In This ArticleView AllIn This ArticleHow a Thermos WorksHow to Clean ItHow Not to Clean ItTips to Maximize Its Staying PowerWhen to Throw It Out
In This ArticleView All
View All
In This Article
How a Thermos Works
How to Clean It
How Not to Clean It
Tips to Maximize Its Staying Power
When to Throw It Out
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Photo: Getty Images
There’s nothing worse than opening up your to-go coffee cup, ready to enjoya delicious (and healthy) sip, only to find your beverage at room temperature.A thermosallows for hot or cold retention, keeping the contents inside as close to the original temperature as possible. It’s also meant for taking on the go and can stay secure whether you’re just heading to the office withcold wateror going on a camping excursion with healthy soup.
Maintaining your thermos is a bit different than you may be used to with your typicalreusable bottleor container. While many thermoses claim to be dishwasher-safe if placed on the top rack, when in doubt, hand-washing is the way to goso the insulation does not get damaged. But don’t worry, there are a few simple tips and tricks you can follow to keep your thermos in great shape for years to come. Read on for everything you need to know about how to clean a thermos.
A thermos uses vacuum-insulated technology to keep hot contents hot and cold contents cold. The bottle-within-a-bottle design has a vacuum between the two walls, which allows whatever you put inside to stay at the same temperature longer.
The design doesn’t conduct heat and also prevents condensation from forming outside. It stays at room temperature (cool to the touch), even when something inside is icy cold or piping hot. Thermoses are widely available from different brands, in varying capacities and colors.
How to Clean a Thermos
Here are three popular methods to get your thermos clean of coffee and soup stains, and even to remove lingering odors.
Vinegar and Baking Soda
The combination of vinegar and baking soda isa tried-and-true cleaning hackfor common kitchen problems.
Denture-Cleaning Tablets
You might be familiar with the cleaning power of denture tablets if you wear a retainer or dentures. They’re also an effective way to clean your thermos!
Ice and Salt
How Not to Clean a Thermos
Now that we’ve covered a few tips for cleaning your thermos, there are also a few things you should NOT do while cleaning it.
Tips to Maximize the Staying Power of Your Thermos
Thermoses are designed for liquids, so this isn’t the place to shove any old leftovers. Use a thermos for soups, stews, coffee and tea. You can even use it for milk and juice if you’ll be consuming them within an hour. However, it’s not recommended for anything longer than that due to spoilage. Here’s our best tip to maximize the insulating abilities of your thermos for cold and hot contents, respectively.
For Cold Contents
For Hot Contents
Don’t forget, once you’ve opened your thermos to enjoy the contents, whatever you don’t finish should be tossed to prevent harmful bacteria from growing.
When to Throw Out a Thermos
The Bottom Line
A thermos is a useful tool to have on hand year-round. To ensure it remains clean as a whistle, use one of the recommended cleaning methods: vinegar and baking soda, denture tabs or ice and salt.
Heading out on a camping adventure? Be sure to take along some tasty recipes that will keep you feeling full, like our22 Healthy Camping Recipes.
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