the perfect multi purpose commuter coffee mug

October 5, 2010 8:22 PM

I want a new coffee/tea container. It should be microwave-safe, dishwasher-safe with a sealable cap and a close loop handle. Is that too much too ask for?

It is frustrating, all these cute and handsome, elegant, no gorgeous, designer coffee / tea containers. But, when I flip them upside down they all seem to say, "do not microwave" or, "hand wash only". I just want to find one that works as well as look pretty. Actually, I could deal with an ugly one, if it's functional.

A lot of mugs are dishwasher and microwave safe, of course. But, I want something bigger, portable, with a lid and a close loop handle (so that I may easily hold it or fasten it when empty).

Once in a very long while I'll run across one that is both microwave safe and dishwasher safe and with lid, but it will not have a handle. (don't other people use these things like I want to?)

Added perks could be (and, I know I'm stretching it):
1. a removable french press type plunger mechanism
2. durable
3. thermal lining (vacuum or insulation or just plain air)

posted by TheOtherSide to Food & Drink (14 answers total)

Why do you want a coffee/tea travel mug that is microwavable? Especially if you want to go so far as to get something with a built in travel french press.

Microwaved coffee is gross. Microwaved tea isn't much better. This is probably why most travel mug designers feel free to create products that are not microwave safe - few if any consumers are looking for something that is both meant for coffee/tea and meant for microwaves.

This is more and more true the higher in quality you go. Nobody is going to spend $20+ on a travel mug for coffee/tea if they are the sort of person who wants to microwave said beverage.

I, myself, am lusting after something from Bodum.
posted by Sara C. at 8:39 PM on October 5, 2010

This is the closest I could find. I can't tell if it closes all the way or if it's super leak proof if it does.
posted by brainmouse at 8:55 PM on October 5, 2010

I can suggest one that fits most of your needs except the closed loop.

Keep Cup.

I bought one in January and have used it almost everyday (more than any other travel mug I've ever owned). I have also not used a single disposable coffee cup all year. This coffee cup is great because it's microwaveable, light, super easy to wash, dishwasher safe, no BPA, comfy to hold and looks great (i.e. choose your colors). It's pricier than the average cup but it has paid for itself. It's also not insulated but keeps my coffee hot for a fairly long time (If I'm taking it slow for some reason).
posted by special-k at 9:03 PM on October 5, 2010 [1 favorite]

Does it need to be unbreakable [i.e. plasticky]? or would something stoneware-ish work?
posted by jessamyn at 9:05 PM on October 5, 2010

How about a glass jar with a lid? After you find the right jar, get someone to sew or knit a cozy for it with a handle, and you'd have basically all your criteria met, it would be hella custom, plus if the components were used you'd be upcycling.
posted by goblinbox at 10:00 PM on October 5, 2010

brainmouse: "This is the closest I could find. I can't tell if it closes all the way or if it's super leak proof if it does."

I have that (or one almost identical) and it does NOT close all the way. There's a permanent open drinking hole on top with no plug.
posted by IndigoRain at 11:55 PM on October 5, 2010

I have been looking for this as well. I can't find the specific one now, but like you mentioned, there are a few without a handle that meet every other requirement you have. Would a removable closed loop handle work for you? If you can work with that, you can make a frankencup of your very own. Then you can market it to yourself, and to me.


posted by copperbleu at 12:23 AM on October 6, 2010

This is more and more true the higher in quality you go. Nobody is going to spend $20+ on a travel mug for coffee/tea if they are the sort of person who wants to microwave said beverage.

This is entirely true. Us awful, terrible microwaved-coffee plebes generally get plastic travel mugs with slide-and-drink lids from the gas station (horrors!)

How about this one from Thermos, from the previous thread on soup mugs? I bet soup will be a better search term, or maybe camping. If only this had a full loop for a handle... This one claims to have a "Snap on sip lid with complete closure", "spill-proof lid" (also available in cardinal or large-mouth bass!)
posted by vorfeed at 12:43 AM on October 6, 2010

Have a browse through this shopping search engine. The catch is the nice one's I've found tend to be intended for corporate gift purchase ($5 each with a $50 setup cost), but if you can track down a source that sells them individually or with their logo, or you can live with some of the ones being sold with dog pictures like this or something..
posted by hungrysquirrels at 2:12 AM on October 6, 2010

At Bed Bath and Beyond they have an eco cup that looks like a disposable from a coffee shop - for about 8 bucks. Add to that a handle (that they sell for four) and you've got your set (I don't think the handle is microwaveable but it IS removable).

Kind of utilitarian plain but meets micro-dish-handle requirements.
posted by tilde at 3:46 AM on October 6, 2010

http://www.copco.com/store/site/product.cfm/id/C84885B4-1E0B-C910-EACB6B75138984A7 - copco cup

http://images.containerstore.com/images/catalog/124446/Handisleeve-Green-480130-118_x.jpg umbra handle

both are available at BBB. Or get the handle at Container Store and I think I saw the cup at WalMart.
posted by tilde at 4:02 AM on October 6, 2010

You probably won't find anything that's both insulated and microwaveable (at least anything that doesn't leach toxic plasti-chemicals into your drink). However, you are not out of luck in terms of being able to reheat the contents of a travel mug.

I use this awesome Contigo mug. (Wonderful mug, never spills, keeps things hot for hours and hours).

To heat the contents of the mug I use this immersible drink heater. I daresay I even prefer this over microwaving.
posted by cuddles.mcsnuggy at 7:33 AM on October 6, 2010

It doesn't have a handle, but I've been loving my new Crate and Barrel Travel Tea Mug. It's absolutely leak proof, insulated, and dishwasher-safe. The body (but not lid) is microwave-safe, but the directions say not to heat it in the microwave for more than 2 minutes. The best part is that it has a built-in infuser for loose-leaf tea (or tea bags) that can be drawn out of the tea while on the go when you've brewed long enough - no messing with a dripping tea bag!
posted by Gori Girl at 8:32 AM on October 6, 2010

Response by poster: Wow - some of those mugs are super cute! Thanks. I like the KeepCup and the Tea on the Go, enough that I think I'll order one and "sugru" a handle on to it.

And to the others who mentioned microwaving coffee.. hmm, why would anyone want to microwave coffee? But, I like to use it for other things, too (like hot chocolate, or tea, etc.).
posted by TheOtherSide at 12:31 PM on October 6, 2010