# Portable Stovetop Substitutes The Bento Steamer is a Lunchbox with Cooking Capabilities By Amelia Roblin | Published 2012-06-14 | Unique Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bento-steamer References: [yankodesign](http://www.yankodesign.com/2012/06/13/bento-box-on-a-daily-basis/) & [vimvigordesign](http://vimvigordesign.com/bento/) Those who prefer to bring a home-cooked meal to work each day would be delighted by the discovery of the Bento Steamer. The time-demanding step that involves heating raw ingredients can be skipped in the mornings and replaced with a [quick and convenient cooking job](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ods) after one's arrival at the office. This [hi-tech lunch box](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cue-chef-cube-01) is the brainchild of Vim & Vigor Design, meant to improve the efficiency of food preparation and serve up piping hot and fresh culinary creations. The contraption takes a cylindrical shape with a broad handle on top and contains a [three-tier chamber](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/thermal-serving-dish) for the separation of rice, meat and vegetables. With water poured into the bottom, the Bento Steamer heats by induction to produce vapor for warming the edibles within. A digital timer allows you to cook on your desktop with your focus fixed on other tasks at hand. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.6/10 - Popularity: 63% | Activity: 68% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Unique](https://www.trendhunter.com/unique) > [Inventions](https://www.trendhunter.com/inventions) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Convenient Food Preparation:** The Bento Steamer offers a quick and convenient cooking solution for busy professionals who prefer to bring home-cooked meals to work. - **Induction Heating Technology:** The Bento Steamer utilizes induction heating to generate vapor and warm food, presenting opportunities for further innovation in portable cooking devices. - **Multi-tiered Food Containers:** The Bento Steamer's three-tier chamber for separating rice, meat, and vegetables demonstrates the demand for compact and organized meal storage in portable food containers. ### Where This Applies - **Food Storage and Containers:** The Bento Steamer showcases the need for innovative and compact food containers that prioritize convenience and organization. - **Portable Cooking Devices:** The Bento Steamer's induction heating technology presents opportunities for the development of other portable cooking devices that rely on efficient and quick cooking methods. - **Workplace Food Solutions:** The Bento Steamer caters to the growing demand for workplace food solutions that allow busy professionals to enjoy home-cooked meals without spending excessive time on food preparation. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Steam Heating Lunch Boxes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/selfheating-lunch-box.md) - [Compact Desk Food Warmers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/reheatly.md) - [Scheduled Self-Heating Lunchboxes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lunchgo.md) - [Infrared Heating Lunchboxes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/heatwave-go-n01.md) - [Microwave-Friendly Wooden Steamers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/japanese-paulownia-steamer.md) - [Meal Preparation Lunch Boxes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/memobento.md) - [Branded Electric Lunch Boxes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/crockpot-go.md) - [Hybrid Heating Countertop Cookers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/multifunctional-cooker.md) - [Leak-Proof Food Storage](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bentgo.md)