When mentioning a thermos, some people imagine hiking, outdoor recreation, and long journeys, while for others it is ordinary tableware that they use every day. How to choose the right thermos for tea and determine which one is better? When answering this question, you need to understand the purpose and frequency of use of the thermos, and do not forget about quality and design.
Content
- Design features of a thermos for tea and coffee
- Nuances of the principle of operation of a thermos
- Characteristics and properties of thermoses
- Types of thermoses by purpose
- How to choose a quality thermos for tea
- Recommendations for choosing a good tea set
- Rules for checking a new thermos
- How to use and care for a tea thermos
- Rating of the best thermoses for tea
- VIDEO: How to choose a thermos – what to look for.
Design features of a thermos for tea and coffee
Thermoses differ in their purpose, appearance and characteristics, but their main parts are structurally the same.
- Inner flask. It can be glass, metal or plastic, but it always has a mirror surface on the inner wall that reflects heat.
- Outer casing. It is metal or plastic.
- Cork. May have a screw thread.
- Lid. Often also used as a glass for a hot drink.
The body serves to protect the flask from mechanical damage. Between the two walls, the inner and outer, there is a vacuum, which ensures the absence of heat loss along the walls of the vessel. Most thermoses for tea and coffee have a narrow neck, since the smaller the surface of the lid, the less heat will escape.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. In scientific language, a container capable of maintaining the temperature of a liquid inside is called a Dewar vessel. It was invented in 1892.
Nuances of the principle of operation of a thermos
This dish is a vessel with double walls, between which there is a completely sealed space filled with vacuum. The stopper and lid must fit tightly to the body, otherwise heat will be lost. For better fit, the stopper and neck are threaded. In order not to unscrew the stopper again, its design is supplemented with a special button for pouring tea or coffee.
PLEASE NOTE! Even with minor damage to the body or minimal leakage of the cork, the drink inside will cool down many times faster, since the seal will be broken.
Characteristics and properties of thermoses
When choosing a thermos, you should start from its main characteristics, which should correspond to the buyer's needs. The main properties by which models are distinguished.
- Materials from which the thermos is made. The inner and outer containers can be made of the same materials, for example, completely metal or completely plastic, or different. There are thermoses with a glass flask.
- Volume. This is often the determining parameter. Volume varies from the smallest 200 ml (although this is already called a thermos mug) to the largest - 5-liter capacity. The most popular are thermoses from 0.5 to 2 liters.
- Design. Appearance always matters when buying. Color, shape, handles, an additional cover or several lids that can be used as camping utensils, all this is provided by manufacturers.
Before buying, many people think about the time it takes to keep the liquid hot. Any modern thermos can keep the heat for an average of 12 hours.
Types of thermoses by purpose
It is not enough to make only a quality choice, it is equally important to be guided by who, how and when will use this thermos:
- a small thermos in children's colors will be suitable for a child to take to school;
- Travelers choose camping kits that come with extra mugs;
- flat thermoses are best suited for keeping liquids cold, and are convenient for drinking from in the summer heat;
- There are special thermoses for brewing tea.
How to choose a quality thermos for tea
A high-quality tea thermos, carefully selected according to all criteria, will serve for a long time and will benefit its owner.
By volume
For daily use in the car on the way to work, it is best to choose a mini-thermos. Its volume is 250 ml, which corresponds to the average volume of a regular mug. You can save time by drinking your favorite hot drink while stuck in a traffic jam.
Products with a capacity of 1 liter and 500 ml are widely used. This is a universal size, suitable for use both on trips, and for picnics, and at home. Such thermoses do not take up much space and are convenient to take with you.
Large-sized containers and tanks, with a capacity of 3 liters, up to 5 liters maximum, are perfect for outdoor recreation with a large company. You can give hot tea to ten people at once.
Based on the materials of the flask and body
The most reliable thermos will be one with a metal body and a metal flask. It is convenient to take it on long trips, and you do not have to worry about its safety. A plastic body will be lighter than a metal one, and the range of designs is much wider.
It is not the best idea to choose a thermos with a glass flask for a hike or a long journey. It is quite fragile and may not withstand a blow or fall. But, unlike others, it is much easier to wash. Plastic has not been used for making inner flasks for very long and has not yet proven itself as the best material.
By heat retention ability
Tea stays hot the longest in a thermos with a glass inner container. In the highest quality models, the temperature of the drink is maintained for two days. Plastic flasks retain heat the least of all, about 6 hours. Metal ones are the "golden mean", retaining heat for 8-12 hours.
The volume of the container also affects the heat exchange with the environment. A small thermos mug will cool down in a couple of hours.
IMPORTANT! Larger thermoses keep drinks warm longer.
On odor isolation
Tall, narrow-necked containers are difficult to clean. And the smell in a closed space can be absorbed into the material. Alternate storage of tea and coffee in the same container will result in the drink's taste becoming unusual and even unpleasant.
PAY ATTENTION! If you brew tea and coffee in the same container, you cannot avoid mixing the smells. Therefore, it is better to have different thermoses for different drinks.
Glass flasks do not accumulate odor at all. Plastic ones absorb it very easily, especially when heated.
By shape and design
The classic type of product for storing hot drinks is a tall cylinder with a narrow neck. Made of metal, it looks laconic, and plastic can have a multi-colored color.
Low, wide-mouthed thermoses designed for storing ready-made foods are suitable for those who take lunch to work. Such dishes can replace a plastic container and not heat the dish in a microwave oven.
Flat flask-shaped thermoses do not have a mug-lid. They are drunk from the bottle directly, as they are used to keep liquid cool.
Additional functions
A thermos with a pump is suitable for home, summer house or office. Its design allows you not to unscrew the lid, but to pour hot water by pressing a button. The pneumatic pump installed inside pumps the liquid through a special tube. Some models are equipped with a dispenser that measures out a specified amount of hot water. To stop its supply, you need to switch the button to the lock mode.
IMPORTANT! It is better to fill such models with just hot water, and brew tea or coffee in a cup, since the pneumatic pump system will become clogged and fail if tea leaves or particles of coffee drink get into it.
Such thermoses are usually produced in large volumes, from 2 liters. They have a movable stand so that they do not need to be lifted.
Recommendations for choosing a good tea set
Before buying, you must check the complete set of the product, examine the packaging and instructions. If the quality of the print, stickers and photos leave much to be desired, then most likely it is a fake, since a responsible manufacturer will not save even on packaging.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION! All liquid temperature specifications are specified in the instructions for the filled thermos. The less liquid is left in it, the greater the heat loss.
Be sure to inspect the product itself for minor damage, cracks and chips. It is even worth smelling the material. Neither metal nor high-quality plastic should have a smell, especially a sharp one. If it is present, then such a thermos will begin to emit toxic substances when interacting with hot liquid.
There are special thermoses for brewing tea, in which all the nuances of preparing this drink are thought out. The creators took care to preserve all the useful properties of tea. Such models have a special container for tea leaves.
Rules for checking a new thermos
Before first use, the thermos must be checked for functionality:
- Inspect the external appearance and internal capacity for defects.
- Fill the thermos with water at room temperature, screw the lid tightly and turn it upside down and upside down for 1-2 minutes. This is necessary to check for leaks.
- Pour boiling water, close the cork and lid and leave for 10-20 minutes. After this time, touch the body with your hands. If it does not heat up, then the container does not have a large heat loss.
- Leave hot water inside for a long time, overnight or for several hours. If after the time specified in the instructions the liquid remains hot, about 50 degrees, then the device is working properly.
How to use and care for a tea thermos
A few simple rules that will extend the service life and make operation easier:
- Before filling a thermos with tea, it should be scalded with hot water;
- It is not recommended to store the finished drink for more than 12 hours, as the tea loses its beneficial properties;
- tea should be brewed either in a separate container or in a special thermos for brewing;
- lemon should be added without zest;
- A glass flask is ideal for tea, since it does not want to interact with metal during brewing.
- You cannot pour carbonated water into a thermos, because the carbon dioxide it contains will begin to interact with the metal;
- After use, all components must be thoroughly washed.
TIP! To effectively clean a metal flask from tea stains, pour two spoons of baking soda into it, pour boiling water, close the lid and leave for several hours. Then shake the thermos slightly, open it and pour out the contents. If the contamination is severe, you can repeat the process.
Rating of the best thermoses for tea
Among the reviews of all products, several brands, both foreign and Russian, stand out. The ratings of the best thermoses for tea and coffee most often mention:
- Arctic 101-1000.
- Biostal NB-1000.
- LaPlaya Traditional.
- Thermos JNL-602-MTB.
- Penguin BK-46.
- Amet "Tourist".
- Stanley Adventure.
- Zojirushi SF-CC.
- Xiaomi Viomi Stainless.
- Tiger MHK-A150
THIS IS INTERESTING! The thermos got its name from the Greek word "therme", which translates as hot.
Arctic
Arktika is a Russian manufacturer, has been operating on the market since 2008. It has a wide range of popular models. Arktika 101-1000 is an inexpensive and practical option for every day. It has a volume of 1 l and a mug-lid with a volume of 200 ml.
Biostal
Biostal NB-1000, a classic thermos from a reliable Russian manufacturer, has a button for pouring liquid. The company was founded in 1994, offers customers a wide range of models of thermoses for tea at affordable prices.
Thermos
Thermos is the very first company to appear on the market. Its history begins in the early 20th century in Germany. A wide variety of models are provided to customers to this day. For example, Thermos JNL-602-MTBK is a 0.5 l tea mug, a great hiking option for athletes and tourists.
LaPlaya
LaPlaya Traditional is a great option for tea lovers from a German brand. Advantages: glass flask, convenient additional compartment and nice design.
Following simple recommendations and studying ratings, it is not difficult at all to choose a quality thermos that fully meets the needs of the buyer. A branded thermos will not be cheap, but it will last for many years.
