Crock-Pot Lunch Crock Food Warmer single product review

Is the Crock-Pot Lunch Crock Food Warmer worth it?

If you don’t have a kitchen at work or travel frequently, it’s difficult to enjoy a hot meal during the workday without going out to eat. Even if your office does have a community microwave, it’s often accompanied by a long line that takes up your hard-earned lunch hour. 

As the creator of the original slow cooker, Crock-Pot now has a portable electric lunch box designed to help anyone enjoy a hot meal in the middle of a long day. The Lunch Crock Food Warmer features a similar silhouette to a full-size Crock-Pot with just enough capacity for the perfect lunch portion.

So, whether you're looking to save money by packing lunch or for a better way to heat up your food, the Crock-Pot Lunch Crock Food Warmer might be a great option.

Testing the Crock-Pot Lunch Crock Food Warmer 

To determine whether the Crock-Pot Lunch Crock Food Warmer lives up to its claims, the BestReviews Testing Lab put it to the test by analyzing the features and options with several food choices. Here’s what they found. 

What is the Crock-Pot Lunch Crock Food Warmer?

While the Crock-Pot Lunch Crock Food Warmer appears to be a mini slow cooker, it actually performs similarly to a heated lunch box. The 20-ounce capacity is optimal for a single lunch portion and requires a standard outlet to heat food. The brand mentions that it’s not designed to cook food, as you would use a regular slow cooker, but rather to heat leftovers, canned items and other precooked dishes. While you can transport the mini appliance in a lunch bag since the exterior doesn’t get hot, it has an easy-carry handle and tight-fitting lid for transporting as is.  

Inline Link: See how it compares to other products in its space — check out our reviews for the best heated lunch boxes.

Crock-Pot Lunch Crock Food Warmer price and where to buy

The Crock-Pot Lunch Crock Food Warmer retails for $44.99 and is available at Amazon.

How to use the Crock-Pot Lunch Crock Food Warmer

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The Crock-Pot Lunch Crock arrived in a small box with the front of the warmer exposed, which was worrisome, considering the number of scenarios that could have occurred during shipping. It also had a small tear, leaving the Lunch Crock slightly unprotected. Fortunately, the appliance appeared unscathed, and the experience improved from there out. 

With only four pieces, the setup was entirely intuitive and straightforward. The portable lunch box breaks down into the warming base, removable food storage container, inner lid and tight-sealing outer lid (although it also has a detachable cord that could count as another part). The Lunch Crock doesn’t have any settings or buttons and instead powers on as soon as it’s plugged in. You’ll know it’s on if the red power light on the front of the warmer is illuminated, but it’s worth noting that it will remain on as long as it’s plugged in. 

Regarding heating food, the instruction booklet mentions that the Lunch Crock is not meant to rapidly warm foods as a microwave would, and that heating times vary depending on the dish being warmed and whether the food is starting as warm, room temperature or cold. It also states that stirring can help to speed up the heating process. The inner bowl holds 20 ounces of food, and based on testing and the type of food, heating all the way through seems to take between 30 and 60 minutes.

The lunch box is lightweight and weighs less than 2 pounds before adding food. It feels just as comfortable as carrying a lunch bag and would be convenient to hold for long periods, depending on your commute. The cord also wraps around the bottom and secures underneath, so it isn’t a nuisance while carrying. However, you can also detach the cord and bring it in your bag, if that’s a concern.

Unsurprisingly, cleanup is just as effortless as the rest of the process. Both the food storage container and the inner lid can be put in the dishwasher, while the warming base and outer lid can be wiped down. It’s important to note that the manual addresses the “popping” sound the lid can make at times and explains it's natural, so not to be concerned.

Crock-Pot Lunch Crock Food Warmer benefits

The ability to conveniently enjoy a hot meal in the middle of your workday is the most significant benefit. Being able to plug in the mini appliance close to your desk or in a small apartment makes the experience even better, allowing you to skip community microwave lines or walk a long distance to an office kitchen. 

It’s compact, feeling no different than an average lunch box, and the cord discreetly stores under the device. Unlike a lunch box or container you heat up in the microwave, the Lunch Crock continually keeps your food warm, even if you have to step away from your desk for a minute. You’ll never have to worry about lukewarm lunch again.  

Crock-Pot Lunch Crock Food Warmer drawbacks

The learning curve to determine the length of time it requires to heat different foods entirely is the main drawback. However, it’s not realistic that the manual can list the warming time for every type of food. The process will become seamless as the user becomes familiar with the appliance and the foods they commonly eat. While the 20-ounce portion is plenty for most people, others may want more food, especially if they’re just warming a light soup. 

Should you get the Crock-Pot Lunch Crock Food Warmer?

Overall, the Crock-Pot Lunch Crock Food Warmer is a convenient tool to help office professionals, commuters and frequent travelers enjoy a hot meal during the day. Those with a small kitchen or no kitchen at all, such as an apartment or dorm room, may also find this mini appliance helpful. Not only does it heat food, but it also keeps it warm if someone gets interrupted during lunch. So, if you're looking to save money by eating out less, want a warm meal and have access to an outlet, the Crock-Pot Lunch Crock Food Warmer is an excellent product.