# The Best Lunch Boxes in Egypt for School and Work Without Leaks > Summary: For a child aged 3 to 7, Bentgo Kids 5-compartment, or Bentgo Kids Chill if you want an ice pack with the food in the summer. For hot food at recess, Thermos Funtainer food jar. For adults and university students, a Bloqhurt stainless steel 800 ml or Lock & Lock 3-piece container set with a bag. And if work has no microwave, an electric 220V lunch box. **4 min read** ## Size According to Age and Food Nursery and 1st-grade children need something small: a small sandwich, fruit, and a light snack, meaning a container of about half a liter with compartments. From 3rd grade and up, or if the day is long with tutoring after school, get 800 ml to 1 l. Adults taking a full lunch need 1.5 l to 2 l, and it's best divided into two or three containers: rice, cooked stew, and salad. A large container for a small child causes the food to shift and get mashed, while a small container for an adult makes them buy food from outside. ## Compartments, Separate Containers, or a Thermos? - **Bento with compartments:** Best for kids, food stays separate and looks nice, and the child can open it with their hand. Its downside is that the compartments aren't always completely sealed from one another.- **Separate containers with clips:** Best for food with sauce or broth, and each container can be heated separately.- **Food thermos:** For hot food without a microwave, like pasta, rice, and soup. Fill it with boiling water for 5 minutes and empty it, then put the food in while it is very hot and close it immediately.- **Electric lunch box:** For workplaces without a microwave but with an electrical outlet. Make sure it is 220V and that the plug fits your socket. ## For Work and University Adults mostly take real homemade food: rice, vegetables, and chicken or meat. Here, separate containers are better than bento boxes, because each container can be reheated separately in the office microwave, and the salad stays cold in its own container. The insulated bag helps the food stay at a reasonable temperature until lunch, and it has space for a spoon, fork, and bread. And don't seal the container while the food is boiling; let it cool down a bit so the steam doesn't cause condensation on the lid and make the rice mushy. ## How to Know It Won't Leak Leaks come from the lid, not the container. Look for a silicone gasket in the lid, and side latches or four clips. Before the first day of school, fill the container with water, close it, and turn it upside down over the sink. If the child is taking yogurt or sauce, put them in a small container with a twist-on lid inside the lunch box, instead of relying on compartments alone. And place the lunch box upright in the bag, not lying on its side. ## Food in the Egyptian Heat - In the summer and with late recess, an ice pack or insulated bag makes a huge difference for cheese, yogurt, and eggs.- Freeze a juice box or a small water bottle and put it next to the food; it will thaw by recess and stay cold.- Cut fruits that turn brown like apples and bananas right before going out, or send them whole.- Dry sandwiches like Roumi cheese and za'atar withstand the heat better than those with mayonnaise. ## Daily Cleaning - Empty the lunch box as soon as the child returns and wash it, because food leftovers in the heat leave an odor.- Remove the silicone gasket once a week, wash it, and dry it.- Leave the container open until it dries completely before closing it.- The lid and the part with the gasket are best washed by hand, even if the container is labeled as dishwasher safe. ## Check Before You Buy - Capacity in milliliters and the number of compartments, not the picture.- Microwave: Is the whole container safe or just the tray? Stainless steel must never go in the microwave.- Can the child open the latch on their own? Let them try it as soon as it arrives.- Who the seller is, because there are lunch boxes with pictures and names similar to well-known brands, and count the pieces and lids as soon as they arrive. ## FAQ ### What is the best lunch box for nursery? A small container of about half a liter with compartments and an easy latch, like the Bentgo Kids 5-compartment. The important thing is for the child to open and close it independently, without small pieces they could drop. ### How do I keep food hot until recess? Use a stainless steel food thermos. Fill it with boiling water for 5 minutes and empty it, then add the food while it is very hot and close it immediately. The Funtainer thermos page states it keeps food hot for about 5 hours. ### Can I heat the lunch box in the microwave? If it is labeled as microwave-safe, remove the lid first. Stainless steel and metal cannot go into the microwave at all, and in the Bentgo, only the inner tray is microwave-safe. ### Does the electric lunch box consume a lot of electricity? No, most range from 40 to 60 watts according to sales pages. However, heating is slower than a microwave, so plug it in well before lunch time, and make sure it is 220V. --- Source: https://hanakoleah.com/en/article/best-lunch-box-egypt-school-work Edited by: Marwa Mohamed Last updated: 2026-10-31