You know the type – the person who hates cold drinks, hates to drink through a straw, and absolutely loves their iced coffee. So what are they doing drinking hot coffee? It’s a mystery, but they’re probably not suffering from caffeine headaches anytime soon. Drinking hot coffee over ice is the popular way to go, but how do you know if this is right for you? There are a few things to consider.
Where do you get your morning caffeine fix? I’m a coffee drinker, and I’ve found that a few simple steps can help keep my habit from turning into a costly addiction. First, get your caffeine fix in the morning. If you wait until the afternoon to start drinking coffee, the caffeine will keep you up all night, and you’ll wake up with a headache the next day. Second, don’t drink caffeinated soda or energy drinks. These contain a lot of sugar and caffeine, which can lead to weight gain and make you feel jittery. And finally, don’t drink caffeine after you eat. Food slows the absorption of caffeine, and you’ll end up overdosing on the stimulant.
As an outdoor enthusiast, I can say from experience that a hot drink on a cold morning or a cold drink in the scorching heat of a summer day is a comfort I can’t live without. Not only am I an avid coffee drinker, but I am also the former co-owner of a coffee roasting company. So when I say I take coffee seriously, I mean it. With such a love for a delicious cup of coffee, I’m always on the lookout for a thermos to store my brewed coffee in. This is one of the main reasons I decided to take a closer look at Walmart’s Ozark Trail thermal line. I’d rather make my coffee at home than buy it at the store. So a good thermos is vital to me no matter what my daily schedule is.
As with most things in life, making coffee involves more than just turning the coffee machine on. To get the best cup of coffee, you need to know both the recommended brewing temperature and the recommended serving temperature. What’s most interesting is that it wasn’t just a group of hipsters who gathered in a local coffeehouse to make these recommendations. Moreover, over a century of scientific research has looked specifically at how temperature can affect your taste buds. I won’t go into the scientific research in this article, but I will cite one study to provide some context.
Already in 2005, researchers from the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (Belgium) concluded that temperature fluctuations are directly related to taste perception, especially with regard to sweet and bitter. If you lower the temperature of the coffee, you may notice a noticeable change in taste. The National Coffee Association recommends a brewing temperature of 195 to 205 degrees Fahrenheit and a serving temperature of 185 degrees Fahrenheit. What I find interesting about the recommended serving temperature is that it is not necessarily the temperature at which most coffee drinkers enjoy their drink.
Another study found that 140 degrees Fahrenheit is the average desired temperature for both black coffee drinkers and those who add cream and other sweeteners. In short, there is no ideal temperature to enjoy coffee, but we do have a solid basis for evaluating Walmart’s Ozark Trail thermal series. To get an idea of what Walmart’s Ozark Trail line of thermoses can do, I put together a collection of sizes that I personally purchased at my local Walmart. I had a total of 6 of their double-walled, vacuum-insulated thermos, ranging in size from a 10-pound cup to 32 pounds. + – Table of contents
1. Ozark Trail Stainless Steel Double Wall Vacuum Sealed Mug, 32 oz
Ozark Trail 32oz double walled vacuum sealed stainless steel mug This 32 oz Ozark Trail cup is, in my opinion, the most versatile of all. One of the main reasons you fill a thermos is to be able to enjoy a drink at the right temperature for a long time. This allows you to spend hours outside, which means it’s convenient to have more of your favorite drink on hand. It is double-walled with vacuum sealing and made of high quality 18/8 stainless steel. When you shop on the Walmart website, you can choose from 4 colors: black, mint, silver or beige.
Another great option Walmart offers is the ability to purchase a 32 pound Ozark Trail cup in quantities of 1, 2, 4 or 6. For less than $10, you can buy 4 32-pound Ozark Trail cups for a price comparable to that of a 30-pound race cup, which to me is a big win. Advantages / Can hot and cold drinks for a long time, various colors, basic size suitable for standard cup holders, reasonable price. Locking counter/cover not included, size may be harder to use for small hands. The Bottom Line/Ozark Trail 32oz tumbler is a great option for thrifty shoppers who want to keep their drinks cold or hot without breaking the bank.
2. Ozark Trail Stainless Steel Double Walled Vacuum Sealed Mug 22
The Ozark Trail 22 oz tumbler is what most people think of when they picture a coffee mug. The size fits perfectly in the hand of any coffee drinker and holds just the right amount of coffee, so you don’t exceed your daily dose of caffeine in one go. This mug is the perfect size for any cup holder and has a stylish design. With its vacuum-sealed double walls and high-quality (18/8) stainless steel, the 22-pound Ozark Trail tumbler keeps your coffee or refreshments within easy reach during your morning commute or hunting trip. Like the 32-pound tumbler, the 22-pound Ozark Trail tumbler is available in black, mint, silver or beige and can be ordered in quantities of 1, 2, 4 or 6. Benefits: 2 ounces more than most other mugs in this category, multiple colors, double walled with vacuum seal. Opposition/lock cover not included The Bottom Line/The Ozark Trail 22oz Mug is the perfect mug that you can buy in quantities of 7 and it will last all week soaked in coffee.
3. Ozark Trail 14oz Stainless steel double walled vacuum sealed coffee mug
Ozark Trail 14 oz. Coffee cup A coffee mug with a handle makes you feel relaxed and ready to face the day. Cups without handles are fine, but I really like that you can have the feel of an old-fashioned coffee mug in a stainless steel thermos, while still getting the benefits of double-walled vacuum-sealed. In my opinion, the Ozark Trail 14 oz. double-walled, vacuum-sealed stainless steel coffee mug offers the best of both worlds. Designed to mimic the design of a standard coffee mug, the Ozark Trail 14oz coffee mug uses the same double wall vacuum sealing technology as the other mugs, and durable, high quality 18/8 stainless steel. This mug comes in one color, silver, so if you like the hard industrial steel look, you will love this mug. Like the other mugs in the Ozark Trail series, you can order this mug as a 4-pack, which is the best option. Pro / Great design, including the cup handle, durable and less prone to scratches, perfect size for a cup of coffee, reasonable price. Cons: limited choice of colors, the cup may not fit in all cup holders. If you like the traditional look of a coffee mug, but want to keep your drinks at the desired temperature for longer, this is an excellent choice.
4. Ozark Trail Stainless Steel Vacuum Insulated Tumbler, 10oz
Ozark Track 10oz Silver Mug If you like espresso or plan to use the cup for a cold drink, the Ozark Trail 10lb cup is a good option for you. Many outdoor enthusiasts have taken outdoor coffee making to the next level by using a coffee pot or press. If you are planning an event that is more like a high-end coffeehouse, consider this mug. Like the coffee mug, the 10-pound mug is only available in silver and can be ordered online from Walmart in packs of 1, 2 or 4. Pro/Small design perfect for travel mug, reasonable price, solid construction.
Disadvantages: The small model may not be big enough for those who want to carry it around for long periods of time. As with all products, there is a time and a place, and the 10-pound cup will find its place in the heart of a coffee connoisseur or a lover of bourbon by the fireside.
5. Ozark Trail 24oz Stainless Steel Water Bottle
In the past decade, stainless steel water bottles have become very popular, and many consumers prefer them over plastic water bottles. The Ozark Trail 24 oz. water bottle is made of lightweight black stainless steel and is widely usable thanks to its tight-fitting screw-on cap. Your kids can use it as a daily water bottle at school, you can take coffee to work, wash it off and use it for drinks later in the day or, because it’s waterproof, you can put it in your hiking backpack for a day trip. The Ozark Trail 24 oz. lightweight stainless steel water bottle is available in black, mint or beige and sold in packs of 1, 2, 4 or 6 at Walmart. Pro/compact design, different colors available, high quality cover, waterproof, reasonable price. Cons/ Not as easy to use on the go as the open neck cap. Bottom Line / This water bottle is a great option for those who need a multi-purpose drinking cup.
Performance test
To test the Ozark Trail series thermos, I used a base temperature of 185 degrees Fahrenheit for all products tested. My goal was to find out how long I could keep my cup of coffee warm and if the temperature of the cup changed over time. I also used two 22 pound cups, one with a standard opening lid and the other with a tight fitting lid. I checked the temperature with a Weber meat thermometer that can be purchased for $15.
I used plain water that I boiled to temperature, put in each of the cups, and immediately covered with the provided lids. I decided to do this test at home because the temperature in Michigan was over 90 degrees and I wanted to be able to maintain a stable room temperature of 68 degrees Fahrenheit for the duration of the test. I started with a starting temperature of 185 degrees Fahrenheit and tested each cup 2 hours after adding water, 4 hours after adding water, and 12 hours after adding water.
Here are my results:
Two hours:
- 32oz – Rocker switch
- The temperature is 151.8 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Heat loss – 33.2 degrees Fahrenheit
- 24 oz. water bottle
- The temperature is 154.7 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Heat loss – 30.3 degrees Fahrenheit
- 22 oz. Rocker switch with lockable cover
- The temperature is 146.5 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Heat loss – 38.5 degrees Fahrenheit
- 22 lb Tipping Switch with Standard Cover
- Temperature – 145.2 degrees Fahrenheit
- Heat loss – 39.8 degrees Fahrenheit
- 14oz coffee cup
- Temperature – 138.3 degrees Fahrenheit
- Heat loss – 46.7 degrees Fahrenheit
- 10oz Lowball Mug
- Temperature – 131.4 degrees Fahrenheit
- Heat loss – 53.6 degrees Fahrenheit
Four hours:
- 32oz – Rocker switch
- The temperature is 135.8 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Heat loss – 49.2 degrees Fahrenheit
- 24 oz. water bottle
- The temperature is 143.4 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Heat loss – 41.6 degrees Fahrenheit
- 22 oz. Rocker switch with lockable cover
- The temperature is 131.8 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Heat loss – 53.2 degrees Fahrenheit
- 22 lb Tipping Switch with Standard Cover
- The temperature is 128.6 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Heat loss – 56.4 degrees Fahrenheit
- 14oz coffee cup
- The temperature is 118.8 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Heat loss – 66.2 degrees Fahrenheit
- 10oz Lowball Mug
- The temperature is 111.9 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Heat loss – 73.1 degrees Fahrenheit
In 12 hours:
- 32oz – Rocker switch
- Temperature – 100.2 degrees Fahrenheit
- Heat loss – 84.8 degrees Fahrenheit
- 24 oz. water bottle
- Temperature – 111 degrees Fahrenheit
- Heat loss – 74 degrees Fahrenheit
- 22 oz. Rocker switch with lockable cover
- The temperature is 96.9 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Heat loss – 88.1 degrees Fahrenheit
- 22 lb Tipping Switch with Standard Cover
- The temperature is 93.6 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Heat loss – 91.4 degrees Fahrenheit
- 14oz coffee cup
- The temperature is 82.8 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Heat loss – 102.2 degrees Fahrenheit
- 10oz Lowball Mug
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- Temperature – 80.8 degrees Fahrenheit
- Heat loss – 104.2 degrees Fahrenheit
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Power Takeaway
Overall, I was pleased with the results of my Ozark Trail thermos test. Here are some important points that I think should be mentioned.
- There is a direct correlation between the size of the thermos and its ability to hold heat for long periods of time.
- The 24-ounce water bottle is the big winner, though not the biggest of the bunch. A screw cap compared to insulated caps seems to give an advantage to the 24 pound bottle.
- There is very little difference in heat retention between the included lid and the optional sealable lid, so the real advantage of the optional lid is that the drink stays in the cup.
- Overall, each of these mugs has a specific function and performs very well when it comes to keeping you warm on the go.
Another very important thing to mention in the performance category is that when it comes to the acceptable temperature for drinking coffee, all the cups I tested exceeded the numbers listed on the Walmart website.
What is a double-walled vacuum sealed thermos flask?
If you’re wondering why a vacuum sealed, double-walled thermos is superior to other models, we can help you figure that out. This design consists of, you guessed it, two stainless steel walls and a vacuum chamber between the two walls. Convection occurs in a traditional single-wall thermos, transferring heat from the inside to the outside or vice versa, affecting the temperature of the liquid over time and at a higher rate. The sealed vacuum chamber in the double-walled thermos prevents convection and significantly increases the storage time of the desired drink temperature.
Ceiling difference
I was curious to see how well the covers worked. The lockable lid and open-mouth lid give similar results when combined with the 22lb cup, but I had a different text I wanted to test. Using an ATN thermal imaging camera, I filled one of the 22 pound beakers with water heated to 185 degrees Fahrenheit and the other with water heated to 140 degrees Fahrenheit.
The photo below shows that the thermos on the left has warmer water, but the heat signature of the two rockers is only present inside the rocker. Once the rocker covers are in place, you can learn a little more about how they work. When the lid is closed, the heat transfer is greater than when the lid is open. Although the blocking lid absorbs more heat, it allows you to retain a few degrees of extra heat over time.
Can I put the Ozark Trail thermos flask in the dishwasher?
Yes, it is recommended to put the cups on the top rack of the dishwasher for safe maintenance.
Are the lids interchangeable?
Yes! In the Ozark Trail range you will find two different sizes of lids: One of the lids fits coffee mugs and large mugs like 32 pounds, while the smaller lids fit thinner mugs like 22 pounds and 10 pounds.
Does Walmart offer replacement covers?
Yes! You can purchase the optional waterproof and mouth opening covers that come with the rocker switches.
Are these thermos flasks BPA-free?
Ozark Trail thermos are not only BPA free, but also rust and sweat resistant.
Offers Walmart warranty on Ozark TrailThermos line
Walmart offers a lifetime warranty on Ozark Trail thermos.
Does Walmart allow the return of Ozark Trail cups?
Yes, Walmart has a very easy return process and most returned items can be shipped for free. You can read the return policy here.