So, you’re in search of the perfect travel coffee mug. You may think that this is a trivial matter, but it’s not! You must consider all aspects of your travel mug use before plunking down your hard earned cash. If you just go out and willy nilly buy a cheap mug, you will probably wind up throwing it away within a couple weeks. If you find yourself a high quality mug that meets all your needs you may have a friend for life.

I write this article to help you avoid the pitfalls so many people face when looking for the perfect coffee vessel. If you follow this advice you will find happiness in your coffee drinking endeavors.

Consider where you will use your mug. Will you be carrying it around at work, or using it in your car? If you will be using your mug at work, you may want to consider purchasing a mug with a nice wide base, so you don’t knock it over on your desk.

If you’re going to drink coffee in your car consider your cup holder. Some cup holders will only accommodate a certain width of travel coffee mug, and some holders will not allow a handle. I know I personally love to have a handle on my travel mug, but some car cup holders won’t fit a mug that has a handle placed too low. The solution to this dilemma is to either purchase a mug without a handle, or look for one that has the handle attached at the top, but open on the bottom.

Now you may want to think about how much coffee you will be drinking between refills. Do you need a large 16oz mug, or will a 12oz travel mug suffice? One thing to consider is the larger the mug, the heavier it gets.

Think heat! Do you like your coffee to remain smoking hot? If you are a slow coffee drinker you will definitely want a double insulated travel coffee mug. The more barrel shaped the mug the less surface area there is to insulate. So a short insulated travel mug is generally going to keep coffee hot longer than a tall slender mug. The problem with a squatty mug is the cup holder issue.

What do you want your travel mug to be made of? Do you like stainless steel, plastic, ceramic, or all three? Personally, I prefer stainless steel travel mugs with a plastic lid. Double insulated stainless steel travel mugs that are stainless on the inside and out are the best. They are extremely durable and attractive. If you buy a high quality stainless mug it can last you for years.

Always consider the lid! Not all lids are created equal. If you will be using your travel mug in your car you will want a lid with a slip slider, or other mechanism to keep hot coffee from splashing out and onto your lap. Some lids have loose fitting swivel closures. Those usually don’t work very well. They allow coffee to splash everywhere. I prefer the slip sliders, the tighter the better.

Next you will want to consider how the lid attaches to the travel mug. Some lids have flexible rubber, or plastic gaskets around the edge. They slide into the top of the mug and are fairly secure. If you drop your mug one of these types of lids may come off. The most preferable lids are screw on. Those puppies won’t go anywhere. It is rather difficult to find all stainless travel mugs with screw on lids, but if you look high and low you will probably find one.

Finally, you must take proper care of your travel mug if you want it to last. Nearly all double insulated mugs are not dishwasher safe. You must wash your mug by hand. Make sure you don’t soak it in water either. Double insulated mugs consist of an inner and outer shell that is glued together with a top ring. If you soak it long enough water will seep into the inner walls and ruin your mug. mug personnalisé