1. Basic functions of thermos cups
1.1 Principle of keeping beverage temperature
The thermos cup can keep the temperature of beverages for a long time, which mainly depends on its unique structural design and material selection. The thermos cup is usually composed of two layers of stainless steel or glass, the inner layer is used to hold beverages, and the outer layer plays a role of heat insulation. There is a vacuum layer between the two layers, which can effectively reduce the conduction, convection and radiation of heat. According to the principle of heat conduction, the heat transfer speed in a vacuum environment is extremely slow, so the beverage in the thermos cup can maintain the original temperature for a long time.
Insulation effect data: At room temperature of 25 degrees Celsius, the temperature of hot drinks (such as coffee, initial temperature 80 degrees Celsius) in a high-quality thermos cup is not lower than 60 degrees Celsius after 6 hours, and not lower than 50 degrees Celsius after 8 hours; the temperature of cold drinks (such as ice water, initial temperature 5 degrees Celsius) is not higher than 15 degrees Celsius after 12 hours.
Material selection: The inner liner and outer shell of the thermos cup are usually made of food-grade stainless steel. This material not only has good insulation performance, but is also safe and non-toxic, and meets food-grade safety standards.
2. Daily Uses of Thermos Cups
2.1 Keeping Hot Drinks at Temperature
Thermos cups are excellent at keeping hot drinks at temperature, providing users with many conveniences.
Office scenarios: Office workers use thermos cups in the office, so they can drink hot coffee or hot tea at any time after long hours of work. According to user surveys, 80% of office workers hope that thermos cups can keep coffee hot for 6-8 hours at room temperature. High-quality thermos cups can meet this demand. For example, at a room temperature of 25 degrees Celsius, the temperature of hot drinks (such as coffee, with an initial temperature of 80 degrees Celsius) will not be lower than 60 degrees Celsius after 6 hours, and not lower than 50 degrees Celsius after 8 hours.
Outdoor scenarios: For outdoor sports enthusiasts, the insulation function of thermos cups is particularly important. In cold outdoor environments, thermos cups can provide them with hot soup or hot drinks to help maintain body temperature. For example, during mountain climbing, thermos cups can keep the temperature of drinks for a long time in low temperature environments, allowing outdoor enthusiasts to replenish energy at any time.
Family scenarios: In family life, thermos cups can provide hot drinks for the elderly and children. For example, hot milk prepared for the elderly can be kept warm for a long time in the thermos cup, which is convenient for them to drink when needed.
2.2 Keeping cold drinks warm
The thermos cup can not only keep hot drinks warm, but also effectively keep cold drinks cool, meeting the needs of users in different seasons.
Summer cooling: In the hot summer, the thermos cup can be used to store ice water or ice drinks. A high-quality thermos cup will not exceed 15 degrees Celsius after 12 hours of cold drinks (such as ice water, with an initial temperature of 5 degrees Celsius) at a room temperature of 25 degrees Celsius. This allows users to drink cool drinks at any time during outdoor activities or long working hours, helping to cool down and relieve the heat.
Outdoor sports: For outdoor sports enthusiasts, the cooling function of the thermos cup is equally important. During long hiking or camping, the thermos cup can keep the drink cool, replenishing the body with water while also bringing a cool taste.
Family gatherings: At family gatherings or parties, the thermos cup can be used to store cold drinks, such as iced juice or soda. Its good cold-keeping performance can ensure that the drinks remain cold throughout the party and enhance the drinking experience.
3. Special uses of thermos cups
3.1 Principle of stewing function
The stewing function of the thermos cup is achieved by using its good heat preservation performance. When hot water is added to the thermos cup, the heat in the cup will continue to remain at a high temperature. This high temperature environment can cause the food to slowly heat up in the cup and gradually cook through. Its principle is similar to that of a traditional stewing pot, but the thermos cup is more portable and easy to operate.
Heat retention: After adding hot water, a high-quality thermos cup can maintain a high temperature for a long time. For example, at room temperature of 25 degrees Celsius, after adding 100 degrees Celsius boiling water to the thermos cup, the temperature can still be maintained above 60 degrees Celsius after 6 hours. This continuous high temperature provides the necessary heat for stewing food.
Stewing time: The stewing time of different foods is different. Generally speaking, simple foods such as eggs and vegetables have a stewing time between 30 minutes and 1 hour; while more complex foods such as porridge and soup may take 1 to 2 hours to stew. For example, if you use a thermos cup to simmer eggs, the eggs can be fully cooked after 60 minutes.
The role of the insulation layer: The vacuum layer or double-layer structure of the thermos cup can effectively reduce the loss of heat, so that the heat in the cup can continue to act on the food. This insulation structure not only ensures that the food is cooked thoroughly, but also maintains the temperature of the food.
3.2 Types of simmered food
The simmering function of the thermos cup can be used to cook a variety of foods, providing users with more convenience and choices.
Staple food: The thermos cup can be used to simmer porridge, rice and other staple foods. For example, put rice, water and a small amount of salt into the thermos cup, add hot water and simmer for 1 to 2 hours to cook fragrant porridge. In addition, you can also add a small amount of rice and hot water to the thermos cup, simmer for 30 minutes to 1 hour to make simple rice.
Soups: The thermos cup is also suitable for simmering various soups. Put cut vegetables, meat and water into the thermos cup, add hot water and simmer for 1 to 2 hours to make nutritious soup. For example, put potatoes, carrots, beef and water into a thermos, add hot water and simmer for 2 hours to make delicious potato and beef soup.
Eggs: The thermos can be used to boil eggs. Put the eggs into the thermos, add hot water and simmer for 60 minutes, and the eggs can be fully cooked. In addition, you can add eggs, water and a small amount of salt to the thermos, simmer for 30 minutes to 1 hour to make boiled eggs.
Vegetables: The thermos can be used to simmer vegetables. For example, put the cut green vegetables, water and a small amount of salt into the thermos, add hot water and simmer for 30 minutes, and the green vegetables can be cooked. In addition, you can add vegetables such as potatoes and carrots and hot water into the thermos, simmer for 1 hour to make simple vegetable soup.
Fruits: The thermos can also be used to make fruit tea. Put cut fruits (such as lemons, oranges, etc.), tea leaves and water into the thermos, add hot water and simmer for 30 minutes to 1 hour to make delicious fruit tea.
4. Other uses of thermos cups
4.1 As emergency containers
Thermos cups have multiple uses in emergency scenarios due to their sealing and heat preservation properties.
Emergency water storage: When natural disasters or emergencies cause the water supply to be interrupted, thermos cups can be used as temporary water storage containers. Their sealing can prevent water evaporation and contamination, ensuring that the stored water remains clean and usable for a longer period of time. For example, after disasters such as earthquakes or floods, the water in the thermos cup can provide emergency drinking water for the victims.
Heat preservation and first aid: Thermos cups can be used to keep first aid items warm. For example, in a cold environment, putting a hot water bottle in the thermos cup can extend its heat preservation time and provide warmth for the injured. In addition, thermos cups can also be used to store some medicines or medical supplies that need to be kept warm, such as insulin, to ensure that they are kept at a suitable temperature.
Emergency lighting: Small LED lights are installed on the lids of some thermos cups, which can be used as emergency lighting tools in power outages or dark environments. This design not only increases the practicality of the thermos cup, but also provides convenience in emergency situations.
4.2 Use in Outdoor Activities
Thermos cups have multiple uses in outdoor activities, providing great convenience for outdoor enthusiasts.
Portability and versatility: Thermos cups are usually designed to be lightweight and easy to carry, suitable for outdoor activities. Their heat preservation performance can maintain the temperature of drinks, whether hot or cold, to meet the needs of outdoor enthusiasts in different environments. For example, in mountaineering, hiking or camping, thermos cups can provide hot or cold drinks at any time to help replenish energy and water.
Outdoor cooking aid: In addition to the simmering function, thermos cups can also be used as an auxiliary tool for outdoor cooking. For example, in the absence of a stove in the wild, you can use the heat preservation performance of the thermos cup, pour hot water into the cup, put in some ready-to-eat food, such as instant noodles, instant soup, etc., and let it soak in the thermos cup for a few minutes to make hot food.
Outdoor survival use: In the wild survival environment, thermos cups can be used to collect and store rainwater. Its sealing can prevent rainwater from being polluted, and its heat preservation performance can heat rainwater to make it more suitable for drinking. In addition, thermos cups can also be used to heat food, such as placing captured small wild animals in a thermos cup, adding hot water to simmer, and making edible meat.
5. Precautions for using thermos cups
5.1 Cleaning and maintenance
The cleaning and maintenance of thermos cups are crucial to their service life and use effect.
Cleaning method: Before use, the thermos cup should be cleaned with neutral detergent and warm water. Avoid using alkaline detergents to avoid damaging the cup body. For newly purchased thermos cups, it is recommended to wash them several times with boiling water or a small amount of edible detergent for high-temperature disinfection. After daily use, they should be cleaned in time. They can be cleaned with soft cloth and edible detergent diluted with warm water. Avoid using alkaline bleach, metal sponges or chemical rags.
Deodorization: If the thermos cup has an odor, you can use lemon slices and water to let it stand overnight, or add tea to remove the odor. For rust spots on the inside of the stainless steel cup, soak it in warm water with diluted vinegar for thirty minutes and then wash it.
Regular inspection: Check the seal and screw plug of the thermos cup regularly to ensure that they are well installed and not damaged. Aging or damage to the seal will affect the sealing performance and insulation effect of the thermos cup.
Dry storage: After use, the thermos cup should be cleaned and fully dried to avoid long-term storage of water to cause odor or bacteria. If it is not used for a long time, it is recommended to pour out the water in the cup and keep it dry.
5.2 Avoid improper use
Proper use of the thermos cup can extend its service life and ensure safe use.
Avoid high-temperature heating: Never heat the thermos cup on fire or put it in a microwave to avoid damaging the cup body and seal. The insulation performance of the thermos cup is achieved through its unique structural design. High-temperature heating may destroy its vacuum layer or sealing structure.
Control the amount of water added: When heating water or beverages, it is not advisable to add too much to avoid overflow and scalding when tightening the cup lid. At the same time, too much water may increase the internal pressure of the thermos cup and affect the sealing performance.
Avoid storing certain liquids: It is not suitable to store liquids such as milk, dairy products, juice, and carbonated drinks for a long time. These liquids contain acidic substances or are easy to produce gas, which may react with the material of the thermos cup, causing the cup body to deform or damage, and also breed bacteria, affecting health.
Prevent collisions and impacts: During use, the thermos cup should be prevented from collisions and impacts to avoid damaging the cup body or plastic parts, causing insulation failure or leakage. If the thermos cup is deformed or damaged, it should be replaced in time to avoid affecting the use effect.
6. Summary
As a common daily necessity, the thermos cup plays an important role in people's daily life with its unique heat preservation and cold preservation functions and diverse uses. From maintaining the temperature of drinks to achieving simmering functions, the thermos cup not only meets people's needs for drink temperature in different scenarios, but also provides people with convenient cooking methods and other practical functions.
The heat preservation and cold preservation principle of the thermos cup is based on its double-layer structure and vacuum layer design, which can effectively reduce the conduction, convection and radiation of heat, thereby maintaining the temperature of the drink for a long time. A high-quality thermos cup can keep the temperature of hot drinks at no less than 60 degrees Celsius after 6 hours at room temperature, and the temperature of cold drinks at no more than 15 degrees Celsius after 12 hours. This excellent heat preservation performance makes it convenient for users in a variety of scenarios such as office, outdoor and home. Whether it is hot coffee for office workers, hot soup for outdoor sports enthusiasts, or hot milk at home, the thermos cup can ensure the temperature of the drink is appropriate.
In addition to the basic heat preservation and cold preservation functions, the stewing function of the thermos cup provides more convenience for users. Using the high temperature environment of the thermos cup, users can cook a variety of foods such as porridge, soup, eggs and vegetables without a stove. The stewing function not only saves time and energy, but also provides people with healthy and convenient dietary options. For example, eggs can be fully cooked by stewing them in a thermos cup for 60 minutes, and it only takes 1 to 2 hours to make porridge or soup.
The sealing and heat preservation properties of the thermos cup also make it versatile in emergency scenarios. It can be used as an emergency water storage container to store clean water when natural disasters cause the water supply to be interrupted; it can also be used to keep first aid items warm, such as hot water bottles or medicines that need to be kept warm; even a small LED light can be installed on the cup lid as an emergency lighting tool.
In outdoor activities, the portability and versatility of the thermos cup provide great convenience for outdoor enthusiasts. Not only can it provide hot or cold drinks at any time, but it can also be used as an auxiliary tool for outdoor cooking to help heat ready-to-eat food or collect and store rainwater. In addition, the thermos cup can also be used to heat captured small wild animals and make edible meat, providing support for survival in the wild.
However, in order to ensure the service life and safety of the thermos cup, users need to pay attention to its cleaning and maintenance to avoid improper use. Correct cleaning methods, regular inspection of sealing rings and screw plugs, dry storage, avoidance of high-temperature heating, control of water addition, and prevention of collisions and impacts can all help extend the service life of the thermos cup and ensure its performance.
In summary, the thermos cup is not only a simple daily necessity, but also a multifunctional tool that can meet people's diverse needs in different scenarios. With the continuous advancement of technology and innovation in design, the functions and performance of thermos bottles will continue to improve, bringing more convenience and surprises to people's lives.