I don’t have it especially the most important reusable cup. I am not a wanderer. I am not a camper. I’m not a cyclist. It’s not really a walking the cup I want. I’m not even a coffee connoisseur. But, I appreciate the flexibility – as a hot and cold coffee lover – and the convenience. For the group of you like me, that is—the “casual” caffeine consumer—let me introduce you to the Frank Green 3-in-1 Insulated Drink Holder ($40). It’s the secret sauce, the Goldilocks cup…it’s okay.
Now, I’ll admit that before I got to the 3-in-1, it was another Frank Green product – the 595-ml bottle – that came closest to being my ideal container. I was sure I had stumbled upon my brand, with a wide range of options and powerful tools combined with a revolutionary passion. In fact, I had found the right cup holder for me, but not the right product.
Put a Cover on It
Photo: Frank Green
The Frank Green reusable bottle was sturdy and had a tight seal, and I thought that was what I was looking for. It was only after a long journey that problems appeared. For example, before I started my adventure, trying to find room in my bag, which was already full of technology to review, was not easy. My shoulder bag of choice had a cup holder, but Frank’s main option was, well, big.
When it comes to the office, the niggles rise. Did I bring button lids (good for hot drinks) and a straw lid (good for cold drinks)? Did I remember to wash them both? And, did I wash both sides (very difficult) enough? I usually waited until I got to work before I started my first cup of coffee, meaning these unnecessary questions were plaguing my dull and caffeine-deprived mind. Usually, the answer to one of those questions was “no.”
You see, this large Frank Green cup, and others from the more protective players, like the Chillys Series 2 cup, come with a thin metal band around the top. Whether I was cleaning them at home or doing a quick wipe at work if it had crossed my mind the night before, my hand would pick up the nicks. The seam runs along the inside of the cup and meets the narrow seam at the top, creating a pinching problem when you slide your hand inside to clean. The 595 ml was the worst offender, with its larger size requiring me to dig as deep into the cup as possible, wringing my fingers as if trying to get those last Pringles from the bottom of the can, but, in this case, it’s a very painful sponge. Lost lids, punctured palm trees, and an overstuffed bag—the original joy of a cup of coffee has been replaced by the daily grind. This would not work.
For a while, I went back to Frank’s small ceramic mug, but without the straw option it wasn’t the winner I was looking for. And the messy cleaning remained. A few months passed. Sometimes I use the cup, go back to the cup, or, worst of all, never use a reusable cup—embarrassed by whatever wasteful coffee was offered to me.
Its Development
Photo: Frank Green
Then, one day, while browsing for a new container and wondering if different types of lids might work, or if a new cup might be the answer, I found myself back on Frank Green’s website. Then I saw it. The 3-in-1. With hot drinks, cold drinks, and canned drinks. It was its simplicity, clean lines, beautiful colors, and no fuss. There are no barriers, no buttons to push down, no tools to remember. I’m not late. I picked up my color and placed my order.
