final verdict
I found the zojirushi sm-sc48hm insulated mug (see on amazon) to be the best overall thermos because it keeps the drink warm for a long period of time, is light to carry, and easy to wash. If you want something for hot and cold beverages, the Iron Hip Flask Sports Water Bottle (see on Amazon) is a wonderful option.
what are the other options?
12 oz hydroflask mug with insulated snap-on lid (see on amazon): emma christensen, our editor-in-chief, loves her hydroflask, so I included it in my tests. the handle was great for coffee at my work desk, but it prevents you from putting it in the car. more importantly, it didn’t retain heat at all. in just 2 hours the coffee was almost lukewarm. because of that, I decided to keep this off this list.
Reading: Best thermos keep coffee hot
how we test
The first test was simply pouring hot coffee into the thermos, taking the temperature and letting it sit. at the 2 and 3 hour mark, I took the temperatures again to see how much heat had been lost. the second try was with iced coffee. after two hours in the thermos, how much ice, if any, was left in there. I also tested to see if the thermos fits in my car cup holder and checked how comfortable it was to drink from. finally, each was thoroughly cleaned.
what to look for when buying a coffee thermos
heat retention
The first thing to look for in a thermos is how well it retains the heat of the beverage. Keep in mind that larger thermoses will often help retain more heat, as hot water has a high heat capacity – the more water in the thermos, the slower it will cool down. look for a double walled vacuum sealed flask that will keep your hot drinks hot and your cold drinks cool.
size
See also: Top 5 quán cafe đẹp ở Đà Lạt mà du khách không nên bỏ qua
The size of a thermos is up to you, but consider how you plan to use it. larger thermoses are convenient, but they are bulkier and often weigh more. will you be drinking from the thermos at your desk or traveling? Do you need a thermos that fits in the cup holder of your car or will you carry it on public transport? Do you plan to go camping or hiking with him? Do you drink large amounts of coffee or tea or do you only need a portion? all this should influence the choice you make.
style
Thermoses come in all styles and sizes. Depending on how you plan to use your thermos, you’ll want to select a travel thermos that fits your lifestyle. a smaller, lighter tumbler-style flask might make more sense for commuting or light hiking, while a larger, more robust flask with a screw-top lid would be optimal for day-long adventures or overnight camping. Also consider if you prefer your thermos to have a handle, if you like to use a tumbler, or if you want to splurge and get one that actually keeps the liquid at a constant temperature via heating elements instead of just a vacuum-sealed chamber.
ease of use
Along with the style of the flask, there is the consideration of the ease of use of the flask. some thermoses have switches and mechanisms to prevent spills or use completely removable lids that screw on. this is great for tossing the thermos in your backpack or messenger bag as you don’t have to worry about accidents. but it can also be more cumbersome, since two hands are required to use the thermos. If you’re not accident prone and don’t need that security, or if you want to drink your hot drink with one hand, select a thermos that has a flip top or push button release. and take note of the way the cap is designed. Some caps come apart or are easier to clean than other caps.
frequently asked questions
how long does brewed coffee last to drink?
Ideally, you want to drink fresh coffee within 30 minutes. after that, the coffee will begin to oxidize and lose flavor. To prevent this from happening, you can pour the coffee into a vacuum-sealed thermos with the lid tightly closed immediately after brewing. this will prevent the air from breaking down the volatile flavor molecules in the coffee. do not keep coffee on burner or heater. this will only burn the coffee and give it a rancid bitter taste.
how do you remove the smell of coffee from a thermos?
See also: The 6 Best Toothpastes For Coffee Stains, According To A Dentist
If you can clean the coffee thermos immediately after use with warm soapy water, this will help prevent the coffee from staining or creating an odor. but over time, the thermos could start to develop an odor. if this happens, try adding 1/2 cup of white vinegar to the thermos and sprinkle on 1 tablespoon of baking soda. the liquid will foam and bubble. shake or gently stir the liquid until the foam disappears, and then fill the thermos to the top with hot water. do not put the lid on, but let the thermos stand for 10 minutes in the sink, in case more foam forms.
Then take a bottle brush and scrub the inside of the thermos to remove any oil and coffee residue. empty and rinse well several times to ensure there is no vinegar or baking soda residue. make sure you sniff the thermos well to see if you can smell more vinegar. if you don’t, you’re good to go. let it dry completely before using.
Why just trust recipes?
This article is written by Irvin Lin, author of a Marbling, Swirling, and Layering Cookbook and ongoing contributor to Simply Recipes. he runs his own blog eat the love, is a professional recipe developer and worked as a barista at an independent coffee shop right out of college. She remains a keen coffee drinker, along with her coffee snobbish husband, and has tasted and traveled across the country and several different continents, drinking and sampling different beans and beers. Both her husband and he personally tested several different thermoses for heat retention, quality, and ease of use.
read next: the best cold brew coffee makers
See also: Best Coffee Shops in Tampa: 10 Amazing Cafés
