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Most questions received at Klean Kanteen™ are answered below. In order to avoid delays and speed up your answer, please review them to see if your question is answered here.

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Why Klean Kanteen™?

There are so many reusable bottles to choose from. Why should I buy a Klean Kanteen™?

Klean Kanteen™ is the original eco-friendly, stainless steel bottle designed for personal use. The company was founded to give you a safe, healthy, environmentally sustainable alternative to plastic.

Klean Kanteens™ are made with high-quality, 18/8, food-grade stainless steel, one of the healthiest and most durable materials available. They are lightweight, strong and designed to last a lifetime.

Klean Kanteen™ bottles also incorporate numerous design features that set them apart and make them both hygienic and functional. All the corners are rounded, as are the large, sweeping threads, so the bottles are easy to clean. The threads are stainless steel too, not aluminum or plastic. And Klean Kanteen™ offers stainless steel cap options on all their bottle styles.

Which is better, stainless or aluminum?

While aluminum is lightweight, it can leach toxins and chemicals when it gets hot or comes in contact with anything acidic. Studies have also linked aluminum exposure to Alzheimer's disease. To ensure that the drinks inside aluminum bottles are safe, the bottles must be lined with something.

The most common materials used to line aluminum bottles include plastic or baked-on epoxy, both of which can leach BPA and other toxic chemicals or can get scratched, exposing the aluminum underneath. Ceramic is another material used to line aluminum bottles, but it's more rigid and can crack.

Of even greater concern is the fact that many companies won't release information about what the liner on their aluminum bottles is actually made from. The liner can also retain flavors, which can make your drinks taste funky.

The stainless steel used to make Klean Kanteens™ is time-tested, safe and completely free of BPA, phthalates, lead and other toxins. It's fine for acidic beverages or foods, and doesn't retain or impart flavors. That's why it's the material most commonly used in food preparation and by the brewing and wine-making industries.

Health and Safety

Do Klean Kanteens™ have BPA?

Heck no! Every Klean Kanteen™ ever made is totally free of BPA and other toxins.

The whole reason we founded this company was because we read the early studies linking BPA to a number of illnesses and we wanted to give consumers a safe, healthy alternative to plastic and lined aluminum bottles.

We chose 18/8, food-grade stainless steel instead of aluminum or plastic because the metal is inherently safe and toxin-free. Stainless steel is made of many elements and minerals that come from the earth, including some of the very same minerals recommended by the FDA as part of a healthy human diet.

Food-grade stainless steel is used in the brewing, food and winemaking industries too. It’s the material of choice because it doesn’t retain or impart flavors.

All our caps are BPA-free polypropylene (pp#5) too, and we offer stainless steel cap options for Classic bottles as well.

Do Klean Kanteens™ have a liner?

No. All Klean Kanteen™ products are made from high quality, 18/8, food-grade stainless steel that’s totally free of BPA and other toxins.

Because stainless steel is inherently safe, we don’t need to coat the inside of the bottle with a plastic or epoxy lining, which is one of the main differences between a stainless steel Klean Kanteen™ and aluminum bottles.

Why do Klean Kanteen™ caps have plastic at all?

Caps made from solid stainless steel would be both heavy and costly. Caps made from safe, BPA-free polypropylene are lightweight and also cost-effective, enabling Klean Kanteen™ to create a handcrafted product of exceptional quality at a reasonable price.

In the case of the Sport Cap 2.0, it's also a safety issue because people drink from their bottles while engaging in sports like cycling and running. Polypropylene is very durable, but it's also a softer plastic, which means you're less likely to damage your teeth if you hit a bump on the trail while you're drinking.

On Classic bottles, many people disliked the squeaking of the stainless caps, which are metal-on-metal because of the internal thread design of the bottles. Klean Kanteen™ now offers all cap styles for Classic bottles in an all-polypropylene option.

The caps for all Klean Kanteen™ Wide bottles have stainless steel on the inside. You can order stainless caps for Classic bottles as accessories in the Flat and Loop style.

Are the polypropylene (pp#5) caps safe?

Klean Kanteen™ uses polypropylene #5 because it contains zero Bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical that leaches from some kinds of plastic and has been linked to various diseases. Polypropylene has no known leaching characteristics and is softer than other types of plastic.

The caps for all Klean Kanteen™ Wide bottles have stainless steel on the inside and stainless cap options are available as accessories for the Classic bottles in the Loop and Flat cap styles.

What is stainless steel and what does 18/8 stand for?

Stainless steel is an iron-containing alloy made from some of the basic elements found on earth: iron ore, chromium, silicon, nickel, carbon, nitrogen and manganese. The properties of the final metal change depending on varying amounts of these elements. More than 57 stainless steels exist and are sold as standard alloys on the market.

Klean Kanteens™ are constructed from high-quality, 18/8, food-grade stainless steel. The numbers stand for the percentages of chromium and nickel in the steel, 18% and 8% respectively. Chromium increases the metal's hardness and nickel gives it strength. Together they also make stainless steel highly resistant to stain or rust.

Stainless steel is easy to clean, durable, inert and sanitary. That's why it's the material of choice among the food processing, dairy and brewing industries.

What is nickel and how can it affect my health?

Nickel is a naturally abundant element found in the earth's crust, soil and ocean floor. It is generally resistant to corrosion and is therefore used to make metal alloys such as stainless steel.

Approximately 10-15% of the population is sensitive to nickel, but the health effects of nickel are highly dependent on the manner and degree of exposure. The stainless steel used to make Klean Kanteens™ has a low nickel content and is the preferred material used by breweries and dairies.

Does the paint on a Klean Kanteen™ contain lead?

When we introduced our colored bottles, we wanted to find a safe and durable paint that also looks fantastic. We reviewed and tested dozens of different paints and selected an acrylic paint that contains no toxins or lead. We test the paint regularly and though it is safe, we recommend the Brushed Stainless finish bottles for small children who like to chew on things.

My child chewed on a Klean Kanteen™ and might have eaten some paint. Should I be concerned?

No. The paint on Klean Kanteen™ bottles is a nontoxic, acrylic, resin-based finish that's mostly water and is totally free of lead and toxic chemicals. So you've got nothing to worry about if your child ingested some paint! That said, we do recommend the Brushed Stainless finish for small children who like to chew on things.

General

How do I decide which bottle is right for me?

Klean Kanteen™ bottles come in two bottle styles, Wide and Classic, and multiple colors. You have different cap options too. First figure out what the primary use for your bottle is going to be. Are you hiking in the backcountry? Driving around in the car a lot? Biking to work?

Then visit the Kanteen™ 101 section, where you can compare all the different bottle styles and features. How you'll use your Klean Kanteen™, along with your personal style and preference, will determine which bottle(s) work best for you. If you do order a product that you don't like, you have 30 days to return or exchange it.

How much does a Kanteen weigh?

Klean Kanteen™ bottles are lighter than they look. We've tested various wall thicknesses and struck a balance between durability and weight. The stainless steel walls in our bottles are significantly thicker than other, lower quality bottles on the market. They don't dent or bend easily, but they're still lightweight and easy to carry.

Classic Bottles:
Capacity	Weight*
12 fluid ounces (355 ml)	3.75 ounces
18 fluid ounces (532 ml)	5.125 ounces
27 fluid ounces (800 ml)	6.125 ounces
40 fluid ounces (1182 ml)	9.375 ounces
*doesn't include cap
Wide Bottles:
Capacity	Weight*
12 fluid ounces (355 ml)	3.375 ounces
18 fluid ounces (532 ml)	4.625 ounces
27 fluid ounces (800 ml)	6.25 ounces
40 fluid ounces (1182 ml)	7.375 ounces
64 fluid ounces (1893 ml)	10.875 ounces
*doesn't include cap
Wide Insulated Bottles:
Capacity	Weight*
12 fluid ounces (355 ml)	7.125 ounces
16 fluid ounces (473 ml)	8.75 ounces
20 fluid ounces (591 ml)	10.25 ounces
*doesn't include cap

Fill It Up

Can I fill a Kanteen with acidic beverages such as apple juice or orange juice?

Yes. Acidic beverages will not corrode or damage the high-quality stainless steel.

Can I use a Kanteen for carrying alcohol?

Yes. In fact, we make a special bottle, the Wine Karafe™, designed just for wine. We've also heard that many people use the 12oz bottles to carry spirits.

Functionality

Do Kanteens sweat?

Yes. The best solution to naturally occurring condensation is to put your Klean Kanteen™ in an insulated sleeve such as the insulated totes made by our partner, Built®. Whatever size Klean Kanteen™ you prefer, there's a Built® tote in a color and style you'll love. Check them out on our accessories page.

Can I put hot liquids in my Klean Kanteen™ or use it like a thermos?

If you have a Kanteen™ Wide Insulated bottle, absolutely! Our high-performance, double-walled, vacuum insulated bottles are designed to function as a thermos, a to-go mug and food storage container and will keep contents hot or cold for up to six hours and iced drinks chilly for up to 24.

We do not recommend using single-walled Klean Kanteen™ Classic or Wide bottles for hot beverages because you can burn yourself. Warm beverages can be used at your own personal comfort level. They're fine for cold beverages, but unlike the Insulated Kanteen™, condensation will form on the outside.

Can I put my Klean Kanteen™ in the freezer?

The force of liquids expanding as they freeze can cause your Klean Kanteen™ to break apart, so we strongly advise against it. Freezing any Klean Kanteen™ (Classic, Wide or Insulated) will void the one-year warranty against manufacturer defects.

Can I put my Klean Kanteen™ on a stove?

In a pinch, single-walled Kanteen™ Classic and Wide bottles with the Brushed Stainless finish can be placed on a fire or a stove as long as you take the cap off. Do not do this with a colored bottle, as it will damage the paint.

But it's VERY important that you know what kind of bottle you have because this is absolutely NOT an option with an Insulated Kanteen. Heating a Kanteen™ Wide Insulated will damage the bottle and voids the one-year warranty.

It's pretty easy to tell what kind of bottle you have, even if you've had your bottle so long the logo's worn off. Insulated bottles only come in the wide-mouth design, so if you have a Classic, a bottle with a long neck and a small rolled lip at the edge, you have a Classic. Insulated bottles also have a separate piece at the bottom and come in different sizes (12oz, 16oz, and 20oz) than the single-walled Wide bottles (12oz, 18oz, 27oz and 40oz).

Care & Maintenance

How do I clean my Kanteen?

Some Klean Kanteen™ products are dishwasher safe, but some are not.

Visit our Care & Use page to figure out if it's safe to put your Klean Kanteen™ in the dishwasher and for more information on handwashing.

What do you consider normal wear and tear for the paint on colored Klean Kanteens™?

Under normal use, the paint on the colored Klean Kanteens™ will not flake or chip off. When we tested paints for our colored bottles, safety was our first concern but durability was a close second.

The paint performs well in lab tests. Many of us at Klean Kanteen™ also use the colored bottles so we've been putting them to the test in the real world too. Sure, if you drop your Klean Kanteen™ or jam it into a metal water bottle cage, you can scratch it. It's also possible to scrape off the paint if you try hard enough, just like any other painted surface.

But if your paint is flaking or peeling off, you might have gotten a bottle from a bad batch, which does happen occasionally. If that's the case, it's covered by our warranty and we'll replace it at no cost to you. Contact our returns department.

To prolong the life of your colored Klean Kanteen™, we recommend hand washing it with mild detergent. The Brushed Stainless finish is the best choice for ultimate durability.

Manufacturing

Why are Klean Kanteens™ made in China?

The very first Klean Kanteen™ was created to promote healthy living and respect for the environment by giving people an affordable alternative to plastic bottles.

Klean Kanteen™ has always shared many of the concerns you, our customers, have expressed about manufacturing the bottles in China. Before a single bottle was ever produced, Klean Kanteen™ set in place checks and balances to ensure that their bottles are produced safely, sustainably and that the people making Klean Kanteens™ are treated well and paid fairly. By manufacturing in China, Klean Kanteen™ can provide a handcrafted bottle of exceptional quality at a reasonable price.

For more information about the manufacturing process and Klean Kanteen's commitment to environmental sustainability and fair labor standards, read how our products are responsibly made.

Is Klean Kanteen's stainless steel from China safe?

Yes. Klean Kanteen™ representatives visit the manufacturing facilities several times a year and perform audits every six months to make sure all their products are produced with respect for the environment and that the workers in the factories are safe, protected and paid a living wage.

Not only does Klean Kanteen™ uphold strong design and manufacturing standards, they also regularly test the metal in their bottles. Every three to four months the science division of EMSL Analytical, Inc., a lab based in Westmont, N.J., tests the elemental composition of metal in Klean Kanteens™ for hazardous substances.

Klean Kanteen™ is and will continue to be one of the safest and most sustainable beverage containers on the market.

Ordering

Can I order a Kanteen™ Classic with a stainless cap instead of a polypropylene cap?

Klean Kanteen™ Classic bottles ship with a polypropylene Sport 2.0, Loop or Flat Cap. Stainless Loop and Flat Caps for the Classic bottles, can only be ordered separately as an accessory.

Warranty

My sport cap broke and/or leaks, will you replace it?

Absolutely. All Klean Kanteen™ bottles, caps and lids have a one-year warranty against manufacturer's defects. Please send us your damaged goods along with your return address and we'll replace them free of charge. If you have questions or comments, email them to customerservice@kleankanteen.com