrapped them individually) so that they can better retain and equally distribute their collective heat, thus keeping warm a bit longer than they would if left to float around individually.


*Below are a few links to related products on Amazon, but similar containers can be found in a variety of local stores as well.



Thermos Foogo Leak-Proof Stainless Steel Food Jar, 10 Ounce 
Bubba 20 oz Travel Mug Classic Black