Stanley Classic Vacuum Bottle Review

The Stanley Classic Vacuum Bottle is a true classic, like the name implies. I’ve watched my Dad take one of these to and from work every day for many years. It was the original insulated bottle, capable of keeping your coffee hot or your soup warm on a winter day, and your ice water frigid on a hot summer day. That burly handle, and the ball peened finish helped it to stand up to more abuse than most any other bottle out there. Let’s see if it’s still ranks high against all the alternatives out there.

Insulated Bottles

The category of insulated bottles or vacuum bottles are nothing new. However, there has been an explosion in the number of manufacturers bringing these bottles to market. The insulated bottle keep hot things hot, and cold things cold. Just like insulation in general, the insulation in these bottles maintains. And in some cases, it maintains temperatures for hours or even days. See results below. Back in the day there was one option – the Stanley Classic Vacuum Bottle – but that has all changed now.

Stanley Classic Vacuum Bottle Review and Field Test

I’m a simple person, and I like simple things – I like being outside, I like hot coffee and a lot of it. When I go on a fall or winter hike, an adventure in the back country, a trek into the bush, or a day on the water I bring a hot coffee with me. So fro this test I replaced my “state of the art” and trendy insulated bottle with the Stanley bottle and took careful notes. Before the test I suspected the Stanley had probably fallen behind in terms of modern insulation materials. I soon learned that was not the case. I carried this in packs with shovels and tools, I threw this into the backseat of my truck, and even in the bed of the truck. By the end of the test  I was more worried about the Stanley damaging my truck bed than damaging the bottle. It’s sturdy and thick, and you can feel that in its 2.3lbs of weight, but that did not sway my opinion of this bottle in the least. Most other bottles being produced today dent if you look at them hard enough. So I busted out my timer and thermometer and took a few test along the way. It blew every other bottle away in terms of heat retention.

Field Test Highlights

This is a sturdy product that takes a beating and beats out the competition for heat retention:

Maintaining Temperature:

•   Starting temperature was 200F
•  6 hours later the temp had dropped to 172F
•  12 hours later the temperature had dropped to 155F
•  24 hours later the temperature had dropped to 121F – still warm enough for coffee

     *Note: Bottle was stored outside at temps ranging from high of 55F to low of 34F.

Durability: The steel on this bottle, and the ball peen coating make for a very durable and long lasting bottle. Plus there’s always the lifetime warranty.

Ease of Use: The handle makes it easy to carry, and the cup for soup, coffee, or water is a nice touch.

Value: $45 for a bottle is not cheap, but on sale (see below) it can be found for $20 and that’s a steal when you consider it’s durability, lifetime warranty, and superior insulation.