Alladin Stanley® Vacuum Bottle
Pros: made to last, and it does
Cons: heavy for arthritic hands
My vintage, American made, Alladin Stanley® vacuum bottle is a well-made, dandy of a vaccum bottle. My dad carried a glass lined thermos bottle in his lunch box for years so my experience with the Alladin Stanley vacuum bottle was limited, I did see a few during childhood but had no idea what they were, or how handy.
Dad’s thermos suffered a broken liner now and again, the liner was replaceable.
My children are Lads, Boy Scouting became a major experience in our lives for many years, kids were cubbies and continued in the program through Webelo and Scouts. I became an adult Scouter and noticed many fellow scouters, generally older men carrying the Alladin Stanley vacuum bottles during troop campouts, Camporees and the like. It was during those scouting events that I came to recognize the utility of these sturdy, well built containers.
First appearing in 1913; the all-steel vacuum bottle invented by William Stanley Jr. revolutionized the container industry by corroborating that steel can be used in lieu of glass to insulate.
Stanley using public has long realized that Stanley products are fabricated to last the lifespan of the owner and beyond. Of course the better care we show these useful containers the nicer they will remain, the longer they can be expected to last and the better they are likely to accomplish.
Today I use both my sturdy Alladin Stanley bottle and containers made by thermos. I have foregone using most thermos having glass liners for the reason my dad needed to replace the liner on occasion; they break.
Newer Thermos bottles are all metal, keep hot coffee hot and are lighter weight, skinnier and easier for me to carry to school in my rolling case than is my more bulky Stanley.
On the other hand, my handy Stanley bottle is often found in the car during winter trips. I have never been snowed in, off the road or whatever, however, the BSA motto, Be Prepared, is well engrained, with the Stanley bottle I know the water I put into it will not freeze whatever the temp and water as liquid will be available for drinking in case it is needed during the snowy trips north to see son and family during winter.
As I age and arthritis in my hands continues to progress I find my Stanley bottle is becoming heavy and difficult for me to maneuver. I have no intention to set it aside, we will continue to use my handleless bottle for water especially during winter. However, I do intend to avail myself of one of the bottles having a handle on the side. The bottle, intended to hold coffee during trips or campouts, will still be heavy, however, I will be able to lift it using the handle, and will not need help with the bottle for many more trips or excursions to come.
I like that suggestions and recommendations for making optimum usage of Stanley products, including suggestion regarding making oatmeal in the bottle, are available on the Pacific Market International, PMI Stanley® website. I even found a downloadable pdf regarding care presented on the website.
Care & Use of Stanley Stainless Steel products data regarding how to best use Stanley products per the website includes several cautions including;
– Do NOT use in microwave, oven or dishwasher!
-Don’t overfill with hot drinks; overfilling may lead to spillage and searing. The fill capacity is planned to be complete just below the lid base.
-When filled with hot liquid Stainless Steel Mugs should be used with caution when children are in proximity.
-Stainless Steel Water bottles are not intended for usage with hot beverages.
-Bottle lid should be attached firmly to prevent spills, and possible harm from spillage against bare skin.
-In order to minimize bacterial growth, Stanley bottles are not recommended for storage of warm milk products or baby foods.
The Stanley website includes recommendations for CARE & USE OF STAINLESS STEEL PRODUCTS includes:
-Wash products before use. To clean, wash with warm water and mild detergent. Let product stand for five minutes. Pour out washing water and rinse with warm water.
-Should inner area become discolored, a concoction of baking soda and water can be used. Add solution, let product stand uncapped, open for 60 minutes then rinse meticulously.
-Caution: bleach or cleansers containing chlorine to clean should not be used with Stanley vacuum bottles.
-Pre-heating or pre-chilling the Stanley bottle by adding steaming hot or ice-cold water, as mother’s of my generation always suggested, does aide in keeping coffee or other beverages hot or cold for a longer period. Fill bottle with hot or cold liquid; let stand for five minutes, empty the contents, add coffee or other beverage to be stored in the bottle.
-Stanley, a brand of PMI offers replacement parts on their website including cups, stoppers or gaskets, as well as food, drink and spirit container, mugs and cups.
-I like that Stanley products are warranted to be free from any defect in workmanship or materials and to be Thermally efficient provided used according to the instructions.
Note: This warranty does not cover component parts or malfunction due to alteration, misuse, or accident. If you have any questions regarding this or any other Stanley product, please call our customer service department
-Please note do not return product to retailer.
Happy to recommend my vintage bottle: Standing about 14.5 inches in height and about 4 inches outer diameter; my bottle is one of the green, hammered outer shell types.
While New bottles and other Stanley products are available on Amazon and Stanley websites; I will likely check jumble shop before purchase.
PMI USA
2401 Elliott Ave. 4th Fl
Seattle, WA USA 98121
Timeline per the Stanley website:
1913 William Stanley Jr. invents the all-steel vacuum bottle and revolutionizes the industry by proving steel can be used in place of glass to insulate.
1915 The Stanley insulating company begins mass production of the Stanley vacuum bottle, insulating jugs and beverage servers.
1942 Stanley bottles are first carried on WWII B-17’s, beginning a long history of use on military aircraft.
1953 The iconic hammertone green is introduced for the first time on a Stanley bottle.
1960’s A majority of airlines, ocean liners, railroads, and hospitals around the country now use Stanley commercial products.
1970’s Modernized Stanley vacuum bottles gain popularity with the American workforce, making it the most popular vacuum bottle in history.
1995 William Stanley Jr., who had obtained 129 patents related to both electricity and insulation during his career, is inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame.
2002 Seattle, WA based PMI purchases the Stanley brand streamlining the design and manufacturing process while staying true to the brand’s legacy of durability and relevance.
2006 The Outdoor Industry welcomes the Stanley brand. Within a few short years, Stanley Outdoor products will have made explorations all over the world including Mt Everest, North and South poles.
2008 eCycle®, our proprietary blend of recycled material is first introduced in the Stanley Recycled & Recyclable 16oz Tumbler, first to offer reusable, BPA-free recycled and recyclable coffee mugs.
2012 Outside Magazine names the Stanley Vacuum Bottle as one of “The Most Influential Gear of All Time.”
2013 We turn 100.