Thermos knowledge | Using it incorrectly is like drinking bacteria! Ricocafe experts teach you how to properly clean, use, and maintain it

Thermos Knowledge | Using it incorrectly is like drinking bacteria! Ricocafe experts teach you how to properly clean, use, and maintain your thermos

Whether it's the daily coffee for office workers or a hydration companion for students and outdoor enthusiasts, thermoses have become an indispensable part of modern life. But are you really using your thermos correctly? What should you do if a new cup has a plastic smell? Can you put milk or juice in it? Using the wrong cleaning method will not only shorten the life of your thermos but may also cause you to ingest bacteria and odors.

This article will summarize the 7 most common problems with thermos use and cleaning, and use the highly acclaimed Taiwan Ricocafe COOLID Cup as an example to provide professional answers, ensuring that your ceramic thermos and warm flask last longer and are safer to use.

Q1: How should I clean a newly purchased thermos/COOLID Cup?

New cups must be thoroughly cleaned before first use.

• Inside: Use a neutral dishwashing detergent with a soft brush or sponge and warm water to scrub. For enhanced cleaning, you can use RICO's dedicated stainless steel cleaning powder.

• Outside: Simply rinse with water. Do not use abrasive materials like scourers to clean the exterior, as this may cause scratches.

Q2: Is it normal for the lid to have a plastic smell? How can I remove it?

RICO products undergo deodorization during manufacturing, but new products may sometimes retain a slight odor from the food-grade PP lid or silicone sealing ring, which is normal.

• Natural ventilation: Separate the lid and silicone ring and place them in a well-ventilated area; the odor will dissipate naturally.

• White vinegar soak: Mix white vinegar and water in a 1:10 ratio and soak the lid and silicone ring; this can effectively dilute the odor.

All plastic and silicone accessories of Ricocafe COOLID Cups are made of food-grade heat-resistant materials that have passed SGS inspection, so you can use them with confidence.

Q3: How can I make my thermos retain heat/cold better?

To maximize your thermos's performance, a simple "pre-heating" or "pre-cooling" step is crucial.

• Heat retention: Before pouring in hot beverages, fill the cup with boiling water, cover it, pre-heat for 5 minutes, then discard the water.

• Cold retention: Before pouring in cold beverages, pre-cool with cold water for 5 minutes.

This action allows the cup's temperature to adapt to the beverage about to be poured in, effectively extending the insulation time.

Q4: How full should a thermos be filled?

The beverage capacity should not be too full. The optimal water level is about 1 to 2 centimeters below the neck of the bottle. Filling it too much can cause spills and burns when tightening the lid, and may also affect the sealing effect.

Q5: How to clean annoying tea stains, coffee stains, and odors?

A major advantage of ceramic-coated thermoses (such as Ricocafe COOLID Cups) is that they are not prone to retaining odors, but if stains or odors still appear after long-term use, you can follow these methods:

• Daily cleaning: Use a soft cloth or sponge with a neutral detergent for cleaning. Do not use steel wool or paint thinner, as this may scratch the coating or stainless steel surface.

• Deep cleaning: Add RICO's dedicated stainless steel cleaning powder or 10% food-grade vinegar to warm water, soak for a period, then rinse thoroughly to effectively remove stubborn stains and odors.

Q6: Can carbonated drinks, milk, or juice be put in a thermos?

This question is very important; incorrect use can lead to danger!

• Absolutely forbidden: Carbonated drinks, dry ice. These beverages can create pressure inside the sealed cup, potentially causing contents to spray out or the lid to become impossible to open.

• Not recommended for prolonged storage: Milk, dairy products, soy milk, and other high-protein beverages should be consumed within half an hour, otherwise, they can spoil and deteriorate in an insulated state. Acidic beverages (such as lemon juice, fruit juice) may also affect insulation performance if left for a long time and should be consumed as soon as possible.

Q7: Can magnets be used to judge the quality of stainless steel?

This is a common misconception. The answer is no.

High-quality 304 or 316 stainless steel raw materials are indeed non-magnetic before processing, but after processing procedures such as stretching and polishing, their metal structure changes and produces weak magnetism. Therefore, using a magnet to attract and judge the quality of stainless steel is completely inaccurate.

By mastering the above knowledge, you can better use and maintain your thermos. Especially for a ceramic-coated insulated/cold storage cup like the Taiwan Ricocafe COOLID Cup, correct cleaning and usage habits will ensure that you enjoy the purest and safest flavor with every drink.