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    Home » Holiday » Back To School

    Tips for Packing Hot Lunches

    Published: Sep 7, 2011 · Modified: Jan 31, 2022 · This post may contain affiliate links

    114 shares
    • 41

    Tips for Packing Hot Lunches. I try to pack a Hot Lunch for my son at least once a week. Just because you are packing doesn't mean it has been too cold. When packing hot lunches including foods like soups, pasta, corn dogs, chicken nuggets or even a pizza pocket you should always pre-heat a thermos.

    Tips for Packing Hot Lunches - how to heat a thermos

    To pre-heat simply fill it with boiling water. Use a hot pot, microwave or stove-top to boil your water then pour inside the container. Pour the water out and dry. Then fill it up with your hot food. To keep it hot don't open again until lunch time.

    We have done this with SpaghettiOs's, ramen noodles, chicken nuggets, fish sticks, corn, soup, corn dogs and more!

    I love to use this Homemade Chicken Nugget Recipe or Homemade Corndogs recipe and pack them in the thermos.  My son loves to eat a hot lunch at school.

    You may want to check out this step-by-step video on how to pre-heat your thermos too. It is shot by my 6-year-old 🙂

    Other Lunch Box Ideas:

    Lunch Notes - Sending Your Children Off with Love

    Quick Tips for Better Sack Lunches

    Other posts you may enjoy:

    First Day of School Pancakes
    Transitioning from Summer to School
    After School Snack Ideas
    Tips for Homework Success
    Creating a Homework Station

    Stockpiling Moms can be found in all your favorite places. Hop on over to Instagram and follow the fun. We love posting memes, family fun, travel, and whatever we are feeling that day. Pinterest is also an amazing place to visit Stockpiling Moms. This is where you can pin all your favorite articles from our Food, Travel & Lifestyle Blog.

    Melissa Jennings

    Melissa is a football and soccer mom who has been married to her best friend for 24 years. She loves sharing recipes, travel reviews and tips that focus on helping busy families make memories.

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    114 shares
    • 41

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. anna

      September 07, 2011 at 9:01 pm

      I wish my kids would eat hot food. Seems like the only hot thing they like is pancakes. What's wrong with my kids? Or is it me? Yeah, I'm pretty sure it's me.

      Reply
    2. Angela Symes

      September 19, 2011 at 4:12 pm

      Your kid is pretty steady. Better than many adults I have seen.

      Reply
      • Melissa@StockpilingMoms

        August 16, 2013 at 4:32 pm

        Thanks! 🙂

        Reply
    3. Christy

      September 19, 2011 at 4:17 pm

      How long does it stay warm after you close the lid?

      Reply
      • Melissa@StockpilingMoms

        September 20, 2011 at 12:13 pm

        3 hours. My son eats at 11:00 am. I did it at 8:00 am.

        Reply
    4. Mary

      September 19, 2011 at 8:21 pm

      What were you putting in there?

      Reply
      • Melissa@StockpilingMoms

        September 20, 2011 at 12:12 pm

        Pizza Pockets 🙂 I went to lunch that day with my son and they were still warm and not soggy.

        Reply
    5. Tracy

      September 21, 2011 at 8:38 pm

      I love the idea of Pre-heating the thermos! Where did you get such a cute thermos? I'm having such a hard time finding one that isn't way over priced. 🙁

      Reply
      • Melissa@StockpilingMoms

        January 12, 2016 at 10:20 am

        Kroger - It is great to look "off season" - around November/December time to find them on clearance.

        Reply
    6. Wendy Sweedman

      February 04, 2012 at 7:33 pm

      Awesome idea and thanks for sharing

      Reply
    7. Jeffrey

      February 04, 2012 at 7:38 pm

      I've never done a hot lunch for my kids, not sure they would like it. maybe I should try!

      Reply
    8. Cathi

      February 04, 2012 at 7:57 pm

      you can put hotdogs in the hot water and they are perfect at lunch time!!

      Reply
      • Melissa@StockpilingMoms

        August 16, 2013 at 5:42 pm

        I love that!!! He loves hot dogs! I could pack the bun separate!

        Reply
    9. julie

      February 06, 2012 at 4:22 pm

      Great ideas, I will have to remember them for my sons lunches next year

      Reply
    10. Hannah

      February 07, 2012 at 11:19 am

      Good to know! 🙂

      Reply
    11. May

      February 10, 2012 at 7:50 pm

      Great ideas! Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
    12. Geri

      February 12, 2012 at 7:08 pm

      Great idea~thank you!

      Reply
    13. Angela

      February 13, 2012 at 8:44 am

      I use this method all the time for soup, but never tried corn dogs!

      Reply
    14. Susan

      September 19, 2012 at 7:11 am

      My son says that the fishsticks or corndogs are soggy? WHat am I doing wrong?

      Reply
      • Brittany

        July 29, 2014 at 3:28 pm

        You have to wipe out the thermos before you put the chicken nuggets etc. in. make sure it's completely dry then try.

        Reply
        • Melissa@StockpilingMoms

          January 12, 2016 at 10:21 am

          Wipe it quickly with a paper towel.

          Reply
      • Kim B

        January 11, 2016 at 12:57 am

        I had the same problem. I wonder if wrapping them in a paper towel would help?

        Reply
    15. Leslie Ramey

      September 04, 2013 at 1:23 pm

      You are my hero (and now my son's hero too). He has has a cold lunch for almost 2 years now at school because I had no idea how to keep his food warm. Thank you a million times!! I am now going out to buy a thermos. And by the way, I just loved your site, always good information!!!!

      Reply
      • Melissa@StockpilingMoms

        September 08, 2013 at 12:14 am

        Awe...thanks 🙂 You made my day!

        Reply

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