How to choose the best thermos flask?
A thermos is a practical vessel that comes in handy both on a short mountain hike and during longer, multi-day trips. For many people, it is also an indispensable companion when working outside, taking classes at the university or during a long car ride. In general, thermoses are used to store hot or cold drinks.
It is useful to know what the differences between the various models are. From this article you will learn, among other things, what types of thermoses are there and how they are built. We will also answer the question: how to choose a thermos to suit your needs.
Thermos construction - glass or metal?
One of the key issues to consider when choosing the right thermos is the type of material from which it is made. It has a very big impact on both the time it takes to maintain the temperature of the liquid, as well as the weight and durability of the thermos. The most common in stores are steel or glass thermoses (with an insert made of glass).
Glass thermos flask
The construction of this type of thermos is based on a glass insert with good insulating properties. A plastic casing is responsible for protecting the insert. The advantage of glass thermoses is their relatively low price. Disadvantages include, first of all, higher weight and lower resistance to damage from falls and impacts, compared to metal versions.
Stainless thermos flask
Metal thermoses are made of steel characterized by high resistance to corrosion and mechanical damage, which can occur, for example, due to a fall. The lower weight compared to glass thermoses is a result of the lack of the need for additional insulating inserts that weigh down the vessel. Thanks to the lower weight of the thermos, you can reduce the weight of your equipment.
Thermal mug vs. thermos
Both a thermal mug and a thermos are capable of keeping your beverage hot as well as cold when you want to enjoy it away from home. However, these products differ in capacity and application. If you don't know what to decide on - a thermal mug or a thermos - and are wondering which one will meet your requirements, you should start by choosing the target use of the vessel.
Good thermal mugs are built just like thermoses, with double walls with a vacuum between them. The difference in the construction of these vessels is the very useful mouthpiece in a thermal mug. This eliminates the need to unscrew its top, thus the drink loses temperature more slowly. Thermal mugs normally come in capacities of 300-500 ml, which corresponds to one or two glasses.
A thermos of the same capacity will work well on short trips or at work or school. In case you want to take a larger amount of coffee, tea or boiling water with you, it is better to use thermoses, which are generally more capacious and allow you to take more liquids. Thermos models usually come in capacities of 0.5 l, 0.7 l, 1 l. There are also thermoses with capacities of up to 1.9l. Where will you find a thermos flask useful? During day hikes, picnics or camping. A thermos is also useful in the mountains and on other trips.
Which thermos holds heat the longest?
The thermos' heat retention is made possible by its special design, which is based on double walls and vacuum. The air from between the walls is pumped out at the thermos manufacturing stage, creating an engineered vacuum that insulates your beverage from the environment. The effect is to keep it at the optimal temperature for longer. The thermos' heat retention is influenced by its manufacturing material, capacity and the type of cork used.
As we mentioned, thermoses with a glass insert have good insulating properties, but are very susceptible to damage - both the glass insert and the plastic casing. For this reason, they are used less and less often. Steel thermoses also have good insulating properties and are lighter and much more durable than glass versions. Some models of steel thermoses have an additional layer of silver, which improves insulation and also has antibacterial properties.
The capacity of the thermos plays a big role in keeping you warm. The larger the capacity of the thermos, the longer your drink will retain its temperature. It is important to pre-heat the thermos by pouring boiling water into the vessel for a few minutes. Then pour out the contents of the thermos and pour the target drink, filling the thermos to capacity.
It is also worth paying attention to the thermos stopper. Most often it comes in two versions - with a thread or automatic one click type. The threaded stopper is the traditional solution in thermoses. It is characterized by reliability, but heat easily escapes through the hole that is created when the stopper is unscrewed, resulting in faster cooling of the drink. With an automatic stopper, all you have to do is press a button to open a small hole that limits the escape of heat. However, an automatic stopper is more complex than a traditional stopper, so it can be more easily damaged.
What kind of thermos to buy?
The choice of thermos should depend on a number of factors. The most important of these is the intended use of the vessel. For everyday use, on short walks, for work or school, a thermal mug or a small thermos is a convenient solution. During longer trips or when the temperature outside drops sharply, it is worth equipping yourself with a good steel thermos with a larger capacity, which will keep your drink at the desired temperature for a long time. Militaria.pl offers a wide selection of steel thermoses of various capacities.
