Starbucks thermal mugs: description, advantages and disadvantages, selection and operation
The popularity of thermal mugs in the last few years has increased to such an extent that many companies began to produce them. Even the world-famous Starbucks coffee shops decided to join and joined the list with tumblr manufacturers. In this article, we will look at the popular models offered by the brand, talk about their pros and cons, and give competent advice on choosing, caring for and using glasses.
Description
A thermos mug is a vessel consisting of a body and an inner flask, between which there is a vacuum that prevents heat conduction for several hours. A Starbucks thermo mug is a great purchase for people who like to carry hot coffee with them. The manufacturer produces cups with a volume of 480, 400 and 500 ml. Each model is adorned with the traditional Starbucks nesting doll logo. Consider the most popular models offered by the brand.
Starbucks T66
A small half-liter thermos made of plastic has an attractive design and is made in several colors: green, pink and blue. A big plus of this model is 100% tightness provided by the strength of the internal valve. The lid can be unscrewed and used instead of a glass.The thermal mug keeps the temperature of the drink for two hours, it is optimal for motorists who like to sip coffee on the way to work.
You can take a thermos mug with you for a walk in the park to have hot tea on hand, especially in the cold season.
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Classic metal mug with black lid. The V-shaped glass fits comfortably in the hand, the double walls keep the drink hot for 8 hours, and also prevent the possibility of burns. The volume of this model is 480 ml. The lid with a hinged cap closes tightly, so you can safely carry the tumbler in your bag or backpack. However, you have to be careful, because if you turn the bowl upside down, the liquid may spill out.
Starbucks Rhombus
A compact thermos mug with a volume of 400 ml has a stylish appearance and a wide variety of available colors: white, black, blue, pink, light green and others. An interesting geometric pattern in the form of abstract shapes can be replaced with a standard pattern in the form of a nesting doll - the symbol of Starbucks. The capacious container is able to keep the temperature of the drink up to 5 hours, it will even fit in a lady's bag.
The tightness of the thermo mug guarantees the safety of the coffee inside, it will not spill out, even if it shakes for a long time in a backpack in public transport.
Pros and cons
Starbucks produces two types of tumblers: plastic or metal. Metal options are more boring in design, as a rule, they come in steel, black, red and brown colors. Plastic models have a wide palette of shades with interesting patterns.
Thermal mugs differ not only externally, but also in functionality. Plastic the bowls are not only more attractive in terms of design, but also lighter and less expensive. Among the disadvantages of such containers, it is worth highlighting the fragility and rapid cooling of the contents. The temperature of the drink lasts only 2 hours, so these models are suitable for those who drink coffee on the way to work, and there they already brew a new one.
The case made of aluminum or stainless steel is more durable and wear-resistant, it keeps the temperature of the drink longer, about 8 hours. Among the disadvantages of such models, one should note the greater weight and high price relative to plastic counterparts, and it is unlikely that it can boast of a variety of designs. Stainless steel thermo mugs are optimal for those who want to have hot tea or coffee during the whole working day, they are ideal for hiking trips.
How to choose?
When buying a tumblr, you should pay attention to certain details that will help you make the right choice. As a rule, the first thing we look at the design, evaluate how stylish the bowl looks, what is the shape of the body and the proposed colors. However, in the case of thermo mugs, the functionality and other details that ensure comfortable use of the container are much more important.
Volume
It is very important to correctly select the volume of a thermo mug, since its size and, accordingly, its weight depend on this point. If you intend to carry the Starbucks cup in your backpack or car, you can take a larger volume of 500 ml, which will fit about four glasses of coffee. A 400 ml model will fit perfectly in a ladies' handbag.
Ergonomics
Before buying a thermos mug, it is recommended to pick up the product and hold it for 5 minutes. Evaluate the convenience of the case, how well it lies in the hand, is it too big for you. Be sure to check the latch, open and close the cover. For people who prefer to drink hot drinks on the go, models where the lid can be opened with one hand movement are perfect, rather than unscrewing and twisting every time. After all, both hands are not always free, sometimes they drink a drink while driving or holding it in another bag.
Lid tightness
Unfortunately, not everyone takes this point into account when choosing a thermo mug, although it is no less important than others. The tightness of the lid ensures the safety of the liquid inside the bowl and allows you to safely put it in your bag without worrying about the cleanliness of the insides. Some thermos mugs are designed exclusively for use in an upright position, with a strong inclination, coffee may spill out.
A 100% leak-proof cup is a great option for those who are going to drink coffee in the car or on the go. If you are not sure that the tumbler will always be in your hands, it is better to take a model with a tight-fitting lid that will not allow liquid to spill even if the glass turns over.
And there are also models with a button for an additional lock, which will prevent the cup from opening even if the mug catches on something in the bag.
Heat retention time
The main function of thermos mugs is to keep the temperature of the drink as long as possible. For each container, this segment varies depending on the material of manufacture and the presence of a vacuum. There are thermal mugs designed for 8 hours, there are - for 12, you can even find a cup that will keep coffee hot for a day, but often there are models for literally 2 hours that have their customers. The choice depends on your needs.
Look first of all for the presence of vacuum insulation, in case of its absence, the thermal indicators will be extremely low. In such models, coffee will stay hot for a maximum of 2 hours. In the presence of a vacuum, you can count on a long period of drinking a hot drink. The material from which the thermo mug is made also affects the preservation of the temperature of the liquid. The best option for making the case is stainless steel or aluminum, which will keep the tea at the right temperature for a long period. The inner flask is also welcome from steel, but there are good models with a glass or ceramic flask, whose performance is not worse than steel.
Wall heating
In order not to burn yourself on the hot case, it is recommended to purchase double-walled thermal mugs, which prevent the bowl from becoming too hot. Manufacturers of single wall insulated mugs usually provide additional protection in the form of a wide silicone, rubber, cork or plastic insert that can be handled without problems. This will keep the rest of the case hot.
Price
Unfortunately, now you can run into counterfeit Starbucks products, which are of much lower quality than the original. The price of an original thermal mug of a well-known brand varies from 1150 to 2000 rubles, depending on the model and volume. It is not recommended to take a mug more expensive than 2000, in this case the cost is too high. But you shouldn’t take cheap options for 700 rubles either, as you may come across a cheap Asian fake.
The weight
Another point by which you can distinguish the original from the fake.Real Starbucks thermal mugs weigh at least 320 grams, fakes have a weight of 250-290 grams, and this cannot be visually determined, since the copies look similar to real products. The difference lies in the material of manufacture, which for fakes is far from being as high quality as for the original. As a result, you will get a container with very hot walls without thermal insulation.
Terms of use and care
The term of its operation depends on the proper use of the product. The drink should be prepared in a separate cup, and then poured into a thermo mug. It is not recommended to brew tea in a tumbler, as it will leave a strong coating on the inner walls. Be sure to rinse the mug after each use to avoid any odor. Thermal mugs can be washed in the dishwasher. It's best to keep them open.
And a few more tips to help keep warm longer.
- Try not to unscrew the cap too often.
- Thermos mugs with a smaller volume keep the temperature of the drink longer, so it is recommended to purchase models up to 450 ml if the heat of the contents is more important than volume.
- Before pouring coffee into the thermo mug, it is recommended to slightly warm it from the inside by filling it with hot water and leaving it for ten minutes. The water is then poured out and the mug is filled with the desired drink. Be sure to close the lid tightly.
It is strictly forbidden to heat the thermos in the microwave.
In the next video you will find an overview of the Starbucks Stainless Steel Tumbler (Smart Cup) thermo mug.