How many people actually pay attention to the material of the water bottle when buying? In particular, given the surge in popularity of numerous fashionable water bottles flooding the market, appearances might be deceiving as the material quality might not align. Today, we've brought you an enlightening article that dives into the world of water bottle materials, with a special emphasis on households with babies. Let's start with the order of preference for choosing water bottles: Glass > Ceramic > Stainless Steel > Plastic! Now, let's dive into the materials of these water bottles in the order mentioned.

1. Glass Water Bottles

Glass materials vary too! Did you know? Even glass has different materials! The main material of glass is silicon dioxide. Depending on the added materials and different processes, glass can be broadly divided into three categories:

Soda-lime Glass:

This is regular glass, mainly made up of silicon dioxide, sodium oxide, and calcium oxide. It's relatively thick and not very transparent. Those glass bottles that might suddenly explode when filled with hot liquid? Those are regular glass bottles. Taking regular soda-lime glass and processing it further with tempering results in tempered glass. While the strength improves, it still belongs to the category of regular glass. Compared to regular glass: It's thicker and heavier. It's fine for holding cold water, but it can't handle extreme cold or hot temperatures. If you really want to use it, make sure to pour in some hot water first to warm up the glass, or be prepared for the unexpected experience of it suddenly breaking.

Borosilicate Glass:

Borosilicate glass is born from a blend of boron, silicon, and other elements during its crafting process. It undergoes special treatments that grant it an exceptional ability to endure sudden temperature changes. This distinct type of glass can brave significant temperature shifts without breaking, making it an impressively safe choice.

Borosilicate glass can be categorized into three main types: high, medium, and low borosilicate glass. The one we commonly encounter is the high borosilicate variation, and it's the star of the show. Apart from its resistance to heat and cold, it sets itself apart with a lighter and thinner composition compared to regular glass. This undoubtedly positions it as the top choice!

The high borosilicate type can endure sudden temperature changes surpassing 150°C, while the low borosilicate version remains steadfast under abrupt temperature changes exceeding 100°C. Naturally, the inclination veers towards the high borosilicate type.

When considering high borosilicate glass, you're opting for a lightweight, highly transparent, and robust choice characterized by its heat resistance, retaining its integrity even amid extreme temperature fluctuations. While the price may register a slight uptick, the advantages are unequivocal.

Crystal Glass:

A key feature is the sense of luxury and sophistication it brings. Crystal glass water bottles exude an air of elegance and opulent refinement, enhancing the act of drinking—whether at home or in a professional setting.

With safety and hygiene as top priorities, crystal glass water bottles often come with food-grade certifications, ensuring they are free from harmful substances. This provides users with the confidence to use these bottles for water, beverages, and other liquids.

Summing up:

In general, glassware is the most stable and safe choice for tableware. The preferred choice for everyday use is high borosilicate glass. Safety-wise, both regular soda-lime glass and high borosilicate glass can be used without worries about lead content, as adding lead would increase costs, and manufacturers are not likely to do that. The healthiest and safest choice is glassware without organic chemicals that are unlikely to release harmful substances. Choose heat-resistant glass cups.

2.Ceramic Water Bottles

Choose White Interior:

No matter the outer color of a ceramic cup, its interior should consistently be white. I remember having a cup once that cost more than forty yuan, yet its inside was a dark green shade. Dust and even stray hairs were difficult to spot, raising worries about unknowingly ingesting something unclean. Choosing cups with white interiors is indeed a smart decision, ensuring cleanliness and helping prevent such unwanted incidents.

Silicone Covers:

For cups that don't come with lids, you have the option of using silicone covers. These covers are cost-effective and serve as a barrier, keeping away bugs and dust from getting inside the cup. This simple addition helps maintain the cleanliness of your cup.

Weight:

Ceramic cups can indeed have a substantial weight. It's wise to avoid choosing cups that are excessively large, as their weight becomes more pronounced when filled with water. A capacity of around 300-350ml strikes a practical balance.

Selecting a size that's both convenient and well-proportioned is essential – not too much, not too little. Cups that are overly heavy can be cumbersome, while those with insufficient capacity demand frequent refills.

Cups with white interiors make dirt immediately noticeable, and if they become stained, a swift scrub can easily restore them. However, if the interior is dark, it might present a challenge for those of us who aren't overly enthusiastic about cleaning all the time.

Summing up:

The glaze on ceramic cups might contain heavy metals like lead, posing potential safety hazards. So, it's best to choose cups without glaze, with white interiors – these are the safest. For ceramic cups, it's recommended to choose high-temperature ceramics.

3. Stainless Steel Water Bottles

Taking your favorite beverages on the move? Cup holder handles are the answer. These smart attachments make sipping while on the go a breeze. Simply attach the handles to your glass Mason jar, and voila – you have a portable cup with a comfortable grip. Whether you're commuting, running errands, or simply enjoying a leisurely walk, these handles ensure you can keep sipping without any spills or discomfort. Say goodbye to those awkward moments when your jar slips or becomes hard to hold – cup holder handles have you covered, making your journey even more enjoyable.

201 Stainless Steel:

When you search for stainless steel cutlery, you'll find stainless steel and 304 stainless steel options. There's a noticeable price difference between them. If it doesn't say 304, it's likely 201 stainless steel. However, the sellers might not mention that in the details. Using cookware made of 201 stainless steel can be harmful to health. This is because 201 stainless steel cookware contains a high amount of manganese, which is strongly toxic to the nervous system.

202 Stainless Steel:

There isn't a substantial difference between 202 and the previously mentioned 201. Both types can corrode over time and are commonly employed in architectural adornments like highway guardrails and handrails in malls.

304 Stainless Steel:

Also known as 18/8 stainless steel due to its chromium and nickel content – typically 18% and 8%, respectively. There are two variations: industrial and food-grade 304. For utensils that come into contact with food, such as cookware, food-grade 304 is the basic choice. Industrial 304 is often used for mechanical parts and sewage pipes. Many products claim to be made of 304 but might be fake. Look for "SUS304" as the genuine marking – alternatives like "SU$304" are counterfeit.

316 Stainless Steel:

Thanks to its remarkable resistance to corrosion, 316 stainless steel finds its application in surgical instruments, ferry construction, and even certain thermos flask interiors or cookware. However, its considerably higher cost is attributed to the intricacies of its production process.

420 Stainless Steel:

420 stainless steel possesses exceptional hardness and wear-resistant properties, rendering it apt for crafting knives, as well as diverse machinery, instruments, and household appliances. When acquiring stainless steel items, a useful approach is to inquire about the authenticity of the material by employing a stainless steel identifier solution. It's recommended to confirm whether all components are constructed from 304 stainless steel.

Summing up:

Inferior stainless steel can leach metals like chromium and manganese into liquids, which can have adverse effects on health. For stainless steel cups, it's recommended to choose food-grade 304 or medical-grade 316 stainless steel materials.

Remember four things not to put in your insulated bottle:

A.Avoid Fruit Juices and Carbonated Drinks: If your insulated bottle has a high manganese, low nickel steel interior, don't put fruit juices or carbonated drinks in it. The corrosion resistance might not be good, and the acidity can lead to the release of heavy metals.

B. Don't Store Milk: Storing milk in an insulated bottle can lead to rapid microbial growth and spoilage, causing gastrointestinal discomfort. It's better to drink freshly heated milk.

C. Skip Putting Tea: Insulated bottles maintain high and constant temperatures, which can cause tea leaves to ferment and aromatic oils to evaporate. This reduces the nutritional value and aroma of the tea.

D. Avoid Storing Chinese Herbal Medicine: Using an insulated bottle to store brewed Chinese herbal medicine can lead to a chemical reaction between the acidic substances in the medicine and the bottle's interior, releasing harmful substances into the liquid. There's a possibility of inadvertently consuming unintended compounds.

5. Categorization of Plastic Materials

Finally, let's delve into the categorization of plastic materials! Here are some common classifications of plastic materials:

PET Material:

Used for making mineral water bottles, beverage bottles, etc. Features: Can withstand heat up to 70°C at most. Not suitable for hot liquids or exposure to heat and sunlight. Repeated use is not recommended.

HDPE Material:

Used for making plastic containers for cleaning products, shower products, etc. Features: Can withstand temperatures of up to 110°C. Can be reused after thorough cleaning, but not for water cups or food containers.

PVC Material:

Used for making shoes, raincoats, building materials, plastic pipes, etc. Features: Heat-resistant up to 81°C at most. Not suitable for food packaging or water cups.

LDPE Material:

Used for making cling film, etc. Features: Not highly heat-resistant. Quality PE cling film can melt at temperatures above 110°C, so it's better to remove it when heating.

PP Material:

Used for making microwaveable lunch boxes and cups. Features: Can withstand high temperatures up to 130°C. PP is the most common plastic material for cups and is the only one safe to use in microwaves. Many water bottles are also made from this material.

PS Material:

Used for making instant noodle containers, foam fast-food containers, etc. Features: Heat-resistant and cold-resistant, but it's best not to use it in the microwave to avoid releasing chemical substances at high temperatures, which could affect health.

OTHER Materials:

Represents all plastics not covered by the above categories, used for making water cups, etc. Common labels include PC and OTHER. Other is further divided into Tritan and PPSU, both of which are common.

Summing up:

Plastic cups often fall out of favor due to concerns surrounding their composition. Numerous plastics incorporate plasticizers, some of which are potentially harmful chemicals. When these plastic cups come into contact with hot or boiling water, these noxious compounds can leach into the liquid. To navigate this issue, it's crucial to exercise caution when acquiring plastic cups. Opt for those crafted from food-grade plastic that aligns with national safety standards. When buying plastic water bottles, look for the number at the bottom: For cups, it's best to choose food-grade plastic, such as PP (number 05), or Tritan material (number 07).