This is a common question that you may be asking yourself. To find out which cup or mug is best at keeping your drinks warm, we did a heat retention test. A simple change in the container can make all the difference if you are a coffee drinker. For more information, continue reading.
Parameters
We started with a standard ceramic mug. This is the most popular choice for home baristas. Then we tried a single-walled mug made of ceramic. Next, we tested a Bodum bistro double-walled mug. Finally, we tested a double-walled, vacuum-insulated stainless steel Camelbak camp Mug with or without a lid and a standard, paper-to-go cup. The cups were left on the counter for several hours and never heated. Each cup was filled with 6 ounces of freshly brewed coffee. We recorded the temperature changes over two hours.
Whole Latte Love offers the Camelbak Horizon Camp mug in white, black, larkspur, and moss.
We brewed Maromas Orphea Whole Bean Espresso using the Capresso EspressoTEAM TS. The coffee maker grinds whole beans using the attached hopper. It also uses a solid-steel conical burr grinder as well as a stainless-steel thermal carafe to make each cup. You can choose between two and ten cups or schedule a time to brew. You’ll notice a significant quality improvement if you switch to whole beans if you are used to buying pre-ground coffee from the store or K-Cup pods.
Results
All of the samples were at 170 degrees Fahrenheit when the test began.
The ceramic mugs and single-walled glasses were essentially mirroring each other at the 30-minute mark. There was a rapid and steep dropoff. Both the double-walled and to-go cups were almost identical, but they cooled at a slower rate. The Camelbak without the lid was second-best, just behind the Camelbak with lid. It was 44 degrees warmer than the ceramic mugs and glasses after 30 minutes. These trends remained unchanged at the one-hour mark.
With the Capresso CoffeeTEAM TS, you can grind whole bean coffee directly into the filter and let the automatic brewing process take over for a fresh cup of java every time.
The bottom four samples, which included the ceramic mug and single-walled glasses, double-walled glasses, and to-go cups, had stabilized at around 80 degrees. The Camelbak with a lid was at about 92 degrees while the Camelbak with a lid was at approximately 124 degrees. Refer to the reference below. The single-walled and ceramic mugs had dropped to 124 degrees in 12 minutes. The temperature of the Camelbak open is also the same after 36 minutes. This shows how important a lid can be in retaining heat.
Temperature (deg), 2 hours after brewing
- 124deg Camelbak double-walled vacuum-insulated stainless steel Camp Mug with lid
- 92deg Camelbak double-walled vacuum-insulated stainless steel Camp Mug with no lid
- 80deg: Bodum Bistro double-walled glass mug
- 80deg Ceramic Mug
- 80deg Single-walled Glass Mug
- 80deg – Paper to-go cups with lid
Preheating
No matter what material you use, it is a good idea to heat your cup or mug before pouring your coffee. This will ensure that your coffee stays hotter for longer. Pre-heating is easy with some espresso machines that have a built-in cup warming tray. If your machine does not have a cup warming tray you can rinse the desired cup or mug in hot water before brewing.
Do you prefer a Mug, Cup, or Demitasse?
Be careful before you reach for that old mug or your favorite mug. Take a moment and think about whether it is the right vessel to hold your drink. Also, you can find awesome coffee machines here.
