I am a PP that heats the Thermos with water. It totally makes difference. We leave the house at 9 and DD eats lunch at 1pm. When the Thermos is preheated the food is warmer than when not preheated. Not a fancy study by any means but study of my kitchen/kid/food/thermos.

Anonymous wrote:Here is a great link with what types of thermoses to get and which ones are warmer. It also explains that heating up the thermos with boiling water before use doesn’t work, is a waste of time, and makes food soggy.

https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/how-to-use-thermos-food-jars/

I don’t know how valid the experiment was. She only filled the thermos’ with boiling water. For lunches, Thermos are filled with either nonliqiids or chunky liquids.

Everything can go in a thermos. We usually do leftovers from dinner — veggies, protein, and a grain. Could be a soup or just a regular set of courses.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here is a great link with what types of thermoses to get and which ones are warmer. It also explains that heating up the thermos with boiling water before use doesn’t work, is a waste of time, and makes food soggy.

https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/how-to-use-thermos-food-jars/

I’m not super impressed by that study. They only ran one test and the product they were testing was hot water. So if you are storing hot water in your thermos, it’s not necessary to prewarm it with hot water. Not clear if that conclusion would apply for hot pasta or other solids. If I can find my food thermometer, I may run through test myself just because I’m curious.

I use one for my own lunches and have done it with and without the hot water. The hot water does help in my opinion. I just fill it with tap water and let it sit while I make my lunch and then dump it out and wipe it dry before I add the hot food. Also, filling it really does affect how hot the food tastes. Definitely fill it up if you want your food to stay hot. I sometimes eat up to 8 hours after packing my food and it’s always warm if not hot when I eat it.

Anonymous wrote:Here is a great link with what types of thermoses to get and which ones are warmer. It also explains that heating up the thermos with boiling water before use doesn’t work, is a waste of time, and makes food soggy.

https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/how-to-use-thermos-food-jars/

I’m not super impressed by that study. They only ran one test and the product they were testing was hot water. So if you are storing hot water in your thermos, it’s not necessary to prewarm it with hot water. Not clear if that conclusion would apply for hot pasta or other solids. If I can find my food thermometer, I may run through test myself just because I’m curious.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If he will eat a warm quesadilla we have had lots of success by using a hand warmer in the lunch box to keep it warm. Wrap the quesadilla in foil then wrap another layer of foil around the quesadilla and hand warmer.

This is genius!

I am totally copying this.
--Mom of a middle school kid, been packing lunches for 7 years and never thought to put a HAND WARMER in to keep things warm. Brilliant.

Because hand warmers have chemicals in them.

+1 no one would think to use them Bc they are potentially dangerous. Bad idea.

And not going to keep it warm enough to be safe. Just warm enough to breed bacteria.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If he will eat a warm quesadilla we have had lots of success by using a hand warmer in the lunch box to keep it warm. Wrap the quesadilla in foil then wrap another layer of foil around the quesadilla and hand warmer.

This is genius!

I am totally copying this.
--Mom of a middle school kid, been packing lunches for 7 years and never thought to put a HAND WARMER in to keep things warm. Brilliant.

Because hand warmers have chemicals in them.

+1 no one would think to use them Bc they are potentially dangerous. Bad idea.

We'll do stuff like meatloaf, cheesy potatoes, eggs/bacon/cheese, pasta, chicken/rice, and tamales in the thermos. I'm loving all the ideas.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If he will eat a warm quesadilla we have had lots of success by using a hand warmer in the lunch box to keep it warm. Wrap the quesadilla in foil then wrap another layer of foil around the quesadilla and hand warmer.

This is genius!

I am totally copying this.
--Mom of a middle school kid, been packing lunches for 7 years and never thought to put a HAND WARMER in to keep things warm. Brilliant.

Because hand warmers have chemicals in them.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If he will eat a warm quesadilla we have had lots of success by using a hand warmer in the lunch box to keep it warm. Wrap the quesadilla in foil then wrap another layer of foil around the quesadilla and hand warmer.

This is genius!

I am totally copying this.
--Mom of a middle school kid, been packing lunches for 7 years and never thought to put a HAND WARMER in to keep things warm. Brilliant.

OP here. Thank you so much for the suggestions! Who knew there were so many creative moms sending in some really delicious sounding and fun warm lunches! Appreciate the advice on how to keep warm and not soggy, and which thermos to buy. I'll be experimenting with these ideas soon!

Here is a great link with what types of thermoses to get and which ones are warmer. It also explains that heating up the thermos with boiling water before use doesn’t work, is a waste of time, and makes food soggy.

https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/how-to-use-thermos-food-jars/

My kids favorites. And quick from the frozen isle
Meatballs with sauce
Potstickers
Pierogies

They also frequently take bbq chicken, stir fry rice with meat and vegetables, hamburgers or hot dog with bun separate

I agree with the post about adding a small paper towel. After doing the hot water thing, I put a piece of paper towel in the bottom and the top of the food. It keeps whatever is in there from getting soggy like the nuggets.
Ideas: chicken nuggets, tortellini, any pasta, chicken and rice, bagel bites, Mac cheese, quesadillas,

Anonymous wrote:If he will eat a warm quesadilla we have had lots of success by using a hand warmer in the lunch box to keep it warm. Wrap the quesadilla in foil then wrap another layer of foil around the quesadilla and hand warmer.

This is genius!