Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Random Thoughts for Those New to Bento

Most boxes (especially if more than one tier) will need a bento belt (band) to hold them together. This is just an elastic band of the proper size. Many come with a belt; others require a separate purchase. With the band, your bento will be a compact and handy unit. Without it, it will not hold together because for most boxes, the upper tier is the top of the lower tier so the band is really not optional since the two tiers do not "seal" together. The top will fit into the bottom, but the band will be the only thing holding them in place.

In a two tier bento, the top tier usually does have a water tight seal. This is where fruit or other wet foods can go without leaking. Don't plan on putting soup or stew or something really liquid in there though.

An onigiri bento box is made to hold rice balls in the top, so it is kind of domed. Some people use these for sandwiches instead, but watch the dimensions and even if it is large enough, you would have cut the sandwich in half and stack it under the dome.

Bento boxes are filled by volume and hold more than you would think; but you have to think about packing them full in each dimension. Little (non squishy) things like grapes and cherry or grape tomatoes work well to fill little gaps.

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