Top critical review
3.0 out of 5 starsThe feeling of “I found a better mug, but due to other reasons, I’ll have to settle for this.”
Reviewed in the United States on July 2, 2024
I bought this mug to replace a 50 oz Reduce mug I had used for almost 6 years. The reason was just because I was tired of dealing with the plastic bands that are part of the handle.
I prefer the wider, not-so-tall size of the Reduce mug, but I was willing to give this a try.
Does it keep iced soda as cold and for as long as the Reduce mug? I don’t know, I haven’t tested how long it lasts, but it at least lasts long enough for my actual usage. So it’s fine.
The handle is a little thinner than the other mug, but it seems enough for me to “just get used to it.” So far, it doesn’t seem uncomfortable.
The black coating does look nice, but it’s already getting scratched by a plastic cup holder. So that is pretty disappointing.
But worst part is the lid.
Having used Bubba Kegs in the past, I’ve since grown to hate flip top lids. It’s a nightmare to clean around the hinge (where the flip top meets the lid). Sure, maybe you can get to the visible parts with a brush or a toothpick, but the not-so-visible part requires you to remove the flip portion to clean inside where the hing sits. I was able to bend the lid for the Bubba Kegs to pop out those pieces, but the Iron Flask lids doesn’t appear to allow it.
While I understand the flip top needs to be snug to avoid popping open and spewing the liquid all over the place if the mug falls over, it’s far too snug for me to open with one hand while I’m trying to drive. The only option there is to leave it partially or completely open, which defeats the whole “leakproof” objective.
Compared to the generic lids I have for the Reduce mug, either the opening or the vents are smaller. This means it pours more slowly and takes longer for me to get a decent “gulp” done. Not a big deal at home, but a different story when I’m doing delivery work. I’d rather finish drinking sooner than later.
Similarly, due to the design on the inside, it catches my fake ice (balls of plastic with freezable liquid inside) too easily, which then blocks the flow… slowing it down even more.
I had attempted to reuse the generic magnetic lid from the older mug, but it’s a press in friction type, not twist on. While I could insert the lid with minimal effort, trying to remove it was a different story. My hands are still sore from the effort.
I found, ordered and received a mug that is the same size as the Reduce mug, just without the plastic band. The problem is that I’ve also been going through multiple expandable cup holders for my car to hold a 50 oz mug. The third one, which was ordered as the same time as that new mug is the shortest, allows the mug to sit the lowest and the top doesn’t wobble like the other two. But it doesn’t fit the newest mug. Holder expands to 4.8” while the mug is 5”. Seems like such a small difference, but while I can get the mug past the top of the arms, it won’t sit flat and the arms are bending quite a bit. Since they’re plastic, they’ll eventually break if I force it.
So then, there’s why I have to settle for this Iron Flask mug… cause it’s the only one that fits the cup holder.
Maybe if the folks that made this mug are reading this, how about a lid that fits (twist on), but uses the magnetic sliding stopper? Easier to clean, easier to use and fits.