Best insulated food and drink containers in Australia
Here we explore Australia’s best hot food storage containers, thermal pot cookers, Thermos flask and vacuum flasks.
If you’re looking for insulated travel mugs or coffee mugs, see our review of the best coffee mugs in Australia.
Our reviews take into account performance, features and user feedback to help you spend your money wisely on the best products. Please note, this article contains affiliate links.
Best insulated food container
Thermos Stainless King Vacuum Insulated Food Jar, 470ml
Key features
Keeps contents hot for up to 9 hours or cold for up to 14 hours
Extra wide mouth
Cool to the touch with hot liquids, sweat-proof with cold
About
Thermos are a quality, respected manufacturer so it’s no surprise this is such an outstanding hot food storage container.
The heat retention is outstanding meaning that your food will be the temperature you want for up to 9 hours which should be more than enough time for almost all reasonable scenarios. And the cold retention of up to 14 hours is even more impressive!
The build quality is second to none, but that is not surprising given the respected brand of Thermos.
The design is well thought through with the foldable spoon fitting securely in the lid. The extra-wide mouth makes eating an ease. And the leak-proof lid means there’s no spills in your bag. The product also comes with a serving bowl which neatly fits over the lid.
The size is perfect for a lunchtime meal. It strikes a great balance between having a decent meal size yet keeping the container an easy size to carry and being sized so that it can function well to keep your food hot (or cold).
It works well for both liquid and solid foods so anything from soups to curries to rice dishes (or anything really) will be kept hot for your lunch.
It is 14.5 cm tall and 9.5 cm in diameter.
Pros
long heat or cold retention
great build quality
well designed with included spoon and wide mouth
Cons
Thermos recommends that you don’t put this in the dishwasher
Best large insulated food container
Thermos Big Boss Vacuum Insulated Food Jar
Key features
Keeps hot for 10 hours, cold for 24 hours
Two food compartments
Wide mouth is easy to eat from and clean
About
This large hot food storage container by Thermos will keep a lot of food warm for up to 10 hours.
The design features two separate compartments to keep food separated, or it can be used as one large insulated container to keep a big meal hot. The two compartments are microwave and dishwasher safe.
The build quality is very high - which is to be expected from the Thermos brand.
The item weighs 1.17 kilograms. It is 23 cm tall and 16 cm in diameter meaning it is easily carried in a hiking pack or work bag.
Pros
extra long heat retention
trusted brand
clever design allowing for separate food compartments
wide mouth for easy access and cleaning
Cons
not recommended to put in the dishwasher
plastic compartments may warp if exposed to very high heat
Best Thermos lunch box
Thermos Funtainer insulated lunch box
Key features
Designed for kids
Integrated spoon
Various colours
About
This Thermos lunch box was extensively designed for kids.
It features a button-opening system to access the incorporated spoon. And has a wide mouth to easily access the food inside.
The lunch box also features a leak-proof lid to prevent mess in your child’s school bag.
It is made of lightweight but durable steel to resist drops and dents. And it has a soft base to reduce clanking and scratching of surfaces.
It is vacuum insulated to keep food hot for 5 hours and cold for 7 hours.
It comes a wide variety of colours to suit every child and is dishwasher safe for simple cleaning.
Pros
designed for kids
lightweight and durable
integrated spoon
various colours
dishwasher safe
Cons
the insulation properties aren’t as good as others in market, but easily long enough to keep food hot until lunchtime
Best thermal pot cooker
About
This thermal pot cooker is the ideal way to cook food using the least the amount of energy and effort.
You simply put your food (a stew or curry or similar) in the inner pot and bring it to a simmer on your home stove. Then place the inner pot in the thermal cooker and the food will continue to cook with the residual heat. Then once the cooking time is reached you open the cooker and your food will be ready!
The thermal pot cooker will keep food hot for 6 hours.
This makes it ideal to take camping, to picnics, garden parties or anywhere outdoors.
Or it can be used at home to save a huge amount of energy and time (by not having to monitor a stove for hours). It is also a safe way to cook around children as you don’t have to run a stove for extended periods.
It has a large capacity of 8 litres so it is big enough to feed the family and more.
The inner pot can be put in the dishwasher.
Pros
A very economical and energy efficient way of cooking
Sustainable
Time efficient
Ideal to take with you outdoors, but also a cheap and simple way to cook at home
Large capacity
Cons
Six hours may not be long enough insulation for long journeys
Best Thermos flask
Thermos Stainless King Vacuum Insulated Flask
Key features
Keeps drinks hot or cold for 24 hours
Twist and pour stopper
Cool to the touch with hot liquids, sweat-proof with cold
Insulated stainless steel serving cup
About
This Thermos flask is a well designed and built classic.
It will keep liquids hot or cold for up to 24 hours.
It has a wide mouth so you can fill with chunky soup, dahl or similar.
The quality insulation means it won’t be hot to touch or sweat in your bag if you’re keeping a drink cold.
The twist-to-pour lid makes pouring easy and prevents excessive heat loss.
It holds 1.2 litres and is 31.5 cm tall with a diameter of 12 cm. It weights 650 gm.
Pros
large size
quality brand and build
long heat and cold retention
easy-pour lid
Cons
not recommended to put in the dishwasher
classic design may not be to everyone’s taste
Best Thermos flask pot
THERMOcafe by Thermos Vacuum Insulated Pump Pot
Key features
easy pump dispenser
large quantity
quality build
About
This insulated Thermos pump pot is an update on a classic product.
The pump makes for super simple dispensing - ideal for who don’t want to pick up a heavy item to pour a drink.
It holds 2.5 litres so enough to give a lot of people a cup of coffee.
It weighs 1.3 kg and is 33 cm tall.
Pros
easily dispensed via the pump
ideal for elderly or others who may not be keen on picking up a heavy pouring vessel
large volume
quality brand
Cons
may leak a little when not in upright position
trickier to clean than a non-pump vessel
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