Kool8 - Your Fully insulated, Durable & Eco-friendly water bottle

The Stainless Steel Water Bottle Buyer's Guide

They're functional. They're cool, and they're durable, and bang on trend. You've seen them attached to bicycles and tucked cozily into backpack pockets. You've spotted them at the gym, on the trail, and in passing on the street. They come in sleek modern shapes and they're decorated in dashing colors and screen prints. They're must-have items.

And everyone seems to have one of these items but you. But what are these things you crave so badly? They're stainless-steel water bottles, the perfect way to keep you hydrated for the long haul, as well as showing off your super-cool style.

This guide tells you everything you need to know about stainless-steel water bottles–why they're great, how to pick the right one, and how to make sure yours lasts.

Why Do I Need a Stainless Steel Water Bottle?

There are many reasons to choose stainless-steel bottles over the alternatives. Here are only the top few:

• Stainless-steel bottles are good for the environment. Stainless steel is made from naturally-occurring elements. Single-use plastic water bottles are made of synthetic polymer, with a vast carbon footprint. 90% end up in landfills or are dumped into oceans, killing a million marine animals per annum.
• Stainless-steel bottles are super hygienic. Plastic bottles are a bacteria haven, and being warm, encourage the bacteria to multiply. They're transparent, so sunlight even invites mold and fungus. Stainless steel offers only a harsh environment for all those pesky critters.
• Stainless-steel bottles aren't harmful to your health. Stainless steel does not introduce chemicals, carcinogens, or ions into water. Leave a plastic cup or bottle in the car on a sunny day, and it will leach chemicals--especially bisphenol A, contributing toward cancers--ironic, since bottled water became popular on a wave of safety consciousness.
• Stainless-steel bottles keep drinks at optimal temperature. Stainless steel is an insulator. Water stays cold in a stainless-steel bottle for up to 24 hours. A hot drink will stay warm up to 6 hours.
• Stainless-steel bottles are durable. Even powder-coated stainless-steel bottles will last forever. They can also be cleaned in boiling water, whereas there's a chance your plastics would emerge looking like props from Honey, I Shrunk the Kids.
• Stainless-steel bottles are cost-effective. Buy a bottle of water every day, and you'd spend $365 over a year. That same amount of tap water would cost you roughly $0.10. That's 365,000% more expensive. How many superb, bright and trendsetting stainless-steel bottles could you buy for $365?

How Do I Choose a Stainless Steel Water Bottle?

Some of the ways in which stainless-steel water bottles differ include…

Size: Single-serving 8-ounce bottles are great for kids. Larger-capacity bottles hold up to as many as 40 oz, though 16-25-oz capacity typical. Three to four of those per day meet the hydration requirements of most active people.

Shape: Stainless-steel water bottles come in a variety of shapes, including straight, tapered, and ergonomic grip. Hold each option, considering what will be comfortable and whether it fits where you need it to.

Insulation: Stainless steel is a reasonable insulator in its own right, but some bottles offer foam insulation or a double-walled construction, where the bottle comprises two layers with an air cushion in between. These bottles can maintain the temperature of your drink for hours on end.

Closure: A stainless-steel bottle may have a screw cap, or a sport cap with a spout--handy for in-exercise refreshment. It may also have a fastening grommet to attach a carabiner clip, strap, or other fastener to prevent loss.

Drink Delivery: Some stainless-steel water bottles have no sipping spout or straw, so unscrew the cap and drink from the wide mouth. This is very satiating but for more controlled consumption, look for a bite-valve, spout, or flip straw.

Color and Design: Stainless-steel water bottles come in a variety of vibrant, innovative colors and designs. Express yourself! You may even be able to order a custom water bottle, so let your flag fly!

Other Features: Some stainless-steel bottles feature cool extras. The Kool8 stainless-steel water bottle features a built-in tea infuser, an excellent bonus for tea lovers.

Manufacturer: Look for an ethical company with a strong social conscience and exploitation-free practices. Kool8 is proud of its commitment to sending water and free bottles to parts of the world where clean water is not widely available.

Beware of: Avoid aluminium bottles that look similar to stainless steel but without the advantages. They are less durable and less resistant to bacterial growth. Some even rust.

Run away from bottles with inner plastic linings that make your water susceptible to BPA and other carcinogens or chemicals, just like a plastic water bottle.

How to Use My Stainless Steel Water Bottle?

Here are the best ways to put the stainless-steel water bottle to use...

Water on-the-go: Fill with H2O from the tap, filter, or jug and take it with you. No mess, no fuss, no expense, no hazards, and these bottles sit beautifully in the cup holder of a car or the bottle pouch of a backpack--on city streets, in the office, or camping in the backcountry.

Keep your cool!: Keep cold drinks cold for up to 24 hours. Take your bottle to the beach or in the sauna. It's also fabulous for long, overheated coach or car trips.

It's all heating up…: A well-insulated stainless-steel bottle can keep hot drinks like tea or coffee nice and steamy for up to six hours. Take this baby hiking in fall, or even take one to bed on a wintry night.

Shake it up!: No cocktail shaker available? Thanks to the gasket-sealed lid, a stainless-steel water bottle makes a great substitute! It's also super hygienic as a shaker--you can rinse it with boiling water first, ensuring no contamination.

Tantalizingly tasty…: Stainless steel does a better job than materials like plastic or aluminum in preserving the flavor of the drink you keep in it. Some people notice a metallic taste early on, but this usually goes away after a few washings.

Double, double, no toil and...no trouble!: Some people rely on different beverages for different uses—for example, coffee for caffeine, water for hydration, tea for antioxidants, etc. So, why not get a second stainless-steel water bottle, or even a third? Different colors can denote what each one's used for. One for water. One for soup. One for shakes.

How to Care for My Stainless-Steel Water Bottle?

With a few simple care techniques, your stainless-steel water bottle could last your entire lifetime. Here's how to keep your bottle clean and safe …

Soak & Rinse: Keep your stainless-steel water bottle clean by soaking and rinsing it with dish soap and water after each use, and don't let it sit and stagnate with the dirty dishes. This is especially necessary if you use your water bottle to transport non-water beverages like juice or coffee. Fill it with boiling water to give it a sterilization but don't scrub at that stunning outer coating.

Deep clean: Occasionally, your water bottle may benefit from a deeper clean. For a safe, natural and non-toxic clean, mix white vinegar in a solution with water and use it to soak and rinse your stainless-steel bottle every now and then.

Not a heavy metal fan?: Some people notice that their stainless-steel water bottle gives drinks a mildly metallic taste. Don't worry, it's only a characteristic of new bottles. The metallic flavor should dissipate after the first few washes. Gentle soapy suds and an air dry with the cap off are enough to sort this out.

Dishwasher delight?: Stainless steel does fine in the dishwasher, but if the bottle is insulated or powder-coated (the fine, colored paint finish), dishwashing could damage it. Wash your precious bottle gently and with care, ensuring its longevity.

Dents and scratches: A well-built stainless-steel water bottle is built like a tank. It will survive a drop off the roof of your house. However, with heavy use, the water bottle might acquire some dings and scratches.That's natural and these imperfections do not compromise the water bottle's functionality. You can, however, prevent this by always transporting the bottle in a soft cloth.

Don't Lose It!

Your water bottle will be so robust that you're far more likely to lose it than break it. Life is busy, stainless-steel water bottles are portable, and they are easy to misplace, forget, or leave in the hotel room before you board a plane. Some unscrupulous thief might even find your awesome water bottle irresistible...

You'll be upset to lose your best stainless-steel water bottle, so consider attaching it to your luggage with a carabiner or other fastener to reduce the likelihood of forgetting it somewhere.

Conclusion

Stainless steel water bottles are the best way to take your favorite drink with you. If you rely on plastic bottles, cups, or—worst of all—single-use water bottles, it's time to get a hardy stainless-steel water bottle into your rotation. There's no reason to delay, since the advantages of stainless-steel water bottles are limitless.

The choices of stainless steel water bottles are almost endless too. So, we think you should make it simple on yourself and go for robust build quality and stunning esthetics equally. Love your new bottle well, and it will quench your thirst your whole life long.