The days when a thermos was exclusively an attribute of a tourist are long gone. Healthy food and homemade meals are all the rage today. Hot, preferably. Many people consider microwaves to be harmful or simply disdain to use them at work. In this regard, thermoses do not lose their relevance. You can put both the first and the second, and hot compote in them. AiF.ru tells what models are on the market and how to use them correctly.
Material
The body of thermoses is made of plastic or metal. The former are lighter, suitable for daily use, the latter will cost more, but will last longer and withstand falls and bumps.
The main task of a thermos is to keep the temperature. The flask is responsible for this. Glass works best, and it is also resistant to odors. However, for an active lifestyle, such a flask is not suitable - it is too fragile. A flask made of stainless or ordinary steel is almost as good as a glass flask in keeping warm, while at the same time it will last longer. A thermos with a plastic flask is the cheapest option, it weighs little, but actively absorbs odors and releases them when heated.
Form and purpose
Thermos for liquids intended for transportation of ready-made drinks: tea, coffee, water, compote, broth. However, it is not suitable for storing soda; it is not advised to use it for brine, dairy products and infant formula. Such a thermos usually has a narrow neck (25-60 mm), which also contributes to a longer preservation of the temperature of the liquid. Often these thermoses are equipped with a valve that allows you to pour a drink without unscrewing the cap. The lid can be used as a glass.
Photo: Shutterstock.com
Pump thermos also used for liquids, but differs from the conventional model in the presence of a pneumatic pump and a valve. Press the button on top, the drink pours from the tap. Keeps the temperature of the liquid throughout the day. But has big sizes- not less than 1.5 liters. Therefore, it is not suitable for carrying, it is only suitable for stationary use.
Photo: Shutterstock.com
Thermo mug... Differs in a compact form (250-500 ml), which is convenient for use in the car, gym, work or study. Usually have plastic cover with a plug that allows you to drink directly from a thermos, as well as a handle or rubberized area on the body. The main disadvantage of the thermo mug is that it is not designed for long-term storage of the contents, but keeps the temperature only during the consumption of the drink, for a maximum of 2 hours.
Photo: Shutterstock.com
Food thermos used for storing first and second courses. It has a wide neck (65-80 mm), it is convenient to put food in and get out of it. However, the large hole diameter reduces the shelf life of food to 4-6 hours. Food thermoses have a single-level design that allows you to carry one dish, or multi-level, the so-called vessel thermoses. Such a model consists of several, usually three, independent containers fastened together. Each of them is sealed, which allows you to take several ready-made meals to work or on the road at once.
Photo: Shutterstock.com
Universal thermos- the most popular model, which is suitable for transporting both liquids and ready meals. It features a special double cork structure. If you unscrew it completely, then a wide throat is formed, suitable for eating, and if only the inner part, then a narrow hole remains, which is necessary for drinks. The way the thermos is used affects the temperature retention time, up to a maximum of 8 hours. Such models are usually equipped with sturdy handles and folding appliances.
Photo: Shutterstock.com
How to choose
We have decided on the model. But choosing a thermos requires careful attention. In the store, be sure to shake the thermos. If there is sound and rattling, then it will keep the temperature.
Check if the plug closes tightly, if it fits well.
Unscrew the plug and sniff. It is important to make sure that there are no foreign odors.
Fill a thermos with boiling water. You need to check if the temperature changes after a few minutes.
How to use?
When using the thermos, you should be careful not to let it fall and hit, especially if the body and the flask are made of fragile materials.
It is recommended that you fill the thermos completely to keep food and drinks at a temperature longer. However, in this case, you should leave room for the flask and a little more empty space so as not to burn yourself when opening.
Do not heat the flask in the microwave or oven.
Do not leave food and drinks in a thermos for a long time, maximum - two days.
For washing, you need to use a soapy solution, not abrasive products, so as not to damage the surface.
To avoid smell, the thermos should be dried disassembled, and the empty thermos should be stored with a loosely closed lid.
To get rid of the unpleasant odor will help boiling water poured in for half an hour with diluted soda.
To keep your thermos at a better temperature and serve for many years, we present to your attention some tips for using thermos.
Temperature preservation
In order for the thermos to keep hot food or drinks longer, you should warm up the flask just before placing food in it. The best way- pour boiling water into a flask, let it warm up, pour boiling water. In this case, the flask will become hot and will not take away some of the temperature from the hot food or drinks placed in it.
It should be borne in mind that if your thermos flask is made of tempered glass, then it is strictly forbidden to pour boiling water into the thermos if it was just brought from the cold or if cold food was stored in it. The glass may crack. Therefore, you need to warm up the glass flask gradually: first pour warm water into it, let it warm up, and then pour boiling water into it.
It is also forbidden to put hot substances in a thermos with a glass flask, the temperature of which is more than 100 degrees Celsius. For example, a very hot oil can be such a substance. The consequences can be cracks on the flask, its deformation and loss of qualities for maintaining temperature.
For long-term storage of cold foods, the same tactics are used as for hot ones - before placing cold food or drinks in a thermos, the flask should be cooled. For cooling, pieces of ice or water chilled in the refrigerator can be used.
Careful use
In order for your thermos to serve you for many years, you should treat it with care. Even if you have a stainless steel thermos, this does not mean that it cannot be broken. The stainless steel thermos can dent if hit hard or dropped onto a hard surface from a great height. As a result, the tightness of the thermos may be broken and the temperature will keep much worse.
A thermos with a glass flask, unlike a thermos with a metal flask, is more fragile, but if the flask breaks, it can be repaired. For glass flasks, there are spare flasks in the assortment, and they can be easily replaced with new ones if necessary. In stainless steel thermoses, it is not possible to replace the flask with a new one.
Thermoses are gaining great popularity today, becoming an indispensable attribute in almost every family.
But it happens that the lid of the thermos turned out to be tightly screwed on and it becomes almost impossible to open it. We will consider what needs to be done to solve this problem in the article.
Causes
The reason that the lid of the thermos (thermo mug) is tightly twisted is the decrease in pressure inside it. Due to such a difference, it becomes very difficult to open it. To solve the problem, you must press the valve in the lid to equalize the pressure and calmly open it.
At the moment when hot liquid is poured into the thermos, the metal thread expands and adheres tightly to the base, a vacuum is formed. As a result, the lid fits snugly against the thermos, and it becomes very difficult to open it.
How to open a thermos that is tightly twisted
In order to open a tightly closed thermos with hot contents, you must wait until the liquid cools down. However, there are methods that can speed up this process and help open a tightly tightened plug faster.
Opening methods
Safe and effective methods opening the lid consists in cooling or heating it. Using a bottle opener or knife can also help solve this problem, but it can damage the thermos.
Method one (under cold water)
This method is suitable for a thermos with an external thread. The essence of the method is to place a thermos under cold water for cooling. So the metal thread will begin to taper, less tightly adhering to the flask, and it will become much easier to unscrew the cap.
Method two (under hot water)
Thermoses, which have a cap with an internal thread, must be placed under hot water. As it heats up, it will expand and fit less tightly in the main body of the thermos.
We use physical strength
Using physical force, you can also open a tightly twisted cork. The best way to do this is to pull the lid up.
We use a bottle opener
If the plug is flat, you can try to pry it off with a bottle opener. This will break the vacuum that has formed inside the thermos and make it easy to unscrew.
Important! This method should be used very carefully so as not to damage the integrity of the dishes.
Special devices
You can also make a special device for opening threaded lids yourself. To do this, you will need the following materials:
- elastic;
- fine sandpaper;
- long bolt with nut;
- two wooden planks 20-25 centimeters long.
To begin with, you need to make through holes in the strips of such a diameter so that a bolt can be easily placed in it.
Next, glue strips of sandpaper on the strips and thread the bolt through the holes, securing it with a nut. In this case, the emery strips should remain inside the device, and the free edges of the strips should be connected together with an elastic band.
Using such a device is quite simple: you need to adjust the size of the opener to the diameter of the lid using a nut. Put a structure on it and turn it gently. Emery paper provides a firm grip on the metal cover, making it much easier to unscrew.
other methods
There are several additional ways to open a thermos:
- Wrap the cover with electrical tape and pull it strongly in the direction of thread movement;
- Use leather gloves when opening (the code fits tightly to the metal without causing slipping);
- Knock on the lid and walls;
- Try to pry with a knife, this will break the vacuum inside, and it will be easier to open the thermos.
Conclusion
There are many different ways how to open the tightly screwed lid of a thermos. They are all based on the properties of the metal (contraction during cooling and expansion as temperature rises) and vacuum breakdown. When choosing any of the possible methods, you should act carefully so as not to damage the thermos.
Supplied with a secure plug. It is designed to maintain the maximum temperature of the liquid, even when draining from a thermos into a cup. With these thermoses, there are practically no such troubles as a tightly twisted lid.
5%
Reasons why the cover may be difficult to unscrew
This is possible if you pour boiling water into a thermos and, having tightly tightened the cork, leave it unattended for several days. This almost never happens. According to statistics, the contents of a liter thermal container are drunk in the next 8 hours after the liquid is poured into it. But the circumstances may be different. The company's developers have thought of such a rather unlikely option.
As a liquid cools, as is known, it decreases in volume. Its decrease in the closed space of the flask invariably leads to a decrease in pressure. The plug is literally pushed inward by the difference in external and internal pressure.
The presence of threads counteracts this. If a plug without a thread can firmly bite into the walls of the neck, then the threaded model will only go a little deeper into it.
Another reason for an unpleasant situation may be the elementary adhesion of surfaces to each other. This can happen if you stored very sweet tea in a thermos, and then, after rinsing it poorly, poured another liquid. Under influence high temperature micro particles of sugar will melt between the contacting surfaces. As they cool, they become viscous. This contributes to the sticking of different parts of the thermos.
How to act in an extraordinary situation
5%
Especially for the readers of our blog, a 5% discount on the entire assortment of the store with the BLOG promo code
If this, nevertheless, happened, and you cannot unscrew the plug, do not panic. There are several ways to help you open the thermos without damaging it.
The special design of the plug makes the extraction process much easier even in such a situation. The fact is that there are through holes inside it. In order to pour liquid, there is no need to completely unscrew the thermos container. Turning the plug 180 degrees will be enough to keep the holes open.
5%
Especially for the readers of our blog, a 5% discount on the entire assortment of the store with the BLOG promo code
Both to drain the drink and to open the stuck cork, just a slight twist is enough.
How to prevent such situations
So that you do not have to resort to extreme measures, do not leave a thermos with boiling water for a long time. Use the prepared drink as directed within 8-10 hours. And then you won't have any problems opening the thermos.
Naturally, rinse the jar thoroughly before pouring in new liquid. Wash the flask and stopper separately. This will prevent the different parts from sticking together. It should be remembered that the manufacturer prohibits putting some models in the dishwasher. Before using the thermos, carefully read the instructions for it.
Even children know that a thermos is a device for maintaining the right temperature for a long time. But only a high-quality product can boast of such properties. To acquire an excellent invention that is designed to make our lives easier, you need to know how to choose it and handle it in the future.
By the way, speaking of inventions, the brainchild of the Englishman James Dewar Deward became the prototype of the modern accessory. From a glass container, he built something like a bottle with double walls, between which he pumped out air, applied a silver layer to the surface and got a wonderful item for storing rarefied gases. It was only after many years that his student set up the production of thermoses for household use.
Today we can purchase thermoses for a variety of purposes, which are united by one mission - to keep the contents warm or cold. A thermos for tea is the most demanded category of goods in this segment and it is about it that we will be talking about.
Benefit
A cup of aromatic and strong tea is a favorite drink of many. This drink is especially relevant in the cold season, and even more in demand during long walks or during outdoor recreation. It is important to have a good and reliable tea thermos on hand at times like these.
Directly in it you can brew a tea drink, pamper yourself and your family. There is a special brewing technology for this drink, following which you can get all the benefits:
- the temperature stays hot for a long time;
- tea contains a lot of vitamins C and B;
- you can adjust the strength yourself;
- due to the tightness of the container, such a drink will retain its freshness for a couple of days.
So, if you are among those who like to travel, go hunting, fishing or on long business trips, the thermos will become a real lifesaver in many situations, because it will help keep the drink ready for use for a long time.
Harm
A lot of people brew tea in a thermos and carry it with them. It is convenient and fast, but this method is only one side of the coin.
- constant exposure to high temperatures dulls the aroma of tea over time, and even later completely destroys it;
- even a large amount of sugar cannot remove the bitterness;
- tea turns out cloudy in a thermos;
- prolonged stay of the drink in a thermos provokes vitamins C and B;
- sealed containers are a favorable breeding ground for bacteria.
If you really want to take seagulls with you, then it is better to brew it separately, and then pour it into a container without leaving the tea leaves in it.
Can i brew tea in a thermos?
This question worries many people who often use the services of a "temperature keeper". In general, enamel or clay containers are considered ideal for making a tea drink. If you have the opportunity to purchase a thermos with enamel, then the above question will be resolved by itself.
When choosing a tea thermos, pay attention to the height of the flask!
But what about those who have only a classic thermos and a great desire to take hot tea with them on the road? As practice shows, most "ordinary" admirers of a tea drink do not notice the difference in taste, brewed in a thermos and in a teapot. In addition, no matter what they say there, the tea leaf does not lose useful properties and aroma if it is not in the container for too long.
So you can safely give a positive answer to the question "is it possible to brew tea in a thermos." Moreover, it is much more convenient and faster than the usual method. It is only important to remember that this must be done correctly.
How to prepare a new thermos for use?
Before describing the process of preparing just the purchased thermo-container for use, it will not be superfluous to clarify that for tea it is best to give preference to a thermos with a glass flask, since metal can significantly affect the taste of a hot drink. If you want to brew tea leaves in a spill way, then a device with a lever will come in handy.
So, you have made such a necessary new thing and want it to bring only joyful moments, then you need:
- wash the entire appliance completely. Note that it is the whole, not one flask;
- do not use any household chemicals... Baking soda works best;
- Pour a teaspoon of green tea into a container;
- pour boiling water over and leave for several hours.
After carrying out such manipulations, all parts must be dried well. Everything, there will be no trace of the factory smell.
How to brew green tea in a thermos?
For this drink, the optimal volume of a thermos is no more than 1 liter. When brewing green tea, the most important thing is to calculate the proportion. Please note that the pouring will be steaming for a long time, giving off bitterness and astringency, therefore you need to put less portions than for cooking in a teapot or cup.
The algorithm looks something like this:
- scald a thermos with boiling water;
- pour the prepared dose of tea leaves into the flask;
- cool the boiling water to 80 o and fill it.
- let it brew for up to half an hour or an hour.
How to brew black tea in a thermos?
It's not so simple with black tea. The fact is that when the tea leaves are kept inside the thermos for a long time, not quite useful substances are released from them. If possible, it is better to brew black tea separately and strain it into a thermos - it is better to do just that.
If such brewing is impossible, you can do it inside a thermos. You just need to do it for a short time, no more than 10 minutes.
How to brew tea in a thermos?
For people who cannot imagine their day without a cup of hot tea, brewing this drink in a thermos is a great way not to part with it anywhere. For those who have never done this, it may seem that this method is rather complicated, but this is a delusion.
Brewing tea in a thermos is as easy as shelling pears: scald a container with boiling water, fill in the tea leaves (it can be any, depending on your preferences) and fill in hot water... You can even take it. After infusion for about an hour, the drink is ready to drink. Sugar can be used both sand and lump. Enjoy your tea!
Recipes
As a rule, it is customary to use a thermos for long trips or for outdoor recreation. Most often, this container is purchased specifically for brewing tea. Which one to cook is a purely personal matter. The only thing is that it is customary to use black varieties in the cold season, and green varieties in summer.
A tea ceremony using a thermos also takes place, because there are a huge variety of recipes for this brewing method. At first glance, the preparation of ingredients may seem difficult, but in reality it is not.
Fragrant herbs: lemon balm, thyme, mint, medicinal preparations, lemon, ginger and many other components - all this will be an excellent basis for creating a gorgeous bouquet of aromas that will open in a thermos.
Lemon tea in a thermos
For preparation, you need to take lemon, sugar and dry brew of your favorite tea. The use of ginger will be very tasty in such a recipe.
If you still take this root, then the step-by-step preparation will look like this:
- put finely chopped ginger in a thermos and pour boiling water over;
- after a few minutes add a portion of the selected type of tea;
- a few unpeeled, but pitted lemon circles, add also after five minutes;
- let the tea brew for about an hour and then pour into cups.
Ginger tea in a thermos
Ginger is a wonderful tropical root vegetable that can help fight colds, relieve colds, and excess weight, has a beneficial effect on the condition of the digestive tract and many more useful properties. will help to gain strength and keep warm in cold weather.
To make tea with this root in a thermos, you just need to grate half a medium-sized fruit or cut it into thin slices, put it in a thermos and fill it with cool boiling water. Let it brew for 40 minutes to an hour and you can safely enjoy a fragrant and healthy drink.
Since, due to the content of the ether, ginger is endowed with a very specific taste, in combination with tea from it, jam, lemon, apples, rose hips and cinnamon would be appropriate.
Rosehip tea in a thermos
It is best to prepare this drink at night.
In a thermos - very healthy and tasty:
- pour boiling water over a thermo-container;
- Pour 40-60 g of dry fruits into a container and pour a liter of cool boiling water;
- fall asleep 8 tsp. sugar (for this amount).
By the morning, you have a drink ready to drink.
The best thermoses for tea and coffee: how to choose?
A thermos is a structure consisting of an inner flask and an outer casing, which are separated by a vacuum space. Therefore, these two components are decisive when choosing a container for a liquid.
- A glass flask holds the temperature well, but breaks very easily. These types are more often bought for making tea at home;
- The metal bulb gives off cold or heat rather, but it is shock-resistant. These thermos flasks are great for hiking and travel.
When choosing a shell material, it's only a matter of aesthetic preferences: cases can be plastic or metal.
Since a third of the heat is lost through the lid, it is she who should be given the most attention when choosing:
- cork leaks over time;
- threaded plastic covers are a great option;
- a lid with a valve is considered the most convenient.
As for the volume, the modern market offers thermoses from 0.25 to 20 liters. Here, too, it is up to you to decide, based on the need.
Thermo cups vs thermoses for tea
Thermoses, the volume of which does not exceed half a liter, are most often called thermal cups. By and large, there are no cardinal differences between these two containers, since both are designed to maintain the temperature of the contents, but nevertheless, some nuances can be distinguished.
So, a thermos is able to keep the required thermal mode longer than a mug. In addition, the first option closes much more tightly, but the second is not very suitable for carrying in a bag. Thermo mug is perfect for city dwellers and tea lovers without rushing anywhere. So, even an open thermo cup retains heat much longer than an ordinary one.
How to wash a tea thermos?
You bought a good thermos and are actively using it. Here one fine day in nature you pour, instead of your favorite aromatic tea, an incomprehensible taste of a bitter liquid. This happens when the owner does not know how to clean a tea thermos from various kinds of deposits.
There are dozens of ways to clean a thermos. Here are the most reliable ones:
- in case of frivolous contamination, it is enough to pour a few slices of lemon with boiling water and leave overnight;
- Stronger deposits are removed with a few tablespoons of baking soda and rice. Also pour boiling water overnight;
- will help to remove plaque "Coca-Cola" or "Fanta" left overnight;
- the heaviest dirt and odors are eliminated by whiteness.
We can say about a thermos: everything ingenious is simple. Use it correctly and it will last for years.
Don't forget to Like! 🙂
