This thermos works great for hot lunches for my kids. It has just the right amount of food storage for a good portion of mac' n cheese, soup, rice and meatballs, etc. Food stays warm (though does cool some) especially if you put it in piping hot. I chose this because it isn't plastic and won't leach dioxins in to food. The directions say not to use the dishwasher, so I hand wash the lid but put the main part in the dishwasher. I only wish I could put the whole thing in the dishwasher.