The ground is covered in a thick layer of snow and the frost is in the air – winter continues!
If you're heading out to enjoy the great outdoors, you should bring a thermos with a warm drink. But if you need a new one, you might wonder how to choose the most suitable one. Before you read on, we recommend checking out the first part here, where we discuss the differences between thermoses, thermal bottles, and thermal mugs, as well as insulation types.
In this article, we'll look at the types of body materials for thermoses, thermal bottles, and thermal mugs, their caps, proper use, and how to identify defects.
For effective temperature retention, not only the type of insulation is important, but also the body material of the thermos, thermal bottle, and thermal mug. Stainless steel is the most popular material type and best at retaining heat. A definite plus is its antibacterial properties – stainless steel is an absolutely hygienic material (used for manufacturing medical instruments) and is also suitable for hypoallergenic people. Plastic flasks retain heat the least because plastic is not a good heat conductor, generally retaining heat for up to 2 hours. How long a thermos will retain heat depends not only on the body material but also on the type of insulation.
Another important component of a thermos, thermal bottle, and thermal mug is the cap. Screw-on caps can usually be used as cups. Twist-open, push-button thermoses, thermal bottles, and thermal mugs are convenient to use with one hand, for example, for easy sipping in the car. Some thermoses are not 100% leak-proof and are intended to be transported only vertically. Usually, travel mugs have these characteristics – they are not designed for use while on the go.
Thermoses, thermal bottles, and thermal mugs with the latest technology have disassemblable and washable caps. A common problem with thermal mugs, especially those with a more complex cap mechanism, is that beverage residue builds up around the parts, and with prolonged use, it starts to emit unpleasant odors and cannot be cleaned. Disassemblable caps solve this problem, as the parts can usually be washed in a dishwasher.
To use a thermos, thermal bottle, or thermal mug most effectively and ensure it lasts a long time, let's look at how to use, care for, and identify defects. When using a thermos, it is not recommended to frequently open the vacuum flask, as each opening reduces the temperature. To maintain the temperature longer, the thermos should be preheated before use by rinsing the inside for 5 minutes with hot water if you want to pour in a hot drink, or with cold water if you want to pour in a cold drink. It is not recommended to pour boiling drinks into the thermos. When closing the cap tightly, a vacuum can form in the thermos, making it difficult to remove the cap. It's best to wait a couple of minutes and only then fill the drink.
Standard thermoses, thermal bottles, or thermal mugs should not be filled with carbonated drinks. However, newer type thermal mugs are designed to store carbonated drinks. It is essential to check with the manufacturer or seller whether a specific model can store carbonated drinks. Fermented drinks should also not be filled into a thermos. Existing bacteria will multiply in a closed environment, making the drink unenjoyable and potentially affecting the thermos itself.
When cleaning a thermos, thermal bottle, or thermal mug, the body should not be washed in a dishwasher; wash by hand only. If there is stubborn dirt or odors, you can make a paste of baking soda and water, leave it to soak, and then wash it out; the dirt/odors should be eliminated.
If a double-walled thermos, thermal bottle, or thermal mug gets hot on the outside, it is a manufacturing or material defect. In contrast, travel mugs have bodies made of thinner materials and do not have double walls inside, which means that the body getting hot is normal. If condensation forms on a thermos, thermal bottle, or thermal mug, it most likely has a manufacturing or material defect. Condensation can occur on a travel mug because it only has one body wall.
We hope this series of articles has provided insight into thermoses, thermal bottles, and thermal mugs and will help you choose the most suitable one for you!
