How To Choose The Best Insulated Food Jars?

Insulated food jars are items that many people frequently use in their daily lives. More and more people are purchasing insulated food jars. Are you looking for the best insulated food jars for your business? This article will help you choose the most suitable one in 5 aspects.

Materials of Insulated Food Jars

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel is the most popular material for insulated food jars. Stainless steel can withstand high temperatures. Even when filled with boiling water or hot soup, there is no problem. Stainless steel has a very high hardness and is not prone to wear. It is also impact-resistant. Stainless steel does not age easily and is not affected even when exposed to direct sunlight.

304/316 Stainless Steel

To make insulated food jars, food-grade stainless steel(304/316) is required. The most commonly used material is 304 stainless steel, which can withstand most of the liquids in daily life. 316 stainless steel contains molybdenum, which gives it enhanced corrosion resistance. It can be used to hold liquids such as lemonade and carbonated beverages.

If it’s just for daily use, 304 stainless steel will suffice. However, if your product is targeted at high-end or baby food cans, or if the target market frequently uses chlorine-based cleaning agents for cleaning, it is recommended to highlight the use of 316 stainless steel as a selling point.

Plastic

However, stainless steel is heavy. Some merchants may choose a stainless steel inner liner combined with a plastic outer shell to reduce the weight. Some stainless steel insulated food jars also use plastic to make their lids.

It is recommended to use high-quality plastic that is more resistant to high temperatures and impacts, such as Tritan and PP. These two types of plastics can be used as baby bottles, and they are quite safe. However, plastic is not as durable as stainless steel. After long-term use, the surface may become worn or aged.

Heat Retention of Insulated Food Jars

Double-layer Vacuum Structure

Most of the insulated food jars are made of stainless steel and have a double-layer vacuum structure. This is also the structure with the best heat insulation performance. It can retain heat for 6 to 12 hours and keep cold for an even longer period. This kind of insulated food jar has a good texture. And when it is used to hold hot food, its surface is not hot to the touch.

Stainless Steel Inner Liner with a Plastic Outer Shell

There are also a few types of insulated food jars that use a stainless steel inner liner and a plastic outer shell, with insulation foam filling in the middle. The insulation performance of this structure is not as good as that of the stainless steel double-layer vacuum structure. It usually retains heat for about 3 hours and keeps cold for 5 hours.

If your customers are very concerned about the insulation performance of the product, it is recommended that you choose the stainless steel double-layer vacuum structure.

However, if your products are used for promotional activities. Or if your customers are particularly in need of a lightweight insulated lunch container, we recommend you choose the latter option.

Customization Capabilities of Insulated Food Jars

Customization Capabilities include simple logo printing, color customization, and complex shape customization.

Logo Craft

Here are some logo printing crafts.

Color

The surface color can be chosen from the existing color chart or customized to a special shade. Generally speaking, there are more color options available for plastic materials than for stainless steel. However, there are already quite a variety of colors available for stainless steel.

Shape

If you need to customize the shape of the insulated food container, you will need to design a new mold. This will cost more. However, the molds can be reused. If production continues over a long period, the average cost will decrease. This customization method is more suitable for well-established brands.

Detailed Designs of Insulated Food Jars

Jar Opening and Handle Design

Some detailed designs can enhance customers’ desire to purchase the product. The jar opening can be made wide, which is convenient for filling and accessing food and cleaning. Some merchants install top handles on insulated food containers, which can be directly hung on bags or lifted by hand, making them more portable.

Easily Open Design

You can add some anti-slip patterns to the lid to make it easier for guests to open the jar. If the main users of your product are children, it is particularly recommended that you add a pressure relief valve. Adding a pressure relief valve can make it safer and more convenient for customers to open the lid.

Other Design

Many stainless steel insulated food jars have anti-slip pads at the bottom. Not only can it prevent slipping, but it can also protect the table from being scratched. You can also equip your product with a folding spoon. This will significantly enhance the value of your product.

Cost of Insulated Food Jars

Raw Material Prices and Production Costs

In terms of raw material prices and production costs, stainless steel is more expensive than plastic. If you need to make a mold, stainless steel molds are also more expensive than plastic molds. And because stainless steel is heavier, if the freight is calculated based on weight, the freight cost for stainless steel insulated food jars might also be higher.

After-sale Costs

However, when it comes to the cost of after-sales service, the stainless steel double-layer vacuum-insulated food jar is superior. According to statistics, the insulated food jars with a plastic outer shell have a higher return rate than the stainless steel ones.

We recommend that you choose stainless steel double-layer vacuum-insulated food jars. Unless your customers are extremely sensitive to the price.

FAQ

Are There Any Methods to Enhance the Insulation Performance of the Insulated Food Jars?

Before filling the food, first pour hot water into the insulated food jar and let it stand for one minute. This way, the inner part of the jar will be preheated, which can extend the preservation time. You can include this method in the user manual of your product.

Can I Put the Insulated Food Jar in the Dishwasher for Cleaning?

It depends on the specific design. Most stainless steel insulated food jar bodies are dishwasher-safe. However, some accessories, such as plastic lids and silicone leak-proof rings, are not recommended to be put in the dishwasher.

Does the Heat Retention of an Insulated Food Jar Decrease over Years of Use?

In theory, a well-made double-layer vacuum-insulated food canister should be able to maintain its insulation properties for 8-10 years or longer. The vacuum seal inside a high-quality insulated food jar will not degrade naturally.

However, if an insulated food jar is impacted or dented strongly and breaks the internal vacuum layer, the insulation performance may decline. To maximize the lifespan of the insulated food jar, avoid dropping it and do not put it in a microwave or oven.

What Capacity of Insulated Food Jar Should I Choose For Different User Groups?

The appropriate size of the insulated container depends on the end user. For young children, a 300-400ml insulated food jar is sufficient as a school snack. Office workers usually prefer a 500-700ml insulated food jar, which can hold a meal. For outdoor workers or hikers, an 800-1000ml insulated food jar is ideal.

How Do I Know If the Insulated Food Jar Is Truly Leak-proof?

To test an insulated food jar, fill it with water, close the lid tightly, and then invert or shake it for 10 seconds. A genuine leak-proof and heat-insulating food jar will show no water droplets. Or you can ask the supplier for their leak-test standard.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right product is important, but choosing a reliable partner is even more crucial. Kreat is an experienced professional insulated food jar manufacturer in China. We offer satisfactory product quality and OEM services. We are looking forward to cooperating with you. Click to contact us.