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After experiencing the 2021 Texas winter storm, I decided to invest in more products that could be essential in unexpected emergencies. One of the gadgets I'm investing in is a portable food warmer, and I think you'll like these awesome warmers as well. Luckily, these portable food warmers can be used with cigarette lighters in most vehicles, providing an option for hot food even without electricity or a stove. If I had this food heater during the storm, I could have had the option to warm up food for a few days.
Even if you're not dealing with bad weather or an emergency, these portable food warmers are great for all sorts of things — like when you work all day in an office and don't want to heat up your lunch in the break room microwave, for instance. They're also perfect for travel or when you're working all day outside. Meeting up with your friends for an after-work BBQ? These food warmers are the perfect solution to keep you from needing to drive all the way back home beforehand. Plus, they're ideal for long car rides and road trips, saving you from being forced to eat bland, pre-made car snacks for nourishment. Not only will they come in handy for emergencies, but you'll also find yourself using them for all sorts of things. Try out our favorites below:
1. A Heater for the Car and the Home
Eocolz Electric Lunch Box - Amazon, $22.99
Eocolz's portable food warmer is a fantastic option for the home and the car — it contains two different plug, a standard one for your home and an option for your car. The container is made with a leak-proof stainless steel tray that is removable and dishwasher-safe. Yay for easy washing! It has two compartment for different food and even comes with a fork and a spoon. Reviewers say it takes about 30-45 minutes to heat up food to an ideal temperatures, and we love that the light turns on when it's ready to eat.
2. A Portable Food Warmer That Works With Frozen Meals
Hot Logic Portable Mini Oven - Amazon, $39.95
The Hot Logic warmer reheats leftover meals, but it also heats both fresh or frozen meals, making it the perfect choice for the office or a work trip. You can put last night's cold dinner or a Stouffer's mac and cheese in this gadget and both of them will be ready to eat in about one hour, and it'll hold that temperature for another 12 hours. It is compatible with most flat-bottom, sealable containers — like glass, metal, plastic, and even aluminum foil. In the reviews on Amazon, you'll find railroad workers, flight attendants, and mail carriers rave about this for its convenience — and some say it can even cook raw meat in about three hours.
3. A Unique Option With Two Levels
Yierve Electric Lunch Box - Amazon, $35.88
This electric lunch box features two levels of food storage compartments so you can pack breakfast in one layer and lunch on the other without any of them touching. It'll preheat in about 10 minutes, and can even steam rice or eggs in about 20 minutes. This option will also automatically turn off if it runs low on water, so it's a great pick for anyone who's not sure they'll be able to keep a watchful eye while they're waiting for their meal. It's made of durable, leak-proof stainless steel.
4. A Perfect Option For Stews, Soups, and Pasta Bakes
Crock-Pot CrockFood Lunch Warmer - Amazon, $34.24
This portable food warmer from fan favorite brand Crock-Pot has a 20-ounce capacity and a pot-like shape that makes it perfect for soups, stews, dips, and oatmeal. The exterior of this warmer does not get hot, unlike a regular Crockpot, so you don't have to worry about burning your fingertips at your desk. This is also dishwasher-safe, so you can easily clean and reuse it for tomorrow's lunch. This one has a small warming base to heat up the food, and reviewers note this model doesn't even smell when it heats up, so you won't bother your cubicle mates.
5. A Larger Option for Potlucks and Parties
HotLogic Food Warming Casserole Carrier - Amazon, $59.95
This casserole carrier has all of the bells and whistles of the individual HotLogic food warmer — including the ability to heat up frozen food — and is safe for glass, plastic, cardboard, and most other materials, but it comes at a much larger size. This makes it perfect for camping, power outages, potlucks, and more. It also keeps food hot for 12 hours, and won't heat or dry out the food. Your meals comes to temperature in about 1-2 hours.
This post was originally published on February 18, 2021. It has been updated by Alida Nugent.
