If you want a.... TOUGH, EASY CARE, EXTREMELY WELL MADE-"KEEPS COFFEE HOT FOR HOURS"-thermos, look no further than the Nissan TGB-1000
Positive Product Points
The most durable thermos I've ever owned! Bright red, can't be "misplaced and not seen"! Sturdy, rugged, handle. Excellent screw lid. Lid stays on while pouring. Unbelievably durable/tough powder coat paint job. Won't roll around. Has an actual "spout" to aim your pouring into the cup, not all around the lid, like so many thermoses do. (There's not a true picture of this unit, on CG's, that I could find, but if you've been to a "Starbuck's".................. many, many, of them I've been into use this very same thermos for their counter's "half and half" and "soy", to keep them cool and fresh on their service bars).
Negative Product Points
Although I could care less, many do not like the "simple "J" handle design of this thermos. Also, when newly and completely, filled with hot coffee the screw down top vacuums as well as seals with a gasket and it can take some "ummphf", to get it loose the first cup!
Detailed Commentary
Even with it's "J" style handle................. which I agree to an extent.... "COULD have been better designed to not be quite so obtrusive", this is the toughest, most durable, longest lasting thermos, I have owned, that ALSO keeps coffee hot enough to be enjoyed after sitting in this unit overnight! I usually pour off the balance of a pot of coffee, into this thermos at around 160 to 170 degrees, (depending on the pot I'm using at the time), so as to not waste it. When I open this Nissan 6 to 8 hours later, the coffee has only cooled to 145 degrees. (I'm using a rubber head, probe-dial thermometer for this testing). Now, of course, this is in the HOUSE, at room temps of 68 degrees. However, this thermos goes EVERYWHERE with me and of course, is included on ALL fly fishing excursions as well! When I know I'm going to be outside, regardless of the season, I use my hottest coffee brewer, which pours out finished coffee at 205 degrees. Whenever I fill my Nissan with THIS coffee, then take it out and about and after opening/closing/pouring coffee from it off and on all day long, I have tested the "last cup" of coffee, with the above mentioned thermometer and the coffee is at 135 degrees still. I have NEVER had a thermos of ANY brand, do so well at keeping coffee hot for so long and under so many different situations and temperatures. The only "prep" that I do with this Nissan is.... "If I'm going out on a cold day, I fill the thermos with hot tap water a half hour before filling with coffee". I've had this Nissan for 6 years now and although not truly "important", I'm still impressed that the original, bright, Chinese Red paint job is as bright and new looking at the day I purchased it!? Unfortunately, because I DO use this thermos nearly every day, a lot of the painted areas have been "replaced now" by dents, scratches, dings, digs, gouges and assorted abrasions................... I'm also very impressed with the fact I'm on the ORIGINAL screw top lid, for this unit! The gasket has never leaked or compressed and is as airtight as when the unit was brand new. The screw top also pours, after being loosened only a full 3/4 turn, so no need to remove it entirely, thus helping to maintain the heat of the coffee inside. Being made totally of stainless steel the Nissan is not only easy to keep clean, it's been indestructible so far as well!
Buying Experience
Nothing "special" about the purchase....................................... I gave the clerk my $22.00, she gave me the Nissan and we left together!
Three Month Followup
After quite a long time, of knocking this thermos around, (LOTS longer, than this 3 month follow up in fact!), this unit is still going as strong as the day I got it!! The powder coat, bright red, paint is still as good as when new, save a few MORE dings and hard won scratches, but that's all! STILL.... keeps "coffee smoking" when I unscrew the lid for a cup, after sitting for over 8-10 hours!! STILL.... a great product, one of the BEST I've owned, in the coffee market of items! STILL....A great product, I'd buy again and again!
