Hot coffee in lap going through a drive through

Gardenlover

Gardenlover

Well-known Member
I really dislike the design of fast food coffee cups and plastic lids. Regardless of who puts the lids on they pop off too easily and many times are not seated properly in the first place.

Had a coffee handed to me in a drive through and I grabbed it by the top around the lid, the lid popped off and the hot coffee ended up in my lap. Not the start to the day I anticipated.

We can send people to the moon, surely we can design a better container for coffee.
 
I've had that happen with my hot mocha more than once. For some reason the lids are fine on the large size, but it's not a good fit on the small. Wonder if it's their way to get people to buy large? :unsure: They replaced it for you?
 
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Gardenlover said:
We can send people to the moon, surely we can design a better container for coffee.
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We have.

I keep one in my car. If stopping for a cup of coffee, I prefer self-serve convenience stores.

Upon entering, I ask the clerk if I may pour coffee directly into my clean 20 oz mug (they usually permit it), then pay for whatever their 20 oz of coffee costs. No hot cups, weird lids or sliding cup sleeves to contend with.

I rarely patronize drive throughs or Starbucks type coffeehouses. Not even once a year for either.



Travel Mug.JPG
 
CallMeKate said:
I've had that happen with my hot mocha more than once. For some reason the lids are fine on the large size, but it's not a good fit on the small. Wonder if it's their way to get people to buy large? :unsure: They replaced it for you?
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Yes, they were happy to give me another coffee, but I had to sign a release form first. (Just kidding about the release form).
 
StarSong said:
We have.

I keep one in my car. If stopping for a cup of coffee, I prefer self-serve convenience stores.

Upon entering, I ask the clerk if I may pour coffee directly into my clean 20 oz mug (they usually permit it), then pay for whatever their 20 oz of coffee costs. No hot cups, weird lids or sliding cup sleeves to contend with.

I rarely patronize drive throughs or Starbucks type coffeehouses. Not even once a year for either.



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I think I'm going to follow your lead.
 
StarSong said:
We have.

I keep one in my car. If stopping for a cup of coffee, I prefer self-serve convenience stores.

Upon entering, I ask the clerk if I may pour coffee directly into my clean 20 oz mug (they usually permit it), then pay for whatever their 20 oz of coffee costs. No hot cups, weird lids or sliding cup sleeves to contend with.

I rarely patronize drive throughs or Starbucks type coffeehouses. Not even once a year for either.



View attachment 501007
Click to expand...

I have several contigo travel mugs. I like them, BUT . . .

The original pair that I bought began leaking around the seal shortly after I got them. The manufacturer replaced them but told me that the hot liquid has to cool a bit before putting the cap on. When buying coffee on the road this isn't a problem because it's rarely actually all that hot. When making it at home, however, you need to add ice or let it cool for a bit before screwing on the lid.

They DO keep your beverage warm for a VERY long time (several hours). Just be forewarned. ;)
 
A handy innovation for disposable cups would be a plastic top that screws on. It could easily be molded onto the top but would probably require a bit more plastic. Might cost a few cents more per top but would be popular with customers.

But the best option would be to offer reusable cups at a discount price when purchased with the coffee.
 
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If they put the spout on the at the same point as the seam, the coffee will dribble. A vindictive server did this repeatedly to a co-worker. She ended up losing her job.

I use a Contingo coffee mug at home. It keeps my morning coffee hot for an hour.
 
Tommy said:
I have several contigo travel mugs. I like them, BUT . . .

The original pair that I bought began leaking around the seal shortly after I got them. The manufacturer replaced them but told me that the hot liquid has to cool a bit before putting the cap on. When buying coffee on the road this isn't a problem because it's rarely actually all that hot. When making it at home, however, you need to add ice or let it cool for a bit before screwing on the lid.

They DO keep your beverage warm for a VERY long time (several hours). Just be forewarned. ;)
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I've used Contigos for over a year without problems, but sure appreciate the warning.

I stopped using my two 24 oz capacity, Thermos DF4010 travel mugs, despite over a decade of good service from them. (Remember the black-plastic scare?) I didn't actually throw them out, so when I'm making coffee-to-go and a Contigo isn't handy I use one of those.

Contigo's stainless steel innards, 20 oz capacity and positive reviews caused me to choose them. Most travel mugs top out at 16 oz, and some only a paltry 12 oz. (Seriously?)

As you said, Contigos keep coffee warm for a long time, much more so than my Thermos (plastic innard) mugs.
 
From a food service point of view I would like to offer some information.

Over the years I have found that sometimes the companies that make the lids will have a sleeve here and there that are messed up and end up in the case. They don't fit like they should. I think they get in there because it's not noticeable during packaging.

I've also noticed that many of the older gentleman in like McDonald's lets say will bring in their own mug to get filled. Maybe ask if they can fill your personal mug for safety reasons. Make something up if you have to like you had a stroke and have trouble with your hands and hafta use these type of cups. See what they say. Or ask if they can pour it from the cup into your personal cup so you don't get burned.
 
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