In addition to its properties for maintaining temperature, a thermos should also be easy to use. To do this, manufacturers are constantly experimenting with flask coatings, adding straps, folding handles, rubberized inserts and other improvements. But the most important part of the thermos is still the cork. And not only ergonomics, but also the functionality of the thermos itself depends on it. In this article, we will help you decide which cork to choose is better.
screw plug
The simplest type of cork for a thermos . It twists and unscrews easily. Its design is completely monolithic in the form of a plastic screw in the width of the throat with a silicone gasket-seal along the thread rim. The cork itself is usually not made of a single piece of plastic, but hollow, and a thermal insulator is hidden inside – more often from foam. A thermal insulator is needed in order to maintain the properties of a thermos and prevent unnecessary temperature losses.
The cork body has grooves for liquid supply, so there is no need to completely unscrew it and remove it to pour the drink. One or two turns are enough to ensure the flow of fluid. This simplifies use and also significantly reduces heat loss.
pros
Reliability and simplicity – there is nothing to break in it at all.
Excellent thermal insulation as it does not need to be completely removed.
Hygienic and easy care. Tea leaves, berries, coffee grounds and other particles of drinks are not clogged into such a cork, it is quickly and easily washed. In most cases, simply rinsing it with water is sufficient. But, even if you forgot to wash the thermos in time, it is easier to clean the screw cap from plaque and odors than any other. In such a cork, there is less opportunity for the growth of bacteria, mold and other troubles – it does not have any narrow slots, recesses, valves and other hard-to-reach places where contaminants can hide.
If you tighten the screw cap hastily and anyhow, it can get stuck tightly in the neck of the thermos and it will be very difficult to unscrew it. Assemble a thermos with a screw cap without fuss.
To use such a thermos, you will always need two hands: with one you hold the thermos, with the other you unscrew the cork. This is inconvenient when you want to drink on the go, while riding in a car, on a bicycle.
It is not always convenient to open a screw cap if the thermos is overall, does not have a handle or any anti-slip coating. Especially if you have small hands and cannot comfortably wrap around the steel flask with one hand. The grip is worse – you have to make an effort to unscrew the plug. But this still happens infrequently – proven brands try to make their products ergonomic.
Stopper with button
A type of cork that opens with one click. And this is her most important advantage. It is screwed into the neck of the thermos in the same way, but in order to pour a drink, instead of unscrewing it, you need to press the button and that’s it. Unlike a screw plug, a push-button plug is much more convenient in this sense. Out of habit, the screw plug can be unscrewed not enough for the liquid to pour out, or vice versa, too much – and the flow will be unnecessarily strong. There are no such problems with the button.
Button caps are a common type of thermo mugs.
pros
The best option for drinking on the go and while driving – you don’t usually need a second hand to use a thermos. Perfect for small thermoses up to 1.5 liters.
Great for a frosty winter, because you can pour boiling water much faster, and you can also use it even with mittens and thick gloves. There is no need to bare your hands and freeze.
This version of the button plug is much more convenient for leaf tea, berry fruit drinks or boiled coffee. Small particles will not get stuck in the valve so much, but will pour out along with the drink through a wide opening
Minuses
A more complex design leads to a greater likelihood of breakdowns. Pushbutton plugs fail more often and start leaking faster – they have slots, threads and many connections where water can seep into. The button spring can rust and fall apart over time.
The thermal insulation of such a cork is slightly worse than a screw one. However, for high-quality thermoses, the difference will not be so significant as not to use it at all.
Tea, berries and blades of grass are always stuffed into such a cork – everything that you have thrown in to be brewed in a thermos. This impairs the flow of fluid and complicates cleaning.
Requires thorough cleaning due to all the same design features. If you do not rinse and clean the cork sufficiently, bacteria will begin to multiply in it. At a minimum – an unpleasant smell, at a maximum – mold. As a rule, just rinsing the button cap is not enough – you need to thoroughly wash the tea leaves from it and clean all the cracks and grooves.
Thermos Thermos FBB-1000B-PMS200C red
[1 l, up to 24 h, body – stainless steel, flask – stainless steel]
3 599 ₽ *
12
Some top brands have completely collapsible button plugs. In this case, caring for them is not much more difficult than for screw ones. However, if yours does not understand, it is better to soak it from time to time in gentle detergents. We talked about how to clean a thermos and a cork here .
Other types of plugs
Screw and push-button – the main types of corks in thermoses. However, in different thermal bottles, mugs and food thermoses, you could meet other designs.
Bleed valve – you can often see it in food thermoses and thermo mugs. If you press this button, nothing will flow near it. It is needed in order to release hot air from the flask, prevent the cork from sticking to the body and protect you from steam burns. You need to press it every time you fill the container with something hot.
And in the case of thermo mugs, the valve also opens access to the liquid. In food thermoses, the cork itself is always screwed, which is understandable – through the button it will not be possible to pour borscht or get a cutlet.
Thermos Zojirushi SW-FCE75-XA silver
[0.75 l, up to 6 h, body – stainless steel, flask – stainless steel]
7 199 ₽ *
1
Hinged lid . Also found on thermal mugs and small thermal bottles. From the button, the lid leans back 180 degrees and there is immediate access to the liquid. The most controversial type of construction. For top proven brands, the folding mechanism can be quite durable and keep the temperature perfectly due to deep vacuum insulation. Sometimes thermo mugs with such a lid are even able to keep the temperature up to 12 hours.
But for budget options, thermal insulation is low, but the risk of leakage over time is quite high. As a rule, the design of such covers is non-separable, which means that it will be difficult to clean them efficiently. But the tea leaves will not get clogged, because the opening of the cup is wide enough – they will rather get into your mouth than get stuck in the cork.
Strainer stoppers and tea bags . These can be both push-button and screw. This is not a new type of cork, but a modification of an existing one. A deep tea strainer is also screwed to the bottom of the cork. It is convenient to brew, clean and wash the thermos. The tea bag lids have a special hook on the bottom to which the tea bag clings. These chips are not particularly vital, but pleasant.
Other modifications . There are other types of lids – mainly for thermal mugs, which are no longer so widespread and often become branded developments of specific manufacturers. For example, lids with a twist-lock, a flap valve (not to be confused with a flip-top lid), a solid button that allows you to drink from either side of the mug, and so on.
