Can You Put Boiling Water in a Shaker Cup?

Shaker cups have become indispensable tools for mixing powdered supplements, protein shakes, and other beverages on the go. However, there's a common question among best shaker cup users: can you put boiling water in a shaker cup? In this article, we'll delve into the safety considerations and explore whether shaker cups can withstand boiling water.

Material Matters

The ability of a shaker cup to withstand high temperatures largely depends on the material it's made of. Most shaker cups are constructed from plastic, which can be susceptible to warping or melting when exposed to boiling water. However, some shaker cups are made from heat-resistant materials such as stainless steel or borosilicate glass, which are better suited for hot liquids.

Potential Risks

Putting boiling water in a shaker cup made of plastic can pose several risks. High temperatures can cause the plastic to deform, release harmful chemicals, or even melt, leading to leakage or injury. It's crucial to avoid using plastic shaker cups with boiling water to prevent these potential hazards.

Alternative Approach

If you need to mix hot beverages or liquids opt for a cup made from plastic-free heat-resistant materials such as stainless steel or borosilicate glass.  While stainless steel and borosilicate glass can safely withstand boiling water without compromising their integrity or releasing harmful substances, you need to be extra careful if the cup has some parts that are plastic such as parts of the lid or mixing device. Do not touch the boiling liquid with any plastic part of the shaker cup. If your stainless steel or glass cup contains some plastic, it is suggested to only use the heat resistant cup portion of the cup and stir your boiling liquid safely with a metal spoon, ensuring that only heat resistant materials are touching the hot liquid and never plastic.

Warning: Never Close a Shaker Cup Flip Cap with Warm or Hot Liquids

Most shaker cups form an airtight seal when the flip cap is closed. This means that when you close the flip cap of a shaker cup with warm, hot or boiling liquid inside pressure will build inside and the flip cap can unexpectedly burst open and spray out contents of the shaker cup. For safety reasons you NEVER want to close the shaker cup flip cap with warm, hot or boiling water inside. This applies to any shaker cup regardless of material.

Additional Warning: Never Shake a Shaker Cup with Warm or Hot Liquids

While you can put boiling water into the cup portion of a heat resistant cup, you cannot shake it with the lid. Even if you are holding down the lid, pressure will build up on account of the shaking and you will be at risk of the flip cap bursting open and spraying hot liquid out.

In conclusion, it is not recommended to put boiling water into a shaker cup. There are too many risks and a long list of safety precautions that are not worth the potential harm. You need to ensure the flip cap is never closed, you can never shake the shaker cup, boiling water can never touch any plastic part, and the custom shaker cup needs to be made of a heat resistant material such as stainless steel or borosilicate glass. This makes for a poor and ineffective mixing experience.