Lid not airtight? I noticed that the lid is not air-tight, with gaps near the handles. Is this a poor design for themos?
274858
I don't think the gaps near the handles reduce the effectiveness of this cooking pot. There isn't really any airflow through the gaps and hermetically sealing the pot might create other problems (difficulty opening). The outer pot is double walled and that provides most of the thermal insulation. This pot does keep food hot for hours.
274859
The inner pot's metal body itself can leak a lot of heat, so I think if the vacuum outer pot can trap the heat inside well, then whether the lid is air tight is not important.
274860
You do lose some heat from the lid and the small gap around the handles,, but it works better than I thought it would. Usually I use some insulator over the top just to make it more efficient. For example,,Yesterday I made 3 quarts of yougart. The mason jars were submerged in water right up to the metal bands. The temperature of everything was 115f when I added 2 frozen cubes of starter per jar. I capped the jars put the lid on and placed in the thermos with a tee shirt as an insulator. 8 hours later the temp had fallen to 103f,,I heated it back up to 105f and went to work. 10 hours later the temp was 99f. I have been making yogurt that is better than anything I ever tasted with this device. You do lose some heat from the lid and the small gap around the handles,, but it works better than I thought it would. Usually I use some insulator over the top just to make it more efficient. For example,,Yesterday I made 3 quarts of yougart. The mason jars were submerged in water right up to the metal bands. The temperature of everything was 115f when I added 2 frozen cubes of starter per jar. I capped the jars put the lid on and placed in the thermos with a tee shirt as an insulator. 8 hours later the temp had fallen to 103f,,I heated it back up to 105f and went to work. 10 hours later... » Read More You do lose some heat from the lid and the small gap around the handles,, but it works better than I thought it would. Usually I use some insulator over the top just to make it more efficient. For example,,Yesterday I made 3 quarts of yougart. The mason jars were submerged in water right up to the metal bands. The temperature of everything was 115f when I added 2 frozen cubes of starter per jar. I capped the jars put the lid on and placed in the thermos with a tee shirt as an insulator. 8 hours later the temp had fallen to 103f,,I heated it back up to 105f and went to work. 10 hours later the temp was 99f. I have been making yogurt that is better than anything I ever tasted with this device. « Show Less
274861
I think you would need some sort of venting to occur in order to prevent expansion from the heat. It works very well the way it is designed.
274862
No Problem with Mine, It works Flawlessly and does what it is designed for!
1113494
The product is not designed to perform the function of a vacuum flask (thermos). There is no insulating space or material. The seal of the larger container is not airtight / leak-proof. The seal for the smaller container is better, but you should not rely on it. I would not rely on this product to keep food warm / hot / cool / cold.
398100
No, not air tight at all unless you maybe wrap some plastic wrap around the top before putting lid on. I actually never use the lid.
944714
The bowl is not airtight. It has a seal arond the lid and that little valve that is there to (I assume) manage the little pressure that can be caused Inside the bowl when Poutine a hot liquid into it. It wont leak and it will be easy to open.
2103344
No, I don't think it is airtight. There is no sealing material between the lid and box. Nor is there any on the "hinge-y" part of the lid.
496659
It is not totally air tight. I don't fill it up completely, so I'm adding beans every few days. Having said that, I've never had an issue with freshness.
2274044
It certainly is not airtight, but i don't think it has enough ventilation to put a computer inside the lockable compartment and run it for an extended period of time. There are a few decent sized holes for cords to run in and out of, but no real "vent. "
1547287
I am not sure I would describe it as "airtight" but the larger casserole lid does fit securely and will stay put when you are transporting anything in the carrier. The smaller casserole lid is not as secure. It will work lose, it just does not fit as tightly as the big one, and things will leak, so when I use that one I try to make it very firm around it using towels or pot holders, etc., if I am trying to take the small dish in the carrier to another location. I have secured it with foil or sometimes even a small bungie cord rapped around. The bigger casserole with the lid in place has never needed any other help.
215321
The picture shows it sliding sideways....there isn't any seal but the lid sits well over the compartments. It's a good way for me to use it since I keep Kosher salt and ground fresh pepper in mine. I'm very satisfied and happy with mine. I hope my answer helps you decide what to do.
782110
I have never had a single problem with the lids. If anything, they are sometimes a bit too tight. Ie, a bit hard to put on at first until you practice a bit. I store hummus and salad dressing in the little ones, and have never had any leaks. I use a shopping bag, so they certainly aren't lying flat at ANY point. So thumbs up in my opinion!
2055179
Mine does not fit snug, but there is no gap. You won't get the proper temperature if it doesn't fit right. There should be a rubber gasket on the edge of the lid.
1653035
The canisters are most definitely airtight. They have a rubber gasket on the top that seals against the ceramic lip of the bottom. You can feel and hear the seal breaking whenever you lift the lid. You have to actually PULL the lids off--because of the seal.
1079606
It is probably not as airtight as the Big Green Egg, but it's a fraction of the cost too.I'd say for all intents and purposes, it is airtight. If you take the lower ashpan unit, and fix the leak surrounding the adjustable louver vent by putting a good bead of hi-temp RTV caulking all around the perimeter where it meets the housing of the ash pan, you will solve a lot of the leaks. After that, you should be good to go. the rim of the lid seals up pretty good with a thick composite gasket, and the top vent is also pretty good. It really is a very good value-price considered.
500890
It's not airtight. I use mine for poop but I use it outside. I think inside it will smell eventually. I never smell it outside
418982
It is not airtight. The lid has several small holes in back for ventilation. Our bread does stay fresh at least twice as long though!
1630977
No, they're wrong. The plastic knob (the lid handle) holding the lid is secured by a screw and washer. Just the screw and washer are exposed on the inside of the lid. There is an air vent hole in the lid about big enough for a pencil to poke through. That air vent hole has a rubbery insert that goes through the lid top and bottom. Now, if that rubbery insert causes someone concern, they're just too paranoid. (It could even be removed by pulling it out.) I think it's great. I've just been using it a few weeks though.
2027978
Well, they have holes in the tops; so I'm not exactly sure what you mean by airtight. The tops do stay on quite well, but the holes would allow air to get in.