Zojirushi SL-XB20HG Classic Stainless-Steel Lunch Jar

by Zojirushi

Product Features

• Cylindrical lunch jar offers a stylish and sustainable way to pack a lunch
• BPA-free, vacuum-insulated stainless-steel construction with metallic-gray finish
• Includes 3 microwaveable inner bowls and reusable chopsticks in a compact case
• Carrying handle and sleek, compact design; wash all pieces by hand for best results
• Measures 5-3/8 by 6 by 9-1/4 inches

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6 x 6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B000246GSO
• Item model number: SL-XB20HG
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #21,585 in Kitchen & Dining (See Top 100 in Kitchen & Dining)

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Tote along a healthy homemade lunch the smart, practical way with this handsome cylindrical lunch jar. Designed with a slender, space-saving profile and an easy-to-open screw-on lid, the contemporary unit features vacuum-insulated, BPA-free stainless-steel construction that alternately keeps foods warm or chilled as needed. Furthermore, it comes with three microwaveable inner bowls holding 26-2/3, 13-1/2, and 9-1/2 ounces respectively, which offer the perfect amount of space for soups, vegetables, rice, diced fruits, pretzels, and other wholesome dishes and snacks. A set of reusable chopsticks packed in a tidy chopsticks holder also comes included. Finished with a nonstick coating and attractive metallic-gray surface, the lunch jar cleans up easily by hand for a perpetually fresh way to transport food while on the go. Best of all, its convenient carrying strap makes it a breeze to bring on hikes, picnics, camping trips, boat rides, and more. Stylishly suited to kids and adults alike, the lunch jar measures 5-3/8 by 6 by 9-1/4 inches.

Product Description

Zojirushi's Classic Stainless Lunch Jar in Metallic Gray is unique and functional. Durable stainless steel construction and vacuum insulation. Three microwaveable inner bowls and washable container. Also includes carry strap for easy transport.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

76 of 77 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars best lunch box ever - hot food stays hot for hours !!!, January 18, 2006

By 

J. Wang "jyswang" (Southern California, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Zojirushi SL-XB20HG Classic Stainless-Steel Lunch Jar (Kitchen)

I had seen my Japanese coworkers carry this thing to work. It's a great lunch bag! Beats brown bagging, because hot foods stay hot, and cold foods stay cold. I finally bought one because of the ease of use, didn't want to keep paying $$$ for hot lunches, and I can always bring my favorite foods. The bottom container is the only leakproof container. (That is my only gripe.) I usually put soup in here. The other containers will hold things without sauces very well. It's great because it allows for a large variety of foods (better nutrition). I have used bento lunch boxes since I was kid, and this is the best for adults. I like asian food, and this type of lunch box accomodates the best.

If you want to fill hot food, then pour in hot water in the containers for 10 minutes, let it get warm. Pour out the water, dry. Then fill. If you want ice cold food, put in freezer for 10 minutes, then put food in.

They also make bigger versions for larger appetites and another smaller one for small appetites. They really do stay hot. Once I had to take a very late lunch, I packed it at 7am, and at 2:30pm the food was still hot. No more waiting in line to microwave your lunch !!!

68 of 69 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Keeping food hot and cold at once, February 15, 2007

By 

reeser (San Francisco) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Zojirushi SL-XB20HG Classic Stainless-Steel Lunch Jar (Kitchen)

Ever since the reports about the risks of chemicals leeching from plastics that have been microwaved, I've been wary of carrying microwaveable lunches to work. I was very happy to find this lunch jar. I chose to buy this instead of the four-container Mr. Bento because I wanted the larger volume, but I have found that the Classic Lunch Jar can hold more food than I can eat (I'm a woman who can put away a large prime rib for dinner, but not in need of huge quantities for lunch). The middle container, which stands about 3.5 inches deep and 4 inches wide, is cavernous, and can alone hold more than a modest dinnerplate's worth of food.

I've found that putting soup into the bottom container is essential to keeping the middle container hot. It acts as the heat pack for the middle container. I usually heat canned soup in the morning in a pan, and pour it near-boiling into the container, and drop it into the bottom of the jar to start off. After 4 hours, the soup will still be too hot to eat!

Then, for the middle container, I heat up some leftover starches (rice, potatoes, etc.) and some sort of entree. I put the starches on the bottom, and pile the entree on top. The lid of the middle container has a hollow space built in to insulate it from the top container. The food in the middle container is still quite hot after 4 hours.

The top container should be reserved for something that would be eaten at room temperature. I think it was designed that way, judging by the pictures on the packaging. I can't read Japanese, so I was only able to guess. The picture shaded the jar from red to orange to yellow to white, starting from the bottom, which accurately corresponds to the temperature of my food after 4 hours (red being hottest, white being room temp).

I've tried putting an entree in the top container, to separate it from the starches, but it had cooled to near room temperature by the time I opened it 4 hours later. On the other hand, I've also put salad in there, and the salad was unmarred by the heat of the bottom containers after 4 hours.

If you're going to put cold food into the top container, I would recommend that you leave the top inch of the middle container empty as a heat buffer.

The only awkward thing about the container is that the soup container has a rubber ring gasket and a tiny dime-sized rubber vent cover, both of which need to be popped off and cleaned after each use. Otherwise, gunk will get into the gaps and get really gross. I've found that sticking the pointy end of the chopstick into the gasket groove will pry the thing out easily, and the valve cover is easy enough to take off. My only concern is that I swear that I'm going to lose or break either of them one day soon. But if that's the secret to being able to keep soup boiling hot for hours in a container that screws shut without leaking, then I'm willing to put in the extra effort.

Needless to say, I love this lunch jar, and would recommend it to anyone.

Check out the Zojirushi Lunch Jar fan club in Flickr. People have posted pictures of their lunches each day for all to admire. It's entitled Mr. Bento Porn.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully designed and made for functionality, September 21, 2006

By 

Marjory Harris "garden lover" (San Francisco Bay Area) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Zojirushi SL-XB20HG Classic Stainless-Steel Lunch Jar (Kitchen)

This lunch jar holds 8 oz. more than Mr. Bento, has 3 useful containers, and fits in my briefcase. It came with instructions in English and Japanese. The soup bowl fits in the bottom, the large container on top, and the smaller container on top. It is great for those watching their weight, as the large container can hold a generous salad of shredded vegetables with low fat protein source (meat, fish, fowl, beans/tofu). The top container can hold a fruitcup of sliced or chopped fruit (fresh or frozen) and the small container, which is labeled the soup container, would be fine for croutons, nuts, or a late afternoon snack.

There is no limit to what can be packed in, including sandwiches if you round them off. The chopstick holder is very clever and makes eating a slower process, which helps with appetite control.

It should pay for itself in a month or less with money saved from buying lunches, and the health benefits are great.

Also a good idea for breakfast on the go -- hot cereal, fruit, juice in the soup bowl.