In a bid to curb the amount of money I spend on lunches and to lay off the dreaded white bread, I decided that, as often as possible, I would take a proper homemade meal into work, as opposed to a boring cheese butty.  The problem to this new approach succeeding is that I don't have access to any kind of heating devise, so it would probably mean a salad, and in the words of my man-hero, Ron Swanson, “Why would I eat the food that my food eats?”

As Muddy Madam had just reviewed the wonderful Hydro Flask, I had a quick look on their website, and noticed that they also sold insulated Food Flasks,  so I placed an order for 2, and within a few days they arrived at Muddy Towers. 

Just like their normal drinking flasks this food version oozes quality, and although lightweight they felt substantial, like you could throw them into a volcano, and they’ll just laugh at you.  I wouldn’t recommend that by the way…

Like any flask they work better and retain heat when you pre-heat them, so the following morning around 30 minutes before my food was ready I poured hot water in straight from the kettle. 

The 3” mouth is a good size to eat from, and if you’re having soup for lunch it pours in easily from a pan. However, with a stodgy chilli or beef stew, you’re better spooning it in - no hardship.  Usually I’ll boil some rice, spoon that in first, and then the chilli.

During a normal workday at school, I’ll usually fill the flask at around 8.15am, throw it in my bag where it’ll remain until around 12.15pm when the contents will be devoured. Roughly 4 hours later and it's still piping hot.  I keep meaning to be technical and measure the temperature of the food both when it goes in and at lunch time, but by the time I've remembered I've eaten it all!

One important point that I feel I must make, and that’s if you’re heathen like me and eat your food from the flask, invest in either a plastic or bamboo spoon or fork.  This is important, as when you’re reaching the end of your meal, the scraping of a metal spoon on the stainless steel inner is like dragging your fingernails down a chalkboard - nasty!

Using durable 18/8 Pro-Grade Stainless Steel means that it doesn’t retain or transfer flavours, so Muddy Madam doesn’t moan that she has a chilli flavoured soup.  Unlike cheap alternatives, Hydro Flask is BPA-Free, Phthalate-Free and has a lifetime warranty.

Of course it’s worth mentioning that not only does it keep my food piping hot, but it’ll also keep your cold food/drinks cold too.

Am I impressed? 

You bet I am, since the Hydro Food Flasks were delivered they’ve been used almost daily, and have given consistently great results, either for lunch at work or chucked in Deux Smurf for those adventures when I can’t be bothered getting the stove out.

Technical bits

Colours: currently available in Mint Green, Lava Red and Pacific Blue (the silver and green are now discontinued, but can still be found)

Sizes : 12 oz & 18oz

Company website: https://uk.hydroflask.com/en_gb

RRP: £28.95

Where to buy: various online & high street stores