Is there anything more comforting on a chilly day than soup? There’s something about it that just gives you that boost but this only works if it’s piping hot. You might go to a fancy restaurant and have a chilled soup but when you’re camping and exploring the great outdoors, you want something to warm your insides.
However, being on the go presents you with little challenges and one such example of this is how do you keep your soup warm? Well using one of the best soup flasks is a great place to start but with so many on the market, which do you choose?
Don’t worry about spending hours looking for the perfect product. We have done the research for you and have reviewed several soup flasks. We’ve put the very best into this guide with helpful reviews as well as some tips on choosing the right soup flask for you.
Why Do I Need A Soup Flask?
If you are out and about and want some delicious soup later in the day then the best way to ensure your food stays warm is by using a soup flask. This is the main reason for buying one. But what’s more they’re so versatile; you can use them to take soup to work or when you’re out hiking, cycling, camping and so much more.
These flasks are designed to prevent any temperature drops influenced from outside factors. So, even if you’re trekking through a snowy wilderness, the tough material and vacuum insulation will ensure that your food stays nice and toasty.
Of course, there is a limit to this and eventually the soup will get cooler but some of the best soup flasks can keep the soup warm for up to 24 hours! Now that’s impressive. And you might think that this means just keeping the soup lukewarm but we’re talking still hot, so much so that you have to blow it before you can eat it.
But with all that heat on the inside, you don’t need to worry about having to carry around something that’s got the potential to burn you from the outside. These soup flasks are designed to stay cool to the touch on their exterior so they’re super safe to use as well. Moreover, if you have to keep the flask in a bag with other things, there’s no worry about heat damage.
One of the most interesting things about the soup flask is that it’s actually a great way to keep your food fresher for longer. Since the flask is sealed with a vacuum, it’s incredibly difficult for germs and bacteria to get inside. No oxygen can get in which can speed up the process of spoiling and everything stays fresh and ready to eat.
Finally, you aren’t limited to only putting soup into a soup flask. These containers are ideal for an array of foods; pasta, noodles and much more. Whatever you’re eating, you can be sure your soup flask will keep it nice and hot.
The Best Soup Flasks - Our Top Picks
Now that you realise why getting a soup flask is such a good idea, you’re probably wondering which one to buy. There are lots of options and later, we’ll give you some tips on choosing the right one for you. But here is our list of five of the best soup flasks out there right now.
OUR TOP PICK
The SHO food flask is one of the most versatile out there. It comes in a choice of sizes and colours and can be used for both hot and cold food. If you’re going on a day hike or something similar then we would highly recommend this one purely for how long it’ll keep food hot.
If you’re concerned about buying a flask made with food grade materials, then you’re in luck as this one is made with BPA (bisphenol A) free materials so it’s much safer. Moreover, the materials are super high quality and the manufacturer is so confident in this that they give a lifetime warranty on these flasks.
We also love how secure the flask is. The SHO food flask comes with no risk of leaking or spilling so even if you’re going off on a rough adventure, you won’t be greeted by a mess when you open your bag.
Pros | Cons |
Large 800ml capacity | We couldn’t find anything wrong with this flask |
Choice of colours to suit your style | |
Reliable and leakproof | |
Double layered to prevent condensation | |
Spork included |
EDITORS CHOICE
If it’s just you then you might not need something as large as the SHO food flask which is where the ValueTalks flask really excels. It has a 450ml capacity which is ideal for one serving and is compact enough to pop in your bag, going relatively unnoticed.
This food flask is made from stainless steel which has a range of benefits. For starters, it’s really lightweight so it won’t weigh you down, but it’s also incredibly durable. On top of this, stainless steel is very resistant to rust so you won’t need to worry about the life of your flask.
The ValueTalks food flask is made from BPA free materials, just like the last one we looked at. It’s also designed to keep food hot or cold and will manage this for up to 12 hours. This means that it will keep food hotter for longer than the SHO but the SHO does manage up to 20 hours for cold foods so it really depends on what type of food you’ll be storing.
Pros | Cons |
Great for individuals | Some people report that the flask doesn’t perform for as long as advertised |
Lightweight | |
Leakproof | |
BPA free | |
Choice of stylish colours |
BEST VALUE
You don’t need to spend a fortune on a soup flask and while this one isn’t a whole lot cheaper than the others on this list, there is a difference in price. But this doesn’t mean that you have to compromise on quality and performance; the Flintronic food flask does a great job at keeping your food warm.
This one comes with a feature that the Thermos could do with; it has air vents at the top that allow you to release air before opening. This will prevent any difficulty opening the flask which could result in the contents exploding. It’s a nice little addition and not something you see on all flasks.
What’s more, this food flask is perfect for kids. Not only does it have a pretty youthful design but it’s also got a wide opening making it easier to eat and drink from. If you’re on the go with your family then you could each have one of these without breaking the bank.
Pros | Cons |
Affordable | Some people might find the design a little childish |
Air release vents for safer use | |
Wide opening | |
Made from durable stainless steel (BPA free) | |
Keeps food hot for up to ten hours |
MOST DURABLE SOUP FLASK
Thermos is a well known brand and that fills you with confidence right from the off. But what really sets this flask apart from the rest is how durable it is. It’s made from stainless steel just like the ValueTalks flask, which as we have learned, is really robust and designed to stand the test of time.
Because this is such a durable product, we think it’s ideal for outdoorsy people; perhaps if you’re going out climbing or cycling and want something that’s going to resist these kinds of environments. Moreover, it won’t leak, sweat or burn your hands, so it’s got everything going for it.
The Thermos flask has a wide opening so it’s really easy to fill and empty without landing yourself in a mess. There’s an included spoon so you won’t need to take any additional accessories which is great for outdoor pursuits as you’ll want to travel as light as possible.
However, there have been some reports of these flasks exploding upon opening if the food inside is left to cool down. That’s why we would recommend these only for shorter periods of time, like when you need to get from morning to lunch time before eating the food inside. This isn’t something that has happened often but it’s worth noting.
Pros | Cons |
Great for single servings (470ml) | Some problems with exploding food when opening |
Durable materials - doesn’t dent easily | |
Keeps food hot for nine hours | |
Stylish design and a choice of colours | |
Easy to fill and empty |
BONUS PICK
Stanley is another brand that you know you can trust so that’s a great start! This is a really well performing flask that will keep food hot for up to seven hours. That’s not as long as some of the others on this list but with double layered vacuum walls, you know you’ll get that length of time out of it.
We also love that the Stanley flask is so durable. This is a great choice for taking fishing, camping, hiking, cycling and other outdoor adventures. The stainless steel construction means that, if you bump it or drop it, it isn’t going to dent or chip.
This food jar is suitable for single servings with a 400ml capacity. No, it’s not the largest but it has more than enough space for one person. Plus it’s got a compact design meaning that it’ll be easier to store in your bag without taking up masses of space.
Pros | Cons |
Very durable | Smaller than some other flasks |
Long insulation time of seven hours | |
Compact and ideal for outdoors | |
Dishwasher safe | |
BPA free |
How Do I Choose The Right Soup Flask?
You could be forgiven for thinking that all soup flasks are the same. After all, they’re designed to do the same job, aren’t they? This is true to an extent but as with anything, there are various features and differences between products which might make one soup flask slightly better for your needs than the next. Here are our top tips on choosing a soup flask.
Is It Lightweight?
One of the most important things to think about when buying a soup flask is how heavy it is. If you’re going to be carrying the flask around with you, the last thing you want is something that’s going to weigh you down. If the flask is already pretty chunky, just think how that weight is going to increase when you fill it.
You want something lightweight but you don’t want something that compromises durability for this. Therefore, it’s really essential to look at the materials and choose something with a good balance between the two.
Flask Size
It’s a good idea to look at the capacity of the flask. Some are much bigger than others but the size you choose will depend on how much you want to store in it. If you’re carrying soup just for a light snack for yourself then you won’t need something as large. However, if you’re off on a long hike with a friend and want to share a large portion, you’re going to need something that can hold all that food. That said, do remember that a larger flask will take up more room in your bag.
Insulation
If you’re buying a soup flask then it’s because you want to be able to keep your soup hot and tasty until you’re ready to eat it. However, some flasks have inferior insulation while others will keep the soup hot all day long. Think about this and compare it to your needs; nobody wants to get to lunch time to find that their food is tepid at best.
Is The Flask Leakproof?
Imagine putting a soup flask filled to the brim in your bag alongside your phone, notebooks and laptop only to reopen the bag to find the flask has leaked and your other items are ruined. That’s why it’s crucial to find a soup flask that has decent leak proofing and seals tightly.
Does The Exterior Get Hot?
Earlier, we talked about how most soup flasks are designed with a stay cool exterior but this isn’t always the case. You’ll want to choose a flask that doesn’t get hot to the touch on the outside as this can lead to burns and is a serious safety issue.
Budget
Soup flasks aren’t the most expensive items in the world but they naturally have a range of prices according to the quality. It’s a good idea to set a budget and shop within that for anything you buy but remember that it’s often better to buy something a little more expensive that’s going to last and perform well.
Design
When shopping for a soup flask, be sure to check out the design. You’ll need it to be ergonomically designed so that it’s comfortable to hold and use. On top of this, you might want to think about things like style and colour. While these won’t affect the performance of the flask, it’s always nice to have something that’s easy on the eye as well.
Conclusion
A soup flask is indispensable when you’re on the go and want to keep your food warm and ready to eat. They’re ideal for a wealth of situations like work, school, going to the gym and outdoor activities. But it’s important to look over the features so that you find a soup flask that exactly meets your needs.
Our list of the best soup flasks gives you an introduction to the high quality products that are out there. Don’t forget to use our buying guide to help you make the right decision.
