home » faq-waterbottles my account  |  cart contents  |  checkout   

Water Bottles - FAQ

  • How much does a Klean Kanteen weigh?

    Klean Kanteens are lighter than they look, the 12oz bottle weighs 4oz, the 18oz bottle weighs 6oz, the 27oz bottle weighs 8oz and the 40oz bottle weighs 11oz.

  • Can I put hot liquids in my Klean Kanteen?

    No. Klean Kanteens are single walled and not for use with HOT liquids. Warm beverages can be used at personal comfort level.

  • Can I put my Kanteen in the freezer?

    Klean Kanteen does not recommend it and it will void the 1-year warranty against manufacturer defects.

  • Can I put my Kanteen on the stove?

    In a pinch, the Kanteen can be placed on fire or a stove. Beware not to melt the plastic lid or burn yourself.

  • My sports cap broke or leaks. Will you replace it?

    Absolutely. We offer a 1-year guarantee on the Klean Kanteen bottles, sports cap and lid against manufacturing defects. Please send Klean Kanteen your damaged goods along with your return address and Klean Kanteen will replace them free of charge. If you have questions or comments, email them to customerservice@kleankanteen.com

  • Why is the sports cap made of plastic and not stainless steel?

    Your teeth. We chose polypropylene #5 because it has no known leaching characteristics and is softer if you hit a bump on the trail. If you’d rather avoid plastic altogether, a stainless steel screw-on lid is available as an accessory.

  • What is stainless steel?

    Stainless steel is an iron-containing alloy made from some of the basic elements found on earth: iron ore, chromium, silicon, nickel, carbon, nitrogen, and manganese. Properties of the final alloy are tailored by varying amounts of these elements. There are more than 57 stainless steels recognized as standard alloys on the market. Klean Kanteens are constructed from high quality sanitary grade 304 stainless steel which has a low nickel content. Stainless steel has excellent resistance to stain or rust due to its chromium content making it a material of choice among the food processing, dairy and brewery industries. Stainless steel is easy to clean, durable, inert and sanitary.

  • What is nickel and how will it affect my health?

    Nickel is a naturally abundant element found in the earth’s crust, soil and ocean floor. It is generally resistant to corrosion and is therefore used to make metal alloys such as stainless steel. Approximately 10-15% of the population is sensitive to nickel. The health effects of nickel are highly dependent on the manner and degree of exposure, according to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), a department of the U.S. Dept. of Public Health and Human Services. The ATSDR warns that environmental exposures may arise from wearing costume jewelry, handling coins or from inhaling dust near nickel industries. The most common reaction to handling nickel is a skin rash at the site of contact. Less frequently, those sensitive to nickel have asthma attacks after inhaling dust containing nickel. Klean Kanteens are constructed of high quality, sanitary grade 304 stainless steel. 304 has a low nickel content and is preferred by breweries and dairies.

  • Will stainless steel react with acidic beverages?

    No.

  • Why is Klean Kanteen made in China?

    The Klean Kanteen is made “responsibly” in China because one of our founding principles was to produce an economically priced high quality stainless steel bottle as an alternative to plastic and lined metal containers therefore promoting healthy living with respect for the environment.

    Our preference from the outset has been to produce our bottles closer to home but extensive research in the manufacturing sector left us resolute that our bottles can not be made closer to home at a reasonable price without sacrificing quality and safety, something we are steadfast against.

  • Is the Klean Kanteen factory safe?

    Yes. We visit our manufacturing facilities 4-5 times per year and perform audits every six months to ensure all of our products are produced with respect for the environment and fair labor standards, including: the ethical treatment of factory workers, child labor, wages/benefits, health and safety, etc. Additionally, we do regular lab testing on random shipments through a local lab in the U.S. to ensure our products are made per our specifications, are free of hazardous substances such as lead, and do not leach chromium, manganese, etc.

    We believe that the Klean Kanteen is and will continue to be one of the safest and environmentally conscious beverage containers on the market today while upholding stringent design and manufacturing standards.

  • Is my Klean Kanteen a thermos?

    No. A Kanteen is a single-walled bottle and has little insulating properties. Keep in mind that if your drink is boiling hot, the Kanteen will be too hot to directly handle. The single-walled construction allows for more volume and the option to put your Kanteen on a flame.

  • How do I clean my Klean Kanteen?

    Klean Kanteens are dishwasher safe (washing caps in the dishwasher is not recommended because H2O can squeeze itself into the cap) or easy to clean with a bottle brush and mild soap. We recommend an old fashioned cleaner: white vinegar and baking soda.

  • Will stainless steel react to acidic beverages?

    Klean Kanteens are dishwasher safe (washing caps in the dishwasher is not recommended because H2O can squeeze itself into the cap) or easy to clean with a bottle brush and mild soap. We recommend an old fashioned cleaner: white vinegar and baking soda.

  • Why is stainless steel better than aluminum?

    Aluminum although light weight has to be lined with something to make sure the contents are safe for drinking. Usually it is lined with baked on epoxy (toxic) or ceramic (can crack).

  • Why stainless steel?
    • Stainless steel is one of the most hygienic materials available. Its unique surface has no pores or cracks to harbour dirt, grime or bacteria. This is why it is so commonly used in cookware, food preparation and commercial kitchens
    • It is corrosion resistant, non-leaching and safe!
    • You can switch between water, juice or milk drinks and there will be no taste or smell of any of them after the bottle has been washed!
    • With proper care, stainless steel has a useful life expectancy of over 100 years and it is 100% recyclable! This makes ECOtankas both long lasting and environmentally friendly.
  • What grade stainless steel are the bottles made from?

    ECOtankas are made from grade 304 stainless steel (also referred to as 18/8).

    This is a high grade stainless steel used extensively for equipment in both domestic and commercial kitchens. It is the grade most commonly used in the food industry due to its superior corrosion resistance and ease of cleaning.

  • Why not aluminium?

    It has been found that foods cooked in aluminium can react with the metal to form aluminium salts. There is a high likelihood that prolonged exposure to these can lead to toxic effects, which means that drink bottles made from aluminium need to be lined with something to make them safe for us to use. The most common substance used for lining these bottles is an epoxy resin, which in itself may contain harmful chemicals. It may also retain odours.

  • Why not polycarbonate & BPA?

    The basic unit that makes up polycarbonate is Bisphenol A, originally synthesized in the 1930's as an oestrogen for pharmacological use. The fragility of the structure of these bonded units results in significant leaching of Bisphenol A into a variety of substances. Bisphenol A has been shown to be an endocrine disruptor and to simulate the action of oestrogenic compounds. There is also evidence that Bisphenol A enhances growth of human breast cancer cells. Bisphenol leaching is considerably greater in polycarbonate that is scratched, cloudy, or exhibits wear of any sort. Heating also accelerates the leaching process.

  • Can ECOtankas hold hot liquids?

    This is not recommended. ECOtankas are single-walled and are not insulated, so they become very hot when filled with a heated liquid, and will not keep liquids hot.

  • Will ECOtankas keep drinks cold?

    ECOtankas are not insulated, so they will not keep drinks cold. If you wish to keep your drinks cold, fit an insulating jacket/holder to your bottle. These are available from a number of outlets.

  • Where are ECOtankas manufactured?

    ECOtankas are machine manufactured in China to a very high standard, complying with all general manufacturing regulations.

  • How do I clean my ECOtanka?

    It is easy to keep your ECOtanka clean. Simply wash it in warm water with a mild detergent.

    • If you live in an area with a high mineral content in the water, you can remove calcium deposits by washing the bottle with warm water and white wine vinegar.
    • Washing ECOtankas in the dishwasher, is not recommended.
    • Bleach (or any chloride containing detergent) or ammonia should not be used on stainless steel. Cleaning products containing either of these should not be used to clean your ECOtanka.

  • Does my ECOtanka come with a guarantee?

    Yes, ECOtanka offers a 1-year guarantee against manufacturing defects for all ECOtanka products.

    Note: Do not freeze your ECOtanka or place it on the stove. Our guarantee does not apply if you have used your bottle in this manner as it may affect the metal.