home Heating options Best the enemy of the good. Which brand of thermos is better? The history of the thermos: Which is better - a glass or metal flask?

Best the enemy of the good. Which brand of thermos is better? The history of the thermos: Which is better - a glass or metal flask?

May 12th, 2016

Thermos (thermos, vacuum bottle, insulated bottle)- portable thermal insulation product for maintaining the temperature of drinks and food. For more than a century, it has been a must-have personal equipment when it comes to winter outdoor and mountaineering. You can write an ode of praise to this small but such an important thing. A sip of warm tea in the cold - what could be better in a certain situation?

The history of the appearance and development of thermoses began in 1906, when a patent appeared US872795A- "A vessel with double walls and a vacuum between them."

Modern thermoses for everyday (and especially extreme) use are made from food grade stainless steel of the American standard ANSI 304 2B (Russian analogue 18/8 - 18% chromium and 8% nickel). The basis of such a thermos are two metal flasks (inner and outer), which are welded together in the neck area. Between these two flasks there is a vacuum compartment, i.e. a space from which air has been evacuated, allowing the temperature in the inner flask to vary over a long period of time (usually up to 5, 12, 24, 36, 48 hours). This compartment may also contain a special material with low thermal conductivity.
In search of the ideal, thermos manufacturers are trying to find a compromise between the total (not internal) volume and weight, the time of maximum temperature retention and price. Thermos flasks come in simple blind plugs with a thermal insulator and channels for pouring, push-button (keyboard) and lever-type, universal double (narrow in wide). The most common sizes of thermoses are: 0.5, 0.75, 1.0, 1.8 liters. Many manufacturers also offer thermal mugs, insulated containers, water bottles, and steamers (rice cookers).

1.
There are many rumors and legends associated with this brand. The Thermos GmbH company appeared in 1904, and already in 1907 it sold the rights to use the Thermos trademark to three independent companies: the American Thermos Bottle Company in New York, the English Thermos LTD Tottenham and the Canadian company Canadian Thermos bottle Co.Ltd.
Today, all thermoses of this famous brand are divided into two large groups: Thermos and THERMOcafe. The first consists of thermoses with a flask made of 18/8 stainless steel (16 models), glass (33 models) and Thermax technology (61 models). The warranty depends on the model and is: 1 year (glass bulb and FEK series), 5, 6, 10 and 15 years (steel NCB and FBB; Tianium). Cult thermoses, but not without sin.

2.
LaPLAYA is a registered trademark of the German company IPV GmbH Hungen. Year of foundation - 1953. One of the brand's priority areas is vacuum bottles (thermoses). Product design and technological development are carried out by IPV specialists in Germany and the Czech Republic, production is concentrated in factories in China. The official distributor in the Russian Federation is the company "Cold Technologies 2000".
Thermos flasks are presented in 61 models with steel and plastic bodies, including various colors and sizes. LaPLAYA thermal mugs are very popular in Europe.

3.
Russian manufacturer of thermoses, thermal mugs and insulated containers. The proprietary ARCTICA STORM technology ensures the highest degree of vacuum and, accordingly, a long time of maintaining the temperature. All thermoses are divided into series: from 101 to 110 (with modifications) have a narrow neck and a volume from 350 to 2200 ml, from 201 to 412 have a wide and super-wide neck and are intended primarily for food, 501 series with a pneumatic pump, models 702 series have a lid with a drinking bowl, 901 are made in the form of a flask, the rest are thermal mugs and cooler bags. To achieve maximum vacuum effect, the inner flask of Arctic thermoses is coated with copper.
You can buy Arctic thermoses in the company’s online store or in retail stores dedicated to hunting and tourism. Product warranty - 1 year.

4.
This Japanese manufacturer dates back to 1918. In 1948, Ichikawa Brothers Trading Company changed its name to Kyowa Manufacturing Co., and in 1961 to the Zojirushi Corporation known today. In 1981, production of Tuff Boy thermoses with double walls of stainless steel and vacuum insulation began.
Currently, Zojirushi offers a wide range of consumer goods: thermoses with metal and glass flasks, electric thermopots, rice cookers. Today the assortment includes 19 models of thermoses with a metal flask with a volume of 0.2 to 2.0 liters, 16 thermal mugs with a volume of 0.2-0.5 liters, 44 thermos jugs. These comrades even made a film about their production. The plant for the production of thermos flasks with a metal flask is located in Thailand.

5. (in USA)
The American thermos flask manufacturer Stanley was founded in 1913. The company (today it is part of PMI) began producing its first serial thermoses with a stainless steel flask in 1915. This brand offers a wide range of thermoses and thermal utensils for food and drinks, making travel convenient and vacation unforgettable. All thermoses for drinks (vacuum bottles) are presented in the following series: Classic (5 models), Adventure (4 models), Mountain (2 models). Their prices range from $26 to $60. Wide-mouth thermoses for food (food jars & storage) cost from $25 to $65. But these are no longer just thermoses, but entire systems for storing and eating food.
The guarantee on all thermoses is 100 years!

6.Biostal
Russian brand with 10 years of experience. Universal thermoses, with narrow and wide necks, sports bottles and flasks. Thermos series: Sports, Auto, Hunting, Fler, Classic. The NGP-P series is a universal solution for storing drinks and food with a folding handle (pictured). NBP-C thermoses are a stylish combination of piano black finish and orange plastic. NBP-1 thermoses have a body coated with a protective varnish and are equipped with two stoppers. The NBP-H series has a straight, compact body with ideal dimensions for carrying in backpacks for hunters and fishermen. NYP thermoses with a reinforced body and lid provide additional confidence on a long hike. NB-C thermoses - five bright color options, combined with the color of the plastic parts, emphasize the special design of this series. Universal thermoses NG-1 are a recognized bestseller, gaining popularity due to their versatility and high quality. Warranty for all products is 1 year.

7.
German brand of thermoses, thermal mugs and thermal jugs since 2001 (?). Production is located in China.
Liter thermoses Duo (VA-9562DQ) have two cups for drinks (one is screwed on top, the other on bottom). The X-Line thermos (VA-9810P) is popular due to its reliable and simple design, weight (870 g) and price (1.8 thousand rubles). You can buy it. Limited warranty on thermoses 5 years. More models in the catalog.

8.
"Asha Metallurgical Plant" in the Chelyabinsk region offers high-quality steel thermoses among consumer goods. These are mainly food models with a wide neck and a double stopper, which allow you to use a thermos for both drinks and main courses. Availability in the Russian Federation and good price make them good competitors to imported thermoses.

9.Tiger(in USA)
The history of the production of thermoses under the TIGER brand begins in 1923, when Takenori Kikuchi created the Kikuchi Manufacturing Company in Osaka (Japan). In 1958, Tiger Vacuum Bottle Ind. became the first thermos bottle manufacturer in Japan to produce products that meet the Japanese Industrial Standard. In 1983, the company name was changed to Tiger Vacuum Bottle Co. In the same year, the Tiger Vacuum Bottle Center was built, which began producing thermoses from corrosion-resistant, heat-resistant SUS304 stainless steel in a fully automated manner. Thorough polishing of the inner surface is used, the process of creating a vacuum in the flask occurs at a temperature of 500°C, and the use of copper foil between the walls of the flask ensures that thermal energy is reflected into the inside of the container. The warranty on all thermoses is 5 years.
Today the catalog presents the following series of thermoses: universal MHK-A with folding handles and a button in the stopper (1.2/1.5/1.65/2.0L), classic MBK-A/MSH-B/MSC-B, sports MMN-W with two different stoppers included, children's MCA-A for food, stylish MMW-A/MMP-H, thermal mugs with a hinged lid MMQ/MMP-S, compact MMS-A with a volume of 0.48L and MMR-A with a tea strainer.

10.
The world-famous Swedish brand of burners and cookware regularly expands its line of thermoses and thermal mugs. Which, in principle, is logical. Boil it - save it! Today the collection includes the following models: TrailBreak EX, TrailBreak, Vacuum Bottle. The latter, most similar to ordinary thermoses, have various colors (Green, Blue, Orange, Pink, Yellow, Purple, as well as graphite and stainless steel) and volumes (0.2, 0.25, 0.35, 0.5, 0.75L). Weight from 230 g (Vacuum Bottle 0.2L) to 695 g (liter TrailBreak EX and TrailBreak). Thermos cost from 18 to 45 euros. Food thermoses are presented in 12 models costing from 18 (Lunch Jug 0.35L) to 43 (Food Vacuum Bottle 1.5L) euros.

11. Kovea
Yes, the Korean burner manufacturer also offers thermoses. There are not many of them, but they exist. These are push-button models Black Stone with a volume of 0.5/0.75/1.0 liters and Vacuum Flask 0.5/0.7/1.0 liters, a Mega hot model with a wide neck with a volume of 1.0/1.2/1.5 liters, two Thermo Flask models with a hinged lid and a volume of 500 ml. Available in Russia.

12. Retki
Thermos flasks from the Finnish company Retki have been popular in narrow circles since the 1990s. Simple in design and affordable, Retki thermoses are offered in volumes: 0.3 (260 g), 0.5 (360 g), 0.75 (500 g) and 1.0 liter (580 g). There is also a model with a simple screw cap and completely black. Company warranty 5 years.

13. Sigg
Swiss manufacturer of stylish and high-quality bottles for water and various drinks. The company's history dates back to 1908, when the Swiss Ferdinand Sigg and Xavier Küng founded the company "Küng, Sigg & Cie", specializing in the production of aluminum kitchenware and household utensils. In 1916 the company name was changed to SIGG AG Aluminiumfabrik. In 1951, the range of products produced was about 6,000 items. Since 1998, SIGG has concentrated on its core business - the production of sports bottles and drinking systems for them, and in 2009 it launched the production of thermoses and thermal mugs under the STEELWORKS brand.
The Hot & Cold series consists of 24 models of various colors with a volume of 0.3/0.4/0.5/0.75/1.0 liters and prices from 25 to 40 euros. The caps of some models are screwed down, and liter thermal bottles are inserted into a drinking cup. ONE models allow you to open the bottle with one hand. The warranty on all products is 2 years. About production in 45 seconds.

14.
The German brand Tatonka offers two models (with and without handle) thermoses of various volumes - 0.35, 0.45, 0.7, 1.0, 1.2 and 1.5 liters. The cost in the official online store in the Russian Federation is from 2.1 to 4.2 thousand rubles. Tatonka itself (like some other outdoor brands) does not produce thermoses.

15. Penguin/Mimi/EXCO
Stainless steel thermoses of the Penguin brand and thermoses with a Mimi glass flask are produced by the Chinese company Hangzhou EXCO Industrial Co Ltd - the largest manufacturer of thermoses in China. More than 950 workers and engineers work at two factories owned by the company. The company has repeatedly won prestigious awards in the field of quality and management "Zhejiang Famous Product", "Jinhua Famous Enterprise" and others. Products are exported all over the world. The company owns 27 patents for design solutions for the production of thermoses. The thermophysical properties of the products comply with GOST 27989-88 and the highest international standards.
Penguin thermoses have different purposes and designs; there are thermoses designed for storing food and drinks, thermos jugs, and universal thermoses. Penguin food thermoses feature a strap for easy portability, a wide mouth, and a lid that can be used as a small plate. Penguin thermoses for drinks are equipped with a valve on the neck and a button that opens the valve.
Mimi thermoses with glass flasks designed for storing food and drinks. The thermos flask is made of tempered glass, and the body is made of reliable thermoplastic. This design allows you to maintain the temperature of a hot dish or drink for a long time, or, conversely, keep a cold drink cool on a hot summer day. All models of Mimi thermoses can be divided into thermoses for food and drinks. Thermoses for food usually consist of individual containers (sudkovye), and models of various capacities are available. This thermos is convenient to take a multi-course lunch to work or on the road. from Risk.ru: “In short, there is no significant difference, and the one that is more comfortable and prettier will be chosen :)”

Previously, Chinese thermoses with glass flasks, with bright colors, which held the temperature very well, were common in the USSR.

POPULARITY The thermos is not a new thing and is widely used in everyday life. It’s so good to drink hot coffee or tea on the road, while hunting or fishing, or on vacation. I will not list all possible situations, I will only say that I counted more than thirty of them. Moreover, thermoses are used all year round, and not just in winter. Previously, Chinese thermoses with glass flasks, brightly colored, which held the temperature very well, but were extremely unstable to mechanical damage, were common in the USSR. There were several of these in the family of the author of the article, but not one of them survived to the present day. During the Brezhnev era, the production of stainless steel thermoses was launched. Which, by the way, were not very cheap. On the bottom of our subjects there are stamps “year of manufacture 86” “price 15 rubles. 70 kopecks." and “year of manufacture 90” “price 15 rubles. 70 kopecks.” Due to their strength, they have survived to this day and take part in the test. By the way, senior colleagues were confident of their victory over modern products.

WHAT TO BUY?

Lately there have been a huge number of thermoses of all sizes, shapes and configurations on store shelves. The prices are also different accordingly. From 500 to 3000 rubles. And then a question arose before us. What to buy? What are the differences in consumer properties between products? Is a thermos for 500 rubles really 6 times worse than a product for 3000 rubles? Is it worth replacing old Soviet products with new imported ones? In search of answers, we tried to analyze the Internet and print media. The Internet was full of conflicting information, manufacturers were stingy with numbers, in printed publications we found only one article comparing eight thermoses, but in it the author chose for himself, and out of eight models he knew the names of only four. We were interested in the products that are currently on store shelves. In search of thermoses, we went to Moscow to the exhibition “Hunting and Fishing in Rus' 2012”. There were representatives of companies representing the manufacturers of these products. Everyone refused to sell at the exhibition, but after promising to send test results, the sellers gave in. It turned out that the best-selling thermos size is 1.2 liters. Such samples were in the line of each manufacturer, and they settled on them. After all, the volumes of subjects should be the same.

A total of seven samples were purchased. Three from BIOSTAL (China), one ATEMI (China), one THERMOS (USA), one ZOJIRUSHI (Japan), one TIGER (Japan). When purchasing, only two dealers were confident of their victory. These are THERMOS and ZOJIRUSHI, dealers of Chinese manufacturers were confident in the victory of the Japanese ZOJIRUSHI. We were in no hurry to draw conclusions. To begin with, all thermoses were weighed, neck measurements were taken, and they were examined for functionality. The results are in Table 1.

THREE NOMINATIONS Three experts: a hunter, a tourist, a driver, gave ratings for the nominations “Appearance, Quality”, “Ease of Use”, “Equipment” on a three-point scale. The scores were summed and divided by three. The issue of price was not taken into account. The survey included only modern thermoses that can be bought in stores. The results are in Table 2.

TEMPERATURE TEST Next we carried out the main test, namely the temperature test. All thermoses were filled with hot water from a boiling kettle and taken outside at short intervals. Measurements were subsequently taken at the same intervals. The results are in Table 3.

Thermoses stood vertically on the street, on the concrete floor, protected from the wind. They each stood for 24 hours 29 minutes at temperatures from -8 to -12. After testing, we came across an old Chinese thermos with flowers, a cork lid and a glass flask. And, despite the fact that the material was already ready, we decided to compare it with one of the leaders in our test - a thermos from Expedition. The results surprised us. Apparently, the leader in our test is an old Chinese thermos with flowers, a cork lid and a glass flask. But more on that in the next issue of the magazine. The results are in Table 4.

We would like to draw your attention to the fact that some thermoses have a volume of less than 1200 ml, which in theory leads to faster cooling of the coolant (coffee, tea). But, as can be seen from the table, liter thermoses took second and third place. At the same time, the fact was confirmed that some products produced in the USSR are not inferior to modern products. Although it’s 50/50. As we can see, the second Soviet thermos took only 6th place. Thermos Thermos Thermax King and Thermos Expedition are in the lead by a strong margin of 5 degrees. Further at 50 degrees there were Thermos USSR 1986 and Thermos Zojirushi SJ-SD 12 XA. All other products are located below, beyond 50 degrees. The Atemi thermos turned out to be a clear outsider. The Thermos FEJ-500 thermos does not count, it only contains half a liter.

CONCLUSIONS FROM THE TESTS 1) Glass flasks retain heat much better than steel ones, but are significantly inferior to them in strength. 2) When purchasing, pay attention to the contents, type of closure, presence of a handle or carrying strap, and number of cups. 3) The wider the neck of the thermos, the worse it retains heat. 4) Do not rush to replace the old thermos from the USSR with a modern product. And the most important conclusion. There IS a difference between a cheap and expensive thermos! In the first case, you drink a warm drink, and in the second case, a hot one.

Text: Modest Kurkov Photo: Mikhail Mokin

How nice it is to drink a cup of hot tea while fishing in cold, dank weather, when there is no time to collect firewood and light a fire. What if you find yourself among the snow-capped mountains, boarding or skiing, and it’s still too far to go to a cafe with hot mulled wine? Only a reliable, convenient thermos can help you out! It is very important not to make a mistake when choosing a reliable thermos, because it may happen that a thermos with hot tea will even save your life one day!

Thermoses come in many different types and serve different purposes. First, let's decide what exactly we need a thermos for? For drinks or food? If for drinks, then there is no point in taking a thermos with a wide neck. For tea, coffee, a thermos should have a narrow neck, because less heat will escape through a narrow neck. Thermos for food have a wide neck. These thermoses retain heat less than those with a narrow neck. Although, even in half-liter thermoses for food, in the cold, lunch remains hot from morning until lunch. (True, true, tested on myself.)

The volume of the thermos also determines how long it will keep warm. The larger the volume of the thermos, the longer the contents will be hot. However, a compromise is necessary: if you take a thermos for food, then take exactly the same volume of the thermos as the volume of food you will eat. You cannot take a large thermos and fill it not completely - the food will cool down due to the presence of air. The entire volume of the thermos must be filled with food, then the food will stay hot longer. The temperature of food also depends on its consistency. Liquid food retains heat longer than porridge or pasta. Therefore, fill the volume so that there is as little air as possible, for example, use gravy with pasta.

Between the flask and the wall of the thermos there is a space that prevents heat transfer as much as possible. This space can be filled with vacuum or air. In this regard, thermoses are divided into vacuum and air. Vacuum is much better suited for this - its thermal conductivity is zero. Air, well, isn't bad either. Vacuum thermoses have one big drawback. During operation, any through damage to the body turns the vacuum thermos into an air thermos.

Depending on the material from which the flask is made, thermos flasks are divided into glass, metal and plastic (plastic). Glass - the flask for storing the heat agent is made of glass. Metal - the flask is made of metal (for the most part this is also stainless iron). And the plastic (plastic) flask is made of food grade (not always useful) plastic.

What thermoses are the best? The older generation remembers with kind words the Chinese thermos with a glass flask, which was in short supply in Soviet times. But, really, it kept the heat well! Until now, China remains the main supplier of quality thermoses for the whole world. The best thermos bottles are made there. But times have changed, design and technology have changed. Thermoses with iron flasks appeared. Let's look at this in more detail. One buyer of thermoses complained that a glass flask retains heat better than a metal one. You can still buy a thermos with a glass flask in some places, but it’s better not to waste time looking for a new flask. And besides, in thermoses, heat is retained not by glass or metal, and not by a cork or plastic stopper, but by a vacuum. Vacuum is the most important thing in the properties of a thermos. The stronger the vacuum, the better the thermos holds heat. The vacuum is between the double wall of the thermos. Also, the greater the distance between the walls, the better. The narrower the neck, the longer the heat is stored. The larger the volume, the longer you will drink hot tea. A thermos with a glass flask and a plug-type stopper cannot be placed horizontally. This thermos is best used in gentle home conditions. But if a thermos with a metal flask has a screw-on cap without any valves, then nothing could be more reliable - it is not afraid of a horizontal position, and not a drop will spill out of it. The plugs with valves are convenient - press the button and pour. This is the lot, again, of thermoses with a metal flask. Thermoses in the form of a siphon (drinks are served from the spout of a thermos with a pump) do not keep warm for so long, regardless of the type of flask, but they can be used for a short period of up to 6 hours.

Winter is not expected to end anytime soon, which means there will also be walks in the fresh air and hot tea in nature. We invite everyone who has not yet acquired such a useful item as a thermos to get acquainted with our selection.

1. Thermos Mayer&Boch, 1000 ml.

Polypropylene body with glass flask and dispenser. Retains heat and cold for up to 24 hours.

2. Food thermos Mayer&Boch, 2400 ml.

Metal flask, cutlery and three containers included.

3. Thermos Mayer&Boch, 1000 ml.

Very reminiscent of a Chinese model from the Soviet past in design) Glass flask, metal body and lid.

4. Thermos Mayer&Boch, 1200 ml.

This high-quality, durable, unbreakable thermos is equipped with everything necessary for comfortable use: a double metal wall allows you to maintain temperature for up to 12 hours; a comfortable sliding handle made of polypropylene perfectly fixes the hand, the belt will make it easier to carry, and the control plug will prevent spilling. The lid can be used as a cup.

5. Thermal container Bekker BK-4339.

Do you like order in the kitchen? Then don’t hesitate, buy the Bekker BK-4339 thermal container. And your products will be at hand, in the right place, without tedious searching, in the best possible way! The thermal container includes: 2 containers with a volume of 0.5 l, 1 container with a volume of 0.3 l, a spoon, a belt, a carrying handle.

6. Thermos sippy cup without handles Foogo Phases F-L, 0.29 l.

The convenient Foogo Phases thermos sippy cup without handles is suitable for daily use and walks. It is made in a cylindrical shape. Can be washed in the dishwasher. Keeps cold for about six hours and warm for about three hours. Made from high quality metal and plastic.

7. Thermos silver BULLET, 0.35 l.

This thermos is intended for use in tourism conditions or for use as an auxiliary item in individual nutrition. The body of the thermos is made of steel. The thermos has a cylindrical shape and its volume is 0.35 liters.

8. House Living thermos, 2.2 l.

Thermoses with a pneumatic pump have long been widely used for home and office use. They perfectly complement the table setting and maintain the temperature of the drink throughout the day. The pumping mechanism is equipped with a reliable and very durable lever, ensuring efficient operation of the thermos when pouring out the drink. The glass flask in all LaPLAYA® thermoses does not contain asbestos components and is absolutely environmentally friendly.

9. Thermal mug DFD 0.45 l.

Unsealed thermos mugs are very popular for use while working in the office or at home due to their low cost and practicality in use. They are lightweight, original in design, and equipped with a comfortable, ergonomically shaped handle. Mugs retain heat for 1 hour and cold for 2 hours. These are approximate performance indicators based on consumer characteristics. The inner wall of the mug is made of high quality stainless steel, absolutely hygienic, easy to clean and practical. LaPLAYA thermos mugs do not use plastic for the inner wall, because... This material, while making the product cheaper, worsens its consumer properties. Models of thermos mugs equipped with an open/close valve on the lid allow you to use them for drinking without removing the lid. The presence of a valve for drinking contributes to the long operation of the thermos mug, allowing you to maintain the temperature of the drink inside, avoiding loss when fully opened.

11. Lunchbox Contigo Scout, 300 ml.

Do you want to provide your child with warm and tasty food that you prepared yourself? Then the Scout kids food thermos in silver-orange is what you are looking for! It is made of stainless steel and has excellent thermal insulation. With this accessory, food will remain hot for a long period of time. The airtight lid also helps reduce heat loss and helps keep the contents of the food thermos warm for children.

You and I are accustomed to comfortable and convenient things and rarely think about how this or that item came into being, but simply use certain benefits. A lighter, glasses, skis, a flashlight - whatever you take, the most ordinary thing will have a winding and interesting story behind it. This fully applies to the thermos - the delight of travelers, rangers and polar explorers.

Thermos design

The basic design of a thermos has been and remains unchanged for more than a hundred years and consists of two flasks nested inside each other with a vacuum between them. Flasks come in glass, metal, and, more recently, plastic. Depending on the purpose of the thermos, it is closed with a sealed screw cap or lid (for example, a thermos for food). In tabletop models with constantly heated water, the lid contains a pump mechanism for the ability to pour water without opening the cap. The thermos body can be either plastic or metal. Plastic products are cheaper, but they are less resistant to shock loads, so they should be used in safe conditions - at work, in a car, on a tourist trip. Metal ones are more expensive, heavier and more reliable, they can be used anywhere.

The thermos lid is almost always used as a drinking cup - and some even come with a folding handle. It happens that a convenient accessory is sold with a thermos - a cover. As a rule, they are equipped with either more expensive models or tourist ones. Such devices protect against shock and do not heat up.

So, what is a thermos? Glass flask (or metal flask), body, stopper and lid. Well, don’t forget to pour some hot coffee or tea.

Where did this thermos come from?

As often happens, the thermos was not designed for tea, coffee and hot soup. German scientist Adolf Weinhold was the first to invent a design that is de facto a thermos - a glass box with double walls and a vacuum between them. His initiative was supported by the Scot James Dewar, a chemist and physicist. This learned man was looking for a way to store gases in liquid form. Having improved the "Weinhold box", he received a flask with a narrow neck, vacuum and double walls. By covering the inside of the flask with a layer of silver, James achieved his goal: in 1898, he managed to store first “liquid hydrogen” in his flask, and the next year - solid hydrogen. This achievement did not go unnoticed, and King Edward VII knighted the talented scientist.

Cunning glazier

The intellectually gifted Scot, having essentially invented the thermos, did not bother to patent it, which was taken advantage of by one enterprising German named Reinhold Burger. This Berlin glassmaker had, if not a sharp, then a very practical mind: realizing how interesting this invention could be commercially, he did not waste time. Having made sure that the patent for the “Dewar flask” did not yet exist, he quickly filed it for himself, adding a couple of improvements to divert attention: the “scientific” design acquired a metal body, a lid-cup and a stopper that sealed the neck.

After thinking about the name, he settled on a thermos. The second option - a vacuum flask - seemed to him too scientific and unsuitable for promotion to the masses.

Dewar v Burger

Less than six months later, the indignant Scotsman sues Reinhold, rightly believing that the rights to commercial use of the thermos belong to him as the inventor. But the court did not support Dewar, and Burger consolidated his success by patenting his thermos in the United States.

How the thermos came to the people

The burgher did not become greedy and in 1907 sold the rights to the brand to three companies at once: American, British and Canadian. Subsequently, all three companies independently developed and improved the design of the thermos. The English Thermos Ltd was the first to begin industrial production of glass flasks, which led to a real explosion in popularity. Their sales more than doubled every year. The question “which brand of thermos is better” has already been asked by hundreds of thousands of people around the world. With such devices they went to the Arctic and Antarctic, flew on airships, sailed to Africa...

The Second World War made its own adjustments - both the English Thermos Ltd and the American Thermos Bottle Company mostly worked for the needs of the military. Thermoses were sent into the sky with bombers, into the trenches with soldiers, and were used in military laboratories.

Thermos in Russia

As happened with many inventions, the thermos did not reach us soon. Revolution and change of power, famine, Civil War, and then the Great Patriotic War - frankly speaking, there was no time for thermoses. Therefore, the first models appeared in the Union already in the 60s, at the instigation of the friendly Chinese. Which brand of thermos is better? “Of course, the Chinese brand “Deer”,” the average citizen of the USSR would say, and he would be right - he had no idea about the existence of products from other companies.

To be honest, Chinese thermoses were... Chinese. The red tin flasks with pretty floral designs were not airtight because they did not have screw caps. Despite this significant drawback, “Beijing” thermoses were warmly and tenderly loved by the Soviet consumer. When Chinese supplies stopped, Soviet thermoses went on sale - they differed from Asian ones only in appearance.

Which is better - a glass or metal flask?

Despite the fact that the glass flask, which went through all the stages of its development along with the thermos, is a rather fragile object, it is still used in the production of the most modern models. Why did this happen? After all, a metal alloy with almost the same low thermal conductivity was invented a long time ago?

The fact is that glass is an almost inert material - tea, coffee, or rich borscht will in no way interact with the inner walls. But a metal thermos is quite capable of “getting full” of fragrant herbs or hot mulled wine, and it will be extremely difficult to get rid of such a smell. True, you can avoid this in the simplest and most obvious way - use your insulated containers only for one type of drink.

Still, which one is better?

A metal thermos is more durable, stronger and more reliable. You can take this product on a picnic or fearlessly storm a packed bus with it. It would seem that the advantages are indisputable. But for most of us, there is no point in using an "armored" thermos. The glass bulb is also quite durable. If you just want to take ready-made tea or coffee to work, this device is a great option for you. Are you going for a walk or a hike? It will travel comfortably in your car or backpack. This model, at the same price, holds the temperature better.

But this division is practically disappearing today - the most expensive examples of “glass” thermoses are becoming practically indestructible, and “metal” thermoses of similar cost retain cold or heat just as well.

Specializations of "vacuum flasks"

A hundred years ago, the thermos was presented in a single version - although it differed in details, it was still just a flask with a narrow neck. Its main purpose was to preserve the heat of hot drinks - tea, coffee and other less common ones. Today, the products have been improved, and you can count at least half a dozen of their subtypes:

Classical. As in the early twentieth century, it is used to store hot or cold drinks. It has a narrow neck with an airtight screw cap and a wide variety of sizes - from miniature “single-cup” to impressive. A 1-liter thermos is considered average - as practice shows, this volume is optimal for most everyday situations (say, drinking tea during the working day or warming your throat while going to the hill with your children). Sometimes, of course, you need larger containers. Agree, if the company is large, what does it need that 1-liter thermos! 3 liters is just right! True, you can’t carry really large vacuum flasks without a car, but they retain the desired temperature longer.
Food thermos. Its main difference is the large neck. Because of this specific detail, it inevitably loses to the classic one in terms of thermostatic time, but records are not required from it. That is, it’s just a thermos with a wide neck - its main task is to maintain the temperature of hot borscht or goulash for several hours. Ideal for office workers who have nowhere to heat their food, for builders and representatives of other professions “without amenities.”
Desktop. In fact, it represents a fruitful union of a teapot and a thermos. As a rule, it is equipped with a manual pump, an electrical connection and is characterized by a large volume. Once boiled, water will maintain its temperature for several hours when disconnected from the network and almost forever when connected, while consuming a minimum of energy.
Thermal mug. Thermally insulated mug. The most convenient thing for those who sometimes do not have the opportunity to have breakfast, lunch or dinner in peace - builders, crisis managers, hunters and other restless people. It holds the temperature much less than other products, but this is not a disadvantage for a thermal mug - left for a quarter of an hour, necessary to fight salmon or urgently sell shares, a mug of coffee will remain just as hot.
Tourist. The main requirements for them are strength, temperature retention time and ease of use. Therefore, tourist models are more expensive than ordinary ones, but they also last much longer. What is the optimal volume for a travel thermos? 1 l, plus or minus 0.3. Less - it will cool down quickly, more - it will be difficult to carry.
Universal. As the name suggests, they are used for both drinks and food. The lid of such a thermos is a symbiosis of the other two - it is wide, but has a valve for liquid. This is beneficial if a thermos is used for different purposes, but in terms of convenience it will lose to a food thermos, and in shelf life to a drinking one.

How to choose?

First of all, you need to clearly understand why it is needed. If you want to drink hot coffee on the way to work, then this is one thing, but if you want to work for a month at a polar station, then it is completely different. That is, you need to ask yourself the question not “which brand of thermos is better,” but “which one do I need?” So, what characteristics should you use to choose a thermos? There are several criteria:

Time for maintaining the temperature of a drink or food. If you need 3-4 hours to drink hot tea or eat warm mashed potatoes with a cutlet at lunchtime, then almost all models of thermoses are suitable for you, and if you hope to go out skiing on a winter morning and drink hot coffee by the fire in the evening, then it’s worth focusing on specialized models. It is worth remembering that a thermos with a wide neck, other things being equal, will keep the temperature lower.
Volume. Here everything, again, depends on the needs. Small and medium thermoses (one liter and one and a half maximum) are suitable for carrying “on the hump”. If you have a car and you are going on a long trip, then you can use a spacious thermos (3 liters or more).
Price. Everything is clear here. In most cases, the price-quality ratio turns out to be fair.

How to check?

So, you bought a thermos for home use. It doesn’t matter what brand it was - you shouldn’t trust it recklessly. It looked great in the window, the polite and attentive seller praised the product as best he could, and reviews called this particular thermos quite high-quality, but... Quite often, practical use reveals a manufacturing defect or simply initial flaws inherent in the design.

Therefore, the first thing you should do is test a newly purchased thermos. Here is the procedure for checking a “thermal flask” for drinks. Rinse the product with boiling water and use it for its intended purpose - fill it with hot drink, leaving a short distance to the screw cap. Gently but firmly twist it and turn it over. Coffee drummed thoughtfully on the floor? The thermos is defective and needs to be returned. If everything is in order, the container should be tested in different temperature conditions (the cold/heat retention time is indicated in the instructions). If after 4, 8 or 12 hours of waiting the temperature corresponds to the declared one, the test is passed. If the results are very different, then, again, we go for a refund. The same applies to the temperature of the body - if it heats up noticeably when boiling water is poured, you know - this is a defective thermos. Reviews on the relevant resources will be replenished with your indignant opus.

For extreme sports enthusiasts

And the last test that is worth conducting is a crash test. Perhaps it should be used only for those thermoses where shock resistance is built into the design, and especially with a metal flask. Drop the thermos - first empty, and then full - from a height of about a meter onto the floor. Then repeat the previous checks. Everything is fine? Then you can get ready for a hike!

Finally, about those who produce such products

Manufacturers of thermoses are divided into two large groups.

1. "Big Four":

TM Thermos. A century-old history, a big name, a large line and style. Thermos of this brand are distinguished by long warranty periods - up to 15 years. Real “cult” products, not without flaws, but very good. Proprietary technology - Thermax.
Stanley. In operation since 1913. Real Americans to the core. There are not many models, but their quality is legendary. Warranty for heat-saving properties - 100 years! Real fantasy. Another unique offer is a thermos combined with a cooking container. A real find for a traveler.
Tiger. Japanese family company, operating since 1923. Modest Asians offered a 5-year guarantee, although, judging by reviews, their products last much longer. Thermoses from this company are distinguished by their commitment to perfectionism: they are compact, elegant, hold the temperature for a long time, are convenient and easy to clean.
Zojirushi. Also Japanese, the countdown dates back to 1918. Reliable and inexpensive - this is the motto of this company. The company produces not only thermoses, but also multicookers, and even rice cookers!

2. Young and promising:

Totonka. German brand of hiking accessories. They produce only two models of thermoses, but the quality of their products is beyond praise. According to satisfied consumers, these products are very reliable, durable and... quite expensive. Just like German tanks of World War II.
"Arctic". According to consumers, the best Russian brand. According to the manufacturer, the Arctic thermos is a product for everyone, from schoolchildren to truck drivers. It is distinguished by proprietary ARKTICA STORM technology and a copper coating of the inner flask.
Primus. A Swedish brand with a self-explanatory name produces thermoses and burners. The products are distinguished by a laconic Scandinavian style and a variety of colors.

Summary

So, which brand of thermos is better? What to buy? It’s easy to get confused in the variety of models and brands presented. Therefore, first we evaluate our budget and estimate how much we are willing to pay for pleasure. We think what we will do with it - drink coffee at work or mulled wine on the ice of the lake? Are we for innovation or classics? What do we prefer - the Arctic thermos or the Stanley? A few correct questions, and we are already leaving the store, carrying the long-awaited purchase in our hands.

I remember this thermos from my very birth - my father always took it on business trips and, when he returned home, often late at night, he always treated my sister and me to tea and cookies/sweets left over from the trip.

In the 28 years since its release, our family has had several more thermoses: a huge Chinese three-liter “penguin” with a pump and a glass flask, small Soviet thermoses again with a glass flask, a modern Asha thermos made of stainless steel, and Chinese thermoses also made of stainless steel.

Thermoses with a glass flask sooner or later broke, the Chinese ones were lost, the Ashinsky one managed to break (it stopped holding heat - apparently some seam inside was leaky). In the end, only this Soviet mastodon with the quality mark remained.

But even he could not stand it at the age of 38. The plug fell apart. made of some yellowish, slightly elastic plastic unknown to me. The inner part with the thread, thanks to which the stopper was fixed in the neck of the thermos, broke. My father is also no stranger and repaired the cork using a self-tapping screw and a champagne cork - it just fit the diameter of the neck of the thermos.

This repair lasted for about a year. Now the remnants of the thread have peeled off and no longer hold the stopper in the thermos.

At this point I got down to business. I quickly threw in the first version of the plug in frikad and off we went) Here, for comparison, are the first and final versions:

A total of 8 options were needed. After the second, to save time and material, I already printed only the inner part itself with threads and zero filling. I experimented with the length and pitch of the thread.

After two evenings of printing, I finally found the right option. Because I left the bottom flat for ease of printing, and I didn’t repeat the side shape of the original lid, but in the future, I think, I’ll make an exact copy, because the new one, it seems to me, doesn’t really fit in stylistically.

Of course, there are flaws, but in general the lid passed the tests - it holds heat and is airtight. Only the very bottom, in direct contact with the liquid, turned out to be leaky - it is necessary to either increase the filling density or the number of layers at the top.

And printing parameters:
Printed from ABS FDPlast on a stock Anet A8. Nozzle 0.4, layer 0.2, filling 10%, perimeter 3 layers, top and bottom 4 layers (but my top turned out to be leaky, I need either a couple more layers, or additional treatment with acetone, or increase the filling density). Nozzle 245 degrees, table 80 + triangular glue stick from Auchan.

P.S. And finally, the assistants. True, they were more interested in the old cork)