Monday, November 16, 2009

Things You Need To Consider When Shopping For Travel Coffee Mugs

By Richard Millwood

Coffee and other hot beverages have become an intrinsic part of many people's work day. They may spend large amounts of money on coffee from take-out stores and restaurants, only to discard those drinks as they cool much quicker than the drinker might like. If you are thinking about buying travel coffee mugs you may just find that the right model is some of the best money you have ever spent.

Travel coffee mugs come in a variety of sizes and shapes. They can be made from materials including stainless steel, plastic, stoneware and even ceramic. Their size can range from a small 12 oz size which can be great for a small drink on the run, to a (debatably) healthy 22 oz sized mug that can keep you sipping through the longest commutes.

Because keeping hot beverages hot is the primary function of a travel coffee mug you want to make sure that the mug you choose can do just that. One of the most popular ways to keep beverages heated is through the use of double walled construction. This forms a pocket of air between the two walls that can keep your beverages warm for long periods of time. You should know what is inside and outside your mug because you need to make sure that you are not trying to microwave a metal interior mug to heat the drink inside up again.

The next thing you want to make sure is that your travel mug is easy to clean. The lid should be easy to remove and the wider the opening is the easier it will be to clean the interior. If you want to clean your travel mug in a dishwasher you need to make sure that it is dishwasher safe so that cleaning it that way does not damage the insulation.

The lid on your travel mug needs to be easy to open, remove, and seal properly. It should also be drip free since there is nothing worse than having coffee or tea leak on your suit while on the way to work. Ideally, your lid should be easy to open with only one hand. This can be especially important if you are planning on drinking the hot beverage inside while you are in the car, or if you are moving it around with your other hand full.

The shape of the travel mug's bottom is also critical if you will be putting the mug in a cup holder. Most cup holders are a fairly standard size, although some cars have cup holders that are a different size. Although a wide bottomed cup holder can be handy to prevent it from tipping and spilling a wide bottomed mug will not help you if you are driving in a car or van where there is no flat surface to put the travel mug on. If you are unsure about whether the mug will fit, look for specific mention of it in the description of the mug before you buy it.

There are other unique travel mugs that you can use to transport hot beverages. There is the standard thermos, which many people like because it can hold quite a bit of liquid and keep it warm for quite some time. One of the more interesting products on the market is the French press. This is a coffee mug with a specialized lid that allows you to brew coffee or tea right in the mug. The mesh press pushes down and strains the loose leaf tea or the coffee grounds which can result in a superior hot beverage that is fresh and truly gourmet.

Your morning travel may seem bleak but using a travel mug can take the edge off of a long ride in to the office. By choosing carefully you can find the one that suits your needs and your budget and keep you happily caffeinated all day long.

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