Although many Americans have fallen out of love with milk in the past decade or so, it continues to be a staple in many homes. We still use it in our cereal and some even drink it throughout the day. However, storing it while on the move can be a pain.
In fact, if you have ever had a stainless steel thermos or flask, you must have noticed that many have a disclaimer warning against storing milk in them. But when it comes to reusable water bottles, things can get a little foggy.
So, can you put milk in your stainless steel water bottle? Well, that’s what we are here to figure out.
Can I put milk in my stainless steel water bottle?
Yes, you can put milk in your stainless steel water bottle. But it has to be at specific temperatures – either below 40F or way above 140F. Otherwise, bacteria will thrive in the milk and it will get spoilt.
But since most people don’t have a means of measuring their milk’s temperature before storing it in their bottle, manufacturers advise avoiding milk altogether.
How long do I have after putting my milk in my stainless steel bottle?
You should drink your milk immediately in one sitting or within a couple of hours.
Keep in mind that even if you store your milk while at temperatures of over 140F, it will cool after some time and still experience microbial growth.
On the other hand, cold (less than 40F) milk may just warm up during the day and get spoiled too. Even a thermos can only keep your milk safe for a few hours.
Even if you go for long-life (UHT) milk, things aren’t that different. As soon as you remove it from its original packaging the clock starts ticking. Like the usual fresh milk, UHT will only survive a few hours in your water bottle.
Can milk damage my stainless steel water bottle?
Since they are usually made of kitchen-grade 18/8 stainless steel, these water bottles can’t be damaged by milk – no chemical reaction takes place. Truth be told, milk has a pH of only 6.7 and can’t react with stainless steel anyway.
As such, even your stainless steel thermos flasks and vacuum insulated bottles are safe from this kind of damage.
How can I best store my milk?
The best way to store your milk is in the refrigerator – it will keep it at below 40F. Here you can comfortably use your metal or glass bottles.
Alternatively, you could go all out and freeze the milk. You can’t use glass or metal bottles for this though – your best bet is plastic.
If you don’t have a refrigerator or it is damaged, you can try wrapping your milk with a damp cloth or boiling it every 6 to 8 hours.
Don’t go overboard
Generally speaking, reusable water bottles are at their best when they are used for water and water-based substances.
Also, don’t forget to clean your stainless steel water bottles thoroughly after using them for milk – this will help you avoid any cross-contamination.
FAQs
It is also perfectly safe to put milk & fruit juice in a water bottle made from food grade stainless steel.
Can I put milk in a stainless steel water bottle? ›
Keeping hot milk in an insulated for 3-4 hours will spoil the milk. In addition, the constant hot temperature in the thermos can destroy the vitamins in the milk and directly affect people's health. People who drink this kind of milk are prone to diarrhea and indigestion.
Does milk interact with stainless steel? ›
Milk is not normally corrosive, but milk deposits can react with cleaning or sterilizing agents to create aggressive liquids that eat away at the surface of ordinary grades of stainless steel. For example, milk contains chlorides that can form deposits during centrifugation.
What not to put in a stainless steel water bottle? ›
Do not put in any of the following things:
- Dry ice, carbonated beverages, etc. (These may increase the pressure, causing the contents to blow out.)
- Milk, dairy-based drinks, fruit juice, etc. ...
- Sodium-rich liquids such as miso soup, soup, etc. ...
- Fruit bits, tea leaves, etc.
The lactic acid content of milk products is not a fac- tor in corrosion of Type 302 stainless steel when con- sidered alone. However, in conjunction with other fac- tors (e.g., salt) it may aid in corrosion by acting as an acid electrolyte.
How long does milk last in stainless steel? ›
Milk in a insulation bottle deteriorates after 3-4 hours. Drinking spoiled milk can easily cause diarrhea, indigestion, or food poisoning. Therefore, it is advisable to consume the milk immediately after boiling, and if you cannot finish drinking it, you can put it into the refrigerator for storage.
What are the disadvantages of a stainless steel water bottle? ›
Cons
- Sometimes there's a metallic taste to the water.
- The water becomes hot if left in your car or outdoors in hot weather.
- Bottle can dent if dropped.
- Paint sometimes peels off exterior of metal bottles.
- Metal water bottles lined with a resin lining also leach BPA.
The corrosive action of milk on metals is by no means a new observation. It has long been known that milk in contact with iron and copper will not only acquire a metallic taste, but corrode these metals readily.
Can bacteria grow in stainless steel water bottles? ›
Whether it's stainless steel, glass or plastic, Dr. Sumego said all reusable water bottles need to be regularly washed to avoid the buildup of bacteria and mold.
Is it healthy to drink out of stainless steel bottles? ›
Food-grade stainless steel drinking bottles are not only non-hazardous, but also non-toxic to your body. They do not introduce any disease-causing chemicals into the beverage you are drinking. If you get a disease from using a stainless steel water bottle, it's because they're not cleaned regularly.
Better Protection from Corrosion
Stainless steel is popular in the dairy industry largely due to its corrosion resistant properties. It contains chromium which develops a protective oxide coating on the surface of the metal.
What grade of stainless steel is used for milk? ›
304 stainless steel plates are used for refrigerated storage tanks, pasteurizers, maturation tanks, cheese racks and other equipment.
What drinks can you put in a stainless steel water bottle? ›
A stainless-steel water bottle is very versatile. These are stylish and help you stay hydrated all day long. Fortunately, you can also use these water bottles in any season and for any of your favorite beverages. You can fill it with your favorite coffee, drinkable water, fruit juice, or anything else.
Is stainless steel good for storing milk? ›
Stainless steel milk can is the best option that is available in the market. Compared to aluminium milk cans these have more durability, high quality, and these do not get rust on them. Compared to plastic milk cans, milk remains fresher in stainless steel milk cans for a longer period of time.
Is it safe to boil milk in stainless steel? ›
Aluminum, lead, and chromium were the highest metals leached from aluminum cookware, in levels of 0.126, 0.137and 0.149 ppm respectively, while stainless and Teflon pots release metals only when scratched. The non-stick cookware is relatively safe for boiling milk on condition that they are intact and non-scratched.
Is it safe to put milk in a thermos? ›
Even if you fill it with fairly hot liquid, it will slowly cool. If you do that with a perishable food like milk, you will easily create an environment in the upper range of the danger zone, where food will become unsafe after as little as two hours.
