Efingers Waterbottle Experiment

The experiment. To find out just how long water stays cold in selected containers. A standard water bottle, a Polar Bottle™, a Camelback™ and a stainless steel thermos. As a bike rider, I have logged in many hot miles, and drank lots of hot water. Believe me, cold water tastes better and is much more refreshing.

The standard water bottle was the only way to carry water on the bike. When Polar Bottle™ became available, I used it. It was great and could be used with the standard water bottle cage on bicycles. I still use them. Camelback™, the back pack that carries water, was the next step, and still remains my choice for the hottest days. Still, nothing beats the stainless steel thermos, but can't be carried on a bicycle.

The day. July, the hottest month. The whole experiment took most of the day to complete, 6 ½ hours spanning the hottest part of the day. The first 2 hours were in the shade and the last 4 ½ hours were in direct sunlight.

The procedure. I used only refrigerated water in a standard water bottle, white color, and a Polar Bottle™. Then, in a standard water bottle, Polar Bottle™, Camelback™, and stainless steel thermos, I used refrigerated water and ice. Each container was filled with ice, as much as it can hold. The temperature was taken every 15 minutes. No liquid was removed from the containers.

The results. Just what you would expect. Here are the hard numbers to confirm your expectations.

Time

Ambient

Air
temperature

Refrigerated water

Ice & refrigerated water

Plastic
Water bottle

Polar Bottle™

Plastic
Water bottle

Polar Bottle™

Camelback

Stainless
Steel Thermos

:00

87°

42°

42°

33°

33°

33°

33°

:15

88°

50°

42°

34°

32°

33°

33°

:30

89°

58°

48°

35°

33°

32°

32°

:45

90°

64°

51°

35°

34°

32°

32°

01:00

90°

66°

56°

42°

34°

32°

32°

01:15

90°

69°

59°

43°

35°

32°

32°

01:30

91°

72°

63°

45°

37°

32°

32°

01:45

91°

75°

65°

53°

38°

32°

32°

02:00

92°

77°

67°

58°

41°

32°

32°

02:15

92°

79°

70°

64°

41°

32°

32°

02:30

93°

81°

72°

68°

42°

32°

32°

02:45

94°

83°

75°

72°

45°

33°

32°

03:00

95°

85°

77°

77°

48°

33°

32°

03:15

97°

86°

78°

80°

52°

33°

32°

03:30

97°

86°

79°

83°

58°

33°

32°

03:45

97°

86°

80°

84°

60°

33°

32°

04:00

97°

87°

81°

85°

64°

33°

32°

04:15

97°

87°

82°

86°

68°

33°

32°

04:30

97°

87°

83°

85°

70°

34°

32°

04:45

97°

x

x

x

71°

34°

32°

05:00

97°

x

x

x

74°

34°

32°

05:15

95°

x

x

x

75°

34°

32°

05:30

94°

x

x

x

76°

34°

32°

05:45

94°

x

x

x

77°

34°

32°

06:00

93°

x

x

x

78°

35°

32°

06:15

92°

x

x

x

79°

35°

32°

06:30

91°

x

x

x

x

37°

32°

Table Key

Ice Water 32°-40°
Refrigerated Water 40°-50°
Tap Water 50°-60°
Room Temperature 64°-73°
Warm Water 75°-85°
Bath Water 90°-100°

How I use the containers. The standard water bottle is used in the winter, fall and spring, when the temperature is below 70º. After 70º, I use the Polar Bottle™. The hot days of summer, 85º or more, I use the Camelback™ with Polar Bottles™. The stainless steel thermos is kept in the car with a recovery drink for after the ride. No matter how hot it gets, it's always ice cold after the ride. No matter how long the ride is.