The local Rays got in a new unboxed version of Stanleys "Char vac"
technology stainless steel vacuum flask in 1.9 lt size recently.
Only $45, whereas usually $70+ IN THIS SIZE.
I follow camping gear performance to closely according to
my wife and have tested many flasks over the years as its
hard to get independant data on them.
As soon as I saw the new model , I noted that it had a large label
claiming that it keeps water hot for 26 hours instead of 12 hours
seen on similar products.
Had to have one so yesterday got it and immediately began
testing it using two others models for comparison.
Know the testing tricks, and recorded all three at 98c about
10 minutes after pre-warming and filling up to rule out minor issues
and as soon as I handled them at 10 minutes I had a bad feeling.
Just holding it on the outside, you could feel it was warmer
the two others, and if you can feel its warm then heat is pouring out.
Anyway - started again after through examination of unit
for mechanical defects etc, and left units in a cold
wind free environment to get accurate results.
RESULTS
---------
A/ $9 1lt stainless steel from $2
shop
B/ $15 1.8 lt glass thermos brand
C/ New model 1.9lt "char vac "
Stanley stainless steel
After 10 Mins @ Ambient 20c
A= 99c B=98c C=99C
After 4 hours - Ambient 10c
A= 82c B=82c C=75c
After 10 hours - Ambient 9c
A= 64 B=65 C=47c
Coffee is considered hot @ 60c (Macdonalds use this setting on
coffee machines) , so from the above results the
Stanley could not
keep water hot for even 10 hours let alone 26 hrs.
In fact the
Stanley performs closer to adds on its website
claiming 12 hours, and no where close to its big label as
affixed to the outside case.
Maybe this model was tested in
Birdsville this summer ?
Quite disappointed here as I keep breaking glass ones ,
and took it back to Rays for a refund.
As product was not faulty they had to call manager down to approve
refund and ( this is for real) , as she came to counter she
had empty coffee cup in hand , and expecting to be questioned
I had left the allegedly hot water in the flask as backup.
She listened , quickly tested the water, and backed up by receipt
less than a day old she quickly refunded the cash and said they have
had no
feedback on this product and that head office would be
interested.
With tests and precuations taken its unlikely, but this unit could
have some weird fault and we agreed on a followup in 2 weeks.
See Photo - last one under members
pic, specs are to RHS of words "Our Promise"
Robin Miller