Design and operating features of a heated mug
Hot tea or coffee always helps on cold days or at work. But what to do when it is not possible to take a kettle with you or a power outage is expected, a hike in nature or a business trip in “field conditions”? A heated mug from a 220 socket can help out. This is a convenient portable device with a built-in heating element.
Usually it is at the bottom. An electric mug is made from different materials - plastic, stainless steel and even ceramics. Steel is considered the most reliable material - it retains heat for a long time, is not as fragile as ceramics and is safer for health than plastic. Low-quality plastic devices can emit dangerous fumes that harm our body.
The convenience is that you carry a mini-electric kettle with you without buying warm drinks in a cafe. The volume of an electric mug ranges from the smallest, the size of a regular cup - 200 ml, to large ones, reminiscent of a thermos - 900 ml. The electrical appliance boils in 3 minutes. Although the parameters are small, its power is 960 W.
To brew tea, just fill a mug with water, plug it into a power outlet, press a button and in a couple of minutes the water will boil. It is better to fill in purified water, since regular water from the tap leads to the formation of scale and rapid damage to the device.
Benefits of a heated mug
A USB heated mug has many advantages, for example:
- economical energy consumption and complete connection safety - can operate at low voltage, which is typical for cars;
- overheating protection – most devices have overheating protection, so the liquid does not reach boiling point when heated;
- body with a comfortable handle that is easy to hold;
- possible risks of burns while traveling on bad roads are eliminated;
- USB heated mugs keep warm for up to 8 hours;
- Light weight and compactness, allows you to store the product in any convenient place.
Among the features of USB thermal mugs, it should be noted that it is impossible to bring the liquid to a boiling point, so you cannot use untreated water. Owners note a long heating time compared to conventional or electric kettles.
Types of electric mugs
Nowadays the market offers many new products and a variety of equipment. If earlier, under an electric mug, an ordinary boiler was perceived, but today new models are appearing. For example, a mug heated from a cigarette lighter is very popular - it is used in a car, which is convenient for people who travel frequently. The power is quite small - only 12 W, but on the road such a thing is indispensable. There are also models powered by USB. Office workers will appreciate it, because to make coffee, you need to connect it to a laptop or PC.
The classic version is powered from a wall outlet. But there are also variations, such as a heated thermos, which allows you not only to boil water, but also to leave it hot for a long time and take it with you to the park for a walk or jog.
Electric mug from USB
An electrical appliance, such as a USB heated mug, is not intended for boiling water, because it does not have a heating element, which a classic mug has. Often, such models are equipped with solar panels and can retain heat while you walk or relax in nature. You can connect it to any device that has a USB input, even to a portable battery. The USB heated mug also runs on batteries, and some models stir tea or coffee.
Mug boiler for the car
Manufacturers created this model especially for drivers. A car mug heated from a cigarette lighter has, like a mug heated from USB, a special connector, only it is connected not to the computer, but to the cigarette lighter. With its power of 12 W, boiling will occur slowly, but you will not need to stop and waste time buying hot drinks, but make them yourself on the go. If you want to take a snack and hot food with you, a thermal mug heated from the cigarette lighter will do the job.
To be sure that the heat will remain, just plug it into the connector, and during the journey a warming drink will always be with you, because its main function is to maintain a temperature of 40 ºС. There are also new products on sale - those that can boil water up to 70 ºС, and then maintain the temperature. When the car mug with cigarette lighter heating first appeared on the market, the lids were inconvenient and the liquid always spilled when boiling.
Now the situation has changed, and now it is airtight. If you have a cup holder in your car, this model will fit there, allowing you to turn it on while driving. You can drink even while traveling – the non-spill lid won’t spill your coffee or tea. The heated thermos is equipped with the same connector. It is larger in volume than a regular mug, which allows you to take tea with you for the whole family.
Types of electric mugs
Having a mug with a built-in electric heater is appropriate in the office when it is not possible to use a kettle. The device will help out on long car trips and in camping conditions. The mobile water heating device is available in several variations.
Depending on the method of supplying current to the heating element, the range of products is divided into the following types.
- A mug connected to a power source via a USB cable. For heating, you can use a connection to a computer in the office or a power bank while on vacation.
- Automotive electric mug. This is an electrical device with a power connector from the cigarette lighter in the car, designed to consume the current of a 12 V car circuit.
- A classic version of the mug, powered by 200 V.
Electric mug with USB connection
A mug with the option of electric water heating via a cord with a USB connection cannot be called a full-fledged boiler. The water in the device can only be heated to a temperature sufficient to brew tea or instant coffee. In an office setting, the device can be connected to a computer or tablet for recharging. It is also possible to connect to a stationary or portable power bank.
Among the models in this class, there are varieties with solar panels or conventional AA batteries. These mugs can be used to prepare hot drinks during a weekend in nature.
Some versions of electric mugs with USB are equipped with a mechanism for mixing the contents. The stirrer is located at the bottom of the cup.
Mug-boiler for the car
An electric car mug is a device for use on the road. Operates on 12 V voltage. For connection to the cigarette lighter, it is equipped with a corresponding plug. The device is available in two modifications: a mug-boiler and a mug-thermos with heating.
Boiling at low power of the heating element occurs slowly. The disadvantage is compensated by the ability to carry out the process on the go, which eliminates the need to waste time stopping and buying hot drinks. An option for a thermal mug with heating from the cigarette lighter will keep coffee hot when you take it on the road.
Advice! To prevent boiling water from splashing out, choose a model with an airtight lid.
Electric mug with classic power plug
The model with classic power supply is available in two versions:
- with a wire and a plug at the end;
- plug mounted under the handle.
The device is suitable in an office, home, hotel or electrified cottage for quickly preparing one serving of a hot drink.
On a note! There are devices with a combined type of power supply, for example, 12V/USB.
Electric heating mug
The most convenient and popular option is a mug that runs on electricity. You can boil water almost anywhere, and it will especially help you out on business trips. In a hotel, when you really want tea, you can easily and quickly make it - literally in 3 minutes. The inconvenience of such a model will be scale, which often forms, as in an electric kettle, and the inability to use it in conditions where there is no electricity.
How to care for your electric mug
To ensure that the device lasts a long time, carry out descaling procedures regularly. Wash your mug with detergent after each use. If plaque is detected, pour water into it and add a teaspoon of citric acid. Boil water and let it stand for about 30 minutes. Then pour it out and rinse under running water. This procedure will get rid of scale in one go. If the plaque is dense, repeat this “operation”.
Avoid leaving electrical appliances unattended or near small children to comply with fire safety regulations. If the mug is new, check if the liquid is leaking anywhere so that a short circuit does not occur when boiling. If the device is 200 ml in volume, always pour less water to avoid spilling and damage to the device.
Caring for your electric mug
Following basic rules and advice will help to extend the life of your boiler mug..
- Regardless of the quality of the water, limescale will form in any boiling container in use. Therefore, the inside of the vessel must be regularly washed with a soft sponge or cleaned by boiling a solution of citric acid. To do this, dilute one teaspoon of lemon in a glass of water (250 ml). If after the procedure there remains an intense sediment, then the amount of acid can be increased, or the acidic water can be left in the bowl for several hours. After this, the electric mug should be rinsed well in cold water.
- For fire safety reasons, do not leave the mug turned on unattended.
- The device should not be used if there are signs of its emergency condition. Before connecting to the network, it is necessary to check the integrity of the container. To do this, you need to pour water and make sure that it does not leak out.
From the above it follows that boiler mugs and electrically heated cups help solve the problem of hot food. They are easy to use and accessible to everyone.
