STANLEY Trigger-action Travel Mug Coffee

Product Information

We’ve taken this mug out on a number of occasions now, and in typical Stanley style, the Classic Trigger Action Travel Mug is a bit special and has one very handy feature. I found a 100 year old company that would create these heirloom quality canisters for me. They are handmade and will keep your tea leaves, coffee beans or anything that you need dry for years to come.

Just like many other travel mugs, the sleek Ember Travel Mug² will keep your drink hot throughout your morning commute, but it stands out by using smart technology and a high-tech design. This second iteration of the Ember Travel Mug is lighter and more streamlined than its predecessor, mainly because instead of a manual dial, it features a touch-sensitive control panel. And, weighing in at .68 lbs (or roughly 10.8 oz) empty, the Stanley Classic Trigger-Action Travel Mug is relatively lightweight. Now, it’s not ultralight by any means but it is lighter than some other insulated stainless steel bottles we’ve tested of the same size. ( The YETI Rambler 12oz Bottle With HotShot Cap, for example, weighs 16 oz empty.) Stanley Classic Trigger-Action Travel Mug 12oz Lid Off At the time of this review, this bottle is also available in four other different colorways—some of which have a more sleek, modern aesthetic if that’s more your style. Stanley Classic Trigger-Action Travel Mug 12oz Logo The Stanley Classic Trigger-Action Travel Mug is made with durable 18/8 stainless steel that doesn’t hold onto coffee smells or stains. It also touts double-wall vacuum insulation that keeps your coffee or tea hot all morning. Stanley claims it’ll keep drinks warm for up to five hours, and we’re happy to report that this has been a pretty accurate estimate during our testing. It’s done a great job of keeping our java warm enough to savor all morning.Cleaning this model is a bit harder than some of the others (a specially designed bottle-cleaning brush is recommended). Several different pieces need to be cleaned thoroughly to avoid staining and mildew buildup. The plastic sipping piece and rubber gasket on the lid can be popped out easily and cleaned separately, though. Like most Yeti products, the Rambler effectively keeps drinks hot for around 10 hours or cold for close to 20. It's also sold in more than 10 colors from neutrals to vibrant hues, so you can find one that suits your style. All Stanley stuff is built to last, become your ‘go-to’ equipment and stand the test of time. We all love gear we can rely on and have in our service for a very long time. Truly defining on-the-go coffee, there is a category for travel mugs that additionally function as portable brewing devices. They allow users to make coffee and drink it all from the same bottle. This is certainly a less common variety, but it’s still worth consideration, especially for frequent travelers and campers. The majority of portable coffee makers work like French presses. Aptly named “travel presses,” they immerse coffee grounds in water and then push them to the bottom of the mug via a built-in plunger. The second most common type of portable coffee maker utilizes a pour-over brewing method instead. The leakproof claim is impressive, and indeed, there hasn't been even a drop leaking from it so far. However, after drinking from the lid, you'll notice drops of liquid gathering around where the mouth is. While this is negligible if you are drinking H2O, you risk staining the insides of your bag with coffee and the like.

As an added bonus, the Bubba 52-Ounce Desk Mug is incredibly durable and can handle being dropped or tossed around in the trunk of your car. The wide, comfort-grip handle feels very sturdy, too. I tested the 16-ounce model firsthand and confirmed that it lives up to the brand's claims about temperature retention. Hot coffee stayed warm and drinkable for seven hours, cold coffee lasted 10 hours without ice, and ice water remained refreshing for more than 30 hours. With that in mind, temperature retention varies slightly depending on the size of the mug you buy. No matter how much of a travel enthusiast you are, you'll be sure to miss home as time passes on the road. But, what do you really miss about home? Your family? Of course. Your friends? Sure. But what many seem to overlook is what you are looking for in these people or things you miss. Although the flask is made in China, I have no problems with China-made goods after witnessing how little that matters on most of Outlier's clothing. I mean, iPhones are made in China. It all comes down to quality assurance, and Stanley's decades of experience shine through. I can feel the quality of the make and materials the moment you have them in your hands. Usage For those who intend to drink hot beverages out of this mug, it doesn't quite have the heat retention that the brand claims. When filled more than halfway full with hot coffee, it was lukewarm less than three hours later. The mug did perform better when tested with cold drinks, however. With refrigerated coffee poured into the mug without ice (as the amount of ice may vary for customers), the coffee was still cold 12 hours later. Another testing observation to note is that the lid opening seemed a little wide, and it was easy to spill when drinking.The comforting feel of smooth steel as you reach for your hot coffee is a familiar cool touch but strangely comforting. You take a sip as you stare out of your Airbnb at the haphazard roads of Hanoi, where you watch pedestrians escape death nonchalantly. You feel at ease since it's a handfeel you've gotten used to.

The lid has good flow control, preventing too much liquid from gushing out at once. The trigger action comes in the form of a button that's highly comfortable to press. It's also designed in a way that makes it hard for it to be accidentally pressed when in your bag. Most brands advise against putting milk or creamer in thermoses unless it's for a brief amount of time. Bacteria can develop when dairy products are stored at warm temperatures, especially if the travel mug isn't properly cleaned. Graham Nearn of the Stanley brand echoed this thought, telling us: "We don’t recommend putting milk or dairy products in Stanley vacuum bottles or food jars for extended periods of time, as bacteria growth can occur at certain temperatures." Tea drinkers will also want to consider this mug since it has a built-in tea hook that accommodates most tea infusers and makes it easy to remove them from the mug. It comes with a five-year limited warranty in case there is an issue. The sense of familiarity is something I can appreciate. Whether it's my trusty Synik 30 or my OTHERWARE Pebble, familiarity in an unknown land gives me a sense of belonging and peace, however fleeting.Until you’ve actually tried this feature, it’s hard to appreciate just how useful this function is, especially when it does it so reliably and consistently. We all want the most out of our products, and this one small tip goes a long way: preheat or pre-cool your travel mug before use. Taking a few extra minutes to let hot or cold water sit in your mug will prime the material for better temperature retention. You can pour hot water from the tap or even boil it for an added boost of heat, all while your coffee is brewing. The flask is a stainless steel double-wall construction and BPA-free. This means that it regulates the temperature of the liquid. The cup is made of stainless steel, so it will repel stains and odors, meaning your lemonade won't taste like yesterday's coffee. The mug even has a lifetime guarantee, so you know it will last. If you’re looking for a durable travel mug that’s designed to hold both hot and cold beverages, the 24-ounce Bubba Envy Insulated Stainless Steel Tumbler is a solid option at a price you can afford. While the mug is large and doesn't have a handle, it's surprisingly easy to hold because of indents that circle the cup.

Before cleaning, consult the product details or instruction guide to see if the item is dishwasher-safe. This is a common benefit of glass and plastic travel mugs but not stainless steel. If your mug isn’t dishwasher-safe, don’t worry. Cleaning is still quite easy. A simple daily cleaning only requires scrubbing with dish soap and a sponge or gentle brush. Avoid using steel wool brushes and harsh household cleaners on stainless steel mugs. For a more thorough job, allow a solution of vinegar and baking soda to soak inside the mug for several minutes, then rinse and clean with dish soap before using. We’ve been testing the Stanley Classic Trigger-Action Travel Mug 12oz for about three weeks with mostly good things to report.

Features & Usage

This piece was written by Derek Rose, the coffee and tea expert for The Spruce Eats. He researches a variety of coffee products, from measuring scoops to commercial espresso machines, and interviews field experts for their insight. He has owned or tested a number of the items on this list, including the Stanley Classic Trigger-Action Travel Mug, the Copco Insulated Travel Mug, the S'Well Traveler Mug, and the Bubba 52-Ounce Insulated Desk Mug. This is great for using when you only have one hand free, ideal for walking along with a walking pole for example. No need for two hands to flip a lid or screw a cap off. Another advantage of this mug is how easy it is to clean. It's dishwasher-safe, and the lid opening is large enough to clean the inside by hand should you choose to do so. The lid seals closed with a simple quarter-turn. There’s a small opening for drinking, but there’s no cover for the hole, so you can’t toss the filled cup in your bag. The cup portion is white, but you can choose from a variety of colored bands, so you always know which one is yours. The bands also serve as coffee collars to protect your hands from scorching temperatures while adding extra grip. There's nothing fancy to this mug, but it's dependable.