I was looking for a food container that wasn't made of plastic and was convenient - with a thermos, I never have to worry about finding a microwave, and thus packing food is really convenient. As a student, I don't always have access to heating my food. I wanted a thermos with a nice form factor, and thought this shape was a lot more aesthetically pleasing than the Stainless King. I have used drink tumblers from the Thermos Sipp line, and they have insulated extraordinarily well. I was hoping to find more reviews but took the leap and I don't regret it at all! The easiest way to use a steel thermos is to pre-heat it with hot water before use. Then, food will stay at practically the same temperature until you decide to eat it! The food definitely stays hot (and I don't mean lukewarm) for at least a few hours, but I have not tested it for longer. I have not had any problems with leaks, and the thermos design is very simple: one lid with a gasket, and one jar.