
I’m a coffee drinker; night or day, bring on the caffeine. Even though I occasionally dabble in drinking cold coffee drinks, there’s just something about the taste of hot coffee.
If I’m buying a container to carry my hot coffee with me, I expect the coffee to be hot when I get where I’m going. I’m not the only one who feels this way about their coffee. Manufacturers know that we coffee drinkers like it hot, and they continue to roll out new products to help us achieve our goals. From plugin travel mugs to keep your coffee hot during the ride, to cup-sized hotplates to keep it sizzling once you arrive, there is a method for our every hot coffee madness. One method of carrying coffee has endured throughout the ages…the thermos.
When you are looking to select the best coffee thermos, what you really have to consider is 1) whether the manufacturer has successfully executed the vacuum insulation technology and 2) whether the resulting vessel has the other qualities and features you want.
Modern insulated containers use a sealed space between two layers to create a vacuum, a nothingness through which heat and cold do not pass. So, if all the containers are the same, why does it matter? The technology may be the same, but the implementation- that’s another story. As one would expect, most manufacturers get the two walls with a space in between part right. Where modern manufacturing goes wrong is in adding features that defeat the technology. Any non-vacuum point of contact or opening is a point of heat transfer. A large mouthed container, one with a poor seal or thin capping materials all result in the coffee losing its heat. It doesn’t matter how well the tube is insulated if top leaks out all the heat.
Looking at some of the most popular coffee thermoses, I see that there are some clear standouts. The following thermoses each bring the heat and keep it with vacuum-sealed insulation. So when choosing the best, it comes down to a question of features.
Thermos is the brand; thermos is the product. This no-nonsense container includes the [easyazon_link identifier=”B00004S1CY” locale=”US” tag=”cafe049-20″]Thermos[/easyazon_link] brand twist and pour stopper and an insulated stainless steel cup. Because the cup is insulated just like the thermos, it serves to lock in heat when used as a lid and keep your drink hot (or cold) when used as a cup. Thermos uses unbreakable 18/8 stainless steel both inside and out for this product. One of the highest grades of stainless steel, items made from 18/8 stainless are corrosion resistant and built to last. BPA free and durable, this thermos will take you through 24 hours with your coffee hot and ready to drink by your side.
Though not quite as famous as Thermos, [easyazon_link identifier=”B005PO9T44″ locale=”US” tag=”cafe049-20″]Zojirushi[/easyazon_link] is quickly becoming a favorite among thermos users. It has a sleek design, lots of color choices, high-quality materials, and works. The Zojirushi is a mug rather than a full beverage container, so it only holds 16 ounces. Rather than drinking from a built-in cup/lid you can drink your coffee straight from this thermos. It features an attached flip-top cap and a removable leak-resistant stopper. The Zojirushi has a wide opening that can accommodate full-sized ice cubes, should you ever want a cold drink. This container is slim so it is easy to carry along. At just a 16-ounce capacity, it might not take you through your day but it will give you a good start.
To find the best coffee thermos, look for a quality manufacturer that offers the features, size and capacity that suits your lifestyle. For me, the [easyazon_link identifier=”B005PO9T44″ locale=”US” tag=”cafe049-20″]Zojirushi[/easyazon_link] fits the bill. It has all the quality features I want and the form factor is right for me. My second-ranked favorite would be one of the Thermos brands. Thermos is a time-tested manufacturer that continues to offer a quality product. The [easyazon_link identifier=”B00XF97ON4″ locale=”US” tag=”cafe049-20″]OXO[/easyazon_link] is attractive because of its single-hand use and light weight, but when I travel, I need a little more fuel than it can carry. The [easyazon_link identifier=”B000IBLBS6″ locale=”US” tag=”cafe049-20″]Copco Big Joe[/easyazon_link] mug has a great capacity and form factor, but doesn’t meet my hot and spill proof standards.
Now, what’s the best coffee thermos to meet your needs?