Chapter 3: Travel Mugs Get You Going
While certain mugs are great for the casual or at-home-drinker, more and more individuals are looking for a mug that they can take with them on the run. Many at home mugs that are perfect for a dinner party, however, do not easily make the transition to a busier lifestyle. Travel mugs, though, have many great features that make them perfect for a day on the run or night of traveling. So, just what makes a great travel mug and why should you consider adding one to your collection of drink holders? This chapter explores just that.
1. Heat Retention
One of the most important aspects of a travel mug that you will want to consider when evaluating its success is the heat retention level. You undoubtedly will want your coffee to stay hot or at least warm over time. This can make the drink more enjoyable and help to keep the palette happy when you are drinking it. Many individuals dislike cold coffee. Because travel mugs are meant to be used on the go, chances are that the drink will need to stay hot over time. Depending on the mug, the time of heat internalization can vary. Some travel mugs will keep the drink warm for an hour while other outdoor designs can make the heat last at least ten hours. The longer the heat is promised, usually, the higher the price. Therefore, know and understand your expectations from your mug as well as your needs, and narrow the field accordingly.
2. Size
As noted, a travel mug is something that needs to be adaptable to a life on the go. Whether it is hiking through the mountains or taking your children to school, keeping your coffee as mobile as you is important. Therefore, you need to understand how you will be transporting this coffee and where you will be carrying it. For instance, a coffee mug that you want to put on your bike may need to be a certain size while your van’s cup holder may demand something different. Consider the size of the travel locale before choosing a mug. If it does not fit snuggly it may spill easily while if it is too big, it may not be able to be secured.
3. Materials
The materials utilized in a travel mug are important as well. Because the coffee tends to be in a travel mug generally tends to be in the container for longer periods of time, there is an increased chance that seepage will occur. This means that there is more time for the materials in the mug to seep into the coffee and, thus, can become a health hazard if said materials are not good. You will want to find a travel mug, then, that is made from quality items that are not high in chemical and harmful content. This will help to protect your health while still keeping your coffee warm.
4. The Style of Drink
When it comes to a travel mug, there should be some form of a lid on top. This lid helps to protect from splashing and spills when you are on the go. The lid, though, is more than just about protecting the drink. It is also the mechanism through which you will access your coffee. For example, some travel mugs have a lid that has a sliding lid that essentially opens up through an easy mechanism that allows for gulping. Others, however, also have a straw opening where a you guessed it, straw can be inserted. If you prefer drinking from a straw, make sure that your travel mug selection has a straw hole in the top.
5. The Amount of Coffee
Just as when choosing a normal mug for your kitchen use, the amount of coffee that you drink matters when choosing a travel mug. Travel mugs come in a wide range of sizes, allowing for the toting of different amounts of coffee. If you only drink a small amount while you are rushing around, then, you will want to get a smaller coffee mug. If you drink more than one cup, however, you will want to choose a mug that can handle what you want. Though it seems like an obvious attribute to evaluate, but it is often overlooked when an individual picks up a travel mug.
6. The Liners
Often times, travel mugs will come with liners that are meant to keep the coffee warmer and protect wear and tear on the main structure of the mug. These can be very helpful in ensuring that the temperature remains warm. However, they can also be problematic. For example, if your travel mug uses a plastic liner that breaks down over time, it can cause damage to the travel mug and actually change the flavor of the coffee. In contrast, many other travel mugs use stainless steel liners. These liners tend to wear better over time and may actually protect the integrity of the drink for longer. Consider using a stainless steel liner, then, in your next travel mug purchase.
7. Security
As mentioned previously, the lid is an important part of a travel mug and your selection. You want to ensure that you get a mug that has the lid that you want and that is conducive to your drinking style and needs. Yet, something even more important
when considering a lid is how secure it makes your drink. For example, a pop on top and a twist off are two different options in securing your drink. While a pop off lid is great for those that want to easily open their drinks on the go, a twist on lid tends to make the drink more easily secured. If you are very worried about spilling or know that your drink may get bounced around a bit, consider opting for a more secured lid. If you are less concerned, than the often cheaper version of the pop off variety will likely work for you.
