I bought this Thermos set for one of my children who, since September 2014 subject to the rules of the packed lunch. Now, as I do not authorize the reheating in the microwave, I needed containers that perfectly keep the food warm. It's done! I pour my hot food in containers that go in the big box Thermos between 6:15 ET 6:45 every morning and they are still very hot at noon.
NB: canteen staff know that in addition to not having to heat up in the microwave, you should not put this lunch box in a cold room.
However, to maximize performance, I proceed as follows:
- When I start preparing my meal in the morning, I put the water to boil,
- I withdraw the lids of two black containers provided for hot food
- I pour a little boiling water into the bottom of the thermos and then I put the small black dish, I add water, then I put the big black dish, I add water, I put the lid on the big black box (the one that did not seal), I still adds water to the edge and then I close the Thermos.
I do reopens the Thermos vacuum and water (do not burn) until I'm ready to fill both containers.
One thing is certain: everything is perfectly warm !!! Better yet ... because sometimes I fill only the larger of the two black boxes when I eg pasta bolognese or other all-in-one dish; gold, we know how quickly the pasta cool .. Here: surprise! As I do not want the box walking in the Thermos, I stuff a small towel "guest" sponge in the Thermos, above the box. And a few times where this box was not completely emptied, I noticed that the pasta was still warm (or even slightly warm) to 22 hours ............. !! !!!!! (More than 15 hours later!)
I am fully satisfied with the holding part warm.
For cons, I bring a big downside for the rest: if we want to do everything possible that in this black cover, be aware that the two small boxes with burgundy cover can only be used to dry foods or at the limit, some fresh fruit and vegetables that do not fear too such as: pepper strips, small carrot sticks, neighborhoods clementine or orange ... because this whole, if he keeps warm, n does not ensure the simultaneous maintaining the cold. De facto, to overcome this drawback, I have attached to the cover of this Thermos, a second small cooler bag in which I place two small ultra-thin batteries and where I added a yogurt, smoked salmon (set in box black to burgundy cover), raw vegetables with sauce, etc ... all in clear what sucks hot.
Three final details to complete:
1) the memorandum is written entirely in "vermicelli" but we should not have done Polytechnic to guess how to .. (Note: I do not use the dishwasher for Thermos and only very sporadically for boxes - better still wash plastic hand)!
2) I removed the box supplied with chopsticks and replaced it by Western cutlery
3) prices on Amazon vary widely. For example today 14/11/14, this article is 85 when I bought 44.64 including shipping in May 2014. The best thing is to put it in your cart and track price fluctuations to buy the best compromise time / costs for you. In addition, delivery times are approximate and usually much shorter than what announces Amazon. The merchandise comes directly from Japan. Personally, I received barely one month after placing the order.
I hope I have been able to be useful. Good buy!