Author Topic: Best huge microwavable tea mug?  (Read 4091 times)

StudentEngineer

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Best huge microwavable tea mug?
« on: March 31, 2017, 11:15:02 AM »
Hi all,

I'm wondering if anyone has a recommendation for a very large microwavable tea mug.  Strong preference to ceramic or glass, a top would be a plus but not mandatory.  By very large I am thinking of 30 oz +. Something that I can microwave and put some tea bags in and sip on it for an hour or two.

Here are two that I found that are promising


22 oz 'soup mug', nice price point
http://www.target.com/p/corningware-20oz-soup-mug-pop-ins/-/A-13423082?ref=tgt_adv_XS000000&AFID=google_pla_df&CPNG=PLA_Kitchen+Shopping&adgroup=SC_Kitchen&LID=700000001170770pgs&network=g&device=c&location=9032463&gclid=CLWv3JedgdMCFUlNfgod7rsKUw&gclsrc=aw.ds



24 oz earthenware soup mug at a reasonable price
http://www.pfaltzgraff.com/sedona/jumbo-soup-mug/5160554.html?utm_source=googleshopping&utm_medium=cse&utm_campaign=googleshopping&tmcampid=23&tmad=c&tmplaceref=GGL&tmclickref=5160554&cagpspn=pla&CAWELAID=530007880000045296&CAAGID=42331329724&CATCI=pla-295341317278


Preferably the cost will be under/around $10 with shipping.

Any recommendations?


ariapluscat

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Re: Best huge microwavable tea mug?
« Reply #1 on: March 31, 2017, 02:11:09 PM »
my dirty loose leaf tea soul says you should use a kettle.
but the live-and-let-live part of me says try goodwill, just check the bottom of the mug, or try tj maxx type stores. they tend to have lots of "soup" cups that work find.

Mother Fussbudget

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Re: Best huge microwavable tea mug?
« Reply #2 on: March 31, 2017, 03:55:21 PM »
Do you have one of these?  Not mustachian, I know... but still cool...

Retire-Canada

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Re: Best huge microwavable tea mug?
« Reply #3 on: March 31, 2017, 07:14:34 PM »
my dirty loose leaf tea soul says you should use a kettle.

Ha! Yes use a kettle!

nnls

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Re: Best huge microwavable tea mug?
« Reply #4 on: March 31, 2017, 07:38:13 PM »
my dirty loose leaf tea soul says you should use a kettle.

Ha! Yes use a kettle!

I was so confused as to why people would be microwaving water, are electric kettles really not common in the USA?

alsoknownasDean

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Re: Best huge microwavable tea mug?
« Reply #5 on: March 31, 2017, 07:45:12 PM »
my dirty loose leaf tea soul says you should use a kettle.

Ha! Yes use a kettle!

I was so confused as to why people would be microwaving water, are electric kettles really not common in the USA?

I didn't see any at hotels when I was in the US a while ago. Drip coffee makers were more common.

seattlecyclone

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Re: Best huge microwavable tea mug?
« Reply #6 on: March 31, 2017, 08:13:33 PM »
Electric kettles are available in the US, but are relatively uncommon. I find microwaving water works just fine.

As for the mug, have you checked Goodwill? There's a good chance you'll find something fine for a dollar or two.

sparkytheop

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Re: Best huge microwavable tea mug?
« Reply #7 on: March 31, 2017, 08:19:54 PM »
I have a few of the corningware mugs/soup bowls in the first link and use them for coffee all the time.  The lids that came with the white mugs seem to fit better than the ones that came with the dark blue (bought a few for myself and some for my son).  There is enough difference that I also have to keep the lids to the right color mug, so just a heads up there.

I have a bowl with a small handle that I use even more often that I got from Sierra Trading Post(?)  It has Buzz Lightyear and Woody on it (from Toy Story).  ETA: I found a link to one on amazon, but they aren't available.  Anyway, I love the size of it, so if you find one this size, I'd recommend it...
https://www.amazon.com/Disney-Story-Chili-Cereal-Capacity/dp/B00YQL307E?ie=UTF8&dpID=41i--UimW7L&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_  I probably paid less than $3 for mine.

As for electric kettles...  In the US, we have 120V outlets, and so the kettles here don't boil as quickly as they would in countries where you have regular 220/240V outlets.  I think that may be one reason they aren't quite as popular, since it takes a while to boil water.  I have one though, and we use it a lot as my son is a big tea drinker and we prefer it to trying to heat up water with other methods.
« Last Edit: March 31, 2017, 08:24:48 PM by sparkytheop »

Cranky

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Re: Best huge microwavable tea mug?
« Reply #8 on: April 01, 2017, 05:32:44 AM »
I have an electric kettle - we drink a lot of tea and pour over coffee - and it heats up really, really fast which is why I like it so much. It probably uses a lot of electricity to do that, though.

PMG

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Re: Best huge microwavable tea mug?
« Reply #9 on: April 01, 2017, 08:34:47 AM »
I have an ello ceramic mug. Available at target/Walmart. Had a lid, microwaveable.

It won't keep your tea hot for hours, none of these ceramic options will do what insulated stainless will.  1 hour maybe? 

https://www.amazon.com/Ello-Ogden-BPA-Free-Ceramic-Travel/dp/B01IQKJ9X4

Microwave vs kettle.  Microwaves are available everywhere, kettles are rare.  This cup makes it easy to make my own tea on campus or when I'm traveling.

BlueHouse

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Re: Best huge microwavable tea mug?
« Reply #10 on: April 03, 2017, 09:03:18 AM »
Sorry, I'm going to answer with my setup, which I now believe is perfect, rather than what you actually asked.  This may seem a bit spendy, but when you find something that works for you, it's better than nickel and diming and not using. 

I have this electric kettle and I love it.  Yes, it's more expensive than most, but I'm able to set the temperature to 194 instead of 212, so that it doesn't boil and let steam accumulate and damage my cabinets.  194 is plenty hot for tea, and some of the milder teas recommend lower pour-over temp anyway.   It heats up super-fast and doesn't get crusty inside with limescale. 

http://www.target.com/p/kitchenaid-174-1-7-liter-electric-kettle-with-led-display-kek1722/-/A-14905814?ref=tgt_adv_XS000000&AFID=google_pla_df&CPNG=PLA_Appliances+Shopping&adgroup=SC_Appliances&LID=700000001170770pgs&network=g&device=c&location=9007544&gclid=Cj0KEQjw5YfHBRDzjNnioYq3_swBEiQArj4pdEfzA2ovME60xmuGcLoHCleppi5tJ37WZB27HGxwsNcaAjLU8P8HAQ&gclsrc=aw.ds

I also pack up some tea to bring to work in this 40 oz Stainless Takaya ThermoFlask.  It keeps water steaming hot for hours.  Then I just have a mug at work that I pour into as needed. 

https://www.amazon.com/Takeya-ThermoFlask-Insulated-Stainless-Bottle/dp/B0188QB5JW
This thermoflask is available at some costcos in a pack of 2 for $30.  I have two of the 40 oz, and when I went back for more, they only had 24 oz, so I bought a bunch of those too.  They are amazing. 


Mother Fussbudget

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Re: Best huge microwavable tea mug?
« Reply #11 on: April 03, 2017, 10:20:56 AM »
Electric kettles are THE MOST EFFICIENT "MUSTACHIAN" WAY TO BOIL WATER
I use mine for everything from making tea/coffee, and oatmeal, to boiling water to pour over pasta (before letting it simmer on the stovetop). 

seattlecyclone

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Re: Best huge microwavable tea mug?
« Reply #12 on: April 03, 2017, 02:54:01 PM »
Electric kettles are THE MOST EFFICIENT "MUSTACHIAN" WAY TO BOIL WATER

Hmm...that's an assertion that demands data. I'm on vacation right now but I'm curious so I'll try and remember to plug in my Kill-A-Watt and compare the electricity usage of two minutes in the microwave vs. my electric kettle.

Retire-Canada

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Re: Best huge microwavable tea mug?
« Reply #13 on: April 03, 2017, 02:58:12 PM »
Electric kettles are THE MOST EFFICIENT "MUSTACHIAN" WAY TO BOIL WATER

Hmm...that's an assertion that demands data.

http://insideenergy.org/2016/02/23/boiling-water-ieq/

Mmm_Donuts

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Re: Best huge microwavable tea mug?
« Reply #14 on: April 03, 2017, 03:01:25 PM »
Electric kettles are THE MOST EFFICIENT "MUSTACHIAN" WAY TO BOIL WATER

Hmm...that's an assertion that demands data. I'm on vacation right now but I'm curious so I'll try and remember to plug in my Kill-A-Watt and compare the electricity usage of two minutes in the microwave vs. my electric kettle.

http://www.treehugger.com/clean-technology/ask-pablo-electric-kettle-stove-or-microwave-oven.html

Electric kettles are definitely the way to go. I love mine!

According to the article above: electric kettle boils water in 125 seconds, and uses .04 kWh of electricity; a microwave took 191 seconds and used .07 kWh. I'm amazed how fast the kettle is and wondered why it took me so long to get one (previously used a stovetop kettle. How primitive.)

Nudelkopf

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Re: Best huge microwavable tea mug?
« Reply #15 on: April 03, 2017, 04:56:56 PM »
Americans, I'm so confused!! Do you really microwave water instead of boiling it with a kettle or jug? An el cheapo kettle costs like, $10.

How do you make 2 minute noodles?

Lenify

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Re: Best huge microwavable tea mug?
« Reply #16 on: April 03, 2017, 11:48:16 PM »
Beer steins are your friend. I got one at ikea for like $7 years ago. Nice big 64oz glass.

BlueHouse

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Re: Best huge microwavable tea mug?
« Reply #17 on: April 04, 2017, 11:51:16 AM »
Americans, I'm so confused!! Do you really microwave water instead of boiling it with a kettle or jug? An el cheapo kettle costs like, $10.

How do you make 2 minute noodles?

yes!  I used to resist the electric kettle, thinking it was a silly single-use appliance.  Now it is the ONLY thing that is allowed permanent space on my counter. 

To make noodles, we would put a mug of water in the microwave and then pour that over the noodles.  Or boil the water on stovetop. 

seattlecyclone

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Re: Best huge microwavable tea mug?
« Reply #18 on: April 04, 2017, 04:43:07 PM »
Americans, I'm so confused!! Do you really microwave water instead of boiling it with a kettle or jug? An el cheapo kettle costs like, $10.

Yes, I really microwave water sometimes. I'll use a stovetop kettle if I'm making a whole pot of tea, but if it's just one cup the microwave seems easier. I used an electric kettle in my office in grad school where I didn't have easy access to a stovetop or microwave on the same floor, but it has sat in my basement ever since.

Thanks to Retire-Canada for the link to relative efficiency numbers so I don't have to do my own science. :-)

It shows that an electric kettle is slightly more efficient than a stovetop kettle, which is in turn more efficient than the microwave. But the important note there is that for the kettles to be more efficient you need to boil exactly the amount you need; putting any extra water in there can easily nullify the advantage.

StudentEngineer

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Re: Best huge microwavable tea mug?
« Reply #19 on: April 12, 2017, 04:29:06 PM »
Thank you all for the responses, I really appreciate it.

I managed to find a 24 oz ceramic mug at Target for $8 so I grabbed that and it has worked out perfectly so far.  I will definitely come back and check out that travel mug or stainless steel bottle if I ever see the need to transport my tea.


 

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