The site, www.spy.com, had an article earlier in the month on the best food carriers for keeping food warm. This caught my attention because this is often a dilemma for me. We get asked to quite a few potluck gatherings, and I’m always fussing over how to get my dish to the meal so it’s still nice and hot. If we’re just going around the block, it’s no big deal. But often we’re traveling for 45 minutes or more, and then arriving with hot food is a big deal.

Since some of you might struggle with this issue as well, I thought you might appreciate the suggestions the Spy folks have for us.

Andrew Allen, the author of this helpful article, says first of all that there are 3 basic considerations you want to address. Your carrier should be more than cute; it should:

1. Be convenient for warming and storage

2. TRULY keep food warm or cold for hours

3. Have multi-uses; it should be perfect for parties, lunches, picnics and more

So whether you’re going to gatherings or simply want a hot lunch at work, here are six options worth considering.

MIER Insulated Double Casserole Carrier Thermal Lunch Tote. This takes your potluck dish or work lunch bag to the next level. This MIER Insulated Double Casserole Carrier Thermal Lunch Tote keeps your food cold or warm longer. Plus it’s expandable to let you separate hot and cold items, making it ideal for potluck parties, office eating and picnics. I found it on amazon.com for $13.99.

Rachel Ray Lasagna Lugger. But don’t be fooled by its name. This sweetie carries much more than lasagna. It features SuperFoam insulation along with a Therma-Flect radiant barrier that keeps food right at the temperature you prefer. Plus it’s easy to carry. This is a good pick, since most of the time I’m hauling a 9x13 dish. Amazon.com also has this item; it’s selling for $19.99.

Crock Pot 20-ounce Lunch Crock Food Warmer. We all love how crock pots make meal prep easy. Now you can bring those flavorful meals on the go with the Crock Pot 20-ounce Lunch Crock Food Warmer. It keeps food warm until you’re ready to eat it, but the carrier stays cool to the touch (a very nice feature). It’s a little heavier than foam-insulated carriers, as well as a little pricier. It’s around $34 on amazon.

Pyrex Portables 4-piece Glass Bakeware and Food Storage Set. Moving meals shouldn’t be a pain in the neck. That’s why the folks at Spy like the Pyrex Portables 4-piece Glass Bakeware and Food Storage Set. It lets you safely heat food in ovens and microwaves, store it in the fridge or freezer and wash it in the dishwasher without warping, staining or absorbing odors. This product efficiently multi-tasks as it gets hot food to your destination hot! It sells for $27.99; a good price for all you’re getting.

Hot Logic Mini with 6 Cup Pyrex. This item is like a holiday food warmer you can take to work with you. It has a hot plate inside that keeps food warm and an insulated tote with aluminum lining to maximize heat retention. I love everything about this except the price; it runs $50. But folks I’ve talked to who have this love it.

Argus Le Casualy Portable Electric Cooler/Warmer. This product keeps you in control of your food’s temperature. It’s an 18-liter tote bag that features a thermoelectric system that both heats and cools food. Just plug it in and enjoy terrific on-the-go dining. Awesome idea, but price-wise it’s oughta site…$100!

So considering the job that needs doing, and how often the job needs doing, the best carrier for my budget is the MIER Insulated Double Casserole Carrier Thermal Lunch Tote. If you already have and use one of these items, be sure to comment. Or if you have other ideas on how to arrive with your hot food HOT, share that. Here at Cook’n we’re always looking for the best ways to do things!