The 7 Best Self Stirring Mugs
Editor's Notes
March 07, 2019:
Despite how cute it is, we ultimately decided to remove the UrbanBrew HP, as it doesn't offer long-term durability. We also had to remove the Elite Kitchen Gear Camera Lens due to availability concerns. Fortunately, the fun and unique OmeGod 12-Ounce is still available, so if you need a gift for a photographer, it's a fine alternative. We then added a couple of models with removable magnetic stirrers, including the Leadnovo Auto Mixing and the Bine Stainless Steel, which tend to be polarizing. For some, they make clean-up more practical, but others don't want to bother with a small piece that can get lost. These do come in a wide range of fun designs, though, so the benefits may outweigh any potential drawbacks. We also found the Once For All Tumbler, a selection for anyone who doesn't want text or photos on the outside of his or her mug. It should be noted, though, that it spins well, so don't fill it right to the top — or you can expect a mess.
Several Ways To Use a Self Stirring Mug Throughout The Day
Unlike using a spoon or a traditional cup, a self stirring mug will keep the contents blended, so the flavor remains rich without critical ingredients sinking to the bottom.
Most people buy a self stirring mug with one specific use in mind, and yet the reality is that a self stirring mug can be enlisted for any number of uses. Starting in the morning, you can blend your coffee and your creamer with a self stirring mug, and you can even keep your coffee stirring throughout your commute. If you take a pill in the morning, a self stirring mug will allow you to dissolve that pill in juice or water. The same applies to popular over-the-counter remedies like Alka-Seltzer or Airborne.
Self stirring mugs are ideal for mixing any kind of protein shake before an afternoon workout. Unlike using a spoon or a traditional cup, a self stirring mug will keep the contents blended, so the flavor remains rich without critical ingredients sinking to the bottom. If you enjoy soup, you can use a self stirring mug to mix in crackers, along with salt or any other seasonings, and most self stirring mugs have a thermal lining that will keep your soup warm. What's more, you can safely hold or handle a thermal mug even when your soup is piping hot.
After dinner, you can use a self stirring mug to mix a cocktail or any type of blended tea. Obviously, you should pour the contents of any cocktail into a proper glass before serving.
In the event that all of this stirring leaves a film inside your mug, all you need to do is fill that mug with hot water and some dishwashing liquid, then turn the mug on and allow it to stir itself clean. Once that's done, you can rinse the mug and wipe it down. Any of the remaining film should wash right off.
How Does a Self Stirring Mug Work?
The majority of self stirring mugs are operated by way of a button or a switch that you can press along the top of the handle. That switch will, in turn, activate a motor located in the base of the mug. The mug's motor is attached to a propelling disc that should begin to spin at this point.
The constant swirling ensures that whatever you mix in the mug will be distributed consistently.
The disc is intentionally located in the base of a mug so that once the disc begins to spin it will create a whirlpool effect. This whirlpool forces whatever liquid is in the mug downward and toward the center, as opposed to having that liquid spill outward, or over the brim. The constant swirling ensures that whatever you mix in the mug will be distributed consistently. This is not usually the case when someone is stirring with a spoon, as certain ingredients tend to either remain near the surface or settle along the bottom.
A self stirring mug is also beneficial in that it keeps stirring, churning items like marshmallows or sugar cubes until they have dissolved or you have turned the self stirring function off. The spinning motor on most self stirring mugs is strong enough that you can use it as an egg beater, although doing so may leave you with a bit of a mess to clean up.
More often than not, a self stirring mug's motor will require batteries. If you are considering buying a self stirring mug, it might be worth confirming what type of batteries that model will need. You may also want to determine whether a self stirring mug comes with its own set of batteries. Certain models may even come with a rechargeable battery, which can save you money in the long run.
A Brief History of The Mug
The earliest-known mugs were carved out of wood, and they were used during prehistoric times to scoop and drink water. The first earthenware mugs coincided with the invention of the pottery wheel around 4,000 BCE, and they were widely used throughout Greece. These ancient mugs were designed with a handle for protecting fingers from hot beverages, but the clay was molded thick, which meant that liquids would often dribble instead of cascading between the brim and one's lips.
During the late-1800s, barbers began using clay mugs known as scuttles for mixing shaving cream, then keeping that cream warm under a lid.
The Ancient Romans introduced metal mugs around 2,000 BCE. These mugs looked good, but they were slippery and they had sharp brims, two properties that seem inappropriate for drinking coffee or tea. The ancient Chinese later invented the porcelain mug around 600 BCE. Porcelain, unlike metal, sat firm in one's grasp, and it kept beverages warm, while providing an air of prestige and a safe sipping surface.
Coffee and tea mugs remained the same for several centuries, with minor innovations in the use of different materials, like bone china and stoneware, or the addition of ornamental accents, like gold trim. During the Renaissance, European artists repurposed mugs for soaking their brushes in paint thinner. During the late-1800s, barbers began using clay mugs known as scuttles for mixing shaving cream, then keeping that cream warm under a lid.
Today, the U.S. coffee industry generates $18 billion in annual sales, with an average coffee drinker consuming three cups a day, most of that by way of mugs or disposable containers. These days, traditional mugs, while still popular, are generally stocked alongside travel mugs, self stirring mugs, self heating mugs, and several other novelty mugs with unique designs.