TRAVEL MUG SIZES FOR YOUR COFFEE: ARE THEY IMPORTANT?
Choosing the right travel mug size is more important than you might think!
A relaxing cup of joe sipped in the comfort of your home kitchen might be the best way to drink your coffee, but we don’t always have time. If you’ll be on the move all day, avoid the risk of lousy coffee by making your own and taking it with you in the perfect travel mug.
Buying the right size of coffee mug – and the right material and design – is the best way to ensure your brew stays hot and fresh for hours. Here’s how to do it.
Travel Mug Size – And Why It Matters
The first step to finding a great travel mug is considering the size. You’ll notice that the travel mug sizes available are much bigger than most types of cups and standard coffee mug sizes (unless you’re a regular at Starbucks). The idea is that you’re using these not only to transport your coffee but to have access to multiple servings over several hours. However, larger is not necessarily better.
There’s no point in a 24-oz travel mug if it can’t keep that much coffee hot for the time it takes you to drink it.
Plus, there is no need to buy a travel mug larger than the amount you tend to brew and transport. All that does is waste money and space and give you one more bulky thing to carry.
The most common sizes of travel mug are 12, 16, and 20 oz, but you can find as small as 6 oz and as large as 24 oz. When choosing your cup size, consider how you’ll be using it. Do you want a slim mug to go in a handbag? Or maybe something designed for a snug fit in your car’s cup holder?
PS: If you’re not planning on going anywhere, here are some inventive ways to keep your cup of joe hot at home.
Barista Standard Sizes: Buying To-Go Drinks
Travel mugs aren’t just for bringing your coffee from home. They’re also a great way to avoid the waste of single-use coffee cups when buying take-out coffee from the local shop.
If you want to make things easier on the guy or gal that makes your latte, look for something that matches the standard takeaway coffee cup size. This way, you’ll be getting the same ratio that you’re used to.
Opt for a 4 oz mug if you typically order ristretto, espresso, or macchiato. Choose 6 oz for a cappuccino or flat white. Lattes, drip coffee, tea, and cold brew vary from about 8 oz to 12 oz, while larger mugs of 14 oz or more are useful for iced drinks – because you need extra space for ice cubes.
Other Things To Consider When Buying A Travel Mug
Once you’ve chosen your travel mug size, it’s just as important to think about its functionality. Notably, the following three things:
Material
Travel mugs are most often made from stainless steel, glass, or plastic. However, you might also see silicone, ceramic, and even bamboo. Each has its pros and cons. Different materials retain heat better, some are dishwasher safe, some are more durable, and some are less expensive.
Insulation
The most effective way to keep drinks hot (or cold) is with vacuum insulation, typically used in stainless steel or glass mugs. In this design, the mug has two walls with a gap between them. The air in this space is removed to create a vacuum, preventing heat from moving between the two walls.
You can find foam insulation in some plastic travel mugs, while mugs made from ceramic or stoneware usually rely on the heat retention properties of the material itself (1).
Lid Type
The style of the lid dictates whether a mug is spill-proof or leak-proof.
A spill-proof lid means you can accidentally knock your mug over without causing a major spill, but it isn’t water-tight. If you want to toss your mug in a bag or flip it upside down, you’ll need a leak-proof lid, which doesn’t allow any liquid to come out unless the lid is open.
A water-tight lid doesn’t just help you avoid leaks; it also helps to prevent additional heat loss through the top.
Final Thoughts
Choosing a travel mug size that suits the amount of coffee you plan to drink will help your brew stay hotter for longer – not to mention being more practical and cost-effective. But of course, don’t forget to consider additional factors like material, insulation, and lid closure when shopping for the perfect coffee mug for your adventures.
FAQs
The best way to clean a travel mug is according to the manufacturer’s instructions. If you’re lucky, your mug will be dishwasher safe, while others need to be washed by hand. To deal with built-up coffee residue, you can give it a good scrub with either baking soda or vinegar (2).
Mugs with double-wall vacuum insulation and a leak-proof lid tend to stay warm the longest, and a good thermos will keep coffee hot even longer. When I was testing travel mugs, the Fellow Carter Move was the top performer for heat retention.
Most Keurigs fit a travel mug, provided that they have a removable drip tray. However, you’ll need to know the height of your travel mug, rather than the capacity, if you want to ensure it will fit. Most Keurigs have 7” clearance under the coffee spout with the drip tray removed.
References
- Morphew, M. (2021, December 15). Benefits Of Ceramic Coated Travel Mugs. Retrieved from https://tastetheearth.com/blogs/taste-the-earth-blog/benefits-of-ceramic-coated-travel-mugs
- Milligan, C. (2019, February 15). Your travel mug could be making you sick! Retrieved from https://www.tasteofhome.com/article/how-to-clean-your-travel-mug-and-why-you-should/
