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Our writer Jennifer D. received a sample of this product to facilitate her review and was compensated for writing it.
I’ve been packing my kids’ lunches a lot more the last couple of years than I used to. I like being more in control of what they eat, as opposed to them buying a school lunch which they barely pick at because they don’t like the mushy vegetables. I know which fruits and veggies will go over with them, so when I pack it, they eat better.
They like variety, which is often hard to come by, especially when they are bringing their lunches more frequently.
I was so excited for the chance to review Lava Lunch, which promises to keep hot foods hot, and my kids were excited too. I asked my high school-aged daughter what she wanted to try first. We had some leftovers from one of her favorite sides. “Can I have mashed potatoes?” she asked. Can do!
I set some of the leftovers aside and packed it up for her on Monday morning. I followed the instructions that Lava Lunch recommends. I purchased a stainless steel container set, because that was their recommendation to keep it the hottest (though it’s safe with all materials). When I saw Amanda after school, I asked how it was. “It was incredible!” I was practically speechless hearing a teenager express that much appreciation. “They were warm, not cold or lumpy at all!”
One concern I had was that the orange I packed would also be warm. I wrapped it in a few extra napkins and put it away from the heat packs, and she said it wasn’t warm. There is a roomy outside sling pocket where I put her drink. You could put something else in there as well, but I didn’t want anything to fall out in her backpack.
Since it was a hit with my 15-year-old daughter, I tried it out next on my 9-year-old son. I packed Kyle a tin of tomato soup and a grilled cheese sandwich (wrapped in foil). His verdict, “It was awesome!”
We’ve since used it at least half the time they’ve had lunches. I’ve packed warm pastas and soups. It does take a little more effort in the morning, but I love the options it gives us.
You might wonder how it works or if it’s safe for young children. You microwave the “lava bricks” heat packs and put them inside the mesh in the lunch kit. Right out of the microwave, they are very hot to the touch, but they wouldn’t burn you. Since they’re enclosed in the mesh in the lunchkit, they aren’t available for little hands to accidentally get burned. I think it’s marked that it’s not acceptable for kids under 3, but they aren’t usually eating their lunches independently. My 9 year old son hasn’t had any problems.
I was sent one of each of the types of lunch boxes. My high school daughter, who carries around all of her stuff in her backpack all day, prefers the Blue Fire lunch box. It’s more of the traditional lunch sack style. The other style is the one I use for my son (and I actually prefer). It’s the lemon lime and is more of a solid rectangular shape. The pictures of the interior (in collage above) are from this model. It costs $5 more, but it is what I would purchase as a replacement, but my daughter thinks it’s “too big” for her backpack, since it’s not as flexible, I guess.
Win it!
One of you will win the Blue Fire lunch box.
Judy Chapman says
spaghetti, my daughter loves it.
Sonya says
My daughter’s been begging to bring soup and hot sandwiches
Roxann says
I would pack chili or soup for my husband to take to work.
Candie L says
My boys would love to bring chili. Thank you
tina reynolds says
Chicken and noodles
Charlene Kuser says
I would like to pack a hot vegetable soup and grill cheese sandwich
Rachel Ellis says
I would pack Chili for my son, it’s his favorite food.
Misha Estrada says
I would take soup.
susan smoaks says
i want to pack a hot grilled cheese and a bowl of soup
Lauren E. says
I’d pack up the thai noodles my mother in law makes for my daughter
Peggy Rydzewski says
I like to bring pasta and sauce.
joseph gersch says
i would pack a hot roast beef sandwich
Karen Matlock says
I would love to send my grandson to school with my veggie chili!
Emily Morelli says
I would like to pack beef stew.
Anita says
a piece of lassagna
Lorena Keech says
Soup on these so cold days.
Samantha Daleo says
I like packing hot leftovers from dinner the night before.
Erica C. says
Wings would be delicious!
Dawn K. says
I’d love to be able to pack oatmeal or soup.
Nicole Newby says
This would keep some soup nice and hot!
Teresa Thompson says
I would pack some chili.
Andrina G says
Leftover chicken and rice!
Paula Michele Hafner says
I would pack leftovers for my husband’s lunch. We usually have casserole, soup, or stew.
David C says
Hot beef. Yumm! id love to try it and see if it really stays warm.
Kimberly Hilbert says
I would love to bring gen tso leftovers in it. This sounds great.
Melissa Nagy says
I would pack my kids a grilled cheese sandwich and tomato soup.
kathy dalton says
I would pack my famous extra cheesy macaroni and cheese
danielle Marie says
for me it would be fried rice. yummy.
Brittney House says
I would pack some hot pasta dishes.
Sindy Murray says
I will pack spaghetti!
Crissy D. says
Grilled cheese, hot ham and cheese, chicken noodle soup… the list goes on and on. My son would love this!
christopher h says
quesadillas (I haven’t typed enough words apparently) quesadillas
sharyn says
nice item to gift to my granddaughter or daughter
Jessica says
I would pack my husband leftover spaghetti.
Tammy Woodall says
I would pack either Soup or a Casserole.
Janet says
Hot dog for lunch , love it !
Sarah S says
The hot lunch I would like to pack would be veggie lasagna.
staceyk says
curry would be great
candy kratzer wenzel says
Homemade chicken noodle soup.
Aimee C says
My son is always complaining he tires of sandwiches so I am always coming up with new things to send. This would open up a whole new world of things…soup, spaghetti..his favorite. Chili…oh how exciting!
Jenny says
I would pack soup
crystal says
working 3rd shift, I really need a lunch box like this. most of the breakrooms are locked and I usually can’t get to a microwave. I’ve been just eating snacky foods just cause I hate eating cold food. This would be AWESOME!!
Karen Lynch says
Chicken and noodles.
Brittany says
I would pack my husband fresh veggies and fish for lunch
amanda hardesty says
I would like to pack soup and sandwiches for my husband
Christine says
I would like to pack grilled chicken.
Thanks for the chance!
julie murphy says
I would pack chili
mrsshukra says
Lentil soup and leftovers would be great in the Lava lunch bag!
marian boll says
Leftovers such as meatloaf, pasta, salads, soup..etc
Jessica Tan says
I’d pack hot soup!
Ashley Salyer says
Leftover spaghetti would be great!
Tracy L Davis says
Beef Stew is what I would pack
Susan P. says
I would pack casserole leftovers or black beans and rice.
Nicole says
My daughter always wants me to pack her soup, so this would be great to keep it warm.
lana says
I would pack soups or rice
Ruth Hill says
I would take my leftovers from the night before!
Cheryl F. says
I’d like to pack soup and quesadillas.
Brian L says
My housewide famous chili!
Tram Le says
I would pack enchiladas.
Sara Giresi says
Chicken Parm! I love it leftover for lunch but hate it has to be cold!
latanya says
leftover food like spaghetti
Melissa P. says
I would pack soup, mac & cheese, pasta, etc.
Noreen says
Potato kale soup for my kids
Lacey Burd says
My husband works 3rd shift so it would be great for him to eat our dinner hot every night. Soups and pasta are his favorites!
Jessica To says
I would pack some hot soup!
Marti Tabora says
I would like to pack some tamales for my lunch. Thank you for the chance.
Liz says
Soup! It’s about 15 degrees here today, so that sounds lovely.
anne says
A pasta dish.
Holly F says
This is exciting to think of all the non PB&J options I could send to school!
Patricia Wojnar Crowley says
I’d pack rice and stirfry.
Angel S. says
I would love to try this lunchbox for my work! If I won a $100 gift card I would buy presents!