Coffee cups: Insulated/double-walled

8 years ago

The "Coffee Machine" discussion thread in this forum was getting rather long, and this was a little bit OT anyway. So I thought I would start a separate thread.

We happen to like larger-size cups for our coffee and tea. Since we also keep our house on the cool side, my DH asked if we could find some mugs that stay hot longer.

I ordered a popular brand acrylic (Tervis), but found they have not improved since I first tried them decades ago. They stain, and although they don't break they scratch much too easily. They do keep beverages warm for quite a while, especially using a lid. But after a year's use they look thoroughly disreputable, LOL.

The "Coffee Machine" discussion pushed me to search Amazon for insulated glass mugs. Two came up immediately: Bodum and Epare. Epare is half the price of Bodum, and was also a bit larger, by 2 oz. The largest Bodum mug was out of stock with a "don't know when it will be back in stock" warning.

I ordered a 2 pak of both, to see which we liked better/lasted longer. The orders went into the Amazon cart on the same day: Dec 31, 2017.

Bodum arrived first, in perfect condition. Two 10 oz mugs, the glass feels very different than it did with the original Bodum single-wall glass mugs - in fact, it feels rather like plastic in the hand. But that's only compared to a regular stoneware or china mug; if you handle our old acrylic mugs you can feel the difference between it and the Bodum glass immediately.

Epare arrived a couple of days later. Two 12-oz mugs. Condition was unacceptable. They were packed securely in their own company box, which was placed inside a tightly fitting Amazon cardboard box, which was then placed into a larger Amazon box padded (probably inadequately) with those plastic "air pillow" rolls.

Despite ALL the boxes being intact, one mug was completely broken. The other seemed intact, but closer inspection showed the top handle where it joins the body of the cup, is fractured and showing tiny glass cracks.

I contacted Epare through their website immediately upon finding the issues (Jan 7, 2018). I was emailed promptly back, even though it was a Sunday, and promised they would replace the broken mug.

As of today, January 18th, I've received nothing from them. No further correspondence, no replacement. Zip.

======

Because one Epare mug was intact, albeit too risky to actually fill up with anything hot, we were able to compare it to the slightly smaller Bodum.

The Bodum is heavier. Still very light compared to stoneware, china, or even the acrylic; but definitely more substantial than the Epare, even though the Epare is noticeably bigger.

My DH likes the size of the Epare better. He prefers handles large enough to slip all four fingers through, as in the Epare. The 10-oz Bodum is a "two finger" handle. I can get three of my fingers in the Bodum, but I have small hands (size 6 gloves).

After almost three weeks of using the Bodum mugs, DH says they keep the beverages almost as warm as the old acrylic mugs. Remember, however, the Tervis acrylic mugs are sizeably larger, at 15 oz.

At this point, we both agree the Bodum 15-oz is the cup we will probably choose. Amazon notified me they were back in stock, so I ordered 4 of the cups and they will hopefully arrive soon.

Hope this is of use to some of the coffee- and tea-drinking folks here!

Featured Answer

Mrs. S

8 years ago

Well, Tervis will replace your plastic cups for free, if by "stain", you mean that there are stains within the walls. I just sent my favorite one in to be replaced. They'll even try to save the design if you really like it (which I do, and they don't make it any more).

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Comments (20)

Elmer J Fudd
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Crate and Barrel usually has a good selection of porcelain mugs in the 12-18 oz range. Unlikely to scratch or stain if run through the dishwasher after each use. When preheated with hot water, they will retain heat for a good while. And if your drink cools off, porcelain is safe in a microwave oven and 15-30 seconds will get you back to where you want to be.

Personally, i won't drink hot drinks in a plastic cup and I avoid tableware from China. We were able to find what we wanted at Crate and Barrel twice, each instance several years apart.
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8 years ago
I don't drink out of anything but glass, stainless, or clay/stoneware. I don't care how safe "they" say it is. lol
WalnutCreek Zone 7b/8a
8 years ago
We are a family that uses the Yetis, specifically the 20-oz tumblers. Now Yeti makes a 14-oz mug. These products are wonderful; hot drinks are kept hot, and cold drinks are kept cold. Personally, I would not order a Yeti from Amazon. Initially, that is what I was going to do. However, when I really started looking at the one on Amazon and the one on Yeti, you could tell the ones on Amazon were forgeries. I read quite a number of the Amazon reviews and quite a few people advised that they were nothing but forgeries. The items are well worth the price and do what you want them to do.
WalnutCreek Zone 7b/8a
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Wanted to update and let you know I just ordered one of those mugs. Shipping is free.

Meant to add the link yesterday, but forgot. Here it is: https://www.yeti.com/search?lang=en_US&q=mug
OutsidePlaying
8 years ago
I agree about Yeti’s. They really keep hot stuff hot for hours. They only thing I dislike is that the lids don’t seal, so it’s not really a good travel mug, although I am careful and do travel with it.

Tervis now makes a metal insulated tumbler, but it is considerably thinner than Yeti. Nice, and it does have a closeable, sipping lid for travel. But it doesn’t keep coffee hot as long as my Yeti. I would never drink hot coffee out of one of my plastic Tervis tumblers. Now that I’m retired, I am back to using a thick mug at home most of the time.

A survey done a couple of years ago rated the Wal-Mart version very high, over Yeti. I have no personal experience. But a co-worker at the time had been given one and she said it worked great.
sprtphntc7a
8 years ago
agree with others about Yeti's they are great! there are so many double walled insulated travelers now, can find anywhere. BBB has many to choose from. i got one for DS for Christmas in Phillies theme
Michael
8 years ago
We use Yeti for outdoors, fishing and hiking activities, etc.Field and Stream has an excellent inventory, and if you're a member, much better prices than BBB.

Coffee mugs. I've lost interest in coffee so mugs are on a back burner.
happy2b…gw
8 years ago
It is absolutely uncanny how on many occasions something I am thinking about comes up in a thread. I have been looking around for an insulated mug. I hinted for one at Christmas but Santa did not come through. (Although He did an outstanding job). Thanks for the info about Yeti. Heading there soon.
User
8 years ago
The Walmart "brand" of Yeti tumblers (I think it's Ozark Trail) gets just as good reviews as the Yeti brand, for a fraction of the price. FWIW.
clearwaters
8 years ago
Jakkom, if you placed your order for the epare mugs from Amazon and not directly from the company, then you should contact Amazon customer service. They are the ones responsible for any problem with your order.

Their customer service is very responsive and easy to deal with. I wouldn't wait on the epare people to get back to you. I believe you have until 1/31 for "Christmas" order complaints and returns. So, don't sit on this too much longer.
Judy Good
8 years ago
I am such a coffee cup snob LOL. I only like thin rimmed Glass/Porcelain mugs. I hate to drink my coffee out plastic or Styrofoam cups.
Yayagal
8 years ago
what clearwaters said, Amazon will credit you immediately.
User
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
I'd never heard of Yeti. Now I see REI sells them too. I might have to try one....thanks for the info everyone. I generally won't drink out of plastic or metal mugs. Even my commuter mug is ceramic.
Michael
8 years ago
When drinking coffee at a restaurant, you're most likely drinking from a cup made in China. As for donut shops and Starbucks, it's paper or styrofoam. TH and DD used to offer stoneware when eating/drinking in, but not anymore.

I visited a new Duck Donut shop yesterday and was very disappointed in the coffee. Luke warm and served from an airpot. Horrible experience. I returned it for a refund.
User
8 years ago
get the Ozark Mountain cups, tumblers from Walmart they keep everything Hot or Cold for many hours. They are much cheaper than the Yeti and better too.
arkansas girl
8 years ago
The Ozark cups even come in a small coffee mug size. I have a generic one that I got from a closeout store for really cheap. It looks exactly like the Walmart cup, I suspect it's the same cup without the Ozark name on the side. Probably some slight defect. Anyway....It's awesome! I use it for cold beverages and I can have ice water at night and it's still ice water in the morning! AMAZING!
Lindsey_CA
8 years ago
GO Active Living makes double-walled insulated beverage holders for hot and for cold drinks. You can buy direct from their website (linked) or from Amazon, an authorized reseller. If you go to the website and fill in the form to get emails from them, they'll send you an e-mail that will give you 50% off on your purchase.

We have several of the 24-ounce and 32-ounce beverage holders and they are GREAT at keeping cold drinks cold. Haven't tried the ones intended for hot drinks yet. The 24-ounce and 32-ounce holders for cold drinks will also keep hot drinks piping hot -- it's just that they don't recommend sipping the hot drinks through the built-in straw because you'd be more likely to burn your mouth/tongue.
Kathsgrdn
8 years ago
I use Contigo, bought at Wal-Mart. Keep my coffee hot at work for a long time. I think they were around $16.
WalnutCreek Zone 7b/8a
8 years ago
OutsidePlaying, you stated, "only thing I dislike is that the lids don’t seal." All of our Yetis seal, so I am not sure what is going on with yours. I would contact wherever you bought it from and query them about it.

Coffee cups: Insulated/double-walled

Mrs. S

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Elmer J Fudd

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