Is The Ember Mug Safe To Use And Drink Out Of?

The Ember Mug is great at keeping your tea and coffee hot for over an hour (or even longer when it's on the charger). However, after drinking out of this mug for over a year now I've found myself wondering whether or not the Ember mug is safe to drink out of.

With all the electrics in this product it's a fair question to ask. So I did some research into it and here's what I found.

The Ember Mug is safe to drink out of. It's made of 18/8 kitchen grade stainless steel and is covered in a ceramic coating which doesn't leak chemicals into your drink. The electronics are in the bottom of the mug and don't touch your drink directly at all.

The temperature can be controlled to avoid overheating your drink and the Ember Mug can keep drinks above 140ºF (60ºC) where bacteria struggles to grow keeping your drink safe for hours.

However, if you're keeping your drink warm at around 130ºF (54ºC) then you should discard your drink in 1-2 hours otherwise harmful bacteria could potentially grow.

What Is The Ember Mug Made From And Is it Safe To Drink Out Of?

The Ember Mug comprises three parts: the inner core, the outer coating, and the mechanical brain, which includes the battery that can keep your drink heated for one to two hours.

The inside consists of an 18/8 kitchen-grade stainless steel, making it safe to use even if the coating chips off

The stainless-steel interior is then coated with a beautifully durable ceramic coating in either black or white that is unlikely to impart any flavors to your cup of hot refreshment.

There is a risk of flaking and delamination with previous versions of the Ember Mug, but the hazard has been substantially lowered with the upgraded version. 

The Ember Mug is powered by durable lithium-ion batteries energizing the heating element to maintain a hot temperature inside the cup. Even if the electronics are of sophisticated design, it's thoroughly packed inside the mug to prevent contact with the user.

Is It Safe To Drink Out Of a Chipped Or Flaking Ember Mug?

The prior version of the Ember Mug had a minor reputation to scratch under the onslaught of metal spoons, but the design team remedied this with the newer version.

The second generation of the Ember Mug has a long-lasting ceramic coating separating the metal from the fluids. See the differences between the Ember Mug 1 and 2.

However, even if it does chip gradually over time, the inside of the mug is made from 18/8 kitchen-grade stainless steel consisting of 18% chromium and 8% nickel, making it durable and safe to use daily. I did a full deep dive into stainless steel and wether or not it causes cancer if you're interested in reading about that.

Is The Ember Mug BPA Free?

The Ember Mug is made from stainless steel and ceramic and is BPA free.

Unlike the Ember Mug, the Ember Travel Mug doesn't have a ceramic coating on the inside. But it also consists of the kitchen-grade durable stainless steel interior so your drinks are not exposed to plastic on BPA.

It has a solid plastic exterior layer and a plastic lid, both of which are BPA free.

Many plastic items produced used to comprise the industrial chemical bisphenol A (BPA). However, according to Ember, the Ember Mug and Travel Mug is entirely BPA-free

Is The Ember Mug Made of Plastic?

Between the Ember Mug and the Ember Travel mug, only the Travel Mug has a durable plastic outer layer protecting the cup, with a plastic leak-proof lid also contributing to longer-lasting battery life.

On the other hand, the Ember mug has a stainless steel interior with a robust ceramic coating but no plastic (except perhaps in the electrical components of the mug which your drink is never exposed to).

Are Ember Mugs Made In China?

Ember Technologies is a private company originating in Westlake, California, where the base of Technologies currently still retains its roots.

However, Ember’s main manufacturing facility is in China, with three major warehouses in the United States, Hong Kong, and the United Kingdom. From there, they ship their invention all over the world. 

What Is The Best Fully Ceramic Ember Mug Alternative?

If you want a mug similar to the Ember but one that is made completely of ceramic and isn't made of stainless steel like the Ember the The Glowstone Mug is going to be the best mug for you.

The Glowstone mug is the closest cousin to the Ember Mug. This mug is not made from ceramic but rather from fine bone china, which resembles a regular coffee or teacup. 

Unlike the Ember Mug, this mug has no temperature setting or Bluetooth connectivity. The cup automatically detects when it contains any liquid and maintains the temperature of your drink at a constant 140-149 °F (60-65 °C).

See the latest price of the Glowstone Smart Mug 2 at Amazon
(or compare price to Glowstone's website)

12 Tips To Make Your Ember Mug Last Longer

If you value your Ember Mug and want to get the most out of your Ember Mug, here are a few tips to advance your Ember experience.

  1. Purchase a lid for your Ember Mug. Even though Ember doesn't make a lid precisely to fit the mug, there are a few versatile examples of covers you can use for your Ember Mug, like the Portavia silicone lid. The presence of a top over the liquid increases the battery life and keeps your drink hot for longer. 
  2. If you have to choose a color, choose the black Ember Mug. The black is impervious to stains in the cup, and any chips will be less noticeable. This will keep your cup looking new for much longer. 
  3. You can remove any residue stains from your coffee or tea with a bit of baking soda and citric acid. 
  4. Try and void using metal cutlery in your Ember Mug. It causes the ceramic coating to chip faster. Instead, utilize a wooden or plastic spoon to stir your sugar or honey. 
  5. To extend your Ember Mug’s battery life, decrease the temperature slightly. Setting the temperature lower will allow your battery to use less energy and keep your drink hotter for longer. 
  6. One major mistake many of us make is to try and heat drinks in our Ember Mug. The mug is designed to keep already hot liquids hot for a while. Therefore, you will need to pour your already hot drink into your cup to avoid using all the battery life on heating the liquid from scratch. 
  7. A convenient tip is to preheat your Ember Mug with boiling water before pouring in your tea or coffee. Preheating will also save battery life since the cup will take less time to become hot enough to maintain your drink's heat. 
  8. To enjoy your morning coffee in the car while you drive to work, get a cup holder expander so your Ember Cup will fit in in your cup holder. 
  9. Another trick to extend the battery life of your Ember Mug is to charge your cup in the car while you drive. It requires a unique converter and adaptor to make this happen, but it's entirely doable. 
  10. To make life slightly more convenient for you, invest in having multiple Ember Charging Coasters. Whether at home, in the car, or in the office, it will make life abundantly easier not to struggle for a charging station. 
  11. Avoid putting a wet cup on the charging coaster. The Ember Mug might be waterproof, but the charging coaster is not. 
  12. Lastly, it would be best to never use your Ember Mug in a dishwasher or a microwave