Can the container keep food warm and for how long?
1866254
You're not really supposed to put warm food in a bento box. Warm food causes water to condense on the inner lids, which if left unrefrigerated for too long can allow for bacterial growth (also your food can get soggy). Plus, the inner sealing lid is not microwaveable. Exposing it to the high temperatures of steam could warp it, damaging its waterproof ability.The container itself IS microwavable, just not the waterproof lid. My suggestion is to put food in at room temperature, then warm it up in a microwave if one is available to you. You could also look into bento recipes, which are often designed to be good both warm and room temperature, if you don't have access to a microwave. You're not really supposed to put warm food in a bento box. Warm food causes water to condense on the inner lids, which if left unrefrigerated for too long can allow for bacterial growth (also your food can get soggy). Plus, the inner sealing lid is not microwaveable. Exposing it to the high temperatures of steam could warp it, damaging its waterproof ability.The container itself IS microwavable, just not the waterproof lid. My suggestion is to put food in at room temperature, then warm it up in a microwave if one is available to you. You could also look into bento recipes,... » Read More You're not really supposed to put warm food in a bento box. Warm food causes water to condense on the inner lids, which if left unrefrigerated for too long can allow for bacterial growth (also your food can get soggy). Plus, the inner sealing lid is not microwaveable. Exposing it to the high temperatures of steam could warp it, damaging its waterproof ability.The container itself IS microwavable, just not the waterproof lid. My suggestion is to put food in at room temperature, then warm it up in a microwave if one is available to you. You could also look into bento recipes, which are often designed to be good both warm and room temperature, if you don't have access to a microwave. « Show Less
1866255
It's not really insulated, I would say it could keep it warm for 30 minutes to an hour maybe.
1440957
No, the container is some type of metal. If you don't have a warmer (they are much cheaper on Amazon and Gigi will work with this product), you can warm it by immersing in a shallow pan of water on low on the stove...if you feel comfortable doing so
209500
Hi - i've only used the thermos for hot foods. I've heated food at about 7 in the morning and it's been hot until I eat the food at about 1:00. - never tried it for cold foods - sorry
2172661
yes, it will keep it warm for a certain time but it won't be hot. Overall, we really like this lunchbox. My son used it all school year and now for summer camps.
1943969
It can keep piping hot food as as long as 5 hours in the bottom 2 containers, although I think it can keep even longer. I pack my daughter's food at 7am and she reports that her lunch is too hot to eat immediately at 12pm. Hope this helps.
288161
As recommended I put boiling water in the thermos for a few minutes before putting the hot food in to heat up the thermos and then yes, the food stays warm for four hours. Not piping hot as it was when first put in, but still heated. The wide mouth makes it really easy to eat from too.
1568791
They all kept the food warm or cold. But top container is not as warm or cold as others. And it lasts about 6 hours.
123594
You can probably lightly microwave food in them if you are careful. As long as you heat food up in short intervals like 90 seconds at a time stirring in between intervals you will probably be okay. Setting the microwave on 5 minutes and leaving it would melt the containers undoubtedly.
1279625
If you put a cold pack in it, it might stay cold, but it is just like a regular Tupperware container when it comes to keeping food warm or cold.
1396918
My daughter uses this container for her lunch at school and it stays COLD from 7am till about noon. She does keep it in a cheap insulated bag, but I don't think that's really making a lot of difference.
1897399
It keeps food warm when it is plugging in. It is not a thermos but a food warmer.
1948566
The bag is big enough to hold the 2 large fast food bags and it has extremely thick insulation, so it should be able to keep the food warm for 2 or more hours.
2133412
The thermal container round mental container, yes. The snap lid "tupperware" ovals, not for super long. They are not insulated. IF you want that type capability, move up to the Ms Bento. Still small but the 2 stack into the thermal lunch jar that is insulated.
1449468
It depends on the environment. In a normal office, it has kept milk cold in the side pouch up to 8 hours. Food in the containers about the same amount of time if not longer. The side pouches are susceptible to surrounding heat far more than the main compartment. In the office, I would say food would be kept cold for up to 10 hours. I would say if you are keeping it in the car all day during the summer, maximum of three hours.
2133417
Only the large, round container keeps foods warm or cold. It is a thermos-like container. I don't believe the side-dish ones are not made to contain heat. I have not found them to be heat retaining. I have used this for my daughter's lunch and highly recommend it.
951890
The container is plastic and not insulated. I think Thermos makes a stainless version that may better serve your need.
101291
I tried it for five hours with hot food. It was warm enough to eat for me. The bowl in the middle and bottom keeps hot food better, but the upper bowl is a little worse.