[SMR]

In my personal experience, it seems the female half is usually the one doing most of the cooking/lunch making/lunchbox buying stuff, so I'm asking the girls about this one. I am looking for a lunch system that is comprised of a way to store hot food, a sandwich, and random things like fruit and veggies/condiments, etc. It needs to be tough and easily cleanable. My bf works a hard, dirty, outdoor job and he has a big appetite (he's a small guy he just burns through it fast), I can usually pack him two sandwiches, fruit, veggies, snacks, a breakfast item and fill up an old juice jug of water, put it in the freezer overnight, and he'll be satisfied. However his lunchbox is a mini-cooler meant for taking a few cans of soda/beer to the beach. It hardly fits anything in it so I often have to use a bunch of separate little baggies and throw it in a plastic shopping bag. I've also wanted to be able to send him some more filling food, like chili or casserole or something leftover from the night before but, being as he works outdoors, he does not have access to a microwave so I'd like to be able to put hot food in a thermos and have it still be at least warm when he eats it. He already has to cart a pack of gear back and forth as they aren't allowed to store their ppg at the shop, so I'm hoping to find something that is easily organized and fits all together.

So, if any of you ladies has any ideas I'd really love to hear them. Thanks!

 

[lilangel]

When the kids were little we used to go to Pirate games. I wasn't going to pay the price for food at the stadium so I took a soup style thermos and would fill it with hot dogs and sauerkraut. Take a pack of buns and some mustard. 7th inning stretch we would break out the dogs and they would still be hot.

You could use a soup thermos for most anything -- chili, soups, I have even put leftover spaghetti in one.

**preheat the thermos with hot water before you put in your food -- seems to keep them warm longer

 

[Absolutely!]

I immediately thought of tupperware but after a bit of googling this is all I get

http://www.tupperware.com.au/wps/wc.../productcollections/onthego/take+a+long+lunch

It still might fit the bill though.

 

[Jendeere]

This is what I got my kids last year, and so far, so good. http://www.easylunchboxes.com/ This is seriously the best lunch box system I have found, plus you can fit two of the containers in the lunch box and still have room for an ice pouch and drink. Not sure if it is something you would want for your hubby but I love it! If you are an amazon prime member you can get it cheaper there than on the actual website. I'm not in any way affiliated with easy lunch boxes, just a happy customer.

 

[norcalmom]

We have several alum. Theramax 10 oz vacuum insulated containers from Thermos brand. I send soup, leftovers, etc. I run really hot water in it for a few minutes before I put the HOT food in it. I can also use them for cold foods. I put it in the freezer for awhile before I put cold food in. It works really well for warm or cold food. I found them in small sizes, good for a kid, but not an adult. Thermos makes a 16 oz container that I will probably get now that my boy is eating more.

 

[norcalmom]

When the kids were little we used to go to Pirate games. I wasn't going to pay the price for food at the stadium so I took a soup style thermos and would fill it with hot dogs and sauerkraut. Take a pack of buns and some mustard. 7th inning stretch we would break out the dogs and they would still be hot.

You could use a soup thermos for most anything -- chili, soups, I have even put leftover spaghetti in one.

**preheat the thermos with hot water before you put in your food -- seems to keep them warm longer

My MIL does the same thing. My son thinks her 'anywhere hot dogs' is best thing ever!

 

[PrincessKraken]

You might want to look into a picnic basket for 2 type thing.

 

[SMR]

Thanks for the ideas! I used to have some of those divided plastic containers but they didn't fit into his cooler, but having a flexible bag that is made to fit them would work great.

 

[nathanep]

I saw a nice looking one at costco last week, I think they were around $20

http://www.californiainnovations.com/lunch-bags/lunch-bag/item/az-lunch-bag-plus.html?category_id=87

Looks like they have 2 insulated compartments, a big one on top and smaller on bottom, so you could pop in a tupperware of hot stuff on bottom and keep cold snacks on top, then a zippered pocket for condiments.

I have a single compartment lunch box from this company that I also got at costco and has held up well to daily use. It came with a stainless water bottle and a holster on the side for it. I don't need to keep anything but cold food but I'm happy with the construction and quality after a year and a half.

 

[River Rafter]

If you want some super heavy duty, leak proof, containers, try "Lock & Lock". QVC http://www.qvc.com/qsearch/search.aspx and Amazon.com carries them. I love these containers! Freezer, microwave (with the lid opened), and dishwasher safe. I'm sure you can find various sizes/configurations that would fit your needs.

 

[wyldflwr]

My husband had the same issue when we first got together. He used one of those hard shell Igloos, the Playmate I think. He had to carry everything with him although he could stop for water if he absolutely had to. I'd pack his sandwiches in those hard bread shaped containers, fruits were usually whole and veggies in a baggie or a bowl with a lid. He'd often have a yogurt or pudding or something like that too. Chips or pretzels or cookies I'd usually put on the top so they didn't get crushed.

 

[Aoife Grey]

There is always the option of sewing your own and with right fabric and lining you should be able (or have someone else) design something to fit your needs. You won't have anything hard -like plastic- to break or dent and if you keep your pattern, you can always make another by the time he wears one out.
There's a great example here: http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/2010/08/lunch-bag-tutorial-round-up/
If you're worried about keeping shape, strategic use of plastic canvas would help.