# Looking for a thermos to hold soup **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 25, 2015, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-thermos-to-hold-soup/715969 "2015-03-25T20:44:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanub/32/132_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUB)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2015, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-thermos-to-hold-soup/715969/1 "2015-03-25T20:44:27Z")
But not just any old thermos. I’m trying to find one that is more like a bowl, or at least has a wide enough mouth that I can eat straight from it. Ideally I’d like 24 oz capacity. The closest I’ve seen online is one made by Aladdin, but it didn’t seem to be actual thermos material and it only advertised keeping food hot for 4 hours. I do have a Stanley now that works great but then you have to use the lid thingy as a bowl. Not the end of the world but I’d be ever so happy to eliminate the middle man and stick the spoon right in the container. Then I could also bring other kinds of hot food to work. Does anyone have a recommendation? I’ve made a pretty extensive search but I thought one of you smart cookies might know of something else from experience. ---
**Author:** ![Athena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/35a633/32.png) [@Athena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Athena)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2015, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-thermos-to-hold-soup/715969/2 "2015-03-25T20:46:17Z")
[Amazon](http://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&field-keywords=bowl%20thermos&index=blended) has many. Edit: but yeah, I have no direct experience. Missed that part of your OP, sorry. ---
**Author:** ![FeAudrey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7feea3/32.png) [@FeAudrey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FeAudrey)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2015, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-thermos-to-hold-soup/715969/3 "2015-03-25T21:49:42Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUB](#): > > … bring other kinds of hot food to work … Do amenities at your workplace include access to a microwave? You could bring all kinds of stuff in microwave-able covered bowls and just heat it up. Thermos containers typically have narrow mouths so as to minimize heat (or cold) loss. The Aladdin jars have the same insulation in the lids as the walls of the container. In addition to housewares sections, you might check office supply or sporting goods/camping stores. ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanub/32/132_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUB)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2015, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-thermos-to-hold-soup/715969/4 "2015-03-25T22:43:32Z")
> [@FeAudrey](#): > > Do amenities at your workplace include access to a microwave? You could bring all kinds of stuff in microwave-able covered bowls and just heat it up. > > Thermos containers typically have narrow mouths so as to minimize heat (or cold) loss. The Aladdin jars have the same insulation in the lids as the walls of the container. > > In addition to housewares sections, you might check office supply or sporting goods/camping stores. Thanks for the suggestion. My office does have a microwave but I have a really strong aversion to using it(the office microwave, not microwaves in general). I practically have to wear a hazmat suit if I want to heat up my coffee. The Aladdin container is the perfect size and shape but I know it won’t keep the food hot, and it has some pretty bad reviews. There may not exist such a thing as I’m looking for but I thank you and anyone else for possible ideas. ---
**Author:** ![romansperson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/romansperson/32/17100_2.png) [@romansperson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/romansperson)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2015, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-thermos-to-hold-soup/715969/5 "2015-03-26T00:32:24Z")
I have a smaller version of this: > **[Amazon.com: THERMOS Stainless King Vacuum-Insulated Food Jar, 24 Ounce, Midnight...](https://www.amazon.com/Thermos-Stainless-King-Ounce-Midnight/dp/B008JC76XA)** > > Amazon.com: THERMOS Stainless King Vacuum-Insulated Food Jar, 24 Ounce, Midnight Blue : Home & Kitchen I like mine a lot, and have used it for years. You can use the lid to eat from, or eat directly from the jar if you prefer - it’s a wide mouth. I forgot mine once at home, and the coffee I’d put in it was still warm when I got home 10 hours later. ---
**Author:** ![SeaDragonTattoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@SeaDragonTattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaDragonTattoo)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2015, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-thermos-to-hold-soup/715969/6 "2015-03-26T01:42:43Z")
> [@romansperson](#): > > I have a smaller version of this: > > [Amazon.com: THERMOS Stainless King Vacuum-Insulated Food Jar, 24 Ounce, Midnight Blue : Home & Kitchen](http://www.amazon.com/Thermos-Stainless-King-24-Ounce-Midnight/dp/B008JC76XA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1427329799&sr=8-1&keywords=thermos+king+24+oz) > > I like mine a lot, and have used it for years. You can use the lid to eat from, or eat directly from the jar if you prefer - it’s a wide mouth. I forgot mine once at home, and the coffee I’d put in it was still warm when I got home 10 hours later. This is the one I was going to suggest. It has a wider mouth you can eat directly from, plus the option of using the top as a bowl. I think it will fit your needs perfectly. Me, I just eat my food cold/room temperature/whatever temp it’s at after sitting in my bag from the fridge before I left the house. I was pleasantly surprised that it tastes just fine that way. Work microwaves can be kinda gross. I’ve also been known to put paper towels under and over my container if I really want to reheat it. ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanub/32/132_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUB)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2015, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-thermos-to-hold-soup/715969/7 "2015-03-26T12:35:27Z")
Thanks all. I ended up ordering some kind of mini, portable crockpot type of thing. Not sure how that’s going to work out, but if it’s good I’ll let you know in case you’re interested in the same kind of thing. [QUOTE=SeaDragonTattoo] Me, I just eat my food cold/room temperature/whatever temp it’s at after sitting in my bag from the fridge before I left the house. I was pleasantly surprised that it tastes just fine that way. Work microwaves can be kinda gross. I’ve also been known to put paper towels under and over my container if I really want to reheat it. [/QUOTE] Word. I’ve eaten so much room temperature pizza I’ve almost forgotten what it tastes like hot. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2015, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-thermos-to-hold-soup/715969/8 "2015-03-26T14:23:43Z")
Hmmm…the other posters have ignored what to me is the BLATANT subtext of this thread: THE SOUP. What kind of soup are you bringing? Is it homemade? Do you have recipes? If so, please share. If it’s not homemade, what is/are the source/s? What are your favorites? Are you good at making soup? What is your secret? Details, please. Have I told you lately that I love your screen name? ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2015, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-thermos-to-hold-soup/715969/9 "2015-03-26T14:36:47Z")
REI, Gander Mountain and other stores that cater to hikers, campers, hunters and such have exactly what you are looking for. ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanub/32/132_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUB)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2015, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-thermos-to-hold-soup/715969/10 "2015-03-26T14:41:04Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Hmmm…the other posters have ignored what to me is the BLATANT subtext of this thread: THE SOUP. > > What kind of soup are you bringing? Is it homemade? Do you have recipes? If so, please share. If it’s not homemade, what is/are the source/s? What are your favorites? Are you good at making soup? What is your secret? > > Details, please. > > Have I told you lately that I love your screen name? Thanks **Thelma** ; you’re fee times a mady 😃 I’m embarrassed to say that I do not know how to make soup. Lately I’ve been eating a lot of Progresso Lite chicken gumbo and Goya black bean. I do jazz them up with hot sauce and spices, if that counts! I’ve also been wanting to learn how to make soup so I’ll sit next to you on the bench and wait for someone to swoop in and share. If / when I find the perfect food heating device I will be bringing chili, chicken madras and any number of pasta dishes. These I do make myself but I don’t know that I have a recipe that’s particularly worth sharing (though of course I will if you really want me to). ---
**Author:** ![August\_West](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/august_west/32/18069_2.png) [@August\_West](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/August_West)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2015, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-thermos-to-hold-soup/715969/11 "2015-03-26T15:12:51Z")
My wife uses the [Zojirushi Bento Lunch Jar](http://www.amazon.com/Zojirushi-SL-NCE09-Bento-Stainless-Steel-Vacuum/dp/B0016S7MJM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1427382616&sr=8-1&keywords=bento+thermos). Comes with several sized bowls and says it will keep food hot for hours, it is a vacuum thermos. ---
**Author:** ![August\_West](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/august_west/32/18069_2.png) [@August\_West](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/August_West)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2015, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-thermos-to-hold-soup/715969/12 "2015-03-26T15:14:39Z")
Missed the edit. Here’s a [larger version](http://www.amazon.com/Zojirushi-SL-JAE14SA-Bento-Stainless-Silver/dp/B000246GSE/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1427382616&sr=8-2&keywords=bento+thermos),also ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2015, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-thermos-to-hold-soup/715969/13 "2015-03-26T15:37:37Z")
Walmart has a great little one that has a folding spoon in the lid. Used it hiking a few times and as long as you preheat it and keep it upright (try not to get the liquid to contact the lid) it does stay hot till lunch even in winter. Wrapping it in a down puffy helps too. Cost under $20 and has a wide mouth and can be eaten right out of it. I think it’s only 16 oz however, it’s the size that almost holds a standard soup can such as Cambels Chunky. Usually I get 2 tablespoons that do not fit, but that does allow me to get a taste in while I am packing up. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2015, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-thermos-to-hold-soup/715969/14 "2015-03-26T16:59:05Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUB](#): > > If / when I find the perfect food heating device I will be bringing chili, chicken madras and any number of pasta dishes. These I do make myself but I don’t know that I have a recipe that’s particularly worth sharing (though of course **I will if you really want me to** ). Duh. What do YOU think? Chicken madras, please. And pasta. You have reminded me that I have a can of Wolf Brand Chili in the pantry (I believe it is the best of the canned product) and a bunch o’ Fritos, which I will be combining (along with a sprinkle of cheese) for my din-din.