Yes, it make take a few business days longer than our normal 3 to 6 business day fulfillment time as our warehouse workers try their best to pack and prepare so many more orders.

Pricing shown on www.planetbox.com is final.  

One discount code is accepted per order.  Discount codes cannot be combined with any other offers or promotional codes and may be limited in application to only full priced items.  

Discounts are limited in use to the advertised or stated promotional period only.   Discounts are not valid retroactively or proactively and cannot be combined with any other offers, coupons or promotions. 

PlanetBox LLC may run promotions designed to attract new customers or increase sales. In connection with these promotions, any person that receives refunds, discount codes, or other benefits from PlanetBox by using multiple user accounts or email addresses, using false names, impersonating others, or through the use of any other fraudulent or misleading conduct, shall forfeit any refund, discount code or other benefits obtained through such means, and may be liable for civil and/or criminal penalties under applicable law. 

PlanetBox LLC reserves the right to refuse or alter any discount code or promotion at its discretion.  

The contents of this statement may be altered at any time at the discretion of PlanetBox LLC.

The first time discount you receive by signing up for our newsletter applies only to full priced items.  It can not be applied to any other promotional offer.  Promotional offers include any items on sale or items receiving Kit discounts.  

If you have not yet used your first-time discount and placed an order that hasn't shipped which includes full priced items, please let us know and mention the discount code and we will issue you a refund for 15% off those items.  

If the discount code does not apply to any items on your initial order, don't worry!  You can use the one-time code on relevant items in a future order.

The discount code section can be found on the second page of the Shopping Cart.  It is on the right hand side, above the total on the Customer Information page.   Below is a screen shot to show you where you can enter it.  

All promotional offers are announced in our newsletters and on social media.  If you would like to, you can sign up to receive our newsletter by entering your email address on the bottom of the page here:  https://www.planetbox.com/

When you sign up, you will receive a complimentary one-time 15% off discount code.  The discount cannot be combined with any other promotional offer.

For shipments leaving the US, duty/VAT are taxes levied on imports by the customs authorities of your country to raise revenue.   If you live in a country outside the US,  you may be charged duty/VAT/taxes by the carrier to receive your package.   

The taxes are NOT included in the shipping charge that you pay when you make your purchase on planetbox.com.    The shipping charge paid on your order is only the transit cost to get your items to you.  

We have no control over whether your local customs officials charge you for duty/VAT and as such we bear no responsibly for these charges.  You, the recipient, will need to pay them.  UPS or your local Post Office may try to call you to collect duty/VAT over the phone before they deliver your package or they may send you a bill for the duty/VAT after they deliver your package.

3 to 6 business days (Monday- Friday) is what it usually takes our warehouse team to process an order.   Sales can slow our warehouse workers down by a few business days as they struggle to pack up and ship out the greater than normal number of packages.

When the shipping label is printed, you will receive an email with your shipment's tracking number.   You can check the scheduled delivery date on the carrier's website with the tracking number. The scheduled delivery date will update once the package is scanned by the Post Office or UPS.  We encourage you to keep watch on your shipment's progress so that you know when it will reach you. 

Our warehouse is located in Las Cruces, New Mexico.   UPS and the USPS give the following estimates for transit time (time between when the package is scanned by the carrier and arrives at the shipping address.)

Domestic Shipping Services

UPS SurePost (UPS picks up, Post Office delivers) estimated transit time of 5 to 7 business days

UPS 2nd Day, estimated transit time of 2 business days

USPS First Class Mail, estimated transit time of 2-3 business days

USPS Priority Mail, estimated transit time of 2-3 business days

International Shipping Services

(Estimated Transit Time is subject to customs delays.)

UPS Worldwide Expedited, estimated transit time of 4-6 business days

UPS Worldwide Express, estimated transit time of 1-3 business days

We are currently offering free domestic UPS SurePost (UPS picks up, Post office delivers) Shipping to physical addresses in the Contiguous USA if you have $75 or more of products in your Cart, excluding taxes.  Contiguous USA is defined as all the 48 contiguous US states, which excludes Hawaii and Alaska.   Hawaii, Alaska, non-residential military addresses, international addresses and PO Boxes are excluded from the offer.   

Yes, we can!   To ship to a non-residential military address or PO Box, you must choose USPS as your shipping method.  UPS will only accept shipments to physical street addresses. If you choose UPS, your package that is addressed to a PO Box may be delayed, will not be covered by any UPS Service Guarantee and will require an address correction charge for an additional fee. Additionally, Army Post Office (APO) and Fleet Post Office (FPO) addresses are not accepted by UPS and you must select USPS Priority Mail for these addresses.

Shipping costs vary depending on what you are ordering and where the package is being shipped to. You can view the shipping cost in your shopping cart before you purchase and finalize your order. All costs are shown in US dollars. (Please note that all orders are final and can not be changed.)

We are currently offering free domestic UPS Ground Shipping to physical addresses in the Contiguous USA if you have $75 or more of products in your Cart, excluding taxes.  Contiguous USA is defined as all the 48 contiguous US states, which excludes Hawaii and Alaska.   Hawaii, Alaska, military addresses, international addresses and PO Boxes are excluded from the offer.   

Our products are independently tested by certified laboratories to be safe from lead, phthalates, PVC, BPA and other toxic chemicals. We source our materials very carefully, and the very reason we created our products was to offer a non-toxic way to pack lunches.

We hire well established and respected 3rd party international quality audit firms, including  SGS Global and Intertek, to independently test our products to a range of quality standards, which includes material safety and toxins. These firms certify that our products meet or exceed established quality standards for safety and workmanship, including compliance with the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA). These firms have also audited the factories we use to ensure they comply with safety and worker standards and regulations.  

We do not publicly share the results of our testing as they contain proprietary information about our products. We realize that this may be frustrating to some consumers as they would like to see these results themselves. 

Many people use the terms "Free" and "Safe" interchangeably. For example, one can use the term "Fat Free" with foods if the food still has a minute amount of fat in it--it doesn't actually need to be 100% free. We feel that "Safe" is the more accurate term. 

The safety testing that is performed on these materials uses a very low "detect" level, way below current safety standards, but still not absolute zero percent, which we would define as "free". So we choose to use the term "safe" as it is also consistent with current and applicable safety standards for our products. 

We use the same testing facilities as other companies that mark their products as "free" of toxic chemicals.  Our founders come from a public health and engineering background and they believe in being as transparent and accurate as possible on these issues. We choose the term "safe" because we believe it is most accurate term.  

Please know that we take "non-toxic, non-leaching, safe from BPA, phthalates, and lead" very seriously.  In fact, it’s why we designed PlanetBox.  We go to great lengths to ensure the safety of our products and we don’t think you will find safer products on the market than ours.

Our products are protected by US patents 8,328,034, D616,258 and D655,988. More patents are pending both in the USA and in foreign countries.  http://www.planetbox.com/pages/patents

We at PlanetBox and our families use our products and we want only the best for us and you.  We take the safety of our materials and manufacturing processes to heart. 

Our ice packs and cookbook are made in the USA.  Our carry bags are made in Cambodia.  The Satellite Dish is made in Hong Kong.  The other products are produced for us by long-standing manufacturing partners in China.

To begin the warranty process, if the replacement request is determined to be within one year of purchase for soft goods and five years from date of purchase for stainless steel goods, the following information must be provided to Customer Service at info@planetbox.com: 

Order must be verified from PlanetBox.com or Amazon.com.   If the order was purchased from a retail partner within the United States or Canada, a photo of the receipt which includes date of purchase must be provided. 

(Warranty issues for Items purchased from outside US or Canada should be directed to store where purchase was made.)

1. Picture of the entire item.
2. Picture of the defect (this can be included in the image above if defect is visible in the photo.)
3. Picture of the Lot number on tag inside bag or the number on the bottom of the stainless steel item
4. Full address where the replacement item should be delivered.  

By taking care of your PlanetBox products, you can expect years of dependable service. PlanetBox warrants PlanetBox stainless steel products to be free from defects in material or workmanship for a period of 5 years from the date of original purchase. Other PlanetBox products (Soft goods, Magnets, Lids, Caps, Seals and glass dish) are to be free from defects in material or workmanship for a period of 1 year from the date of original purchase.

Any problem that is caused by abuse or negligence is not covered. Normal wear and color fading/scratching are not covered. Scuffing, scratching, staining, and small tears are considered normal wear and are not grounds for a warranty replacement. Breakage that results from dropping the Satellite Dish is not grounds for a warranty replacement. PlanetBox’s sole obligation under this warranty and any implied warranty is limited to replacement or refund (if purchased within 90 days) of any component that fails to conform to this warranty.

Customers who purchased their items from PlanetBox.com or PlanetBox’s Seller Website on Amazon.com should contact us at info@planetbox.com regarding any warranty concern.

Customers who purchased their items from one of our retail partners located in the US or Canada as listed on our website, planetbox.com, should also contact us at info@planetbox.com regarding any warranty concern.

Customers who purchased their items from one of our retail partners located anywhere OUTSIDE the US or Canada as listed on our website, planetbox.com, should directly contact that business with any warranty concern.

If you don't like it or want it, we'll take it back within 60 days.  No questions asked!

We stand by every product we ship. If you are not pleased and excited by your new PlanetBox products, you can contact us within 60 days of receipt for return instructions.

This applies only to purchases made through our website, PlanetBox.com. Purchases made through a store other than PlanetBox.com are subject to the return policy of the store itself.

In order to be eligible for return, a Return Authorization Number must be requested in advance by contacting us at info@planetbox.com.

Note that we do not cover shipping costs to return merchandise.  Refunds will be credited to the original payment source and cannot be guaranteed without a Return Authorization Number.

You are amazing and you can do anything!   If the foods are wet or messy, put them in a round or square Dipper.   Otherwise, they are good to put directly into one of the lunchbox compartments.

For meal ideas, try our blog https://www.planetbox.com/blogs/blog

We also sell a fabulous book full of creative and yummy PlanetBox meal ideas from our founder, Caroline Miros, and our very own Social Media Manager and culinary expert, Ashley Pilato!  It is $19.95 can be found on our website, here:  

https://www.planetbox.com/products/cookbook-eat-the-alphabet-156-recipes-and-meal-inspirations-for-packing-easy-and-awesome-planetbox-meals?variant=40296089485

We offer three systems specially tailored for different appetites.  The Rover is designed for children and adults with smaller appetites who love variety.  The Rover has 5 compartments and includes 2 Dippers for wet, messy foods, the Big Dipper and the Little Dipper. The Rover holds nearly 4.5 cups of food, which happily satisfies many customers.

The Launch is our largest lunchbox and was designed with USDA MyPlate guidelines in mind.   It holds 30% more than the Rover at nearly 6.5 cups of food, and was created to hold a 3 course meal.  It comes with a Tall Dipper, which is perfect for dips and dressings.  You can also use the glass Satellite Dish (sold separately) inside your Launch if you have foods you want to reheat in the microwave or oven.

Our Shuttle is about a third the size of the Launch and features two compartments which hold approximately 3 cups of food. It’s great for snacks and small meals on the go!

Here are the specific dimensions of our 3 lunch packing systems:

Launch Approximate Specs

Weight

24 oz

Small Side Compartment

280 ml

More than 1 cup

2.5 x 4.5 x 2.0 inches

Side Compartment

450 ml

1 ¾ cup

3.75 x 4.5 x 2.0 inches

Main Compartment

800 ml

3 ¼ cup

6.75 x 4.5 x 2.0 inches

Total

1530 ml

Almost 6 ½ cups

10.25 x 7.75 x 2.0 inches

Rover Approximate Specs

Weight

25 oz

Treat Compartment

25 ml

Almost an ounce

1.5 x 1.5 x 0.5 inches

Long Compartment

200 ml

¾ cup

6.0 x 1.5  x 1.5 inches

Veggie Compartment

180 ml

¾ cup

2.0 x 3.5 x 1.5 inches

Fruit Compartment

195 ml

¾ cup

4.0 x 2.0 x 1.5 inches

Main Compartment

445 ml

1 ¾ cup

4.0 x 4.0 x 1.5 inches

Totals

1045 ml

Almost 4 ½ cups

10.0 x 7.5 x 1.5 inches

Shuttle Approximate Specs

Weight

11.3 oz

Side Compartment

235 ml

1.2 cup

4.25 x 2.35 x 2.0 inches

Main Compartment

470 ml

2.3 cups

4.25 x 4.25 x 2.0 inches

Totals

705 ml

3.5 cups

7.75 x 5.2 x 2.0 inches

Big Dipper

Holds 1 cup (4.0" D x 1.5" H)

Little Dipper

Holds 1/3 cup (2.0" D x 1.5" H)

Tall Dipper

Holds 1/3 cup  (2" D x 2" H)

Satellite Dish

Holds 1 ¾ cups (6"  x 4" x 2")

Launch/Shuttle  Pods

Holds 2.7 oz or 80 ml  ( 2" W x 2” L x 1¾” H)

Rover  Pods

Rover Small:   Holds 1.7 oz or 50 ml  (2” L x 1.5” W x 1.5” H)

Rover Large:   Holds 2.4 oz or 70 ml  (2” L x 2” W x 1.5” H)

You can see a variety of packed lunches on our website, here:  https://www.planetbox.com/blogs/blog

Will food packed inside the PlanetBox spill or drip into another compartment or out the sides when it is carried and stored on its side?   What about packing fruits that might leak some juice?

PlanetBox is designed to keep foods from “touching each other.”  When you close your PlanetBox, the top and the bottom meet so that foods will not co-mingle, even when carried and stored on its side.

PlanetBox is not designed to be leak proof.  The lunchbox itself is not air tight and it is not designed to hold wet, messy foods like yogurt, dips, and applesauce.    We created the Big, Little and Tall Dippers to use for foods such as these.  For the larger Launch Box, we also created the glass Satellite Dish.

Here is some information about how to pack messy foods such as fruits:

When packing fruits, the majority work just fine packed directly in your PlanetBox.  In our months of testing we have found that most cut up fruits will not create enough juice for there to be any spilling.  However, some fruits can be rather juicy, especially melons and citrus.  We have found that if you cut and pack these fruits the night before, they can create a lot of juice that can leak if put directly in the PlanetBox.  Therefore, we recommend cutting and packing these fruits in the morning (they make a lot less juice that way) or you can blot the fruit in the morning with a towel to absorb the extra juice. You can also pack them in the Big or Little Dipper (the Rover only), Tall Dipper (Launch or Shuttle only) or the Satellite Dish (the Launch only).

It may be helpful to you to watch some short videos about how to use our system that can be found on our YouTube Channel, here:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCof74VDDQyJfFxP_1nZSTqA

Our stainless steel products are not designed to go in the oven or microwave.  The glass Satellite Dish base is the only part of our systems that can be heated safely.  

The latch on the lunchboxes is designed for 3 year-old hands and older to close and open by themselves.  

PlanetBox products contain small parts and are not intended for children under 3 years of age.

PlanetBox is not designed to retain heat.  It does not keep hot foods hot. You can place warm food (not boiling hot liquid) inside your PlanetBox in the morning and it will be room temperature by lunch time.

The only container we have that can be reheated in the microwave or oven is the glass Satellite Dish.  The glass dish fits inside the Launch only.

The Dippers and glass Satellite Dish are designed to hold wet, messy foods such as creamy, thick soups, thicker dressings such as ranch dressing, yogurt, applesauce, ketchup, etc.

Our stainless steel boxes are not insulated.    If you want your foods to stay cold until lunchtime, the best thing to do is to pack the refrigerated foods the night before and chill the entire lunchbox (without the magnets on it) overnight in the refrigerator.  

In the morning add the dry foods and the ColdKit (sold separately).   Wipe any condensation from the lid of the lunchbox and apply the magnets to the outside of the lid.   Insert the lunchbox inside the Carry Bag and you are set to go.  

The length of time that the lunchbox will stay cold is dependent on many factors such as what temperature it started out at, what temp it is being stored at, what type of ice pack you use, etc.  

We have tested our ColdKit in combination with our lunchbox and Carry Bag on a typical school day.  By pre-cooling the PlanetBox in the refrigerator overnight and then placing it inside the Carry Bag with the ColdKit in the morning, a substantial lowering of temperature can be maintained.

The exact temperature maintained throughout the day will depend on the ambient temperature the PlanetBox is stored at during the morning, exposure to direct sunlight or shade, and the number of times the lunchbox is opened throughout the morning.

In our tests, a consistent 40° F temperature was maintained inside the lunchbox while the exterior temperature was 75° F through the morning hours. 40° F is a safe temperature to store perishable foods, according to the USDA.

If a significantly higher exterior (ambient) temperature is anticipated then we would suggest using two cold packs, one placed below the lunchbox and one placed above it, to sandwich the PlanetBox in a blanket of cold throughout the morning. 

The ColdKit can keep foods cool for as long as it remains frozen. To truly keep perishable foods from spoiling for long periods, store them in a refrigerator.

Everyone's child is different.  A Rover with the Dippers inside combined with the Carry Bag weighs 2.4 pounds without any food, ice pack or utensils. 

It is normal for there to be a space at the back (hinge) of your PlanetBox.  It is an intentional part of the design and allows the box to accommodate the Dipper(s).  

The back of the PlanetBox does not need to be flush with the hinge.  The space can be a little more or a little less than what is shown in the photo below.  The variable amount of space will not affect the functioning of the lunchbox.

Our stainless steel items are warrantied for 5 years from date of purchase.  If you have any trouble with using your PlanetBox during that time frame, please contact us so that we can help you.

Our high quality 18/8 (300 SS) and 18/0 (400 SS) stainless steel is food safe and will not leach toxic chemicals when in contact with food. These types of stainless steel have been used for food storage in many cultures for generations and are preferred materials for hospitals, commercial kitchens, and other environments where sanitation is a priority.

We use 18/8 (300 SS) for the lunchbox tray / Dipper bowls and 18/0 (400 SS) for the lunchbox lid.   The 400 series has slightly less nickel content which makes it better suited to holding the magnets. The 400 series is somewhat hard to work with though so it is not well suited to the lower tray of the PlanetBox assembly due to the deep pockets we form in the sheet material.

Stainless steel is 100% recyclable at your local recycling facility.   On a side note, most stainless steel is also made of approximately 60% recycled content.   

Our stainless steel lunchboxes are formed through a complicated process of machined tooling and finishing by hand.  It is normal for there to be small variations between boxes in appearance and for boxes to have minor finish variations.  

We do not coat our boxes.  They are pure stainless steel.  Small scratches, marks, and dull spots can occur and pose no harm or concern for future use.  

Each box will be unique and there will be variations between the boxes.  Some will have more or different marks than others.  We do not consider these to be defects. Instead, they are part of the normal manufacturing process and they will not affect the functioning of your new PlanetBox. 

Below are pictures of just a small handful of finish variations that we consider normal.

We understand that you want your PlanetBox to look spot free so we’d like to explain where spots can come from, why they are harmless, and how you can remove them. 

If you have staining on the lunchbox lid in the areas where the magnets are placed, it is because the magnetic material from the back side of the magnets is rubbing off onto the box.   This happens if your box or magnets are not completely dry when you place the magnets on the lunchbox. 

The discoloration is only cosmetic damage.  The blemishes do not affect the functioning of your PlanetBox and the marks can be cleaned off.  What can be done to fix this is cleaning off the rust, switching to a new set of magnets AND always making sure both the magnets and lunchbox are totally dry before putting the magnets on the box lid each time you use it.

The marks can be removed by doing the following (photos below):

1)  Gently scrubbing with a fine steel wool

or

2)  Making a thick paste of vinegar and baking soda, leaving it the marks for at least an hour and then scrubbing it off and rinsing.

These methods may scratch the stainless, but any scratches are purely cosmetic and harmless.  There are no "coatings" on our stainless to rub off - the boxes are pure stainless steel inside and out.

Background 

On rare occasion we have heard from customers that their PlanetBox is ‘rusting’. They say that what appears on the surface of the lunchbox (usually on the top lid) is rust and it does not wash off.  We have replaced a number of these lunchboxes now and in all cases what is present may indeed be rust but it is not the rusting of the actual lunchbox which is to blame.

PlanetBox is made from high grade stainless steel. This type of material is highly resistant to oxidization (rusting) of the base steel by virtue of the inclusion of other metals, namely Chromium and Nickel.  The alloyed metals serve to resist the degradation of the iron in the steel that can come with exposure to atmosphere and in particular, water.

Where do spots come from:  If there is a spot on your PlanetBox, it is most likely due to either:

1) A mark left behind from the electropolishing process, which smooths the surface of the metal and makes it shiny.

2) Detergents that contain chlorine bleach.  Bleach causes pitting and “eats away” at stainless, and should never be used to clean our products.  Common detergents that can contain bleach include many “Cascade” dishwashing products, as well as other brands.

3) Hard water can leave dark spots and stains on your stainless.

4) Magnetic material left from the magnets on top of the PlanetBox, especially if the magnets are accidentally left on during washing

5) Foreign material can attach itself to the lid of the lunchbox and then can proceed to corrode in place. This likely happens when customers wash their PlanetBox with other carbon steel items in their dishwasher or sink. Sharp kitchen knives are a potential culprit, as are rusty baking pans. These little flecks of iron or other contaminants attach themselves to the lid of the lunchbox.  After these bits of foreign debris attach themselves to the lid they proceed to rust. If these are left unattended for a very long time they can begin to ‘pit’ the lid of the lunchbox, making very tiny divots in the surface.

HOW TO REMOVE SPOTS

The good news is that spots can usually be removed easily.

Corrosion Spots

Corrosion spots can be easily cleaned up with either some super fine steel wool and a little elbow grease, or a paste of baking soda and vinegar.

Fine Steel Wool Method: 

Start by washing your PlanetBox very well under running water. Then take some Super Fine Steel Wool (#000 is one such ranking) and start by lightly buffing the spotted area. Often times it just takes a few strokes under light pressure to remove the spots. If that doesn’t do it, then proceed to work the surface harder with the steel wool pad. This may cause very minor scratches to the surface of the lunchbox, but the tradeoff is that it will almost always remove the offending spots – with no damage to your lunchbox. Rinse with running water as you are going and within no time you’ll have a shiny new PlanetBox to use and enjoy for years more to come.

Baking Soda and Vinegar Method:

Make a thick paste of baking soda and vinegar, and leave on for at least an hour.   Try scrubbing it with a sponge and/or some fine steel wool.  Rinse and dry. 

Hard Water Spots  

Hard water has a high mineral content. If it is used to wash stainless steel, then left to set, the water will evaporate and leave behind minerals, such as limestone, which can appear as white spots. 

To avoid hard water stains, always rinse your PlanetBox after washing, and immediately dry using a clean, dry cloth. 

To remove hard water stains you can try placing a vinegar-soaked rag over spots for a short period of time, and rinsing and drying promptly.  If you are using a dishwasher, place 3 cups of vinegar in first wash cycle and repeat for the next several washes.  

Below are photos showing how to clean spots off your PlanetBox product.

Yes!  Always take off the magnets before cleaning your PlanetBox.  Try storing the magnets on the refrigerator until your PlanetBox is clean and completely dry.  And no worries, the magnets are optional so use them only when you wish.  

If you do choose to use the magnets, they are designed to be used on the top of your PlanetBox lid.   Please do not put them on the inside of the lid, next to your food.   The magnets are not designed to get wet or to come in contact with foods.  

The clip (latch) on the outside of the lunchbox that keeps it closed can loosen up over time.  The good news is that it is adjustable.  You can bend the latch for a tighter or a looser fit depending upon what works best for you.

To adjust the latch,  place your PlanetBox on a firm surface and open the latch. Then put your thumbs on both sides at the top of the latch and give it a firm push towards the box (away from you).

Test the latch now by opening and closing it to see if it is now tight enough.  If not, try again a little harder this time.  It requires a small, but hard, push to move the latch wire ever so slightly.  That is all that is needed to tighten it.   

Here is the link to a short video showing you how:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOkdGMSnF9Q

If you are having problems bending the latch, you can wear a pair of gloves to protect your hands and use a hair dryer to warm up the metal a bit and make it easier to adjust.  Also, some customers have told us they have had success using pliers to bend the clip.

A bend in stainless steel is rather easy to fix (as opposed to plastic which just breaks).  All you need is a set of pliers and a thin, soft cloth (like a thin dishtowel). 

You use the dishtowel to keep the pliers from scratching the metal but really a scratch wouldn’t actually hurt the metal, it would just be cosmetic.  Wrap the cloth around the edge and use the pliers to grasp the bent edge and pull out to straighten it out. It really is that simple.  

Also, it may help to wear a pair of gloves and use a hair dryer to heat the metal up a bit so that it is easier to bend back into shape.   

Here is a short video showing you how to adjust the box:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DrfN2M2-Cuk

Below are some directions with pictures to show you how to fix the metal rod that has moved out of the metal sheath at the rear of the lunchbox.  

Please note that metal rod (hinge pin) does not extend from one rear corner to the other rear corner.  It only lies in the metal sheath in the middle portion of the back of the lunchbox.

Be sure to remove the magnets before washing your PlanetBox.  PlanetBox compartments wipe down easily with a sponge and mild soap and water.  Or you can put your PlanetBox in the dishwasher.  All Dippers and the Satellite Dish are also dishwasher safe. 

Do not use bleach or cleaners containing chlorine to clean your lunchbox.  It is best to dry off your stainless steel immediately after cleaning if you do not want water marks to appear (water marks are harmless, however).

Once a fruit is cut, nothing can completely stop the oxidization process (that makes fruit brown) from happening. This has nothing to do with whether you pack it in a PlanetBox or not.  But there are a few things that other customers have suggested that you can do to slow it down:

1. Prepare your fruit as close as possible to when you're planning to serve it.
2. Use a sharp knife. This minimizes the microscopic bruising.
3. Toss the fruit with lemon or lime juice- the acid in citrus fruits inhibits and slows the chemical reaction causing oxidization. Blot on a towel after tossing.
4. There are also some powders available on the market that you can sprinkle over fruit to stop from browning. Most of these are made from asorbic acid (Vitamin C) and sugar.

There are many different sizes of bread sold, including breads that will fit inside each of our lunchboxes. Here are the dimensions of the large compartments for each of our systems:

The Rover:  4"x 4" x 1.50"

The Shuttle:  4.25"  x 4.25" x 2"

The Launch:  6.75" x 4.50" x 2"

Our lunchboxes includes the stainless steel lunchbox, one or two Dipper containers depending upon which lunchbox you choose (the Rover has 2 while both the Launch and Shuttle have 1) and a complimentary magnet set.   

The pricing is due to us using high quality, expensive materials.  Our products are intricately engineered to function well over time.   Our stainless steel items are warrantied for 5 years.  Our soft goods are warrantied for 1 year.  

The cost will pay for itself over time.  If you purchase a Rover for $55.95 and add $12 for domestic shipping and taxes and use the lunchbox for 180 lunches (the number of days in a typical school year), the average cost of it per day used would be 38 cents for one school year.

Our lunchboxes are not air tight, however, most people find that a meal packed for lunch the night before or in the day of in the morning will not have any problem with becoming stale during the day.   

If your foods are getting stale, please try packing your PlanetBox in the morning and putting wet foods inside a Dipper or the Satellite Dish (Launch only).

We at PlanetBox and our families use our products and we want only the best for us and you.  We take the safety of our materials and manufacturing processes to heart. 

Our products were initially designed by a husband and wife team with two children in California.  Our current group of amazing designers and engineers are now located in Seattle, Washington.  Our ice packs are made for us in the USA.  Our other products are produced for us by long-standing manufacturing partners in China

We do not recommend storing the magnets on the lunchbox.   If the lunchbox is not completely dry, the magnets may degrade and cause the lunchbox lid to rust underneath them.   

Please remove the magnets when you clean the lunchbox.  The magnets can be stored on the refrigerator or another convenient spot.   Some customers keep their cardboard Rover, Launch or Shuttle packing box and store the magnets inside it or inside the carry bag pocket.

To remove magnets that have gotten wet and become stuck to the lunchbox lid, please try the following method:

Step 1: Heat the magnet using a hairdryer. As the magnet becomes more pliable from the heat, lift the edge with a plastic scraper.

Step 2:  As you pry up the magnet, spray under it with warm, soapy water.  This should help lubricate it and make it easier to remove

Step 3:  After you pull the magnet off, wash the area thoroughly using the warm, soapy water to remove any remaining residue.  

When the box is completely dry, you can use a new set of magnets.  Make sure to take the magnets off the box when not in use. 

Please make sure that the Little Dipper is placed in the far left compartment.  The hinge at the back of the Rover allows the lid to flex to accommodate the Little Dipper.  The lid will not close with the Little Dipper in the left front compartment.

For the last year we have been trying our best to sell the custom magnets again.  There are several steps that need to be accomplished for us to create a set of custom magnets.   It is upsetting to say that we have encountered one or more problems with each step and so far, we have been unsuccessful in making progress.  The result is that we have removed the custom magnets from our website.  

We will continue working on making them available.  We do not have an estimate on when that will happen. We know that many people love the ability to personalize magnet sets with family photos and drawings.  Our Custom Magnets have been one of our customers' favorites.  We love them too and will do whatever we can to bring them back to you.

We went to great lengths to ensure that our magnets would not be made out of PVC/vinyl, which is the most toxic kind of plastic produced and is the standard for most refrigerator magnets. Instead, we made the magnets out of a synthetic rubber material that has been certified to be safe from toxic materials and is accepted as safe for use in European markets (which have much stricter environmental health regulations than the USA).

No.  If the magnets get wet and are left on the lunchbox, the material will degrade and cause the metal lunchbox to rust.  

You can wipe down the magnets with a sponge if they get dirty and then dry them immediately with a towel.  It works for many customers to store the magnets on a refrigerator when not in use.

The magnets are for decoration purposes only.   They should be placed on the top outside of the PlanetBox lid.  The magnets are not designed to get wet or to go inside the lunchbox next to foods.    Please remove the magnets from the lunchbox lid and store them in a safe, dry place when the PlanetBox is not in use.

Did you receive your order and the magnets are missing?   It is very easy to overlook them.   Please check the following locations for the magnets:

1)  If a lunchbox is ordered, the magnets are sometimes placed directly on top of the lunchbox lid or underneath the tray inside the cardboard packaging for the Rover, Shuttle or Launch.

2)  If a Carry Bag is ordered, they can be stored inside the drink pocket or snack pocket on the outside of the Carry Bag.  

3)  If a ColdKit is ordered, magnets may be placed inside the ColdKit Sleeve next to the ice pack.

4)  The magnets can also be stored inside a plain cardboard envelope that is attached to the inside of the bottom of the packing box.   Often it is hidden under one of the cardboard flaps.  

If you are still unable to find the magnets, please email us at info@planetbox.com and we will help you.

The Rover fits the following:

Rover Big Round Dipper (Included with lunchbox)

Rover Little Round Dipper  (Included with lunchbox)

Rover Pods  (Sold separately)

The Launch fits the following:

Launch/Shuttle Big Square Dipper (Sold separately)

Launch/Shuttle Round Tall Dipper (Included with lunchbox)

Launch/Shuttle Square Tall Dipper (Sold separately)

Launch/Shuttle Pods

Tank (Sold separately)

Shuttle 

Launch/Shuttle Big Square Dipper (Sold separately)

Launch/Shuttle Round Tall Dipper (Included with lunchbox)

Launch/Shuttle Square Tall Dipper (Sold separately)

Launch/Shuttle Pods

The Satellite Dish is designed to be used only when stored inside the Launch's main compartment.  Use of the Dish separately is not recommended.

Food can be placed in the glass base of the Dish and heated in the microwave or oven (recommended for temperatures only up to 400 degrees).  We do not recommend heating/microwaving the silicone lid.  Do not heat on the stove top or broiler.

The Satellite Dish is not recommended for use by small children without adult supervision. The glass base of the Dish can break or become damaged if subject to rapid, extreme temperature change, or excessive force. Likewise, the silicone lid of the Dish can tear if subject to excessive force. Please use care in handling.

Writing inside the lid is done with safe, food grade ink.The Silicone used in our lids conforms to U.S. FDA and Western Europe’s stricter LFGB standards, and is safe from toxic chemicals. 

The Pods are reusable and eco friendly cups designed to add color and separate smaller food items in your PlanetBox.   They were created to help separate the inside compartments of the boxes into smaller sections.  

Anything that you normally put into your box can be put into a Pod.  The Pods are not recommended for messy foods.   The Dippers which have lids and bases were created for wet, messy foods.

Each Pod is made out of high quality food grade silicone that is safe from BPA, lead and phthalates.  

There are sizes of Pods available;  the Rover Pods and the Launch/Shuttle Pods.  

The Pods can be used in the oven for baking.  They are not recommended or intended for use in the microwave.

It is not recommended to freeze your Pods.

Your ColdKit is designed to be frozen and placed inside the Carry Bag to help keep your foods cool until lunchtime.   

Although the ColdKit is designed to prevent puncturing, it is possible that it may tear.   The ice pack is filled with purified water so it is safe if punctured by chance.  

The ice pack consists of 8 small squares.  If one square is punctured, the other squares will remain unaffected and you can continue to use the ice pack.  

Here are some useful tips in using your ColdKit:

1. You should freeze the complete ColdKkit overnight before using it. 
2. Remove the ColdKit from the Carry Bag as soon as it comes home to prevent excess moisture inside the Carry Bag.
3. Wash the fabric sleeve intermittently to keep it clean by hand or in your washing machine.
4. Make sure to thoroughly dry the ColdKit's fabric sleeve before using again.
5. Wipe clean the IcePack as needed.
6. We recommend treating the IcePack with extra care to prevent ripping and puncturing, especially when it is not frozen.

Our stainless steel boxes are not insulated.    If you want your foods to stay cold until lunchtime, the best thing to do is to pack the refrigerated foods the night before and chill the entire lunchbox (without the magnets on it) overnight in the refrigerator.  

In the morning add the dry foods and the ColdKit (sold separately).   Wipe any condensation from the lid of the lunchbox and apply the magnets to the outside of the lid.   Insert the lunchbox inside the Carry Bag and you are set to go.  

The length of time that the lunchbox will stay cold is dependent on many factors such as what temperature it started out at, what temp it is being stored at, what type of ice pack you use, etc.  

We have tested our ColdKit in combination with our lunchbox and Carry Bag on a typical school day.  By pre-cooling the PlanetBox in the refrigerator overnight and then placing it inside the Carry Bag with the ColdKit in the morning, a substantial lowering of temperature can be maintained.

The exact temperature maintained throughout the day will depend on the ambient temperature the PlanetBox is stored at during the morning, exposure to direct sunlight or shade, and the number of times the lunchbox is opened throughout the morning.

In our tests, a consistent 40° F temperature was maintained inside the lunchbox while the exterior temperature was 75° F through the morning hours. 40° F is a safe temperature to store perishable foods, according to the USDA.

If a significantly higher exterior (ambient) temperature is anticipated then we would suggest using two cold packs, one placed below the lunchbox and one placed above it, to sandwich the PlanetBox in a blanket of cold throughout the morning. 

The ColdKit can keep foods cool for as long as it remains frozen. To truly keep perishable foods from spoiling for long periods, store them in a refrigerator.

The Carry Bag is designed to be used with either the Rover or the Launch.  It zips all the way open and you can leave your PlanetBox nestled inside the Carry Bag while you eat your lunch. There are separate pockets outside for a snack and a water bottle with a 3 inch or less diameter.  Inside the bag is a mesh sleeve to fit our ColdKit and elastic to secure utensils. The carry strap can be adjusted to be long or to have a short handle.

The Sleeve is designed to fit the Launch but will also fit the Rover with a little room to spare.  It's slim design is perfect for carrying inside a larger bag.   It does not have any inside or outside pockets and will not accommodate a water bottle. It has a detachable carry strap.  

The Shuttle Carry Bag is designed to carry only the Shuttle. It will not fit either the Launch or Rover.  It has no inner pocket, however, it does have both an outside snack pocket on one side and a drink pocket on the other side.   

Here are some helpful tips and recommendations on cleaning the bags:

You should wash your bag regularly by either spot cleaning or hand washing it with soap and water. You can fully submerge all of our bags in warm soapy water but make sure to air dry thoroughly with the bag open.  Here is short video showing you how to clean your Carry Bag:  https://youtu.be/EufUvYVGpGk

Also, you may find it helpful to see some advice from our customers about cleaning techniques that worked well:

1)  There has been success with washing bags in the dishwasher.

2)  Putting the bag in a lingerie bag on a gentle cycle in the washing machine can work well.   However, officially, we can't recommend using your washing machine because there are some models where the bag can get caught in the machine and damaged.   Machine washing or drying will void your warranty if the bag gets damaged.

3)  You can wash the bag by soaking it in a shallow tub with some liquid detergent or liquid soap and then add one cup of vinegar and one half cup of baking soda.   Let the bag soak for 30 minutes and then scrub it if needed, rinse and hang to dry.

Both our Carry Bag and Shuttle Carry Bag are designed to hold a bottle that is 3 inches or less diameter. We do not recommend using bottles with a larger diameter than 3 inches.

Here are some suggestions for what you can do:

1)  To get rid of the mold, put the bag inside-out in direct sun for a day.  Then apply a lemon juice and salt solution to the fabric and keep it in the sun until it dries. 

2)  To keep the mold from coming back and to prevent it from growing, wash the bag fairly regularly.  Dry the bag, while open, on top of the dryer or outside in the sun, weather permitting.  

3)  Make sure to remove the ice pack from the bag as soon as the bag comes home so that the ice pack doesn't sit in there any longer than necessary.  

4)  Don't store wet bags in a closed space where it is easier for mold to grow.

Mold and staining are not covered under our warranty, as they are not a manufacturer's defect.  We don't treat our bags with anti-mold or anti-staining treatments, as they can be quite toxic.  

The bags have a short handle with an adjustable strap.   In order to adjust the strap, you will need to remove the velcro handle cover. This type of bag has an integrated strap and there is no separate, attachable strap. The length of the strap is adjustable.  It is an all in-one design.   

Our JetPack backpacks are sold out and have been discontinued.  We are working on a new design for the backpack that will be released in 2021 or 2022. 

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0219/2354/files/2020-Bags-Interiors.pdf?v=1597968187

The link above shows the interiors of our new 2020 Carry Bags which are the following:

Unicorn Magic

Tutti Frutti

Space Animals

Jungle Boogie

Stardust

Camo Sharks

Tomato Twist

Grape

Black Currant

We do not have a definite date when the 12 oz Sip Spout Bottles will arrive back, however, it will most likely not be until the end of September or during October.

Yes, it is dishwasher safe on the top rack only.  Unlike other insulated bottles, ours are designed so that they can be safely washed on the top rack of the dishwasher.

Our bottles are double-walled and vacuum insulated and keep cold drinks cold for up to 12 hours.   For best results, pre-chill your drink and your open bottle in the refrigerator.

If the silicone spout or spout seal seem to be retaining flavors, smells or have mold, you can either try one of the following:

1)  Soak the parts overnight in diluted vinegar and then wash in hot, soapy water.

or 

2)  Soak the silicone pieces in 3 percent hydrogen peroxide for twenty four hours and then wash in hot, soapy water.

Your Booster and Capsule are designed with a unique latch that makes it simple for little hands to open and lock tight. To open the cap, flip the lock down and push the button to open. 

To assemble the cap pull the front edge of the spout up and align the notch to the cap assembly. Press the spout upwards until the spout pops into place. Align the spout seal into the cap and press to fully seat the spout seal. 

We removed the bottles from our website because we were having a problem with false in-stock notifications being sent out.   The bottles will be back on the website when they arrive in-stock this Fall.

All prices on the website are in US Dollars only.   We only accept US currency.