travel food warmer walmart

The 6 Best Portable Food Warmers (Electric Lunch Boxes)

• March 16, 2024

A portable food warmer (electric lunch box) is a game-changer for people who need to heat their food on the go or to keep it hot while they are away from home.

These portable food warmers have saved my bacon more times than I can count. They’re especially useful on road trips. You know that moment when you’re driving down the highway and your stomach starts to rumble? With a portable food warmer, you can be snacking on a hot, fresh burrito in no time.

We set out to research and find the best portable food warmers for the price – in 2024 .

👉  In a hurry?

See our top 4 picks, or jump to the full portable food warmer reviews !

This post may contain affiliate links, at no extra cost to you.

What's In Here

• 1 How Do You Choose a Portable Food Warmer?
• 2.1 1. Hot Logic Mini Portable Oven (120V) – Best for Work 
• 2.2 2. Travelisimo Electric Lunch Box (110V/12V/24V) – Best for Travel
• 2.3 3. Rottogoon Personal Portable Oven – Hottest Portable Oven
• 2.4 4. Herrfilk Portable Food Heater – Top Pick
• 2.5 5. Skywin Portable Oven (120V) – Small & Lightweight
• 2.6 6. LunchEAZE – Rechargeable & Smart
• 3 How Do You Keep Food Warm When Traveling or at Work?
• 4 How Long Does it Take to Heat a Meal in an Electric Lunch Box?
• 5 What Temperature is Maintained in Mini Food Warmers?

How Do You Choose a Portable Food Warmer?

Here are the most important features to check before you buy a portable oven:

1.  Size and capacity – make sure the size and capacity fit a good-sized meal, and that it fits the space you have in your vehicle or office.

2. Container material – choose nontoxic containers (preferably glass/stainless steel) to ensure food safety. Some food warmers come with a container and some don’t, so you’ll have to find the right-size heat-resistant container to place inside.

3. Power plugs – some mini ovens can be plugged into a car/truck, some can only be used with a 110/120V, and some come with both plugs for multi-use.

4. Safety – make sure the food warmer has safety features to prevent overheating or short-circuiting.

5. Ease of use – check that the food heater is user-friendly, without too many buttons and controls. Who has time for that?

6. Price and warranty – portable food warmers’ price range is about $29 – $39, depending on what’s included inside (containers/spoons/forks), power plugs, and brand reputation.

The 6 Best Portable Food Warmers 

The electric food warmers you’ll find below are great for personal use, are high quality, heat food evenly and thoroughly, have nontoxic containers, and are easy to clean and maintain.

1. Hot Logic Mini Portable Oven ( 120V) – Best for Work 

• Size – 9″ x 7″ x 2.5”
• Weight – 1 lb.
• Containers – any flat and heat-resistant container (not included)
• Temperature – up to 165 F

✅ $34-$48 on Amazon

The Hot Logic portable oven and food warmer can cook your food (even frozen food) evenly or just warm it – without drying or burning it – for up to 1.5 hours.

It will also keep it warm (at 165 F) for 12 hours.

It works with a 120V plug, but buyers told us that if you want to use it in your car – just get a 75W power inverter (that will work even if the car is not running).

You won’t need to monitor your food. You just place your meal inside, plug it in, and come back when you are ready to eat it.

The heating plate can get up to 200 F and uses only 0.11kWh of electricity over a 3-hour use (without releasing any smells while heating!).

The Hot Logic food light and compact warming tote comes in 9 beautiful colors to choose from and is a highly rated, fantastic, and reliable little meal helper.

Many users recommend searing/browning your meat before placing it inside.

• Great for offices, workplaces without a microwave, trucks, and hotel rooms
• Consistent heating
• Reasonably priced
• Won’t overcook or burn food
• Can’t make everything, because it isn’t magic. No cookies, no cooking pasta
• Food does take a while to cook (90 minutes to a couple hours or so)

✅ Available on Amazon ($34-$48) and at   Walmart ($40)

2. Travelisimo Electric Lunch Box (110V/12V/24V) – Best for Travel

• Size – 10″ x 8″ x 5″, Capacity – 1.5 L
• Weight – 2.4 lbs.
• Containers – stainless steel – included
• Temperature – up to 158 F

✅ $22 on Amazon

The Travelisimo   3-in-1 electric lunch box is the only one that has 110V, 12V, and 24V – which means you can use it anywhere you go, including driving (car/truck), at the office, at school, on picnics, when camping, and for fieldwork.

The upgraded 60W model will heat your food in 20-30 minutes and comes with a new leak-resistant seal ring – that prevents any spills (even soup!)

The 1.5 L tray is made from food-grade stainless steel which is always healthier than plastic, and the cord is extra long (1.5 L). You even get a stainless steel fork and knife inside!

(👉 Check out the top 6 mini rice cookers for personal use/travel! )

User testimonials online say that this is a safe and reliable portable oven that is easy to carry, use, store, and clean, and only requires about 25 minutes of heating – depending on the food and surrounding temperature.

However, if the food is just taken out of the refrigerator, heating may take a bit longer.

• Can hold a generous amount of food
• Comes apart easily for cleaning
• We liked the performance, durability, and heat of the meal holder
• Limited to only using a metal container, no frozen foods or microwave meals
• Solid food can end up dry

✅ Available   on Amazon ($22)

3. Rottogoon Personal Portable Oven – Hottest Portable Oven

• Size – 9.5” x 7” x 4”
• Weight – 1.4 lbs.
• Containers – heat-resistant flat containers (not included)
• Temperature – up to 239 F (keeps warm at 149 F)

✅ $33 on Amazon

The Rottogoon unique and multi-functional belt lock allows you to carry it in 3 different ways: grabbed in your hands, as a shoulder bag (with the adjustable shoulder strap), or hanging on the straps of your backpack.

It’s extremely lightweight and compact, (only 1.4 pounds) and easy to carry around.

This powerful mini oven slowly heats your food to 239 F (in only 30-40 minutes!), then auto reduces the temperature to 149 F and keeps it at this temperature – until you want to eat.

It can even cook raw food such as chicken. If you leave it inside for more than 2 hours – it acts as a slow cooker !

It can be used with almost any heat-resistant flat-bottomed containers, including glass, plastic, Tupperware, metal, and foil – up to 9″W x 6.75″L x 3.5″H.

• Portable and small
• Has a front pouch to hold utensils
• Has a Carry strap
• Can reheat leftovers and cook raw food
• Only works with 110V – can be expensive if a converter is needed
• No dials or timers for slow cooking

✅ Available   on Amazon ($33)

4. Herrfilk Portable Food Heater – Top Pick

• Capacity – 1.8L container & 0.7 L vegetable/fruit layer
• Container – Removable Stainless Steel Container/food-grade plastic

✅ $21 on Amazon

The Herrfilk 110V/120V/24V/12V electric lunch box comes with a convenient and toxin-free stainless steel container and another layer of food-grade plastic vegetable or fruit containers.

This is an upgraded 2024 model that has 100W power and a Leak-proof design with an improved cover that stays tightly covered during your use.

It is the largest electric lunch box on this list!

It uses PTC’s original constant temperature heating and low-consumption heat cycle to keep the food at a good temperature and moisture, but don’t expect your chicken to stay crispy.

However, we would say that it steams rather than cooks.

In about 30-40 minutes it will heat your homemade meal (it gets so hot some users reported it has burned their food!), while the silicone handle stays cool.

The container is easy to clean and fill, and you get a spoon, a fork, a lunch bag for insulation, and the cables inside.

• The portable and foldable design makes it easy to carry
• Insulated aluminum foil keeps food fresh for hours
• The leak-proof design ensures no fluid leakage
• PTC heating technology ensures fast and safe heating, keeping food at a constant temperature between 60°C and 70°C5
• Made of food-grade materials that are safe and non-toxic
• The lid may be difficult to lock into place
• The carry handle may fall off easily
• The utensils compartment doesn’t secure utensils
• Takes longer to heat food than instructions state

✅ Available   on Amazon ($21)

5. Skywin Portable Oven (120V) – Small & Lightweight

• Size – 9″ x 7″ x 4″
• Weight – 1.8 lbs.
• Containers – stainless steel (included)
• Temperature – up to 180 F

✅ $30 on Amazon

The lightweight and fast-heating Skywin lunch warmer oven comes with a 12v hot plate that any flat-bottomed container (size up to 9″x7″x4″) can be used on and with a stainless steel container (with cover).

The Skywin heats your homemade meals in no more than 30 minutes, and the automatic temperature (up to 180 F) keeps it warm for when you are ready for your lunch break.

Raw vegetables will be cooked to perfection. Meats and seafood do not dry out and get rubbery.

Consumers report that the food pan is big enough for a good-sized meal, but you’ll have to be careful to not burn your fingers when you take it out – it gets really hot.

You won’t be able to use it in a car unless you add a 75W power inverter .

For a fair price, this portable food warmer is highly rated on Amazon and is the perfect solution for anyone who wants to enjoy a healthy homemade meal – on the go.

• Comes with a car adapter and works with a power outlet
• Lightweight
• Easy to clean
• The on/off switch is not very user-friendly

✅ Available on Amazon ($30) and at   Walmart ($28)

6. LunchEAZE – Rechargeable & Smart

• Size – 10″ × 8″ × 10″
• Weight – 2.6 lbs.
• Capacity – 3.5 cups
• Temperature – 170°F – 220°F

✅ $234 on Amazon

LunchEAZE is a cordless and smart self-heated lunch box that is different from others because it is completely cordless and “smart”.

It is designed to slowly heat food for about 1-2 hours to maximize flavor and lock in moisture – to provide a hot meal right on schedule at the designated time.

You only have to set it up once – it will remember your settings from now on.

Most foods will be hot in one hour, while frozen foods take about 1.5 hours.

It is easy to use and carry anywhere, it is made with food-grade materials (no BPA) and heats the food evenly. It can even be set through the dedicated LunchEAZE app.

• Mealtime can be set to any time you want and it remembers your settings
• Battery powered – it does not need to be plugged in during use
• Food doesn’t dry up
• Battery life is only enough for one meal
• Liquids may not heat up evenly

✅ Available on Amazon ($234)

How Do You Keep Food Warm When Traveling or at Work?

The portable food warmer is the best way to warm/cook your homemade meal on the go while keeping the original taste and without waiting in line for microwave heating at work.

Just plug it in your car/home/work, and come back when you are ready to have lunch!

However, there are more ways to keep your food warm at the office or while traveling, including insulated food containers (like vacuum-sealed stainless steel or double-walled plastic), a mini slow cooker that plugs in anywhere, and thermoses (but make sure to fill them with hot water first to help retain the heat).

👉  See the TOP 7 Mini Microwaves for small spaces – in 2024!

How Long Does it Take to Heat a Meal in an Electric Lunch Box?

The average heating time for food inside a food warmer is about 30-40 minutes for food just taken out of the refrigerator, and about 1-2 hours for cooking raw food or frozen meals.

The time it takes to heat a meal in an electric lunch box depends on the size of the lunch box, the type of food being heated, and the power of the heating element.

What Temperature is Maintained in Mini Food Warmers?

High-quality food warmers will keep your food piping hot at 149 F – 170+ F  – until you are ready to eat your homemade meal.

This temperature range is considered safe for keeping most cooked foods warm for a reasonable amount of time without overcooking or causing food spoilage.

👉 Any questions? anything we can help with? Message us directly on our  Facebook page ! 🙌

Here’s to never having to eat another cold, disappointing sandwich…

The KM Team

• portable kitchen appliances

Our experts and home cooks research and rate hundreds of products a year to bring our readers impartial, up-to-date product advice and help you find the best products for every budget, from kitchen appliances to tools, gadgets, and equipment

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The 6 Best Hot Food Thermoses of 2024, Tested and Approved

Rachel Werner is a writer and author whose work has appeared in Fabulous Wisconsin, Entrepreneurial Chef, and the book "Wisconsin Cocktails."

The Spruce Eats / Suzie Dundas

When you're always on the go, it's easy to get into the habit of stopping for a quick-service meal, but relying on fast food can also add up—both calorie- and money-wise. With the right storage containers, taking homemade food along to the office, school, or even on a hiking trail is a cinch.

To help find one that suits your needs, we researched top products suitable for packing up leftovers or make-ahead meals , as well as dishes to add to the kids' lunch boxes . We tested to see how long our best models would keep hot food warm and cold drinks chilled.

• How We Tested
• What to Look for

Hiking and Camping Thermos Tips

Why trust the spruce eats, best overall, thermos stainless king food jar with spoon.

 Amazon

Retains heat well

Firm seal prevents leaks

Includes full-size spoon

Plastic laminate gradually peels off

Not microwave-safe

Thanks to an uber-tight seal, the Thermos King is touted as having maximum temperature retention for hot and cold food—and it stood up to those claims to earn our best overall spot. That's all thanks to the insulation from two walls of stainless steel. The fact that the lid is designed to be used as a bowl in tandem with the included standard-sized stainless steel folding spoon adds to the convenience and overall value.

Thermos King states this thermos can keep liquids hot for nine hours and cold for up to 14 hours, so we put that claim to the test in our kitchen. We filled all 16 ounces with freshly made mac and cheese and opened the thermos every hour to see if the temperature remained consistent. It wasn't until the ninth hour that the temperature dipped. Additionally, it excelled at keeping water ice-cold: We still observed ice cubes after 14 hours in the thermos.

To test durability, we intentionally dropped the thermos and noted that it wasn't damaged in any way. Also, its wide mouth is useful for eating straight from the container, and when you need to quickly hand-wash it. Each component of this model can safely be washed in the top rack of your dishwasher, allowing easy upkeep for busy professionals on the go.

Capacity: 16 ounces | Heat Retention: Up to 9 hours | Cold Retention: Up to 14 hours

Best for Kids

Thermos foogo vacuum insulated stainless steel jar.

Dishwasher safe

Easy-to-grip rubber lid

Wide mouth is easy to eat from

Lid seal needs occasional deep cleaning

Ergonomically designed with kids in mind, the BPA-free Foogo is a favorite with parents, as its cool-to-the-touch 10-ounce body is the perfect size for a kid's lunch . The base and lid are made of rubber to make the jar easier to grip for smaller hands, too. Other perks include cost efficiency and a tough body resistant to scratches.

Our tester liked the double-wall insulation and its compact size since adults can also use this for hot sides and drinks. But our reviewer focused on one of the most important aspects of a thermos: How long will it keep your food hot? Thermos claims that this keeps food warm for up to five hours, which it fell a bit short of in tests (we don't think that's a deal-breaker, though!). Mac and cheese only stayed hot for two hours, was still warm enough to eat at four hours, and needed to be microwaved (in a separate container) by hour five. When it came to cold liquids, it did live up to its nine-hour claim, with ice cubes still present after a full workday.

One thing to note: When it was run through the dishwasher there was food left caught in the lid and gasket, so you're better off washing it by hand.

Capacity: 10 ounces | Heat Retention: Up to 5 hours | Cold Retention: Up to 7 hours

Best for Young Kids

Thermos 10-ounce funtainer food jar.

Available in a variety of colors and themes

Hand-wash only

Too small for older kids and adults

Kids will adore the array of colors and character themes the Funtainer comes in. More importantly, a wide brim makes eating less challenging for little ones getting the hang of using utensils, and the stay-cool exterior won't harm their hands. Best of all, it's lightweight and compact enough for little hands to open and carry in their lunch box .

It's imperative to strictly adhere to the instructions for use, such as warming the interior with hot water for five to 10 minutes before adding any food that will be eaten later. We found that when we did, this kept hot food warm for five hours, even if it was opened every hour to test the temperature. It also kept cold beverages cool for seven hours, with ice cubes still visible at the end of the test.

Cleaning is a bit tricky. Washing the interior of the lid does require a sponge and some detailing by hand.

Price at time of publish:   $32

The Spruce Eats / Suzie Dundas 

Best Budget

Simple modern vacuum insulated food jar thermos for hot food.

Sleek design

Matte finish doesn’t show streaks or fingerprints

Difficult for eating chunky soups and stews

Look to Simple Modern’s Vacuum Insulated Food Jar Thermos for a leakproof and sweatproof vessel on the cheap. Thanks to the wide opening at the top, it’s very easy to clean, and the rubber ring inside of the lid can be removed for more adequate scrubbing to prevent mold accumulation. The accompanying handle makes it easy to carry around, and the premium food-grade stainless steel is rust-resistant. 

In testing, this thermos proved to be sturdy and reliable. It did not leak when we filled it with water and turned it on its side, and when intentionally dropped from counter height, it didn’t get a single scratch or dent. It kept Italian wedding soup hot for more than five hours, and the top handle proved useful in screwing the lid off and on and carrying it around.

This holds a decent amount of food without being unwieldy, and it’s a solid everyday option for enjoying a warm lunch on the go. For less than $20, you get a well-designed, attractive thermos that does the job, with a matte finish that doesn’t show fingerprints or streaks. The only limitation we found was that the depth of the thermos made it slightly difficult to eat chunkier soups or stews, as getting to the very bottom with a spoon can be tricky.

Capacity: 16 ounces | Heat Retention: Up to 8 hours | Cold Retention: Up to 24 hours

Best for Travel

Fewoo 27 oz vacuum insulated stainless steel lunch thermos.

Large capacity

Impressive heat retention

Built-in bowl

Susceptible to dents when dropped

For taking your food on outdoor adventures with peace of mind, consider this highly rated thermos. The 18/8 stainless steel interior ensures no flavor transfer or lingering odors, and the 27-ounce capacity is plenty for your soups or on-the-go meals. Our favorite part is the handy insulated bag it comes with: This not only protects your container during transport, but it also extends the heat retention of your thermos and its contents. 

The FEWOO thermos demonstrated impressive heat retention in testing. After five hours, the soup inside was still plenty hot, and the outer lid made for a convenient bowl to eat from. The inner lid has a button for releasing air pressure to make it easier to open, too. When closed, the silicone sealing ring ensures no liquids or smells leak out of the container, which is key for long travels as it gets bumped around in your backpack.

This thermos can be a little unwieldy to carry when full, so we recommend using two hands when picking it up and using the insulated bag if you’re traveling with it. When purposely dropped from counter height, the outer lid sustained a small dent, so you’ll want to be a little careful when handling it. The large opening makes the thermos easy to fill and clean, and while it’s not necessarily practical for bringing to and from the office, we could see it getting some good use on a campout.

Capacity: 27 ounces | Heat Retention: Up to 12 hours | Cold Retention: Up to 12 hours

Best Eco-Friendly

Klean kanteen 8-ounce food canister.

Made with recycled materials

Stainless steel finish shows streaks

Only keeps food warm for a few hours

If shopping sustainably is a non-negotiable value, this food canister by Klean Kanteen is an ethical consumer’s best buy. As a certified B Corp , the business has been vetted for meeting the “highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability” within the industry, partially thanks to all of its products being Climate Neutral Certified .

This canister has the capacity to keep both hot and cold food, like ice cream, at a consistent temperature for hours, and the interior is incredibly easy to clean. Better yet, a portion of each sale is donated to the nonprofit 1% for the Planet .

Sleek and portable, the Klean Kanteen Food Canister is the perfect size for tucking into a lunch box. The swivel loop can be turned up to help open or close the thermos, then back down when you don’t need it. In testing, it didn’t leak when we filled it with water and turned it on its side. However, it didn’t keep food hot as well as some of the other thermoses—at the five-hour mark, the soup inside was lukewarm. Still, it’s a sturdy little thermos that only got a few scratches when purposely dropped from counter height, and the wide mouth makes it easy to fill, wash, and dry. The only thing we didn’t love about it was how much the stainless steel showed fingerprints, streaks, and watermarks.

Capacity: 8 ounces | Heat Retention: Up to 5 hours | Cold Retention: Up to 20 hours

For a decently sized thermos that will keep foods, such as soup, stew, and pasta, warm for up to an impressive nine hours, look no further than the Thermos Stainless Steel King Food Jar . Kids, on the other hand, will love the fun colors and cool touch of the wide-mouthed Thermos Foogo Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Food Jar .

How We Tested Hot Food Thermoses

Based on extensive online research of available models, we chose a collection of hot food thermoses to purchase and send to our experienced home testers, who filled, sealed, and even intentionally dropped each container to test its effectiveness and durability. We took the temperature of hot food and the measure of the container’s size and shape for packability. We also rated each thermos on design, performance, functionality, and overall value.

We Observed

• How well the thermoses sealed: Before adding any food to a thermos, we filled it to capacity with water to check for leaks. Each thermos was sealed tightly and then tilted on its side onto a kitchen towel. It sat for five minutes before we checked for wet spots on the fabric.
• How hot (and cold) food stayed in the thermoses: A thermos was filled to the brim with a variety of hot foods, from soup to stew to mac and cheese. We checked the contents’ initial temperature using an instant read thermometer , sealed the thermos tightly, and checked hourly for five hours to see when and how much the temperature dropped. We tested in the same way with iced beverages.
• How durable the thermoses were—even when dropped: We intentionally let every thermos fall from counter height to the floor while empty. Any body or lid damage was noted, including scratches and dings. We looked beyond the cosmetics for bent edges that prevented a lid from being tightened or an uneven bottom that kept the thermos from sitting flat.
• Design and functionality: In terms of design, we considered body and lid materials, including whether they are user- and environment-friendly. How smoothly the lid screwed on and off was noted, along with whether the overall size, shape, and mouth opening made a thermos easy or difficult to fill, pack in a lunch bag, and clean. Bonus accessories like a spoon or insulating bag were considered, too.
• Performance: Beyond testing each thermos’s seal and ability to hold heat, we looked at other characteristics that made it perform better or worse than its competitors. When filling a thermos, we noted how easy it was to pour in a soup or stew. We not only checked for leaks but also recorded how badly or how well a thermos held its contents when flipped on its side.
• Value: After testing was complete, we revealed the price of each product to decide whether the thermos was a good value for its price, overpriced, or underpriced based on its performance.

What to Look for in a Hot Food Thermos

Food thermoses tend to be shorter and wider than drink thermoses. This is so you're able to pour contents, such as soup, into the flask—and eat out of it as well. Most have a twist-on lid, which helps prevent spills. Some thermoses will have additional seals or interior lids for further spill protection. 

Stainless steel is the preferred material for thermoses. It won’t absorb color or scent from hot food that is stored in it for a long time and cleans easily. An inner flask is surrounded by a partial vacuum that won't conduct heat away from the flask, keeping the contents warm. An outer case, usually also steel, allows you to hold the container without condensation or burning your hand. The outer case may also be treated with a coating or surrounded by plastic. 

Even inexpensive models tend to be vacuum-seal stainless steel. However, the vacuum-seal method can be used with other materials like glass and plastic. Because they are not as durable as stainless steel, they are not recommended. 

The size of a thermos largely depends on what you want to use it for. Most thermoses for adults tend to be around 16 ounces, and ones for children are a little smaller. The food will cool down faster if there is excess air in the thermos, so if you want your food to stay hot for several hours, you'll want to use the best size thermos for the amount of food you're putting in it. If you just want the option for a small soup bowl at lunch, you can go with 10 ounces or smaller. If you want to carry a hearty meal in your flask, 16 ounces is likely the better fit. 

Thermoses tend to be fairly affordable, and you can typically expect to get a long-lasting one for somewhere between $15 and $30. The more expensive models may boast more fun colors, an extra-strong seal in the lid, or certain accessories, but they all will use the same stainless steel vacuum-sealed design. 

Ease of Cleaning

A stainless steel thermos is relatively easy to clean up. Because it won’t absorb scent or color from your food, you can treat it like you would any other dirty dish and wash it with soap and water. Many thermoses are dishwasher safe but not all. This isn’t because of the material but the construction: Dishwashers may mess up the vacuum seal. Interior lids and other accessories, like collapsible forks, may also require additional hand-washing to get rid of built-up grime. 

Hot food thermoses are handy to have around any time, but they can be necessities on hiking and camping adventures. We talked to Kate Bast , nature and forest therapy guide and founder of Shinrin-Yoku Madison , who offered some tips for taking thermoses beyond the classroom or office.

• Hydration : On hot days, Bast recommends hikers bring at least twice as much water as they think they need, even if that means bringing two or more thermoses. She also suggests adding hydration packets to water or filling a thermos with fruits that have high water content, such as watermelon, which can be frozen the night before to maximize coolness. On chilly days, Bast carries one thermos with room-temperature water and another containing a hot or warm beverage.
• Sustenance : "Think about the sustenance you'll need to match your exertion levels and what will be most digestible," Bast says. Her go-to hot beverages include apple or pear slices steeped in cider with maple syrup, white pine tea, and spruce needle tea. For hot food, Bast suggests bone broth , veggie broth, or other soups that you can add proteins to. For something heartier, she suggests a casserole or stew.
• Snow Days : "If you happen to be in a snowy situation after you've consumed your hot thermos items, fill it with clean snow. The residual warmth will help melt it ensuring you have more water at the ready."
• Quantity : "Always have another thermos or two [in the car] of what you brought into nature with you," Bast says. "You'll be glad to have it and be more likely to consume what you need on the trail knowing there's more waiting at the trail's end." 

Is the brand Thermos trademarked?

Thermos is synonymous with the product it produces—thermoses. But unlike Kleenex and Tupperware, Thermos has not been able to maintain the trademark on the term "thermos." The Thermos company , first started in Germany, was the first to figure out how to take industrial vacuum-sealing techniques and apply them for home use. Today, Thermos makes a wide range of insulated containers, from flasks and mugs to coolers and lunch boxes. 

How do I choose what type of thermos to get?

Before purchasing a thermos, narrow down a preferred size and what it will most frequently be used for. This could range from beverages, like coffee and tea, to meals that need to survive a long day and transport to after-school clubs and sports practices. Perhaps durability is the top concern for long outdoor treks. Check customer reviews to read common raves and complaints about each manufacturer’s products.

How does a thermos work?

Using a stainless steel vacuum-sealed design, an inner flask maintains contents at a consistent temperature, since warm or cold air cannot easily penetrate or escape from the flask. The outer material, usually made of hard plastic or steel, allows the thermos to be comfortably held and transported without liquid leaking out.

How long do thermoses keep contents hot or cold?

High-quality thermal flasks can keep food and beverages warm for as long as a full 24 hours. More economical brands will typically retain the original temperature of contents for four to six hours.

Rachel Werner teaches culinary writing through Hugo House and has been selecting food-based businesses for editorial coverage for over six years. Her product and restaurant reviews, food styling, and photography have appeared in a variety of regional and national publications including Fabulous Wisconsin, BRAVA, and Hobby Farms Magazine. For this roundup, she interviewed Kate Bast , nature and forest therapy guide and founder of Shinrin-Yoku Madison .

Abigail Abesamis Demarest is a freelance journalist who specializes in food and drink content. She tested three of the thermoses in this roundup to see how well they kept food warm, if they were leakproof, and how durable they were.

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The Best Food Thermos

By Anna Perling

Anna Perling is a staff writer at Wirecutter on the kitchen team.

Whether you’re packing chili for lunch or oatmeal to eat after your morning commute, a great food thermos will keep hot foods at safe temperatures for hours and won’t leak into your bag. After comparing 22 food thermoses and testing 10, we’re confident that the Zojirushi Stainless Steel Food Jar is the best for most people. It has excellent heat retention, is durable and easy to clean, and comes in three sizes ranging from 12 to 25 ounces. We like the 10-ounce Thermos Funtainer Food Jar  for packing kids’ lunches or for people who prefer smaller portions.

Everything we recommend

Zojirushi Stainless Steel Food Jar

The best food thermos.

This container keeps food hot for hours and comes apart easily for cleaning.

Buying Options

May be out of stock

Thermos Funtainer Food Jar

Great for kids.

The 10-ounce Funtainer is durable and easy for small hands to open. Plus it comes in lots of colors and prints.

Why we love it: In our tests, the Zojirushi Stainless Steel Food Jar was one of the best at keeping soup hot. The 12-ounce thermos kept tomato soup above a food safe temperature (140 °F) for a full 6 hours, dropping from 193 °F to 144 °F. The only thermoses that did better were the 17-ounce Stanley Classic (larger volumes of liquid take longer to cool) and the Black and Blum Food Flask (which has an awkward strap around it). Zojirushi says that its thermos will keep foods at a safe temperature for about 6 hours, and we were glad to see that for liquids, the thermos exceeded the estimate (it will also keep foods cold for 6 hours, although we didn’t test for this). I use the Zojirushi Stainless Steel Food Jar multiple times a week to transport my morning green smoothie to work, and I’ve also used it to hold chili, soup, and oatmeal. It continues to keep foods at temperature and it has survived many commutes. Zojirushi’s travel mugs have reigned as our top pick since 2013; the company makes the best insulated mugs and thermoses we’ve found.

When shaken or held upside down, the Zojirushi didn’t leak (though none of the thermoses we tested did). A screw-on cap is easy to get on and off, and the narrow container fits easily in one hand, unlike the wider and unwieldy Thermos Stainless King. The Zojirushi is also durable, surviving our drop test unscathed. Other metal jars dented upon impact. Plus, the heat retention of the Zojirushi is covered by a five-year limited warranty.

The Zojirushi has a four-piece lid that comes apart, which allows you to deep-clean all its crevices. We liked it better than the single-piece lids on most of the other thermoses we tested, which have hard-to-reach threads that look like they would trap gunk. After long-term testing this thermos, I ended up losing a small rubber stopper that plugs into the top part of the lid. This hasn’t affected heat retention, but sometimes foods will leak into the thermos’s cap, so I prioritize unscrewing all of the parts of the lid to make sure I can get it really clean. Despite this minor leak due to the missing piece, the Zojirushi has never leaked outside of the container itself. I’ve also seen it survive trips through the dishwasher without a ding, even though Zojirushi recommends hand washing the thermos. We also like that the Zojirushi comes in a range of sizes, including 11.8-, 16.9-, and 25-ounce jars, and an array of colors, including pink, aqua blue, dark brown, cream, and stainless steel.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

We found that after just 2 hours, cold milk in the Zojirushi rose to 46 °F (after 6 hours, it was 52 °F). Tuna rose to 49 °F after 2 hours; after 6 hours, it was 63 °F. None of the thermoses we tested, however, did any better, even after prechilling them with ice water (Zojirushi recommends filling the thermos with cold water for one to two minutes before filling with food). Packing the thermos in a bag or lunch box with ice packs can help foods stay cold, but ultimately we found that these thermoses are best for retaining heat (apologies to our reader who requested a thermos to keep ice cream frozen while hiking).

Although we like that the Zojirushi’s multi-part lid is easy to clean, it’s a bit more difficult to put back together afterwards. The rubber gasket is tricky to get on, and keeping track of the small four parts takes effort. Also, unlike some larger thermoses, the Zojirushi’s lid also doesn’t double as a cup, so you will likely eat straight from the jar.

Plain pasta also cooled more quickly in the Zojirushi, dropping from 178 °F to 82 °F over 6 hours, but the results were similar in all the thermoses we tested. Solids like pasta cool more quickly than liquids, so any thermos is most effective when used with soup, stew, oatmeal, or other liquidy foods. To keep foods hotter for longer, we recommend preheating the thermos .

We tested a jar with the stainless finish, but have read several Amazon reviews noting that the coating on the blue, pink, and tan versions of the food jar can scratch. We’ve also found that the finish on Zojirushi’s travel mugs develops small nicks and scuffs over time, but this wear and tear doesn’t affect performance.

Why we love it: In our tests, the 10-ounce Thermos Funtainer kept food hot, didn’t leak, didn’t break when dropped, and was easy to clean. We prefer it for kids over the 12-ounce Zojirushi because it comes in an array of fun prints and colors, and we think the slightly smaller size will be easier for kids to use. The Thermos also costs less in case it gets lost and needs replacing. The Funtainer fits neatly into smaller lunch boxes like the L.L. Bean lunchbox we recommend for both kids and adults , and can hold a 10-ounce serving of noodles, veggie chili, or hot cereal. Although the Funtainer kept foods hot, it didn’t do as well as the Zojirushi: after 4 hours, soup in the Funtainer had cooled from 193 ºF to 147 °F, and at 6 hours, it measured 130 °F. In comparison, the Zojirushi kept soup at a hotter 144 °F after 6 hours.

None of the thermoses, including the Funtainer, leaked in our tests. The Funtainer's plastic lid didn’t break during our drop tests, faring much better than the competition. The Funtainer’s lid doesn’t get slippery when wet and is also easier to twist on and off than the raised triangle-shaped lid on the Contigo. With its uniform, cylindrical shape, the Funtainer fits easily into all of our lunch box picks . It also comes in a variety of prints and colors that will appeal to kids of different ages (and adults can select a solid color option). Thermos offers a 30-day warranty period for defective products.

None of the thermoses we tested were able to keep cold foods at food-safe temperatures during our tests, including the Funtainer. After 2 hours, tuna salad that started at 40 °F rose to 49 °F; at 6 hours, it measured 63 °F. If you’re nervous about it, packing the thermos in a bag or lunch box with ice packs can help foods stay colder for longer.

The Funtainer has a removable rubber ring to seal the thermos, but since it doesn’t totally come apart, it’s a little harder to clean.

The research

How we picked and tested, care and maintenance, the competition.

For this guide, we read roundups and articles on thermoses from publications and blogs. We also checked out best-selling models from kitchen and home stores like Amazon, IKEA, Target, Walmart, the Container Store, and Storables. Then, we took a closer look at offerings from notable brands like Thermos and Zojirushi. We considered models designed for kids as well as a general audience. We preferred thermoses that come in multiple sizes and colors, and we tested smaller size options (ranging from 10 to 13.5 ounces, with a few 16- and 17-ounce sizes) when possible because we wanted a thermos that was easily portable and fit into our picks for the best lunch box or a bag.

A great thermos should keep foods at a food-safe temperature —below 40 °F for cold foods and above 140 °F for hot foods—for long periods of time. Thermoses are meant to hold liquidy foods like soups or stews, and they shouldn’t leak. Because accidents happen, they also shouldn’t break or dent significantly when dropped. Most companies recommend hand-washing thermoses to preserve their vacuum insulation , but the lids and jars should be intuitive to take apart and clean.

In our tests, we considered how long thermoses kept soup and plain bow-tie pasta warm, how long they kept milk and tuna salad cold, whether thermoses leaked, durability, and how easy they were to clean. We heated tomato soup to a boil and added it to the thermoses, checking the temperature over six hours in two-hour increments, and we did the same with pasta. Our pasta tests, however, weren’t conclusive—it took us longer to fill thermoses with wider bow-tie noodles after straining them than it did to ladle in boiling-hot soup, and we think pasta may have cooled during the process.

We also tested each thermos with cold foods, filling them first with milk and then with 4 ounces of tuna salad, both at 40 °F. Then, because both milk and tuna rose above food-safe temperatures in all of the thermoses after just 2 hours, we repeated the tuna test after prechilling the thermoses with 40 °F ice water (a few brands, like Thermos and Zojirushi, recommend prechilling thermoses, but we originally skipped this step because in real life, we would never take the time to do this). Even after prechilling the thermoses, none kept tuna within the USDA’s safe temperature guidelines after 2 hours.

After filling thermoses with soup, we shook them in a backpack and held them upside down to check for leaks. We dropped thermoses from 4 feet onto pavement to see if they were damaged after a fall. To see how easy models were to clean, we took them apart and hand-washed them. We also made sure that the thermoses we tested fit in our picks for the best lunch boxes .

To keep foods hotter for longer, both Thermos and Zojirushi recommend preheating your thermos by filling it with hot water for five to 10 minutes before dumping it out and adding foods. You can do the same thing with ice water to pre-chill your thermos before adding cold foods.

Like most of the thermoses we looked at, the Zojirushi is not dishwasher-safe and needs to be hand-washed. Putting it in the dishwasher can degrade its ability to retain heat. The Funtainer is top-rack dishwasher safe, but Thermos still recommends hand-washing it because “harsher detergents and hot water may affect the appearance.” To clean the hard-to-reach places in the Funtainer’s lid, we recommend soaking it in warm, soapy water.

The Thermos Stainless King 16 Ounce Food Jar with Folding Spoon kept soup hotter than most of the competition in our tests. But it has a wider girth and a bulkier, ridged shape compared to our pick, making it harder to hold and fit in a lunchbox.

The smooth curves and brushed steel of the Black and Blum Food Flask are sleek, and the faux leather strap and spoon attachment charmed us. But the flask isn’t as widely available as our pick, and the strap-and-spoon contraption isn’t functional—the spoon would be exposed to germs in a bag, and the strap stains easily.

We like the affordable MIRA Lunch Food Jar , but it didn’t keep soup as hot as most of the other thermoses we tested.

This article was edited by Marguerite Preston and Raphael Brion.

Meet your guide

Anna Perling

Anna Perling is a former staff writer covering kitchen gear at Wirecutter. During her time at Wirecutter, she reported on various topics including sports bras, board games, and light bulbs. Previously she wrote food and lifestyle pieces for Saveur and Kinfolk magazines. Anna is a mentor at Girls Write Now and a member of the Online News Association.

Further reading

The Best Thermos

by Trey French and Jordan McMahon

The Stanley Classic Legendary Bottle 2.5 QT is the most comfortable thermos to carry and pour from, and it keeps your drinks hot over a long workday.

Why We Rely on ThermoWorks Thermometers in Our Kitchens

by Lesley Stockton

ThermoWorks makes the best thermometers for cooking and barbecuing. They’re fast, accurate, durable, well designed, and easy to read.

The Best Meat Thermometers

by Michael Sullivan

After testing over 36 thermometers since 2013, we think the ThermoWorks ThermoPop and the ThermoWorks Dot provide the best speed and accuracy for the price.

The Best Deep Fryer

After 60 hours of research and frying, we think the Cuisinart CDF-200 is the best deep fryer. But you might be better off with a Lodge Dutch Oven.

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Many of the credit card offers that appear on this site are from credit card companies from which we receive financial compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). However, the credit card information that we publish has been written and evaluated by experts who know these products inside out. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers that are on the market. See our advertising policy here where we list advertisers that we work with, and how we make money. You can also review our credit card rating methodology .

The 10 Best Travel Bottle Warmers [2023]

Amar Hussain

Senior Content Contributor

767 Published Articles

Countries Visited: 63 U.S. States Visited: 9

Keri Stooksbury

Editor-in-Chief

29 Published Articles 3093 Edited Articles

Countries Visited: 45 U.S. States Visited: 28

Things To Consider When Buying Travel Bottle Warmers

1. the classic, no-frills bottle warmer, 2. bottle warmer with digital temperature displays, 3. the smart bottle warmer, 4. super-compact travel bottle warmer, 5. best on-the-go bottle warmer, 6. the original battery-powered bottle warmer, 7. multi-functional bottle warmer, 8. portable and smart option for travel, 9. bottle warmer with bluetooth capability, 10. functional and stylish bottle warmer, final t houghts.

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

Any product that can help make parenting a bit easier is a major win, especially when it comes to traveling with a baby. Whether it’s for running errands, a short road trip to visit family, or a full day of airline travel, a good travel bottle warmer can make a big difference.

A baby’s schedule can make leaving home feel stressful, but the right products can help you feel more prepared for changes in plan.

A good travel bottle warmer should be user-friendly, packable, and, most importantly, tailored to your specific needs. There are a lot of different things to consider when you first start shopping around, so try starting with these key components.

Power Source

You may want to pay close attention to whether or not your travel bottle warmer requires electricity , which can be a deal-breaker depending on the intended use. Thermos-style warmers are a great simple option, whereas USB-chargeable bottle warmers can quickly charge up in the car or via power banks .

Bottle warmers that require a wall plug are great for longer stints away from home, whereas rechargeable ones are convenient for everyday outings.

Warming Time

If your baby is crying for their bottle, heating milk can feel like an eternity. For example, some thermos-style travel bottle warmers may take 15 minutes to warm up, whereas electric ones can warm bottles in under a few minutes .

Bottom Line: Shorter warming times might be a good tradeoff for electrical requirements, but not for everyone.

Weight and Size

With a baby in tow, consider your main mode of travel and how much weight you’re willing to tote around. Some travel bottle warmers can weigh a pound or less and be quite compact, which is great for outdoor strolls and day trips.

Others can be a little bigger and heavier, but that detail might be negligible for longer trips or outings that don’t require as much walking around.

Cleaning Requirements

With a baby, your day is already busy enough without spending time cleaning bottle warmers.

Consider the type of material your bottle warmer is made from and the type of cleaning required after use. For example, stainless-steel products require hand-washing or wiping with a damp cloth, whereas plastic components may be put in the dishwasher for a more manageable cleanup.

Nothing is worse than a spill or an accident in the middle of an already busy moment when your baby is fussing about their bottle. You want to make sure you choose a leakproof bottle warmer to avoid spills and extra cleanup .

Many bottle warmers have O-rings that need to be removed for cleaning — which can be a bit of a disaster if you forget to replace it. Keep an eye out for these details and pick the one that best suits you.

Hot Tip: Learn everything you need to know about flying with breast milk and formula in our detailed guide.

The 10 Best Travel Bottle Warmers

Since there are so many options out there for every need, we’ve made it easier by narrowing down our top picks.

TommeeTippee “Closer to Nature” Portable Travel Baby Bottle Warmer

Sometimes simple is best, and this bottle warmer gives good results without getting too fancy. It weighs under a pound and has a sleek design, making it easy to slip in and out of your bag. Wider than competitors, this bottle warmer can also fit larger bottles and food jars .

It has 2 parts: an insulated stainless-steel thermos and a plastic beaker that fits over it when not in use. The thermos is filled with boiling water beforehand and you just click the button on top to open and pour it into the plastic beaker.

The insulated thermos keeps water hot for 8 hours or more , so you can heat multiple bottles on the go. As quick to clean as it is to set up, the plastic beaker is dishwasher safe, and the thermos is easy to hand wash.

What We Like: 

• Fits larger bottles and baby food containers

What We Don’t Like:

• Leaks if upside down

Muchkin 98° Digital Bottle Warmer

This bottle warmer’s digital display shows you the temperature as it warms and can keep the bottle at 98.6 degrees for up to 30 minutes . A waterless option, it uses electricity to achieve the perfect temperature.

At just under 10 inches tall and under 1.5 pounds, this warmer is sleek, minimalist, and doesn’t take up too much room. It has a cover for easy storage, a plug, and adapters for use with multiple popular bottle brands.

Thanks to its design, cleanup is also effortless. Just remove the O-ring and wipe it clean with a damp cloth. As it requires electricity, this bottle is best when electrical plugs are available and you’re in a hurry to warm a bottle of milk.

• Comes with adapters for other major bottle brands
• The temperature reading can sometimes be inaccurate

Philips Avent Fast Baby Bottle Warmer

Warming up 5 ounces in under 3 minutes, the Philips Avent Fast Baby Bottle Warmer has a few smart features that add to your peace of mind. It can keep the bottle at a consistent temperature and has an automatic 60-minute shut-off feature for safety .

Just push the button on the front, use the selector knob to pick your bottle’s volume, and it automatically heats up to the ideal temperature. This allows for safe, even bottle warming that prevents unwanted hot spots and retains all the important nutrients.

Electrically operated, this option is best for extended stays away from home where plugging in isn’t an issue. It may also be a great option for your home or nursery.

• Safety shut-off for extra peace of mind
• The water tank needs to be refilled more than you’d think

Papablic Mini Portable Travel Baby Bottle Warmer

Another thermos-style bottle warmer, this one wins for portability and convenience. Weighing less than a pound, it has a capacity of 13 ounces and can keep water warm for up to 12 hours.

It’s small and lightweight so it won’t take up precious space in your diaper bag, can fit into car cup holders , and is still wide enough for various bottles and food jars. The thermos is vacuum-insulated and has a warming cup that easily slides off for use.

The screw-on lid has a simple button that you can press with 1 hand and then pour from … especially helpful when you have a baby in your arms.

• Compact and portable for easy carrying
• Only fits thin bottles

Befano Baby Bottle Warmer

A USB-rechargeable battery makes this an excellent choice for travel. It can warm 4 ounces in as few as 4 minutes , and the leakproof design ensures you won’t have unwanted spills.

With a digital display and temperature control, this touch-controlled bottle warmer uses direct heat to warm your baby’s bottle. Simply fill your bottle, then screw the bottle warmer onto it and turn it upright. The slow-heat technology allows you to select from 4 temperature options that gently heat up the milk while preventing hot spots or overheating.

This warmer is also easy to clean and super quiet, so you won’t wake or upset the baby with any loud noises or alarms.

• Rechargeable battery for ultimate convenience
• Additional bottle adapters must be purchased

Baby’s Brew Portable Bottle Warmer Pro

The first-ever battery-operated bottle warmer, Baby’s Brew accurately warms up bottles to a safe, uniform temperature with slow-heat technology.

The USB-C charger is convenient for plugging in at home or in the car, and the battery can last up to 12 hours — enough to fit in a few feedings. Like many of its counterparts, it’s a similar screw-on mechanism that attaches to your bottle. The power button on the bottom turns it on and illuminates the temperature reading, and there are 4 easily selectable temperature settings.

This bottle warmer is a great choice for traveling because you can use it in so many places — road trips, camping, air travel, or running daily errands with the little one.

• Long-lasting battery
• Incompatible with certain types of formula

Baby Must Water-Free Baby Bottle Warmer

This bottle warmer accommodates bottles and jars made of different materials like glass, plastic, or silicone , making it a great product all-around. You can easily select the material, bottle capacity, and timer settings, which also include a thawing option.

It can warm bottles in as few as 4 minutes and has a 48-hour warmer option that may come in especially handy for nighttime feedings.

The warmer feature also automatically kicks in when your bottle has reached its desired temperature, so there’s no need to worry if you’re tending to the baby’s other needs.

Weighing in at 2.4 pounds, it’s a little heavier than some other options, but it’s still small enough to fit in your diaper bag. Its multiple functions make it especially handy for longer trips away from home where access to electricity isn’t an issue.

• Accommodates many different materials
• Slightly larger dimensions

Bopopo Portable Water Warmer

About the size of a small water bottle, this ergonomic warmer fits easily in 1 hand and can slide into a diaper bag or purse. Buttons on the bottom are used to turn it on or off and to select the water temperature, which is displayed on a digital screen above. The lid pops open with the press of a button and has a slide-down lock feature to avoid messy spills.

It comes with a USB-C cable and has a full charge time of about 5 hours. You can get 4 bottle warmings from a full charge, and it can heat 5 ounces of room-temperature water to 104 degrees in roughly 6 minutes .

Although this warmer is a great portable option, it’s worth noting that it is intended for water warming only and is most suited to formula users.

• Sleek design
• Unsuitable for breast milk

Baby Brezza Safe & Smart Electric Baby Bottle Warmer

This bottle warmer comes with Bluetooth technology, meaning you can also control it from your phone while you sit quietly with your baby. A quick app download allows you to set the start time and temperature , and it will alert you on your phone when your bottle is ready.

You can choose from 2 methods of warming:

• Steady Warm : Heat 3 ounces in about 5 minutes
• Quick Warm : Heat 3 ounces in about 3 minutes

Baby Brezza operates on electricity and uses the warm-water bath method, which helps to preserve the nutrients found in breast milk. It fits a wide array of bottles and can also warm baby food and defrost milk. Its versatility makes it a good option for traveling away from home for extended periods, as it offers a few more options than a basic warmer provides.

• Innovative Bluetooth technology
• A little bulkier than its competitors

Oyadisiiop Portable Water Warmer

Who says your baby’s bottle warmer can’t also be a little bit chic? This portable option has a smooth, slender look and can hold up to 14 ounces of water or milk .

A small digital touchscreen makes it easy to switch between the 4 temperature settings, allowing you to warm up milk in around 10 minutes. A fully-charged battery provides up to 12 hours of use, and a USB-C connection allows for easy charging when needed.

This bottle warmer is made from easy-to-clean stainless steel, is easy to hold, and has a silicone ring for carrying. Its design makes it ideal for everyday use and can be ideally suited for road trips and everyday outings.

• Sleek, convenient bottle warmer ideal for travel
• Slightly longer warming time

Shopping for baby products can be overwhelming because there are so many options to sort through. Start off by pinpointing a few features that are most important to you, and weed out the rest to make your shopping more manageable.

The exact criteria differ from person to person, but at the end of the day, the best travel bottle warmer is the one that best suits you and your baby’s needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do bottle warmers take to heat up.

Warming times can vary significantly between products and can depend on the liquid’s initial temperature. For example, some may warm room-temperature milk within minutes, and others are capable of defrosting bottles — but this may take longer.

Do all bottle brands fit into all travel bottle warmers?

No, they don’t. Many warmers have bottle adapters included or available for purchase, but some are incompatible with specific bottle types. This is an important detail to pay attention to when purchasing a bottle warmer, as it may not be compatible with the bottles you’ve already purchased.

Are all travel bottle warmers intended for breast milk?

No, bottle warmers may be intended for use with water, milk, formula, or all of them. It’s always best to check the product specifications to ensure it works for your specific needs.

Are digital bottle warmers a better option?

Thermos bottle warmers are a long-trusted option for many parents, but newer, digital options also have many benefits. If you’re specifically worried about “heat spots,” or even overheating breast milk, those that warm bottles to a specific temperature might offer you a bit more peace of mind.

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About Amar Hussain

Amar is an avid traveler and tester of products. He has spent the last 13 years traveling all 7 continents and has put the products to the test on each of them. He has contributed to publications including Forbes, the Huffington Post, and more.

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The 9 Best Travel Bottle Warmers for Heating Up Your Baby’s Meals on the Go

Whether you’re heating up food on demand or want to have it pre-warmed and at the ready, one of these will help.

If you buy something from the links on this page, we may earn a commission. Why Trust Us?

Historically, travel bottle warmers have been kind of hot garbage as far as utility and convenience. They often didn't get hot enough, or they got too hot and burned your hands. Either one is obviously not ideal. The travel warmers here are designed to make the best use of your time without hurting you or skimping out on warming the bottle.

The Best Travel Bottle Warmers

• Best Overall: Baby's Brew
• Gets the Job Done: Papablic Warmer
• Best Multipurpose: Mercalon Warmer
• Best for Parents Who Like Precision: Quark Buubi Warmer
• For Ultimate Convenience: Baby Bottle System Plus

Whether the travel bottle warmer uses hot water to warm the bottle, or induction heat, the basic idea is the same — bring the bottle to a temperature that makes it more palatable for your baby, therefore making everyone's day better. (Nothing spoils a day out like a hungry baby.)

A few of the best electric bottle warmers here plug right into a USB or USB-C port, so if there's a charging station nearby, you're going to be able to heat up your little's bottle. Conveniently, the water bottle warmers just require hot water. Pro tip: A tall hot coffee works in a pinch.

The option you choose will likely depend on when you’re using it, how often you’re using it, and how much you want to spend. If you’re going to need it a lot, it makes sense to have a warmer that can go from the car to the office, and even the camper or campsite . In this case, a pricier model that’s more durable and has more bells and whistles (such as a timer and temperature selection) is the most viable. Water warmers are great, but they’re one-trick ponies. The Thermos types are wonderful for shorter day trips but can be tricky at the office, on vacation, or on road trips. And now with warmers like the Ember , which self-heats or the Quark bottle warmer, you can keep baby's bottle at-temperature for up to 10 hours at a time or set and forget, which is a real game changer.

Check out the best travel bottle warmers below so you can keep your babe’s milk at their ideal temperature, even when you’re far from the conveniences of home.

Portable Bottle Warmer Pro Set

This cordless bottle warmer lets you choose from a list of presets how warm you want your little one’s food to be. The formula dispenser doles out enough for one scoop of formula with each press of the button. Once the warmer is charged, you can easily heat up any standard baby bottle.

We love this bottle warmer for its convenience and reliability. “I’ve tried other portable rechargeable bottle warmers,” one of our testers said. “Not only were they confusing, but they also took forever to warm up a bottle. The Baby’s Brew is easy to use, accurate, and holds its charge perfectly.”

More: Taking Care of Your Little One Is Easier With These Baby Gadgets

Mini Portable Travel Baby Bottle Warmer

When hunger strikes for your little one, the easy-to-use Papablic Mini Bottle Warmer warms up milk quickly. Fill the spillproof insulated bottle with hot water, and when it's time to eat, pour the water into the container and plop the bottle inside. The highest-rated bottle warmer on our list, this bottle really seals in the heat. And the vacuum lid is easy to open and close, unlike with the Tommee Tippee.

It's affordable, easy to use, and honestly? It's just a great value. It may not be as fancy as others on this list, but it gets the job done and doesn't ding your budget.

Baby Bottle System Plus

I love my Ember coffee mug and warmer more than words can say, so when I heard that they were making a self-warming baby bottle set, I was all over it. It's not just for travel, either. It's great for home, too. The Ember baby bottle system takes away the chore of heating bottles wherever you are.

It's a one-click, rechargeable, base with thermal dome, power adapter, two 6-ounce baby bottles, two level-two nipples, two level-three nipples, and two adapters.

In minutes, it brings baby's bottle to body temperature, no matter where you are, and the dome keeps baby's bottle cool for up to 4 hours until you're ready to warm it up. You can track everything via their app, including how much your baby's eaten, how much they weigh, and more to get a complete picture of baby's habits.

Each charge lasts for two full warmings of their 6-ounce bottles. Worried about the nipple not being to your baby's liking? Don't worry, it comes with a top that holds the popular Dr. Brown's and Philips Avent nipples.

I do wish it came with larger and smaller bottles, and knowing Ember, they're probably working on that, but as it is right now, is still such a genius product.

More: Gifts for Mom Not on Her Registry

Buubi Bottle Smart Portable Milk Warmer & Sterilizer - White

When you think of baby bottles and warmers, chic is probably not a descriptor you're used to using. However, the Quark Buubi is just that. I was instantly impressed by the look of it, but then when I used it, I was in love. Not only did this rechargeable bottle warmer heat up the formula in a hurry, it kept it warm for hours, allowing me a long stretch of time to be out with baby testing baby strollers.

It's a pour bottle, so you don't put the whole bottle in it and warm that, instead, think of it like a little saucepan for the formula that you pour into your own bottle. The digital interface allows you to choose the temperature your baby prefers, making it astonishingly easy to control.

Bottle Warmer for Travel

One of my favorites for the combination of value and usefulness, this bottle warmer gets bonus points for its many options for the temperature you’d like the formula or milk to be. And if you’re thinking long-term, it’s great for adults, too, as it will heat liquid to 212 degrees Fahrenheit. Say you order your coffee or tea extra hot; this Mercalon will keep it there. It's a great gift for busy parents since our coffee is usually cold by the time we get a minute to actually drink it. It has a built-in 9,000-mAh battery, which has enough juice to heat 5-ounce bottles five to 10 times or keep one warm up to 12 hours. It does this for all under $60,

Kozii Voyager

This travel bottle warmer set by Kiinde requires you to fill the stainless-steel bottle with hot water ahead of time. But because of that, you don’t need access to power or even batteries to heat up your baby’s milk.

Having tested this bottle, we can say that it’s impressively quick if the water is super hot. However, if you’ve been storing the water for 6 or more hours, the bottle won’t keep it as hot, leading to less effective warming when it comes time to eat. The baristas at Starbucks did fill it with hot water from their tap for free, though.

That being said, it's the most-intuitive to operate of all of the warmers on our list, and dozens of parents have recommended it to me over the years.

Travel Bottle & Food Warmer Set

Like the Kiinde above, this set from Tommee Tippee requires that you fill the flask with hot water before leaving home, and it'll stay warm all day. The wide-mouthed container accommodates jarred and pouched baby food for feeding older tots.

This bottle keeps water warm much longer than the Kiinde, but we found it to be more fiddly. It’s not always the easiest to get the lid back on so that it won’t leak, and you definitely can’t do it with one hand. "This warmer has truly been a game-changer for me. Out of all the portable warmers I've come across, this one stands unparalleled, especially considering its price point," says one 5-star reviewer.

Baby Bottle Smart Warming Bowl

The Nanobebe Smart Baby Bottle Warmer heats up your baby’s supper quickly—within minutes—and evenly to prevent hot spots and the loss of nutrients. This no-fuss travel bottle warmer just requires hot water.

This is a great option if you have access to hot water. But it’s not spillproof and requires you to carry hot water in a separate bottle or get it while you’re out, which might not be ideal. That being said, it works really well, and also fairly quickly. I find it's a great "hotel warmer."

Multi-Function Waterproof Travel Bag With Bottle Warmer

This backpack is a diaper bag , a purse, and a bottle warmer all in one. You do need your own portable charger to power the bottle-warming sleeve, so factor that into the cost if you don’t already have one. But for the versatility, this is a great value.

You can heat up your baby’s bottle as you stroll through the park or take a walk around town and have it ready to deploy right when you need it. Parents rave that this diaper bag is an excellent value. Not only is the warmer convenient, but the pack is large and its nylon looks fabulous.

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Crock-Pot Electric Lunch Box, Portable Food Warmer for Travel, Car, On-the-Go, 20-Ounce, Blush Pink | Keeps Food Warm & Spill-Free | Dishwasher-Safe | Gifts for Women

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About this item.

• Personal and Portable: Convenient 20-oz. size makes it perfect for taking your favorite leftovers, soups, chili, and more, then easily warming them up when you're ready to eat
• Detachable Cord: Cord detaches easily for clutter-free storage
• Seal & Store Lid: Tight-sealing lid and removable storage container to help prevent spills while on the go
• Sphinx Pink Finish: Features a modern-vintage aesthetic, and elegant Sphinx Pink color
• Soft-Touch Exterior: Matte rubberized coating for a modern soft-touch exterior
• Dishwasher-Safe: Food storage container and inner lid are dishwasher-safe for easy cleanup
• Included components: warming base, lid and power cord
• This product contains Aluminum, Stainless Steel (Iron, Chromium, Nickel, Manganese, Copper, Phosphorus), Titanium Dioxide, Carbon black, Octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane

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Take Your Favorite Meals On the Go

Conveniently sized and perfectly stylish, the Crockpot Lunch Crock is ideal for carrying and warming your leftovers, oatmeal, soup, and more on the go. Whether you’re working from home, on a road trip, or at the office, it makes heating and eating your food easy.

Key Features:

• 20-oz. size makes it perfectly portable
• Detachable cord
• Seal & Store lid
• Sphinx Pink finish
• Soft-touch exterior
• Dishwasher-safe

Convenient and Easy to Use

Product Description

Take your favorite meals with you wherever you go! The Crockpot Lunch Crock Food Warmer is a convenient, easy-to-carry, electric lunch box. Plus, with its modern-vintage aesthetic and elegant Black Licorice color, it's stylish, too. It is perfectly sized for one person, and is ideal for carrying and warming meals while you’re on the go. With its 20-ounce capacity, this heated lunch box is perfect whether you're in the office, working from home, or on a road trip. Take your leftovers, soup, oatmeal, and more with you, then enjoy it at the perfect temperature! This portable food warmer features a tight-closing outer lid to help reduce spills, as well as an easy-carry handle, soft-touch coating, and detachable cord. The container is removable for effortless filling, carrying, and storage. Cleanup is easy, too: the inner container and lid are dishwasher-safe.

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Product guides and documents, customer reviews.

Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.

To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.

Customers say

Customers like the size, versatility, performance, and cleanliness of the slow cooker. For example, they mention it's a perfectly compact size, good for soups and stews, and terrific for lunches. That said, they also like the appearance, ease of use, and temperature. That being said, some complain about the lid.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Customers like the temperature of the slow cooker. They say it heats their food to a perfect temperature, and has never burned anything. They also say it's absolutely amazing for having hot meals, and useful for keeping food warm. Some say it just reheats food, and is a great little gadget for heating lunch at the office.

"...It heats evenly as well . Love this model and the affordability of it." Read more

"...It heats up soup just the right temperature ( an hour if from a can) and refrigerated leftovers in about two hours...." Read more

"...this thing and it has made my general life better by providing me effortless hot food working on a freezing winter day/night...." Read more

"This is so cute, lightweight and handy! Does a great job of heating , almost too good!..." Read more

Customers like the size of the slow cooker. They say it's perfectly compact, portable, and fits one can of soup perfectly. Some customers also mention that it'll keep their soup hot and piping hot for hours. Overall, customers are happy with the size and portability of the product.

"...Beats eating sandwiches every day. Very light and compact . Insert removes easily for quick cleaning. Happy to not need a container and a microwave!" Read more

"...It is easily cleaned and light weight ." Read more

"This is so cute, lightweight and handy! Does a great job of heating, almost too good!..." Read more

"...I highly recommend it, really so convenient and will be easy to pack in my carry on ...LOL I'll be all set for the 2 nights and 2 days travel." Read more

Customers like the performance of the slow cooker. For example, they say it works awesome, is efficient, and useful. They also say it's brilliant, and a great product for soup lovers or small portion eating individuals.

"This mini crock pot has been absolutely amazing to use ...." Read more

"...It takes about 30 minutes to warm up the food. Great invention !" Read more

"...The cord wraps around the base, and has slots for keeping it all level. Clever ." Read more

"... It works as advertised , heating up your meals, having them ready anytime you are. I've made soups, stews, and similar things in bulk...." Read more

Customers like the versatility of the slow cooker. They mention it's great for soups and stews, terrific for lunches, and makes meal prep a little more fun. They say it heats up the food perfectly and is perfect for taking lunch to the office. Some say it'll cook a good amount of soup.

"...Pour in a can of soup, plug it in for an hour, then stir and enjoy a hot meal . Beats eating sandwiches every day. Very light and compact...." Read more

"...The size is smaller, so it doesn't fit huge lunches but its perfect for soups or curry [anything more liquid] and doesn't spill a drop!..." Read more

"...But great for soups , I imagine. I'm going to try out something of that sort and update...." Read more

"This is so cute, lightweight and handy ! Does a great job of heating, almost too good!..." Read more

Customers like the appearance of the slow cooker. They say it's cute, has a pretty color, and is inconspicuous. Some customers also appreciate the adorable little carrying handle.

"...is much smaller than I expected, which is great since it's pretty inconspicuous ...." Read more

"This is so cute , lightweight and handy! Does a great job of heating, almost too good!..." Read more

"...I love the green color . I'm actually obsessed! Well, to be honest, the size is way too small for me because I eat like beast...." Read more

"...Perfect portion size, love the steam release, nice color . He said the temperature it heats the food to is PERFECT!" Read more

Customers find the slow cooker easy to clean. They mention that the insert comes out to clean, the tub is removable, and the inside can be washed separately. The removable stainless steel crock is dishwasher-safe, making maintenance hassle-free.

"...Very light and compact. Insert removes easily for quick cleaning . Happy to not need a container and a microwave!" Read more

"...It is easily cleaned and light weight." Read more

"...It's super easy to clean and it locks easily. I really love that the cord detaches from the crock pot lunch box!" Read more

"...It's so easy to clean and tote . I bring the innards with me in the morning, place them in the croc and they are ready by lunch...." Read more

Customers find the slow cooker easy to use. They mention it has a lid for travel, it's convenient to plug in and use, and it'll make meal prep easy. The crock is dishwasher-safe, making maintenance hassle-free.

"...I love the convince, ease and especially the color and the feel of the pot not that either one of them helps to make a great meal, but I'm sure..." Read more

"...This was super easy for him to run off of his Milwaukee battery ports. Everything else we tried had too high of a wattage and wouldn’t work...." Read more

"...time takes some trial and error but once you work it out, it's easy to use ...." Read more

"...This item came well packaged and is easy to get set up . It takes about 30 minutes to warm up the food. Great invention!" Read more

Customers have negative opinions about the lid of the slow cooker. They say that it's difficult to remove after the food is hot, and that it gets stuck if on too tight.

"...on properly when you go to heat it up, then maybe 30 minutes in the lid pops off and makes a pretty loud noise, but no big deal, I screw it back on..." Read more

"...Also, it can be very difficult to take the lid off of these at times. There have been times...." Read more

"...You have to loosen the internal lid before you start cooking, otherwise it tend to get stuck...." Read more

"...However I do like that the new pot has a screw on top ." Read more

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Keep Picnic Food Warm: Your Guide for Hot Meals Outdoors

Modern Picnicker

Updated on: November 13, 2023

Picnics are a great way to enjoy the outdoors and have a delicious meal with friends and family. While most picnics involve cold food, it is possible to bring warm food to your outdoor feast. In this guide, I will explore the best ways to keep your food warm at a picnic, including tips for safe food serving temperatures and suggestions for insulated containers and portable food warmers .

Key Takeaways:

• Use insulated food containers or food thermos for picnics to keep your food warm for several hours.
• Consider using portable food warmers , such as heat packs or hot water bottles, to maintain food temperatures during outdoor gatherings.
• Invest in insulated picnic baskets or bags with built-in insulation to keep your food warm during transport.
• Follow food safety guidelines and use a food thermometer to ensure your warm picnic food stays at a safe serving temperature.
• Enjoy the benefits of serving warm food at a picnic , including enhanced flavors and a wider range of menu options.

Benefits of Serving Warm Food at a Picnic

When it comes to picnics, most of us think of sandwiches, salads, and refreshing drinks. But serving warm food at a picnic can elevate the experience and bring a whole new level of enjoyment to your outdoor meal. There are several benefits to serving warm dishes, ranging from enhanced flavors to increased menu options.

Serving warm food at a picnic opens up a world of flavors and smells. Imagine indulging in a piping hot lasagna, a flavorful curry, or a mouthwatering casserole while surrounded by nature’s beauty. The warmth enhances the taste and aroma, taking your picnic meal to a whole new level.

“Serving warm food at a picnic can turn a simple outdoor meal into a memorable dining experience.”

Not only does serving warm food add to the sensory experience, but it also allows for a wider range of menu options. While cold food can be delicious, it often limits the types of dishes you can serve. With warm food, you can explore a variety of options like hot dogs, frittatas, and even hot pot dishes. This versatility ensures that everyone’s preferences are catered to at your picnic.

Another advantage of serving warm food at a picnic is that it can be more appealing to children. Kids may get bored with traditional cold picnic fare, but when you offer them warm, comforting dishes, they are more likely to enjoy their meal and be satisfied.

So, the next time you plan a picnic, consider serving warm food to enhance the dining experience. Whether it’s experimenting with new flavors, expanding your menu options, or simply delighting your taste buds, serving warm food will take your picnic to a whole new level of deliciousness.

Tips for Safe Food Serving Temperatures

When it comes to serving warm food at a picnic, it’s crucial to prioritize food safety. Follow these guidelines to ensure that your picnic fare remains safe and delicious for everyone:

• Know the safe picnic food temperature range: Cold food should be stored at 40°F (4°C) or lower, while hot food should be kept at 140°F (60°C) or higher. This range helps prevent bacterial growth and maintains the quality of your food.
• Use a food thermometer: To accurately monitor the temperature of your picnic food, invest in a reliable food thermometer. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the food to get an accurate reading. You want to make sure your hot dishes are properly heated, and cold items remain chilled.
• Keep food out of the danger zone: Ensure that your food does not remain in the “danger zone” between 40°F and 140°F for more than two hours. Bacteria can multiply rapidly within this temperature range, increasing the risk of foodborne illnesses.
• Consider using insulated containers: Insulated food containers can help maintain safe serving temperatures for your picnic food. These containers are designed to retain heat, keeping your dishes warm for several hours. They are especially useful for transporting hot foods to your picnic location.

By following these food safety guidelines and utilizing proper temperature control measures, you can ensure that your picnic is not only enjoyable but also free from any foodborne illnesses.

Remember, a little attention to food safety can go a long way in keeping your picnic meals safe and delicious.

Tips for Safe Food Serving Temperatures – Summary:

Insulated containers for keeping food warm.

When it comes to keeping food warm at a picnic, insulated containers are a must-have. These containers are designed to retain heat, allowing you to enjoy hot and delicious food even when you’re outdoors. Insulated food containers come in various sizes and styles, making them suitable for a wide range of dishes.

One popular type of insulated container is the food thermos for picnics . These thermoses are perfect for keeping soups, stews, and other liquid-based dishes warm. They typically have wide mouths, making it easy to scoop out the food. Some thermoses even come with built-in serving bowls, eliminating the need for additional utensils.

Another option for keeping food warm is a wide-mouthed flask. These flasks are ideal for casseroles, pasta dishes, and other meals that require larger containers. The wide opening makes it easy to serve the food directly from the flask, eliminating the need for separate serving dishes.

If you prefer an all-in-one solution, consider getting an insulated container with a lid that doubles as cutlery. These containers are convenient and practical, allowing you to enjoy your meal without the hassle of carrying extra utensils. They are perfect for picnics and other outdoor gatherings where you want to minimize the number of items you need to bring.

By investing in insulated containers, you can ensure that your food stays warm and delicious during your next picnic. Whether you’re enjoying a hot bowl of soup or a hearty casserole, these containers will keep your food at a safe and enjoyable temperature.

Portable Food Warmers for Picnics

When it comes to keeping your food warm at a picnic, portable food warmers are an excellent solution. These innovative products provide a convenient and effective way to maintain food temperatures during outdoor gatherings. Whether you’re planning to bring a hearty casserole or a slow-cooked meal, portable food warmers can keep your dishes warm for hours.

One option for portable food warming is heat packs. These small packs can be heated and then placed inside or around the food container, providing a steady source of heat. They are lightweight, easy to use, and can keep your food warm for an extended period. Additionally, heat packs are reusable and environmentally friendly.

Another option is hot water bottles. These bottles can be filled with hot water and placed near the food container to provide heat. Hot water bottles are versatile and can be used for picnics, camping trips, and other outdoor activities. They are also inexpensive and widely available.

To add an extra layer of insulation, you can wrap your food container with a towel or a thermal blanket before placing it in the portable food warmer. This will help retain heat and ensure that your food stays warm for even longer. Remember to handle the food containers with care and follow proper food safety guidelines to prevent any risk of contamination.

Comparison of Portable Food Warmers

Both heat packs and hot water bottles are effective portable food warmers for picnics. The choice between the two depends on personal preference and convenience. Consider factors such as the type and size of your food container, as well as your specific warmth requirements.

With the help of portable food warmers, you can enjoy hot and delicious meals no matter where your picnic takes you. These convenient and practical solutions make it easy to keep your food warm, ensuring a delightful dining experience in the great outdoors.

Final Thoughts on Keeping PIcnic Food Warm

Keeping food warm at a picnic is not only possible but also enhances the dining experience. By following food safety guidelines, using insulated containers or portable food warmers, and investing in insulated picnic baskets or bags, you can enjoy hot and delicious meals outdoors.

It is important to consider the weather conditions, the distance of travel, and the type of food you plan to bring to ensure your food stays warm and enjoyable. Whether you’re picnicking in the summer or winter, there are solutions available to help you keep your food at the ideal temperature.

Remember to use a food thermometer to ensure that your food is at the appropriate temperature before serving. With the right techniques and equipment, you can confidently bring warm dishes like lasagna, hot dogs, curries, frittatas, casseroles, and hot pots to your next picnic.

How can I keep food warm at a picnic?

There are several ways to keep food warm at a picnic. You can use insulated containers, portable food warmers, or insulated picnic baskets and bags. These options will help retain heat and keep your food warm for several hours.

What are the benefits of serving warm food at a picnic?

Serving warm food at a picnic opens up a whole new range of flavors and smells. It allows you to enjoy hot meals regardless of the weather and can be more appealing to children who might be bored with cold picnic fare.

What are the recommended food serving temperatures for picnics?

Cold food should be stored at 40°F or lower, and hot food should be served at 140°F or higher. It is important to use a food thermometer to ensure your food is at the appropriate temperature before serving to prevent foodborne illnesses.

What are the best containers for keeping food warm at a picnic?

Insulated food containers, such as food thermos, wide-mouthed flasks, and all-in-one serving bowls with cutlery in the lid, are great options for keeping food warm at a picnic. These containers are portable and convenient, allowing you to enjoy warm, delicious food wherever you go.

How can I use portable food warmers for picnics?

Portable food warmers, such as heat packs, hot water bottles, and electric heating pads, can be heated and placed inside or around the food container to provide a source of heat for several hours. They are especially useful for larger dishes like casseroles or slow-cooked meals.

Are there any specially designed containers for keeping food warm during transport?

Yes, insulated picnic baskets and bags are specifically designed to keep food warm during transport. They have insulated linings and can retain heat for extended periods. These containers come in various sizes and styles, making them a stylish and practical choice for keeping your food warm and delicious at your next picnic.

Source Links

• https://boydhampers.com/blogs/guides/how-to-keep-food-warm-at-a-picnic
• https://picnictale.com/how-to-keep-food-warm-at-a-picnic/
• https://picnicmakers.com/blog/how-to-keep-food-warm-for-a-picnic/

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2018 Primetime Emmy & James Beard Award Winner

Reviving classic Russian cuisine

Oct 19 2018.

Roads & Kingdoms talks to Russian chef Vladimir Mukhin of Moscow’s super-restaurant, White Rabbit.

Still in his mid-30’s, Vladimir Mukhin is already one of Russia’s best known chefs and the leading culinary light of the White Rabbit Group, which has 16 restaurants around the country. The most well-known of these, Moscow’s  White Rabbit , was named one of the 50 best restaurants in the world last year. Roads & Kingdoms’ Nathan Thornburgh talked to Mukhin in Moscow about being a fifth-generation chef, reviving classic Russian cuisine, and finding good product in the age of embargoes.

Nathan Thornburgh: Tell me about White Rabbit, what is the food? What are you trying to accomplish there?

Vladimir Mukhin: The White Rabbit is a big restaurant. We’re trying to revive Russian cuisine. I’m a fifth-generation chef, so I’m passionate about the food we create. During the Soviet Union period, we killed Russian food. Classic Russian recipes became too simplified. For example, usually you drink tea, but if you want to be, just to be creative, want to make the tea with milk, you can’t. It would be like stealing milk from the government. People went to jail.

When I was growing up, I remember my grandfather coming to the kitchen and crying because he couldn’t experiment with his food.

Thornburgh: Wow. I remember this famous photo session with Che Guevara which came up with some of his best pictures, maybe two incredible iconic portraits came from an entire roll of film, and the photographer went to him and showed him this roll of film and Che said, What the hell are you doing? You wasted all of these images. You took 30 pictures to get one? That’s the government’s film. It’s a similar mentality.   So you’re telling the story of a kind of cuisine that was lost on the Soviet history and now you’re playing with this idea of finding it again. What does your process look like? Do you get as many grandmothers as you can round up and just kind of shake recipes out of them? How were you doing this?

Mukhin: I just try to work with as many local farmers and producers as I can, so we can use as many Russian ingredients as we can.

Thornburgh: So this is a close relationship.

Mukhin: Yes. I traveled throughout Russia—not just the big cities, but also the villages to talk with older people.

Thornburgh: You know I think people don’t understand the vastness of Russia, and how big it’s collection of cultures and languages and cuisines is. What parts of the country influences your food?

Mukhin: I’m inspired by the whole country. It’s a big territory, and sometimes it feels like it’s too big. I try and use different techniques and ingredients from all over the country, which I think makes my menus distinct.

We have an a la carte menu with about 50 dishes of classical Russian food. Everything looks modern because I’m a young chef. But if you close your eyes and try these dishes, you’ll taste 100% classic Russian flavors.

I want to highlight all aspects of Russian cuisine. Before the Olympic Games in Sochi, we opened a restaurant there, not just to make money, but to expose people visiting for the Olympics to Russian food. That’s why we opened The Red Fox restaurant. It’s all about Russian ingredients.

Thornburgh: Sochi, at least when I’ve been there, is like a Miami Beach. It’s like a place to get pizza and sushi, and go to the nightclubs.

Mukhin: You been?

Thornburgh: Yeah.

Mukhin: It’s crazy.

Thornburgh: It’s a little crazy, but it’s interesting to bring in Red Fox and sort of say okay, because people are coming out, let’s bring Russia to Sochi.

Mukhin: It was incredible. We had thousands of visitors at the restaurant.  

Thornburgh: So you really looked internally for inspiration. Did working outside of Russia motivate you to focus on Russian cuisine?

Mukhin: Yes. I spent time working in Avignon, France. I worked with Christian Etienne, and he would make a special Russian meal once a year.  It was crazy.

Thornburgh: How was the food?

Mukhin: It was shit. I told him that I would cook real Russian food for him, and I did. I cooked borscht, blinis, and other classics. He liked it and said that once a year we should use my recipes, but with his influence. I agreed, and we went on to make amazing food. Eventually, I wanted to come back to my motherland. So I left and I started working on making White Rabbit a reality.

Thornburgh: When people go to White Rabbit, what are they going to find?

Mukhin: Someone once told me that there is a new Russian cuisine and an old Russian cuisine. I think Russian cuisine is going through an evolution. So I hope people will come and see evolution at White Rabbit.

Thornburgh: Great. Always good to end on an invite. Thank you.

Mukhin: Thank you so much.

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