The Game Changer: Stainless Steel in the Microwave

A few years ago, Black & Blum introduced something genuinely clever: stainless steel food boxes with clear plastic lids that you can safely put in the microwave. If you've used Lock & Lock plastic containers (or any of its many competitors) in the microwave, you'll know the problem: heat anything fatty or sugary and the plastic subtly blisters. Stainless steel doesn't, of course.

All you have to do is pluck up the courage to put something metal in the microwave in the first place. It works safely due to the rounded corners that prevent arcing. It may go against every instinct, but it does work safely every time.

The Meal Prep Revolution

Nick described what his wife does on Sunday afternoon: making her week's lunches in one batch, which she ladles into five stainless steel food boxes. These she takes to school (she's a teacher) and sticks in the microwave at lunchtime. Apparently, it's the fastest-growing part of the business at the moment.

So, reconvinced about the efficacy of these boxes, I've ordered in a load. Let me tell you what I found when I actually examined them properly.

The Stainless Steel Food Boxes: Examined Closely

I picked up the set of three from the shop and separated the top one that nests easily within the stack. I removed the vacuum-sealed lid, having first opened the valve, and peered in at the smooth satin finish interior with its gentle curves between sides and base.

It was immediately obvious how easily food could be removed without leaving anything behind, and how straightforward it would be to wash up by hand afterwards (although they're dishwasher-safe as well, of course).

These high-quality boxes have no flex in the body whatsoever. None. That's remarkable when you're accustomed to plastic containers that give slightly when you press them.

The Quality Details

The vacuum-sealed lids feature valves for proper sealing and pressure release. The smooth satin interior with gentle curves between sides and base means food slides out cleanly. The rounded corners that enable microwave safety also facilitate cleaning and prevent trapped food residue.

Available in four sizes individually, plus various multipacks, these boxes aren't cheap. Pricing for singles starts at £14.95, with the medium set of three at £48.95. But I doubt you'll regret the money spent, as these should last many times longer than plastic equivalents.

As always, they're backed up by our guarantee: try it out and return for a refund if you find it's not for you.

How to Use for Meal Prep

The Sunday meal prep routine: cook an entire week's lunches in one batch. Portion them into individual stainless steel boxes. Stack them in the refrigerator, nested to save space. Each morning, grab a box. At lunchtime, remove the clear plastic lid, place the stainless steel container in the microwave, heat your meal, eat.

The smooth interior means food removes cleanly. A quick rinse or dishwasher cycle, and the box is ready for next week's batch. No plastic degradation. No blistering. No staining. No odour absorption. Just reliable performance, week after week, year after year.

The Explorer Flask: This Is the Flask to Beat All Flasks

Moving on to the 1-litre vacuum flask. This genuinely is the flask to beat all flasks.

Constructed almost entirely from stainless steel, it sports two full-sized insulated cups. You can pour from it without removing the stopper (just loosen it a turn). The fabric handle is removable so you can put the flask in the dishwasher. One cup acts as the lid, whilst the second full-sized cup attaches to the bottom.

This is simple, beautifully executed design that exemplifies Dan Black's work. Really quite beautiful.

Why 24 Hours Matters

Most flasks manage 6-12 hours of temperature retention. The Explorer Flask's 24-hour performance means you can fill it with hot coffee before leaving home in the morning and still have hot coffee available the following morning. Or fill it with iced drinks that remain cold through an entire day outdoors.

This extended performance makes it particularly valuable for camping trips, long journeys, full workdays, or any situation where access to heating or cooling is limited. The 1-litre capacity combined with 24-hour insulation means you're carrying sufficient liquid for extended periods without temperature compromise.

The two included cups mean you can share with a companion without requiring additional drinkware. The pour-without-removing-stopper design maintains temperature better than flasks requiring full stopper removal for every pour.

At £49.95, it's premium-priced. But you're getting genuine quality and thoughtful engineering, not just expensive materials.

The Insulated Bags: Made from Recycled Water Bottles

Lastly, there are four sizes of bags with up to four different colours (Black, Moss, Clay, and Slate). What they all have in common is substantial insulation, watertight interiors (so spillages are safely contained and easily washed out), and construction from recycled water bottles.

The watertight interior means if you have a spillage of milk or something sticky, it's safely contained and pretty easily washed out. Additionally, they're all made from recycled water bottles, representing genuine sustainability rather than greenwashing.

The 36-Hour Ice Retention

The Cooler Bag's 36-hour ice retention capability is genuinely remarkable. Pack the bag with ice on Friday afternoon and you'll still have frozen ice on Sunday morning. This makes it exceptional for weekend camping trips, beach weekends, or extended outdoor events.

The watertight interior prevents meltwater leakage as ice eventually melts, and the contained environment maintains cold temperatures efficiently. For practical applications, you can pack frozen goods for transport without worrying about thawing, keep drinks cold throughout multi-day events, or maintain food safety during extended outdoor activities.

The Sustainability Angle

All bags are made from recycled water bottles, representing genuine sustainability rather than greenwashing. This recycled construction doesn't compromise performance. The insulation properties remain excellent, the watertight interiors function perfectly, and the durability matches or exceeds conventional bag materials.

This approach aligns with broader Black & Blum design philosophy: creating products that perform exceptionally whilst considering environmental responsibility.

The Value Assessment: Premium But Justified

Black & Blum products aren't cheap. Let's address this directly.

The initial cost is higher, but consider the complete picture. Plastic food containers require replacement every few years as they blister, stain, and degrade. Over ten years, you might purchase three sets of plastic containers at £15 each, totalling £45. One set of Black & Blum boxes at £48.95 lasts indefinitely with no degradation.

The Explorer Flask's 24-hour performance and two included cups justify the £49.95 price compared to standard flasks that manage half the retention time and require separate cup purchases.

The insulated bags' 36-hour ice retention and recycled construction represent value beyond just functional performance, incorporating environmental responsibility.

The No-Quibble Guarantee

We back all Black & Blum purchases with our guarantee: try the products out and return for a refund if they're not for you. This eliminates risk from the premium pricing. If you don't find the stainless steel food boxes transform your meal prep routine, if the Explorer Flask doesn't meet your expectations, if the insulated bags don't perform as described, simply return them.

This guarantee reflects our confidence in Black & Blum's quality and practical performance. These aren't just expensive products; they're genuinely better solutions to real problems.

Who Should Buy Black & Blum?

Black & Blum products suit specific people with particular needs. Understanding whether you're in this group saves everyone time and disappointment.

Black & Blum Is For You If:

• You're frustrated with plastic containers blistering from microwave use
• You're committed to meal prep and want reliable, durable containers
• You value products that last decades rather than years
• You need genuine 24-hour flask performance for camping, travel, or long workdays
• You want insulated bags with proper ice retention for outdoor activities
• You appreciate thoughtful British design that solves actual problems
• You're willing to pay premium prices for genuine quality and longevity
• You value sustainability (recycled bag materials, long-lasting products)

Black & Blum Probably Isn't For You If:

• You're content with plastic containers and their limitations
• You need the absolute lowest initial cost regardless of long-term value
• You don't meal prep or take lunch to work/school regularly
• You rarely use flasks and don't need extended insulation performance
• You're skeptical about putting stainless steel in the microwave

Final Thoughts: Design That Actually Works

Black & Blum represents a specific design philosophy: household products should solve genuine problems, not just look attractive on shelves. The microwave-safe stainless steel food boxes address the real issue of plastic degradation. The Explorer Flask delivers genuinely exceptional 24-hour performance. The insulated bags combine recycled materials with practical 36-hour ice retention.

These aren't essential purchases. You can meal prep with plastic containers, use standard flasks, and carry food in ordinary bags. But if you're frustrated with plastic blistering, disappointed by flask performance, or seeking genuine quality that lasts decades, Black & Blum deserves serious consideration.

The premium pricing reflects real quality and thoughtful engineering. Combined with our no-quibble guarantee, there's no risk in trying these products to discover whether they transform your daily routine as they have for many customers who've embraced meal prep and quality equipment.