In the continuing series of Zojirushi consumer products for the home and for personal use, we look at the stainless steel bento for bringing a hot lunch (or not) to work. This comes in several colors including silver as shown, apple red, gun metallic, and lemon yellow.
Looking at the inside, there are four microwaveable bowls that are included, so you can bring an assortment of warm foods in the winter, or cool foods in the summer. It looks like this:
The main components are:
1. Two side bowls-- 1 larger size (10oz) and the other is 6.8 ounces. These sit inside the lid and are good for room temperature food such as nuts, cheese, fruits, chips, crackers, or anything like that.
2. Main bowl- This is where I put my entree, usually some kind of protein cooked in a sauce, or perhaps even a starch like pasta with meat sauce. It keeps well and is quite substantial at 15 oz.
3. Soup bowl - I gotta have soup. Especially during the winter. This is at the bottom of the outside container and the temperature is maintained well. I even use it during the summers and put chilled fruits and other cool snacks like that.
I have tried and used this for many years now, and I often pack some kind of soup, a hot/warm entree, some rice or starch, and a salad or some other small dish. The heat is retained very adeptly and vacuum insulation keeps the food in its cold or hot temperature for hours. It definitely will last til lunch, and often even lasts til dinner when I get too busy and forget to eat lunch.
It comes with a nice bag to hold and is very sturdy and compact. There is also a forked spoon with cover and holder. I bring my own chopsticks also and just stick it in there.
Cleanup is pretty easy. The material is anti-stick and doesn't get greasy. You wash it like you would for something like T-Fal. Pretty easy cleaning.
Definitely get this. I highly recommend it. Your colleagues will be curious but also will probably be envious and get one themselves!