Christmas gift -- Good idea or not?

Discussion in 'Fred's House of Pancakes' started by cyberpriusII, Sep 28, 2025 at 5:58 PM.

  1. cyberpriusII

    cyberpriusII Maybe it was the roses

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    Just returned from my annual Sept. weekend get together with a select group of relatives.

    We all draw slips of paper and get the name of ONE relative to whom we owe a Christmas gift this year. I like it. Makes it a lot easier (and cheaper) than trying to come up with something for each and everyone.

    However, this year, the slip i drew had in big red letters the name: KEVIN.

    For those of you that don't follow my family closely (LOL), that is my husband. I immediately came up with an idea. I know it is tough to believe, but he wears a suit to work each day and sips coffee to keep going with a career that would had bored me to distraction. But he loves it and is apparently good at it.

    He sips black coffee for the entire drive to work and for the first hour or so at office. He tanks up again for the ride home.

    I have heard about the Ember brand heated coffee travel mugs that have a lithium battery, keep the coffee at your desired temperature for as long as you desire and you can track the mug with an Apple tag in the event they are pilfered or decide to go on walkabout. They are $200. :eek::eek::eek: Again:eek::eek::eek: o_O

    Ember Travel Mug 2 | Heated Travel Mug 12oz | Ember®

    I think he would love it, but not paying $200. Another company (actually a lot of other companies) have done their own knockoffs and if I get the moon in the right phase, could maybe get a NEXTMUG for around $70-$115. :eek::eek::eek:

    Notice only three screams. Yeah, I know ... but it is Christmas -- or will be. Anyway, anyone with experience with these things. Oh, it hurts to think about those prices. If I hit the University of Oregon Bookstore, I might be able to get a mug with Puddles on it for a much lower charge.
    upload_2025-9-28_14-58-48.jpeg

     
  2. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    During the lockdown, instead of hanging out at the local coffee shop, I started buying their locally-roasted beans and grinding and brewing them at home.

    And sometimes I would get distracted before finishing a cup ... and come back when it had cooled ...

    ... and find it freakin' delicious.

    No one had ever told me coffee could cool down and taste better.

    Anyway, now that I know, I suppose I wouldn't be in the market myself for a fancy keep-it-hot mug.
     
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  3. cyberpriusII

    cyberpriusII Maybe it was the roses

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    lots of folks love iced coffee. I don't like it hot, warm, lukewarm or cold, but will drink it if social situation requires or if I REALLY want a boost in the morning. but that is rare. I normally awake ready to hit the trails.
     
  4. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    An insulated travel mug isn't adequate?

    They'll keep coffee hot for a while and you won't have to worry about lithium batteries bursting into flames and destroying a car, house, or business.

    Best of all, a good vacuum insulated one, made out of stainless steel, shouldn't cost more than 40 or 50 bucks.
     
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  5. cyberpriusII

    cyberpriusII Maybe it was the roses

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    Well, maybe I am coming to my senses, as I am beginning to rethink this $$$$ idea.

    Think just "talking" it out here helped.

    But now I am stuck for a gift idea. Well, have three months.

    BTW, still have my dad's old Stanley vacuum bottle. I sometimes still use it for soups.
    kris
     
  6. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    They are American made, improved vacuum mugs and travel tumblers. Pour scalding hot liquid in, and it is cooled to a drinkable temperature. That heat taken out of the liquid is then used to keep the drink warm for hours. Not electric. The link has the details on how it works. Prices run $50 to $80.

    edit: I'm not seeing the link. It's burnoutmugs.com if not there for others.
     
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  7. VelvetFoot

    VelvetFoot Junior Member

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    Interesting concept. You should buy one and tell us how it works, lol.

    Since I retired I don't really drink coffee in the car anymore, rather espresso from a cheap Cuisinart machine.

    I did like my stainless Thermos tumbler though. Kept the coffee hot or cold for a long time. A great feature is that you can turn it upside down and it doesn't leak.

    I would think charging up a coffee mug would get tedious, over time.

    upload_2025-9-29_8-59-36.png
     
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  8. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    I did get one for my brother a few years back.

    Let's see if it works now.

    edit: nope
     
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  9. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    Single-mug hotplates are maybe $25 new and $2 at goodwill.

    upload_2025-9-29_10-41-27.png
    They aren't all as fancy as this one, just a random photo to illustrate example.

    They work with lots of ordinary mugs. Good luck!
     
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  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    that's what i need i think. i like the coffee to stay, and the cup hot on the outside in the winter to keep my hands warm.
    ng in the car though
     
  11. VelvetFoot

    VelvetFoot Junior Member

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    Isn't that what steering wheel warmers are for, lol.
     
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  12. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    yes, but one hand has to hold the mug :cool:
     
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  13. RRxing

    RRxing Senior Member

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    I used to use a Yeti 20oz. tumbler. A little pricey (~$30), but it kept my coffee hot enough for my commute, which is becoming a distant memory now that I'm retired :D.
     
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  14. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    In what way does it not work? The description on the website makes it sound kind of too simple to fail.

    Does it no longer cool the drink down quickly to 140℉? Does it no longer then hold that temperature a good while?

    I do see they say the warranty applies "provided they are used according to the instructions in their Care and Use manuals" and said manuals aren't anywhere on the website (that I can find), so I guess there's no boning up on what their actual requirements might be until you buy one and read the manual in the box.

    Somebody did write an article on getting the best results from it:

    Burnout Mug Review: Is It Worth The Cost?

    (And, wonder of wonders in this day and age, it seems to be an actual cogent article and not just content-mill or AI slop!)

    I did once ruin one of those liquid-filled ice-cream scoops by forgetting to keep it out of the dishwasher....
     
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  15. frodoz737

    frodoz737 Top Wrench

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    This working man's Wife got him on of these travel coffee cups. What you choose as the message/image reflects the intent of your gift. I love mine, but we've only been married 39 years. ;)


    YETI Custom Drinkware
     
  16. Stevewoods

    Stevewoods Senior Member

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    I vote for a Puddles mug.

    upload_2025-9-29_20-53-12.jpeg
     
  17. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    Sorry, not clear. Was referring to the link.
    It looks like it's a working link when I compose the post, but it isn't there when posted. Was trying a different computer and browser with the post you quoted.