What do you know about BPA-free stainless steel water bottles?

agzg · #1 12-04-2009, 07:50 PM

Hi friends. Once again, I'm looking for some advice on what I'm buying live-in for Christmas. Since he loved the Nintendo sneakers (added them to his shrine to Nintendo), I figure greekchatters know their shit.

So. I'm looking for a BPA-free, stainless steel water bottle. The biggest I can find (he wants to use it on his desk at work without having to go to the kitchen all the time to re-fill). This would not be for a bike (he already has one that size) and might be a little large for hiking, as well (although I'm not sure, and we don't hike).

It looks like Klean Kanteen makes one that's 40 ounces, as well as New Wave Enviro, and I'm unaware of any other brands that make them that big.

Klean Kanteen is a little more expensive, but has better reviews on Amazon as well as more color choices. New Wave Enviro has the lowest prices of anything I've seen. Does that mean it's not any good, though?

The guy has lost so much weight this past year, by working out more, drinking more water, and basically living a healthier lifestyle. I'd like to get him something great to support that (in addition to other Christmas presents).

Is there anything I haven't covered? Part of me is leaning toward Klean Kanteen based on pure brand recognition and color choices. Would that be a mistake?

Thoughts?

epchick · #2 12-04-2009, 08:06 PM

I got my dad a 40 oz one from Albertsons. They had (don't know if they still have them) a bunch with different football/basketball/baseball teams on them. It was only $9.99 and I haven't had negatives to say about it (I use it more than my dad, lol). IDK what brand it was, all I know it was an official NFL licensed product lol.

agzg · #3 12-04-2009, 08:10 PM

Good thought. Live-in's not too hot on the NFL but if they have them for football, they probably have them for hockey. What kind of top does it have? (A Sippy top, a flat top, one where a carabiner clip slips through?)

AGDee · #4 12-04-2009, 10:10 PM

My co-worker has the New Wave Enviro one. She loves it, says the water stays really cold in it. However, the screw on cap is metal .. against the metal container, it sends shivers up my spine when she opens and closes it! I don't do well with metal against metal, like fingernails on a chalkboard to me.

agzg · #5 12-04-2009, 10:26 PM

Ohh that's a good tip! I know that the Klean Kantine has plastic that threads the screw on cap in.

VandalSquirrel · #6 12-04-2009, 11:50 PM

I have Camelback plastic one I love, and they make stainless now. It has a flip top sippy straw you have to bite to get flowing which prevents spills, and it has a loop for a carabiner. I love the one I got that has a narrower base so it fits in my cup holder. I love their bite system, and have it for my backpacking packs as well as a smaller one for when I'm doing outside work, and just for my daily water drinking because of the spill factor on my desk or in a bag.

The stainless ones are smaller than 40oz though, but I love the design on the drinking mechanism, so I'm biased. You could get him the back pack or shirt to wear so he can have it on while gaming

agzg · #7 12-05-2009, 01:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VandalSquirrel

You could get him the back pack or shirt to wear so he can have it on while gaming

LOL! I love me my geeks

.

RaggedyAnn · #8 12-05-2009, 06:21 AM

My husband loves the one I bought him from Target. It's a Thermos Thermax. The water stays cold even if you leave it in the car during the summer. It's smaller than 40 oz, since he commutes and needs to put it in the drink pouch of his laptop bag, but it does last him a bit. The top has a cap that flips open and the mouth is about the size of an average soda bottle, so the water doesn't go everywhere when he tilts it back...and it is easy to clean.

ThetaDancer · #9 12-05-2009, 09:22 AM

A heads up about one popular brand, Sigg: water bottles made before August 2008 contain BPA despite being made of metal. They have a plastic liner (that comes in direct contact with your water) that contains the chemical. Even though they've stopped using the chemical, some stores and websites still have the older versions, and as far as I know, there really isn't a way to distinguish the two unless the store specifically states that they are BPA-free because they look the same.

AZTheta · #10 12-05-2009, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThetaDancer

A heads up about one popular brand, Sigg: water bottles made before August 2008 contain BPA despite being made of metal. They have a plastic liner (that comes in direct contact with your water) that contains the chemical. Even though they've stopped using the chemical, some stores and websites still have the older versions, and as far as I know, there really isn't a way to distinguish the two unless the store specifically states that they are BPA-free because they look the same.

True. I have a collection of stainless water bottles, including Sigg. The older Sigg bottles have an interior that looks coppery (visible around the neck of the bottle) & the newer BPA free ones have a greenish interior. It's definitely noticeable. I don't believe any of the new bottles have the old interior coating.

Sigg took quite a hit (negative press) in the summer about this & they did a free exchange (that has expired BTW) - you could trade in your old bottles for new ones, via the mail.

Sigg claimed that there was no danger b/c the bottles are only designed for cold liquid use & they had done rigorous testing, etc. You might find some press releases or info on this if you do a google search.

I did not like the GAIAM bottles (sold at Target & other locations) - they leak. Have had bad luck with the Laken bottles & certain styles of BILT bottles. I try as much as possible to avoid "made in China" bottles but that's a little challenging. Agree w/ previous posters that the Camelbak bottles are awesome; that's pretty much all I use. Living in the desert, water is a must & we are all gulping it all year around. I am forgetful at times b/c I'm traveling & moving from place to place during the day, which is why I keep replacing my bottles. Trying to be more mindful...

Another consideration is the ease of cleaning the interior of the bottle. Kits are sold for this purpose. And - many of the stainless bottles dent, easily. Not a one of my Sigg bottles wasn't damaged in some fashion.

I think BYO or some other company sells "sleeves" for the bottles. I look at places like Sierra Trading Post online to see if there are bottles on sale. This won't help right now, but for future reference a lot of bottles go on sale right after Christmas b/c they are winter/holiday designs. I've saved a lot of $ by buying on 12-26.

agzg · #11 12-05-2009, 11:42 AM

I thought the Sigg bottles were made of aluminum, which is why they needed the coating on the inside of the bottle?

AZTheta · #12 12-05-2009, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by agzg

I thought the Sigg bottles were made of aluminum, which is why they needed the coating on the inside of the bottle?

Could be, I don't know, you are probably right - I do know that those bottles are pricey (first one I ever bought years ago was about $18 and now they're up around $25 for the large size). And They Dent!

Munchkin03 · #13 12-05-2009, 01:13 PM

That is on my guest list for a lot of people this year too! I LOVE LOVE LOVE my stainless steel and aluminum water bottles. I carry it with me all the time, and I keep one at my desk.

I buy my Siggs from Whole Foods, and they stopped selling all of the BPA ones, so I feel pretty comfortable getting them from there. If they even sell Siggs at Wal-Mart, I'd avoid it, but Sigg is a great company that took their lumps from the BPA scandalette.

Regardless of which one you get, you should also get the cleaning kit.

epchick · #14 12-05-2009, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by agzg

Good thought. Live-in's not too hot on the NFL but if they have them for football, they probably have them for hockey. What kind of top does it have? (A Sippy top, a flat top, one where a carabiner clip slips through?)

The top is the one where you can have a clip on it. This area isn't a big hockey area, but I would bet they would have hockey ones in a more hockey-prevalent area.