The right heat source depends on your routes and your kitchen. Electric bags give the steadiest heat for the whole route. RouteHeat™ Heat Units are the safest reusable option without a power outlet. Oven-heated stones put out a lot of heat but are the hardest to handle safely.
A good insulated bag slows heat loss, but it can’t add heat back. On longer routes, most programs add a heat source inside the bag. Here’s how the common options compare.
At a glance
| Heat stones | RouteHeat™ Heat Units | Electric bags and bag heaters | |
|---|---|---|---|
| How it’s heated | In an oven, often to 350°F | In boiling water, 15 to 18 minutes | Plugs into the vehicle’s 12V outlet |
| Heat over the route | Very hot at the start, then fades | Steady 140°F to 160°F for 3 to 4 hours | Steady as long as it’s plugged in |
| Handling and safety | Very hot surface; needs thick mitts and a protective box | Never above 160°F; safe to handle once dry | Safe to handle; keep cords in good shape |
| Weight and space | Heavy; sits under the meals | Under 1 lb; stands upright beside the meals | Built in, or a slim panel at the back of the bag |
| Reuse | Reusable; can break if dropped | Reused daily; typically 6 to 24 months with good care | Reusable equipment |
| Needs | An oven at the kitchen | A pot of boiling water | A 12V outlet in each vehicle |
Heat stones
Heat stones are dense slabs you warm in a conventional oven, often up to 350°F for 20 to 25 minutes, then set in the bottom of the bag under the meals.
What works: They’re reusable and put out a lot of heat early in the route.
What to watch:
- Burn risk. A stone at 350°F can burn skin through a thin glove. Drivers and kitchen staff need thick, insulated mitts.
- Bag damage. A hot stone can scorch or melt a bag’s lining, so it needs a protective box or separator underneath.
- Weight. Stones are heavy to carry and can crack if dropped.
- Fading heat. A stone is hottest when it goes in and cools steadily, so meals at the end of the route get the least help.
RouteHeat™ Heat Units
Our RouteHeat™ Heat Unit is filled with a wax-like material that stores heat when it melts and gives it back as it hardens. Heat it in boiling water for 15 to 18 minutes until fully liquid, dry it, and stand it upright beside the meals in a non-electric bag.
What works:
- Steady, safe heat. It releases heat at a steady 140°F to 160°F and never goes above 160°F, so there’s no scorching and no 350°F surface to handle.
- Light and compact. Under 1 lb, and it stands upright, so it takes no meal space.
- Works anywhere. Walking routes, bikes, or vehicles with no power outlet.
- Reused every day. With good care, programs typically get 6 to 24 months of daily use.
What to watch: Heat in water only, never in an oven or microwave. Use a rack in the pot, handle gently while hot, and keep a few spares. See our care tips.
Electric bags and bag heaters
Electric options plug into the vehicle’s 12V outlet and keep adding heat for the whole route, so the last meal gets as much help as the first.
- Electric thermal bags have a patented heater built in that wraps the whole bag, for the most even heat. They draw about 5.5 amps and take about 30 minutes to reach full temperature, so plug in as you load.
- The Electric Bag Heater is a patented heating panel that stands upright at the back of a bag you already own. It heats up in minutes, has a built-in thermostat, and moves from bag to bag.
What works: Steady heat on routes of any length, with no oven, no pot and nothing to prepare.
What to watch: Each vehicle needs a working 12V outlet (USB ports can’t power them), and drivers should check that plugs stay pushed in.
Which one fits your program?
- Long driving routes, same routes every day: electric thermal bags.
- You already own good non-electric bags: add an Electric Bag Heater.
- Walking routes, mixed vehicles, or no power outlets: RouteHeat™ Heat Units.
- Volunteer drivers who change often: electric bags or RouteHeat™ units, which avoid handling a 350°F stone.
Many programs mix options, such as electric bags on long rural routes and Heat Units on short in-town routes. For more tips, see How to Keep Home-Delivered Meals at 140°F on Long Routes.
Not sure what fits? We’ve made thermal bags for senior meal programs since 1977. Call 1-800-332-6566 or request a quote, and we’ll help you match the setup to your routes.