- Lunch in a Box: Building a Better Bento - http://lunchinabox.net -

USB bento warming bag

Posted By Biggie On February 14, 2009 @ 5:56 am In equipment, review | 18 Comments

[1] USB bento warming bag

Here’s an ingenious specialized contraption from gadget-crazy, bento-friendly Japan. It’s a [2] USB-powered bento warmer bag from Thanko Co. that plugs right into the USB port on your desktop computer and warms your bento lunch to 60 degrees C (140 deg. F). I could see this as being handy for people working in offices without a proper kitchen, or who use pack lunches in metal containers that can’t go into the microwave. It’s a little disappointing that it won’t work with laptop computers due to power requirements, though.

A Thanko staff member developed this when he wanted to heat up the bento lunches that his wife made him. The company already made a line of [3] USB gadgets, so coming up with a USB-powered bento warmer was a natural solution.

[4] USB bento warming bag (guts)

  • The bag opens wide to accommodate even large bento boxes.
  • There are two heaters inside the bag, incorporated into the top and bottom.
  • The webpage says it can heat up bento lunches bought in convenience stores as well as homemade bento lunches.
  • Due to power requirements, this can only be used from a desktop computer, and not from laptop computers, AC chargers, or some USB hubs.
  • Price in Japan: 1,980 yen (approx. US$21.50)
  • Dimensions: 140 x 200 x 90mm (5.5″ x 7.9″ x 3.5″) (W x D x H)
  • Handle: 170mm (6.7 inches)
  • Weight: 175g (6.2 oz)
  • USB cable length: 125cm (4 feet 1 inch) (Can you tell that I used to translate consumer electronics specifications as part of my job in Japan?) ([5] Read on for information on availability.)

To use this, you’d want to pack your lunch carefully with heating in mind, packing fruit and other cold dishes separately or in a removable subcontainer (see my post on [6] Hot vs. cold lunch packing considerations). If you’re not comfortable with heating food in plastic, [7] tempered glass or [8] metal bento boxes would be an excellent option.

The [2] USB-powered hot lunch bag is currently available only on preorder through the Japanese-language website, and Thanko expects to have more in at the end of February 2009. If they don’t turn up on eBay, one of these [9] overseas shipping services may be able to help you get them (albeit at a premium).

It might turn up eventually on Thanko USA’s online store [10] Rare Mono Shop, which also stocks [3] other USB gadgets like a [11] USB coaster that can both cool and warm cups and bottles, [12] USB cordless warm slippers, and even a [13] USB head refresher! People have also posted on the Lunch in a Box forum about looking for a source for these USB bento bags, so keep an eye on [14] that thread and comments here for leads.

(Disclaimer: I have no commercial affiliations with Thanko.)

FURTHER READING:

Share this post:
  • [18] StumbleUpon
  • [19] TwitThis
  • [20] Facebook
  • [21] del.icio.us
  • [22] Kirtsy

Article printed from Lunch in a Box: Building a Better Bento: http://lunchinabox.net

URL to article: http://lunchinabox.net/2009/02/14/usb-bento-warming-bag/

URLs in this post:
[1] Image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lunchinabox/3276722573/
[2] USB-powered bento warmer bag from Thanko Co.: http://www.thanko.jp/hot_launchbag/
[3] USB gadgets: http://www.raremonoshop.com/products/usb.html
[4] Image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lunchinabox/3277543598/
[5] Read on for information on availability.: http://lunchinabox.net/2009/02/14/usb-bento-warming-bag/#more-1858
[6] Hot vs. cold lunch packing considerations: http://lunchinabox.net/2007/08/06/box-lunches-hot-or-cold/
[7] tempered glass: http://lunchinabox.net/2008/02/11/glass-bento-boxes-microwaving/
[8] metal bento boxes: http://lunchinabox.net/2008/10/06/metal-bento-boxes-shepherds-pie/
[9] overseas shipping services: http://lunchinabox.net/2008/03/24/japanese-auction-overseas-shipping-services/
[10] Rare Mono Shop: http://http://www.raremonoshop.com/
[11] USB coaster: http://www.raremonoshop.com/products/usb/usb-bottle-cup-cooler-warmer-coaster.html
[12] USB cordless warm slippers: http://www.raremonoshop.com/products/usb/usb-cordless-warm-slippers.html
[13] USB head refresher: http://www.raremonoshop.com/products/usb/usb-head-refresher.html
[14] that thread: http://lunchinabox.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=26&t=270
[15] Food safety for packed lunches: http://lunchinabox.net/2007/05/08/food-safety-for-packed-lunches-updated/
[16] Bento FAQ: http://lunchinabox.net../2009/02/10/2009/01/15/2008/12/23/2008/12/15/2008/12/10/2008/12/09/2008/11/1
0/2008/10/27/2008/10/17/2008/10/15/faq

[17] Biggie’s list of top speed tips, tutorials and reviews: http://lunchinabox.net../2009/02/10/2009/01/15/2008/12/23/2008/12/15/2008/12/10/2008/12/09/2008/11/1
0/2008/10/27/2008/10/17/2008/10/15/top-tips/

[18] Image: http://www.stumbleupon.com/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Flunchinabox.net%2F2009%2F02%2F14%2Fusb-bento-warm
ing-bag%2F&title=USB%20bento%20warming%20bag

[19] Image: http://twitter.com/home?status=http%3A%2F%2Flunchinabox.net%2F2009%2F02%2F14%2Fusb-bento-warming-bag
%2F

[20] Image: http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Flunchinabox.net%2F2009%2F02%2F14%2Fusb-bento-warmin
g-bag%2F&t=USB%20bento%20warming%20bag

[21] Image: http://del.icio.us/post?url=http%3A%2F%2Flunchinabox.net%2F2009%2F02%2F14%2Fusb-bento-warming-bag%2F
&title=USB%20bento%20warming%20bag

[22] Image: http://www.kirtsy.com/submit.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Flunchinabox.net%2F2009%2F02%2F14%2Fusb-bento-warmi
ng-bag%2F&title=USB%20bento%20warming%20bag