Klean Kanteens

[R_Lefebvre]

I'm sure KK specify safe stainless steel. My point is... do you think Mattel specified lead paint on their toys, or do you think melamine was specified in baby formula? No, you can't trust anything coming out of there, especially when it relates to health. I just reel at the knee jerk reaction that has occurred, forcing everybody to go out and buy new bottles when there's probably nothing wrong with the old ones, and the new ones may not be any safer.

 

[kjp1969]

I'm sure KK specify safe stainless steel. My point is... do you think Mattel specified lead paint on their toys, or do you think melamine was specified in baby formula? No, you can't trust anything coming out of there, especially when it relates to health. I just reel at the knee jerk reaction that has occurred, forcing everybody to go out and buy new bottles when there's probably nothing wrong with the old ones, and the new ones may not be any safer.

Think of it this way: When compared with the rest of the world, we live in a country with political stability, decent education and health care, no hunger issues (the opposite), good law and order, a strong military and a clean environment. You can drink the water that comes out of your faucet, and you don't have to step over your own sewage as you walk down the street. "Poor" in this country would not be "poor" in many others. We have to worry about something, so its Nalgene, plastic grocery bags, and whether the economy is doing so badly that you should forego your morning Starbucks. People are still buying Halloween costumes for their pets, for crying out loud. Enjoy the hype over nothing; it means we don't have many *real* problems.

 

[paulj]

Huh. Stainless steel bottles made in China? Wonder how much lead and chromium and other heavy metals are leaching out of them.

Chromium is the most significant component of stainless steel when if comes to being stainless. Stainless steel commonly used in cookwear has 8-10% chromium. Chromium atoms near the surface of the steel react with oxygen to form a tough, impervious chromium oxide layer that protects the rest of the steel. If that layer thins or gets damaged, more chromium migrates to the surface and oxidizes. In other words, the protective layer is self healing.

Chromium, as best I could find, is not a highly dangerous heavy metal. In quantities that an unprotected mill worker might be exposed to, it is considered dangerous. But that is much higher than anything we might experience from finished stainless steel products.

Regarding the other metal bottles. Sigg lines their aluminum bottles with a proprietary plastic reduce reaction with acid liquids. Sigg has sold aluminum bottles (without the lining) for fuel (es white gas) for years.

How are these SS bottles when it comes to weight and denting? How practical are the tops? These days I mostly use (and reuse) disposable water bottles (PETE) instead of Nalgene. They are much more convenient to use one handed. They are even better than the pop top bicycle bottles that I used to buy (which often were to stiff).

 

[sundaypunch]

I have been in the plastics industry for 20+ years as an engineer and professor. I have our family follow a handful of rules when it comes to food & plastics.

-We don't use plastic cups / silverware / plates at home
-We never heat plastics in the microwave
-No hot food or drinks that touch plastic
-Drinking a soda or bottled water is fine but we never reuse the bottles
-I don't use Nalgene bottles let alone something with BPA
-I am fine with occasionally breaking some of these rules

Much of this is overkill but my goal is to limit exposure over time. I view it much like I do handling solvents - it won't hurt you to come in contact with paint thinner occasionally but it's not something you want to do on purpose.

 

[cybercat]

Do the 5 gal Sceptor water cans have BPA's?

 

[tdesanto]

...How are these SS bottles when it comes to weight and denting? How practical are the tops? These days I mostly use (and reuse) disposable water bottles (PETE) instead of Nalgene. They are much more convenient to use one handed. They are even better than the pop top bicycle bottles that I used to buy (which often were to stiff).

Weight? The Klean Kanteens are actually pretty light for their size. I'd say comparable. The double-wall SS Sigg (not to be confused with the more common aluminum Sigg) is definitely heavier, but it's double walled and the base and mouth are much heavier duty.

As for dents, not good. It's rather easy to dent the Klean Kanteens and a bit more difficult to dent the Sigg.

I use a neoprene cover, to help insulate and protect it, but if you drop a KK while it's full, expect some kind of dent.