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How To Properly Clean Your Stanley 1913 Gear

How To Properly Clean Your Stanley 1913 Gear

When you have a reputation for being the “Toughest of the Tough,” people put you through the paces. It kinda puts a target on your back. But at Stanley 1913, we don’t mind getting a little brash that way. We make cool stuff, what can we say? At Stanley 1913, every product we make is designed with this in mind. We make bottles, mugs, lunchboxes, cook sets, flasks, growlers, coolers, and more - all based on the classic, time-tested yet state-of-the-art designs that were blowing your grandad’s mind before you were a glint in his eye. More than just sturdy, our products are made for real life. Whether it’s getting tossed around on the worksite, popped open and passed around at the campsite, or just sipped from leisurely on your commute to work, these are the constant companions: The best friends that never let you down, are always there with hot coffee or a cold brew when you need it, and never forget to text when they’re having a party. That said, as cool as our products are, they don’t clean themselves. Things can still get a little funky if you don’t take care of your little buddy. I mean, who wants to taste yesterday’s skunky old creamer as you’re downing hot coffee from your Vacuum Insulated Bottle in the morning? Or get a whiff of that chicken soup your mom made when you were home for the holidays every time you crack open your Food Jar.  Wanna spare yourself the public ridicule and scorn that comes from being the owner of a Certified Nasty Stanley 1913 product? Here’s what you need to know about keeping your Stanley 1913 clean as a whistle and ready for action. Before Your First Use Stanley 1913's are technically good to go straight off the shelf, but it still pays to wash all the parts of your new Stanley 1913 product thoroughly before you fill ’er up for the first time. Think of it this way: Everyone loves that “new car” smell, but it’s not always the most appetizing taste, y’know? Clean Out Between Each Use And Don’t Keep Food Past Its Prime This should be a no brainer, but you’d be surprised. Since quite a few of our products are known for their industry-leading superior thermal retention technology (translation from science-speak: they keep whatever’s in it real cold or really hot for real long time), people sometimes think that you can just throw your favorite food or drink in one of our products and leave it there indefinitely. Newsflash: Stuff still goes bad, even if it’s tightly sealed. Check the specs on your specific Stanley 1913 product and avoid keeping food or drink past its recommended lifespan.  Once you’ve had enough, dump the remainder and clean your Stanley 1913 out thoroughly before your next use. Clean With Non-Abrasive Cleaners And Sponges A good Stanley 1913 product should feel like a member of the family, and you wouldn’t scrub your poor grandpa down with steel wool, would you? Jeeze, we hope not (for a variety of reasons). A dishrag, soft sponge, or small brush for hard to reach places should do the trick, paired with gentle dish soap. Keep it natural and crunchy, man. How To Clean The “Hard To Reach” Stanley 1913 Products (Master Flask, Classic Flask, And Thermoses)  Some of our products are a little trickier to clean but don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. To keep your Stanley 1913 sparkling, use simple, use this simple cleaning concoction and routine: You’ll need: ¼ cup uncooked rice 3oz distilled white vinegar Instructions: Pour ¼ cup of uncooked rice into the flask. Fill the flask with 3oz of distilled white vinegar. Seal flask. Shake vigorously for 1 minute. Let sit for 5-10 minutes.* Shake vigorously again for 1-2 minutes. Empty flask. Bonus points for composting the rice. Rinse thoroughly with warm water. Leave open until dry. Whatever You Do, Don’t Use Bleach We’re hardcore, but not that hardcore. Even though most Stanley 1913 products are designed to take a lickin’, harsh chemicals like bleach or chlorine could degrade some of the sealing parts on some products. Bad news for things like leaks and keeping things hot. First, consult your care & use or base artwork, but many Stanley 1913's are dishwasher safe. If your product is dishwasher safe, and if you’re not feeling ambitious, simply separate the different parts of your Stanley 1913 and pop it in the dishwasher. It’s that easy. Sure, if your Stanley 1913 has a narrow opening or you want to keep the finish or paint looking its best, hand-washing is still your best bet, but sometimes it’s nice to know you can let the dishwasher do the heavy lifting. That’s it, folks. Nothing too tricky. That’s because our goal is to make sure that our Stanley 1913 products are built strong, built simple, and built for life. That’s why we include a lifetime warranty on every product we sell. If you ever have an issue with your Stanley 1913, it stops working or something breaks, or just have questions, we want to hear from you: Reach out to our customer service team 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We’ll make it right, no matter when or where you bought your Stanley 1913.     Bottom’s up.     ABOUT STANLEY 1913 The Stanley 1913 brand has a rich 100+ year history. Born from inventor William Stanley 1913 Jr. who forever changed the way hot drinks were consumed, in 1913 he fused vacuum insulation and the strength of steel in one portable bottle, inventing the all-steel vacuum bottle we know and love today.
How To Pack A Cooler Like A Pro

How To Pack A Cooler Like A Pro

Packing a cooler is about so much more than storage. Filled right, it’s an ice bucket for your sodas, a portable fridge for your perishables, and the secret sauce to a successful trip.  Here, we explain how to pack a cooler like a pro and outline all the simple tricks to keep everything cold, dry, and ready when you are, whether you’re heading to the beach, the campsite, or a backyard cookout. How to Pack a Cooler (Quick Guide) Welcome to “how to pack a cooler 101.” There’s a whole lot of advice below (we really get into it), but the best way to pack a cooler honestly just comes down to these basic principles: Pre-chill your cooler before packing. The colder it is when you start packing, the longer it will stay cold. Use a mix of ice. You want blocks for longevity and cubes for quick chill. Pack in layers. Remember, ice and frozen items on the bottom, meals in the middle, and drinks on top. Keep your cooler full. It’ll hold temperature so much longer, trust us. Open it less than you think you need to. Every time you open it, hot air gets in, and cold air comes out. Store items by priority. Place the things you need to reach often at the top, so you’re not having to dig around. Now let’s cover the full deets. Step 1: Pre-Chill Your Cooler Before You Pack Starting with a cold cooler is half the battle. Whether you’re heading out for a full-day outing or a weekend-long camping trip, pre-chilling your cooler is key to helping everything hold temperature, right from the get-go. How to Pre-Chill a Cooler Properly To properly pre-chill a cooler, simply add ice or ice packs a few hours before packing. Just remember to dump any excess water before loading in your food and drinks. Step 2: Use the Right Ice Strategy Pro tip: Not all ice works the same. The best way to pack a cooler starts with choosing the right mix of ice blocks, cubed ice, and ice packs. Block Ice vs. Ice Packs vs. Cubed Ice Okay, so how do you pack a cooler with the right ice? Here’s the lowdown. Block ice lasts longer for camping trips.  Cubed ice chills quickly for short outings.  Ice packs help control moisture when you want to keep food dry. How to Keep Ice from Melting in a Cooler It’s not rocket science, just good practices. The easiest way to keep ice from melting in your cooler is to keep it in the shade, open it as infrequently as possible and for as short a time as possible, and pack it full.  These small moves make a bigger difference on hot beach days or multi-day trips. Scouts honor. Step 3: Pack Your Cooler in Layers How do you pack a cooler that stays cold? Layers. It’s the secret to keeping frozen food solid, drinks cold, and meals organized, whether you’re out for a few hours or a few days. Bottom Layer: Ice & Frozen Items We won’t get too sciency here, but placing ice and frozen items at the bottom of the cooler works for two reasons. Heat rises, so placing ice at the top of the cooler would only make it melt faster.  Ice is a great insulator, keeping the food above it colder. It kinda works like an igloo. When packing a cooler, place ice and anything you want to keep fully frozen, like meats or popsicles, at the bottom. This is especially important for camping or longer trips. Middle Layer: Perishables and Meals Next, you want to add your dairy products, prepped meals, and anything you’ll need later in the day or trip.  Top Layer: Drinks and Quick-Grab Items Remember the priority layers we talked about earlier? Keep all snacks and drinks that you’ll want easy access to right at the top. No one wants to be digging through a cooler on a sandy beach. How to Pack a Cooler with Drinks Without Wasting Space Let’s be real. Drinks take up room. Fast. Whether it’s a few cans for the afternoon or enough for a group, packing them right avoids wasting space in your cooler. And it keeps everything colder for longer. Best Way to Pack a Cooler with Cans Honestly, you just want to stack your cans as tightly as possible, then fill any gaps with ice. Less air = better insulation and colder drinks. Separate Food and Drinks When You Can Wanna keep your food colder on longer trips? Pack two coolers: one for bevs and one for food. That way, you won’t have to open the food cooler until you’re ready to eat, keeping it colder.  Alternatively, if you’re packing for shorter outings, pour your drinks into insulated drinkware that keeps drinks cold out of the cooler. Then, you only need to keep a few spare cans in your cooler, so you won’t need to open it as often. How to Keep Food Frozen in a Cooler Not sure how to use a cooler to keep things frozen. Well, this is where it gets a little tricky. Keeping food frozen takes planning, especially if you want it to last more than a day. Freeze Food Before Packing In short, the colder it starts, the longer it lasts. Make sure your food is fully frozen before packing, particularly if you’re camping or heading out on an extended trip. Keep it Packed Tight The less air in a cooler, the colder it stays. That’s why a full cooler holds temperature better than a half-empty one. If you’re wondering how to keep popsicles frozen in a cooler, make sure you pack your cooler tightly to keep things frozen for longer. Limit Opening Time We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: Layers matter. You need to plan where you place food and drinks so you can quickly grab what you need and close the cooler ASAP.  Remember, every time you open your cooler, cold air gets out — and if you’re somewhere hot, like the beach, that cooler won’t stay cool long if you keep it open. How to Pack a Cooler with Dry Ice Safely If you’ve researched how to pack a cooler, you’ve probably seen recommendations around using dry ice. And, honestly, it’s a strong option when you need serious cold for longer periods. You just need to use it safely. Place Dry Ice Strategically As with any ice, where you place it matters. Dump some dry ice at the bottom for freezing, then place some on top for overall cooling. Don’t Seal It Airtight So you know what we said about the less air the better in coolers? Ignore that advice if you’re learning how to pack a cooler with dry ice.  Dry ice needs air flow as it releases gas, so make sure your cooler isn’t sealed airtight. Don’t Let Food Touch Dry Ice Directly A word of warning: Dry ice is much colder than regular ice. It can freeze food too hard or damage the texture, so you never want your food to directly touch the dry ice.  Instead, create a barrier with cardboard, newspaper, or a towel to keep food close to the ice without touching it. Handle With Care Dry ice is extremely cold. We’re talking -109.3 degrees Fahrenheit. So, Handle. It. With. Care. You’ll want to wear gloves when packing a cooler with dry ice to keep it simple and safe. How to Keep Food Dry in a Cooler When you place ice directly into a cooler, there’s always a chance that it will melt. And water in a cooler = soggy food. Luckily, this is preventable. Use Leakproof Food Storage The easiest way to keep your food dry is to place it in Stanley 1913 food jars and storage containers, rather than loose in the cooler. It’s also a great way to keep food organized or portioned. Separate Ice from Food When Possible A simple barrier between your ice and food keeps things cold and dry. Use layers (think plastic ice packs or a rack) and waterproof containers to keep the food away from any potential ice melt. Why Having a Method for Packing a Cooler Matters Here’s the truth. Coolers don’t fail. Packing does.  The way you layer, prep, and organize your cooler determines how long ice lasts and how fresh your food stays. For longer trips like camping, knowing how to pack a cooler really well can make all the difference. Now that you’re a certified pro at packing a cooler, shop Stanley 1913 coolers!  Cooler Packing FAQs ❓Do you put ice on the top or bottom of a cooler?  For best results, you actually want to place ice on both the top and bottom of a cooler. The ice on the bottom creates a solid, cold base, preventing warm air from reaching your food and drink, while the top ice keeps items cold as the cold air sinks. Win-win. ❓How do you pack a cooler for a long road trip?  When packing a cooler for a long road trip, make sure you pre-chill it first, then insulate it with a mix of ice before filling. Store items by priority (with snacks and drinks on top) and pack them as tightly as possible. You could also use dry ice to keep the cooler as cold as possible for as long as possible. ❓How do you store a cooler when it is not in use?  You’ll want to store your cooler in a cool, dark, and dry place (think pantry, basement, or closet) with the lid slightly ajar. First, though, make sure you clean it thoroughly with soap and water (no mold or odors here!) and let it dry completely.
Car Camping Essentials For Beginners

Car Camping Essentials For Beginners

Calling all Weekend Warriors, Automotive Adventurers, and Practical Pioneers - nothing helps you shake off those big city blues like a little jaunt into the wilderness. At the same time, not everyone is quite ready to embrace the full scale “living off the land” aspect of straight camping. You have to be back at the office bright and early on Monday, and the last thing you need is to show up to that board meeting looking like you slept on rocks and ate berries. Those looking for a quick and easy escape from the mundane without having to go full Wildman of Borneo need look no further than your trusty car. We’re talking about car camping, people. Think of it as the happy medium between full roughing it and glamping: Car camping means you don’t have to pack light and you can load in and out just as fast as your horsepower can carry you. More than that, car camping is about being able to experience the great outdoors and be comfortable.  CAR CAMPING ESSENTIALS FOR YOUR FIRST ADVENTURE ON WHEELS For all you first-timers looking to dip a toe into car camping, whether it's with your partner, your buds, or your trusty pooch, here are your car camping essentials: The Car (duh) and Some Extra Space Doesn’t matter if you have a sedan, SUV, RV, van, or a two-door hunk ‘o junk, the car is going to be your main means of conveyance and cargo hold. Even so, it pays to streamline: take out anything that might be cluttering up your trunk or backseat (not including kids, though feel free to spook ‘em into being good by saying that). If you can, think about borrowing or renting roof rack storage or a small trailer to hold some of your bulkier items. It’s also a good idea to have your vehicle maintained before you hit the road. Regardless of the conditions of your vehicle, it’s always smart to have the following: Spare tire Jumper cables Automotive tools that you would use if you run into any trouble  Safety First: First Aid Kit, Car Phone Charger, and Lighting Even camping in comfort and style can be a little dangerous. That’s part of the excitement, but to keep everything on the “fun” side, be sure to have the following: Emergency first aid kit Plenty of flashlights Car phone charger or power pack (in case you need to call for help) Creature Comforts: Tent, Camp Chair, and Sleeping Bag Don’t let the name fool you: Car camping is still more camping than a car. You won’t be sleeping in your car most likely, so bring along whatever you’d need to set up camp. This includes: A tent Camping chair Sleeping pads Sleeping bag Extra blankets This is where that extra space can come in handy: Feel free to bring a larger, more roomy tent and more cushy sleeping paraphernalia, even an air mattress and pump. Food, Water, and a Little Extra Ya need ‘em to live, what can we say? Food and especially water is a camping essential, so bring plenty. Luckily, you aren’t one of those poor saps who have to worry about “only pack what you can carry.” Fill an Adventure Fast Flowing Water Jug for easy sharing, and refill it with water (or margaritas for a crowd) as needed. Feel free to pack along some of your favorite treats alongside the staples in your Stanley 1913 Adventure Cooler. Heck, you can even prep your meals ahead of time and bring them along, keeping them warm for hours on end in an Adventure Stay Hot Camp Crock or cookware. If you’re a first-timer heading out for a car camping adventure, make sure you know how to properly pack a cooler to ensure you’re set up for success.  The space afforded you by your car means that you can bring along some of the luxuries of home as well: Is this is a ladies and gents trip with some of your closest besties, the last thing you want is to realize you left the adult beverages at home. Fill up a Classic Easy-Pour Growler with your favorite brew and you’re good to go. And if you overindulge the night before, be sure to bring along ground coffee that you can make the next morning in your Classic Stay Hot French Press and sip from a camp mug. Kitchen and Cookware Camp cooking can be a blast, especially if you have all the best toys. A simple Cook Set can give you everything you need to throw your own version of Chopped: Car Camping Edition. Before you head out, make sure you have an idea of the meals you’re going to prepare, so you won’t have to spend your time doing any guessing or realizing you don’t have the right ingredients. Need some ideas? You can’t go wrong with chipotle egg skillet for breakfast or easy camp tacos for lunch or dinner. Did we miss anything in our car camping essentials? Have a wild tale of adventure and excitement while car camping with your trusty Stanley 1913? Tag #Stanley1913ness to share it with the world!   ABOUT STANLEY 1913 The Stanley 1913 brand has a rich 100+ year history. Born from inventor William Stanley Jr. who forever changed the way hot drinks were consumed, in 1913 he fused vacuum insulation and the strength of steel in one portable bottle, inventing the all-steel vacuum bottle we know and love today.