If in the past the thermos bottle stored hot or cold liquids for collective consumption in offices or on picnics, concerns about health and hydration have, in recent years, increased the demand for a version aimed at individual use. To deal with the strong heat of the last few days, just carry your own bottle of cold water wherever you go.
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And there is no shortage of options on the market, between sober and more fun models, with or without a straw, and even a flow activation button. The products can hold more than 1 liter of liquid, keep at a cold temperature for up to 24 hours, and contain a care manual for conservation.
In popular markets, such as Saara, cheaper versions are found, whose prices vary from R$5 to R$30. In specialized stores, bottles can cost over R$300. According to Glück’s commercial manager, Guilherme Lima , when noticing the price differences, the consumer must keep in mind that the best technologies for preserving liquid temperatures for longer increase the production cost. One of the features repeated by more expensive brands is the double wall vacuum system.
— The greater the vacuum, the greater thermal insulation, less temperature exchange, and better conservation. Very cheap products have a lower vacuum, as they spend less time in the vacuum chamber. This reduces the production cost, but in return reduces the efficiency of the vacuum — explains Guilherme Lima, giving another tip: — Check the material with which it is manufactured. You have to give preference to stainless steel, as it is an inert and sterile metal, which will also preserve the taste and smell of the liquid and the food safety of those who use it.
Product materials are described on the websites of manufacturers such as Gocase, Tramontina, Glück, Stanley and Vibets. Even with this knowledge, the task of choosing a thermos bottle or cup can remain arduous. Brands therefore warn consumers to pay attention to their profile. How much you intend to fill the bottle, for example, is important, as more empty space inside the bottle reduces the shelf life of the liquid inside. And the available models can fit from 250ml to 1.9l.
— The consumer must take into account, mainly, his needs when purchasing a bottle. If the product will be used for cold or hot liquids, how much per day will he consume of these liquids, in which context will he use the bottle. Will it be in the office? At home? When commuting on the street? In moderate or intense physical activity? — exemplifies Paulo Torres, coordinator of Stanley’s Consumer Service: — Then he will have an understanding of what literage, type of service, product size, liquid flow he needs.
Market demand grows
Glück, which does not sell bottles to the end consumer, usually sees an 80% increase in sales of thermal cups, its flagship product, in the period from October to January, compared to previous months. This year, depending on high temperatures, orders could be even higher. João Bosco, a product supplier to 52 stores in the Sahara, says that sales of bottles to traders have already increased by 40% compared to last month, due to the increase in temperature. The stores, its partners, sell stock quickly.
— At this time, retailers are already planning for summer. But with this heat, people can’t handle it. People are buying a lot, but they opt for the cheapest bottles and also the children’s bottles, because children put pressure on them.
The demand is so great that Unistar, a traditional handbag store, has the water bottle as one of its best-selling products. Dailsson Santana, a salesman who has been in the trade for three years, highlights that stock has been replenished more frequently than in recent years.
— The heat is helping a lot with sales. Every day, since the last week, we sell up to a hundred bottles.
While Dailsson spoke, several people passed by, touched the bottles and headed towards the cashier. One of them, pharmacy manager Ana Paula, says the heat is “unsustainable”:
— Buying a bottle is, in a way, an incentive for us to drink plenty of water in this heat. You need to stay hydrated to be able to handle it.
Discover brands and models
- Gocase – Fresh Thermal Bottles have double-wall vacuum insulation and versions in two sizes: 650 ml (from R$ 149.90) and 950 ml (from R$ 179.90), keeping the temperature cold for up to 24 hours and warm for up to 12 hours. It has eight colors, copyright prints, licensing such as Disney, Harry Potter and Warner, football teams and even allows customization by customers. These choices make prices vary up to R$219.90.
- Vibes – The Vibets Inox Hydro Bottle (415ml) costs R$ 169.19, has a double wall separated by vacuum, and keeps the drink cold for up to 24 hours or hot for up to 12 hours. The brand also sells the Vacuum Insulated Thermal Bottle (415 ml) with a silicone boot installed at the bottom of the bottle that protects it from small accidental drops, for the promotional price of R$ 193.19.
- Tramontina – The Thermal Bottle with glass ampoule from the line has a built-in handle and has a drip stop system. With a capacity of 1 liter, it costs R$ 113.05.
- Stanley – All brand products have double-wall vacuum insulation. The Quencher Cup (1.18l) can preserve hot drinks for up to 7 hours, and cold drinks for 11 hours, lasting up to two days if ice is added. The lid prevents water from splashing and has a removable straw. It costs R$ 315. The Flip Straw Thermal Tumbler (887ml) has a vacuum seal, keeping the drink cold for up to 12 hours and up to two hours if ice is added. The lid has a handle and a rigid spout with flexible straw, for R$ 295. The Aerolight Transit Thermal Bottle (591ml) is made with 33% lighter steel technology, preserves cold temperatures for 12 hours, reaching 40 hours with ice . It costs R$ 240. The Quick Flip Thermal Bottle (710ml) has an anti-leak lock on the lid and is attached with a handle to carry it during any daily exercise. Guarantees a cold drink for up to 12 hours or up to 40 hours, when there are ice cubes. On Black Friday, it costs R$122.50.
- Glück – Thermos bottles and cups use the double wall vacuum system. The thermos bottle (750 ml) with screw-on lid is sold on the national market for approximately R$119.00 to end customers. The cups, with lids, are from the Spark (500 ml) and Lucky (591 ml) models and both guarantee 15 hours with ice, four hours of cold drinks and 1 hour of hot drinks, for approximately R$ 120. The Spark has a lid screw-on and Lucky, removable lid. Limited editions like Rock in Rio can cost up to R$230.
Clear your doubts
How to prepare the bottle? Gocase, Vibets, Tramontina and Stanley recommend a practice known as “scalding” the bottle, before each use, to increase its temperature conservation capacity. This involves placing hot water or ice-cold water inside the bottle, depending on the purpose, waiting around five minutes without the lid on, emptying it and immediately filling it with the new drink. Glück, however, considers that the variation obtained is very small, almost imperceptible.
Where to store? Tramontina and Stanley consider the act of placing the bottle in the refrigerator or freezer to be irrelevant for preserving the temperature of the liquid, as its wall acts as a final insulator, preventing the exchange of temperature with the external environment. Gocase and Vibets, however, consider that the practice may still damage the item. “Low temperatures reached in the refrigerator can cause the bottle to contract, also damaging the vacuum layer”, explains Vibets. Glück, in turn, only recommends that the bottle be placed in a shaded place, to avoid heating the cap.
How to wash after use? Stanley, Tramontina and Gluck recommend washing in running water and with neutral soap or detergent on a daily basis. Stanley adds that, for a deeper wash, you can use a mixture of baking soda and warm water. Gocase only recommends that abrasive sponges be avoided when washing. Vibets recommends filling the bottle with warm or hot water and a spoonful of neutral detergent (for up to 1.15 l of water) and letting the solution sit for three to five minutes. Deep cleaning is recommended every two or three months, with a mixture of baking soda, vinegar and hot water (for every 500 ml of water, use 1 full tablespoon of baking soda and 50 ml of vinegar). After soaking for two hours, simply wash with running water and neutral detergent.
Can you put it in the dishwasher? Stanley considers it safe, but always advises to consult the information recorded on the bottom of the product. Tramontina, Glück, Vibets and Gocase do not recommend the practice, as it may alter the quality of the product.
Can you drink carbonated drinks? Gocase, Tramontina and Stanley recommend that carbonated liquids are not placed in bottles. “Pressure can build up and lead to lid malfunction, which can cause spillage, scalding or even forced ejection of the lid and contents”, explains Stanley, except in the case of the Growler model, which is suitable for these liquids. Vibets and Glück allow use for this purpose, but the latter warns that the conservation capacity may decrease with the release of air inside the bottle.
Can you pour ice inside? Gocase, Tramontina, Stanley, Glück and Stanley indicate and confirm that placing ice next to the liquid increases the temperature conservation capacity. Tramontina warns that dry ice is not recommended, as it can cause pressure and damage the thermos.
Collaborated: Gustavo Silva
