Get a steel thermos for hot food.

Stainless steel is the safest choice for packing hot soups or stews, hands down. For reheating, use glass or ceramic instead of plastic.

The real concern with plastic isn’t usually the container itself — it’s what happens when you heat it. Even “microwave-safe” plastic can leach chemicals like BPA and phthalates when it gets hot, especially with oily or acidic foods like stews. The FDA says the amounts are tiny, but tiny isn’t zero, and you’re not exactly gaining anything by risking it.

So here’s the practical route: get a good insulated stainless steel thermos. It keeps soups and stews hot for hours, won’t leach anything, and won’t shatter in your bag. Wide-mouth ones are easy to fill and clean. Brands like Thermos, Stanley, and Hydro Flask all make solid options.

Glass jars work too if you’re reheating at work — just transfer the food to a glass bowl first. It’s heavier and breakable, but the glass doesn’t react with hot food. Avoid plastic containers for anything you’re going to heat, even if they look safe. That impulse to grab the takeout container and microwave it? Don’t.

Nobody’s saying you’ll get sick tomorrow from a plastic spoon in hot soup. But for everyday packing, steel is just better. Future You deserves to eat stew that doesn’t taste like chemicals.