Favorite adult lunch box?

[tinuviel_k]

I really want to start packing a lunch for my husband, my daughter, and myself as we go out to our respective jobs/Sheol five days a week. I haven't been very consistent about this as it has been too hard to come opus with three different lunches fr three people. However, my husband is sick of eating for the deli at the grocery store, I am sick of buying freeze dried backpacking lunches when I get hungry at work (I work for an outdoor recreation store), and of course my daughter hates school lunches!

I have a new plan for lunches: I am going to have a revolving menu and make up three identical lunches (with less quantity for my daughter) every evening/morning. I think this would be a lot more simple if we had some kind of "bento" style lunch box. I've always done better when I have the little spaces to fill up, I prefer not to use plastic bags and plastic wrap, and I like having a hard sided lunch container.

I had gotten a Planet Box lunch box for my daughter years ago, and we all loved it. However, at this point it is simply too small and she needs bigger food servings than it can fit. One lunch and two snacks is impossible with it. They recently came out with a new box with much larger volume, but to get three of the larger boxes and the carrying cases would be over $250 for the three of us, and that is simply NEVER going to happen.

Does anyone have a favorite "bento" style lunch container that would be large enough to feed a hungry adult that is not incredibly expensive? I'd be happy to pay around $30 per container. Ideally I want to stay away from plastic, but I realize that might not be a real possibility.

I'd welcome any ideas or suggestions!

[serenbat]

we had a problem with my DH's lunch and no don't use a bento style - so I don't know if this will help you or not

we got a good deal on a 6 pack size zip insulated bag - I got 3 for 99 cents each at the end of the season as CVS and have had them prior- they last for years

we have been using small glass container (Libby glass) and safe plastic lids - I got them off a green natural site and we also use brown wax bags - the bags are great for items and can be used several times and get composted

due to what my DH takes - mostly cold beans, yogurt, oatmeal they fit great in the bag a long with a mug and I got lots of bandana (napkins)- throw in a fruit/veggie and the stuff doesn't bang around

his is the only lunch I pack - we just found it to be easier to clean and store a head of time in the frig vs a large container I don't have space for when I get lunch ready the night prior

the small glass works really great for us, right size, easy to stack and clean - I had gotten 8 of them - this works really well for making oatmeal on a Monday and I can put it away and fill the next day - and for him on Mon I add instant oatmeal and dried fruit in the glass and he just needs to add hot water, it's great for yogurt, we use a large size, I add fruit (frozen) and plain on top - cuts down on cost

this is what works for us because he leaves at 5AM, he just takes out usually 3 container and a bag and pops them into his bag

[onlyzombiecat]

Dh is the only one I pack a lunch for. We got the Laptop Lunches box, insulated bag and an extra set of inner containers for him a few years ago. It has all held up very well even with being washed and used 5 days per week. A bento kit costs about $38.

I like that the containers are not fixed and can be put in several ways to fit different sized foods. I use it without the containers sometimes too. It holds plenty of food for my dh.

http://www.laptoplunches.com/photo-gallery.php
 

[Sunshyn74]

My kids have the Goodbyn, I like it as the separate compartments are all one piece. I find it easier to wash than the many separate containers in the Laptop lunchbox we had before. My 6 year old does have a hard time opening it though.

I use a cooler lunch bag from 31 when I take a lunch (not everyday...once or twice per week). I use sealed glass containers as I often take leftovers to warm.

[ollyoxenfree]

We've tried lunch boxes but DH, DS and DD (both teens) find they don't really work well for their needs. Typically, the portions are too small. Also, they are often taking leftovers. A separate thermos or glass container with a tight fitting lid works better than a large fixed container with lots of little spaces. They have used retro style school lunch boxes and some Tupperware lunchboxes we came into that have separate compartments, but for a few years now these lunch boxes have been unused and cluttering up my kitchen cupboards. Instead, we use assorted sizes of glass Lock'n'Lock containers, thermoses, mason jars and a few smaller containers. They also find that a large, rigid container is awkward and often doesn't fit well in their bags. With smaller, separate containers, they can slip them into different spots in their backpacks. I know you said you want 3 identical bento-style containers but you could buy multiples of single containers and keep them collected together in a larger lunch box or lunch bag. Just a thought. 

[tinuviel_k]

I actually thought of the glass container idea and have given it a try. I loved the concept: inexpensive, non-toxic, and easily cleaned... Sadly it did not work out. My husband is a cycle commuter and the glass containers and jars kept rattling and chipping in his panniers. The lunch tub isn't treated very carefully at my daughter's school, so she had some of the same issues. It worked great for me, though!

[ollyoxenfree]

Yes, that is a big drawback with glass. We just lost a bunch in a kitchen accident. Our dog's collar caught on the drawer handle and he pulled the entire drawer onto the floor. That was a pain to clean up. It's making me reconsider glass, although it was a fairly unusual event. 

I also like the look of stainless steel tiffin containers. I'm considering getting a few as replacements for the glass containers we just lost.