Insulated Food Jars & Kids Thermos
Insulated food jars and kids thermos options for warm school lunches. Pasta, noodles, soup, rice, nuggets or last night's leftovers: a thermos (or food flask) keeps food hot until the lunch bell,...
Read the full descriptionRead less
Insulated food jars and kids thermos options for warm school lunches. Pasta, noodles, soup, rice, nuggets or last night's leftovers: a thermos (or food flask) keeps food hot until the lunch bell, so it's a proper meal at school, not just another sandwich. Choose our 800ml jar for big appetites, or the Duo, a lunch box and thermos in one.
The 800ml stainless steel thermos jar
- 800ml capacity for growing appetites and proper meals
- Double-wall insulated, food-grade 304 (18/8) stainless steel to keep meals hot for up to 5 hours, or cold food chilled, until lunchtime
- Built-in snack or condiment area under the lid, for crackers, a dip or a little treat
- Fully leak proof, so no soup surprises in the school bag
- BPA-free and lead-free
- Dishwasher safe: the whole jar, lid included, on the top or bottom rack
- Size: 135mm diameter × 135mm high
- Six duo-tone colours (Black, Pink, Blue, Purple, Light Blue and Teal) that coordinate with Spixal kids backpacks and lunch bags
Lunch box and thermos in one
Want a thermos lunch box that carries a warm meal and snacks together? The Duo Bento & Food Jar pairs a 1350ml, 4 compartment bento with a 200ml insulated jar. Every compartment seals on its own, and both pieces open with a single clip instead of a screw top, so it suits kindy and junior primary kids. For the whole kit in one order, the School Day Complete Set in our lunch box sets includes a Roundie bento, the 800ml jar and Mini Snack Boxes.
Not sure which size suits your child? Our food jar sizes guide compares 200ml, 300ml, 500ml and 800ml with real food examples.
Compare our insulated food jars
| Food jar | Size | Best for | How it opens |
|---|---|---|---|
| 800ml Insulated Food Jar | 800ml, 135 x 135mm | Older primary kids, teens and big appetites | Screw lid, with a snack or sauce area underneath |
| Duo Bento Lunch Box & Food Jar | 200ml jar plus a 1350ml, 4 compartment bento | Kindy and junior primary | One clip on the jar and the bento, no screw top |
| Core Lunch Box & Food Jar Set | 800ml jar plus a 1200ml stainless steel bento | Primary to high school, hot and cold lunch in one | Screw-lid jar, four-clip bento |
What to pack in a kids food jar or thermos
Warm: pasta, mac and cheese, fried rice, noodles, soup, stew, nuggets or leftovers
Cold: yoghurt and fruit, pasta salad, cut fruit or cold snacks
Use the snack area under the lid for crackers to go with soup, or a sauce for nuggets.
How to pre-heat or pre-chill your jar
For the best temperature, prep the jar first. Fill it with boiling water for warm meals, or ice-cold water for cold food. Put the lid on and leave it for 5–10 minutes. Empty and dry the jar, add the food at the temperature you want, and close the lid straight away. Always check food is at a safe temperature before packing.
Food jar or bento box?
Choose a thermos for warm meals, soups and anything saucy. Choose a bento lunch box for sandwiches, wraps and snack-style lunches. Or pack both: the jar sits upright beside a bento in our insulated lunch bags.
Hot lunch help from our blog
- The best insulated food jar for school in Australia: what to look for before you buy.
- 35 hot school lunch ideas for insulated food jars: fillings kids actually eat.
- How to send hot food to school: and keep it warm until lunch.
Food jar sizes by age and appetite
Choose by appetite and the type of meal, not just age. Spixal makes two sizes:
| Child | Spixal food jar | Good for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kindy and junior primary, small appetites | 200ml jar with the Duo Bento | A small serve of pasta, soup, porridge or yoghurt beside the snacks in the bento | $59.99 for the jar and 1350ml bento together |
| Older primary, teens and big appetites | 800ml Insulated Food Jar | A full hot meal like pasta, fried rice, curry or up to 12 chicken nuggets | $49.99 |
The 200ml jar opens with a single clip and a gasket lift lid, so little hands can open it without help. The 800ml jar has a screw lid with a snack area underneath. Prices are the standard prices and may change during sales.
Keep it hot and safe until lunch
- Pre-heat the jar with boiling water for 5 to 10 minutes, tip it out, then add piping hot food straight away.
- Close the lid firmly and pack the jar upright in the lunch bag.
- Hot food should stay at 60°C or above to be safe, so start with food that's steaming hot. The 800ml jar keeps food hot for up to 5 hours when pre-heated.
Stainless Steel Lunch Box
Silicone & Glass Lunch Box
Bento Lunch Boxes
Adult Lunch Boxes
Kids Lunch Boxes
Lunch BoxBundles
Insulated Food Jars & Kids Thermos FAQs
What is the best insulated food jar for kids in Australia?
One that holds enough food, doesn't leak and is easy for your child to open. The Spixal 800ml Insulated Food Jar is double-wall 304 (18/8) stainless steel, fully leak proof and keeps food hot for up to 5 hours when pre-heated. For kindy and junior primary, the Spixal Duo pairs a 200ml jar that opens with one clip with a 4 compartment bento.
Try the opening action as well as checking capacity. A younger child may find the Duo's lift-up closure easier than a screw lid, while an older child may need the larger jar for a full meal. Ask whether lunch is eaten at a table and whether cutlery is available. If it is not, pack a spoon where it can be found easily, without opening every compartment in the lunch bag.
Match the jar to the food portion rather than your child's age alone. A smaller jar can hold a warm side alongside a sandwich, while a larger jar suits the main meal. Before ordering, measure a usual serving into a measuring jug and compare it with the listed capacity. Also consider whether your child can open the lid and whether the filled jar fits upright in the lunch bag.
What is the best thermos for school lunches in Australia?
For a full hot lunch, the Spixal 800ml Insulated Food Jar. It's fully leak proof, dishwasher safe and has a snack area under the lid for crackers or a sauce. For little kids, the Spixal Duo's 200ml jar opens with a single clip instead of a screw top.
The double-wall construction is what distinguishes the insulated jar from an ordinary single-wall steel lunch box. It helps slow heat transfer, but the starting temperature and how you pack the food still matter. Keep the lid closed until the meal break and follow the product's preparation instructions. The metal jar is not a microwave dish; heat food in a suitable separate container before transferring it when packing a warm lunch.
What is the Spixal insulated food jar made from?
The Spixal 800ml insulated food jar is made from double-wall, food-grade 304 stainless steel, also called 18/8 stainless steel. The product is listed as BPA-free and lead-free.
The double-wall construction helps slow heat transfer, which is what distinguishes an insulated food jar from an ordinary single-wall stainless steel lunch box. The lid and sealing parts are separate components, so follow the care instructions for the complete jar. Check that the rim and seal are clean before closing it. Stainless steel does not make the jar microwave safe: heat food in a suitable separate dish before transferring it into the prepared jar.
What are the dimensions and capacity of the Spixal food jars?
The large jar holds 800ml and measures 135mm across and 135mm high. The Duo bento comes with a smaller 200ml jar.
The outside measurements matter when checking bag fit; the millilitre capacity describes the space for food. Measure the height available in the bag and leave enough room to close it without forcing the zip over the lid. Think about the food you pack too: a bulky meal uses space differently from soup. There is no need to fill a large jar just because it holds more; choose a size around a normal serving.
Is a food jar the same as a thermos?
Yes. Thermos, food flask and insulated food jar all describe the same thing: a double-wall container that keeps food hot or cold until lunchtime.
When comparing products, look past the name and check capacity, insulation, lid style and care instructions. Some containers are simply steel lunch boxes, while an insulated food jar uses a double-wall design to slow temperature change. The useful question is what you need it to carry: a small warm side, a full meal, or chilled food. Compare those details rather than assuming every product called a flask performs identically.
Which insulated food jar is easiest for younger kids to open?
One that holds enough food, doesn't leak and is easy for your child to open. The 800ml jar suits older kids and big appetites. For younger kids, the Duo's 200ml jar opens with a single clip instead of a screw top.
Practise with the container on a table rather than held in the air. Let your child release the closure, lift the lid, put it back and close it again with a small amount of food inside. Opening is only half the job; being able to pack leftovers away matters too. Children develop these skills at different rates, so an easy closure is helpful without being a guarantee of independent use.
Can I get a lunch box with a thermos?
Yes. The Duo is a 1350ml, 4 compartment bento with a 200ml thermos jar, so a warm lunch and snacks travel together. The School Day Complete Set pairs a Roundie bento with the 800ml jar.
The Duo's jar gives one part of the meal its own insulated container; it does not make every bento compartment insulated. Plan the remaining food separately, especially cold perishables. A small warm side and a few other foods can work well together when each is packed appropriately. Check that your child can open both closures, and include the right utensil so the warm part of lunch is as easy to eat as the rest.
Is the Spixal insulated food jar leakproof for soup?
Yes, it's fully leak proof, so it's safe for soups and saucy meals.
Keep the rim and sealing surfaces free of food before closing the lid, and make sure the closure is properly secured. Check the jar after washing so no residue is trapped around the lid. Pack it upright where practical, especially beside books or a device. If a seal appears damaged or the lid does not close as it normally does, stop relying on it for liquid meals and contact the store for advice.
Can an insulated food jar keep yoghurt and other food cold?
Yes. Pre-chill it with ice-cold water first, then add cold food like yoghurt, fruit or pasta salad.
Begin with properly chilled food and prepare the jar according to its instructions. Empty the pre-chilling water before adding the food, then close the lid promptly. The jar slows warming; it does not make room-temperature food cold. Think about the time until the meal break and where the bag will be stored. For a long or hot day, use the available refrigeration and cooling arrangements rather than relying on the container name alone.
Is the Spixal 800ml insulated food jar dishwasher safe?
Yes. The whole 800ml jar, lid included, can go on the top or bottom rack.
Separate the lid from the jar and wash both, paying attention to the areas where food touches the rim and closure. Let all parts dry before putting the lid back on for storage. If food has dried onto the inside, soften it with a soak before cleaning rather than scraping it with something sharp. Check the lid is clean and closes normally before packing soup or another liquid meal the next morning.
How long does an insulated food jar keep food warm?
Pre-heat the jar with boiling water for 5 to 10 minutes, then fill it with piping hot food and close the lid straight away. Packed this way, the 800ml jar keeps food hot for up to 5 hours. The Duo's 200ml jar is rated to keep food warm or cool for up to 5 hours.
The quoted time is an up-to claim, not a promise that every meal stays at the same temperature in every setting. Starting temperature, the amount packed and opening the lid can affect the result. Have an adult handle hot water and hot food, and follow the jar's packing instructions. Choose the meal around the time it will be eaten; if the day runs beyond the product's guidance, arrange suitable food storage.
What size food jar does my child need?
200ml suits kindy and junior primary kids and a side of something warm. 800ml suits older kids and teens who want a full hot meal. Our food jar sizes guide compares 200ml, 300ml, 500ml and 800ml with real food examples.
Capacity tells you the volume, but not whether your usual sandwich or roll will fit neatly. Measure the food or container you already use and compare the outside dimensions as well. Tall rolls and bulky fruit can use more room than their weight suggests. For a useful trial, lay out an ordinary lunch on the bench and decide which items belong in the main box and which need a separate snack container.