An electric heated lunchbox can be used to prepare a wide range of meals. Of course, they are great for heating up leftovers, which provides an additional benefit by helping to ensure that leftover food actually gets used rather than sitting in the home refrigerator until it’s spoiled.
Frozen prepared foods such as burritos, hot sandwiches and vegetables are also great choices to use with a heated lunch box. When heating lunch food from a frozen state, the electric lunchbox may require more heating time to reach optimal temperatures. Be sure to check the instructions for best cooking times.
Some models include a built-in steamer which allows you to add water and warm up things like rice dishes or stir fry, pasta dishes, potato dishes, and more. Both crock pot and divided tray style electric lunch boxes are perfect for heating soups and stews, casseroles, and other combined dishes.
Even more options that can be cooked thoroughly include hot dogs, pre-cooked sausage links, plain rice, pizza slices, grilled sandwiches, baked beans, canned meals such as chili or spaghetti rings, and much more.
Keep in mind that because electric heated lunchboxes use very low temperatures, they should not be used for food that requires substantial cooking times for food safety reasons, such as raw meat or seafood.
While electric heated lunch boxes are great for the office to enjoy a variety of hot lunches throughout the week, they also have several alternate uses. With a car plug adapter, these appliances can be used in a vehicle to heat baby bottles, baby food jars, or to gently warm wet wipes for on-the-go parents.
They are also useful on long drives or business trips, when you may have to plan on stopping for a meal. Instead of going to a restaurant or getting fast food, you can purchase cheaper, healthier food at a grocery store and allow it to cook while you drive.
Heated lunch boxes are also a great tool to have along on family trips or camping trips. Some models can be used to heat enough food for three to five people, which is a great alternative when you need to prepare a quick and convenient meal without using a lot of dishes or fussing with a camp stove.
Finally, they can be great party accessories to keep side dishes such as vegetables, cheese dips, and hot appetizers at the perfect temperature throughout the length of the party. They can also be refilled easily and will reheat food items quickly, so guests don’t have to wait for hot food.