Frequently Asked Questions
If you can't find the answers you need here, feel free to call us up or send us an email!
How long will my package take to get to me?
Our flat rate shipping ($4.95) usually takes 2-10 business days in the continental U.S. More details of your shipping options and how long they generally take can be found here.
How do I return or exchange my order?
We will be happy to take back and exchange or issue a refund if necessary for unused or defective products within 45 days of purchase. Please take a look at our Return Policy for instructions and details, or call us toll-free at 1-800-594-4916 and our customer service department can walk you through it.
What exactly is food-grade stainless steel and why is it safe?
Stainless steel is an alloy composed of iron ore, chromium, silicon, nickel, carbon, nitrogen and manganese. The different grades of stainless steel are determined by the amounts of these elements, and different compositions of stainless steel have different properties and uses.
The water bottles that we carry are food-grade 18/8 stainless steel. The numbers refer to the percentages of chromium and nickel included in the steel alloy.
Stainless steel containing 18% chromium and 8% nickel is strong and highly resistant to rust, the preferred material for sanitary food preparation as well as the dairy and brewing industries. It is also a highly inert material, so it doesn’t react with acidic foods and drinks.
Because they are made from this high quality material, our stainless steel water bottles require no liners and do not harbor or transfer flavors.
There are little rust-colored spots on my stainless water bottle. Should I be worried?
There’s nothing to be concerned about. 18/8 stainless steel is highly rust resistant, but the electropolishing process that makes the metal smooth and shiny can leave behind electrolytes on the surface of your bottle that take on a rust color. They are, however, harmless.
What is the big deal with BPA anyway?
Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical used in the production of epoxy resin lacquers and polycarbonate plastics. It’s found pretty darn near everywhere; epoxy lacquers containing BPA are used to coat bottle caps, the linings of aluminum food cans, and water pipes. Polycarbonate plastics are commonly used for food and drink containers as well as compact discs and medical equipment.
The safety of BPA became a controversial issue in the U.S. in 2006. The National Toxicology Program’s Center for the Evaluation of Risks to Human Reproduction opted to review and evaluate the safety of BPA due to concerns about reproductive and developmental defects as a result of such widespread exposure and ingestion.
The review concluded that BPA exposure was of “some concern” of “developmental toxicity for fetuses, infants, and children,” but debate rages on. Scientists working independently of the NTP review have cited BPA as a possible contributing factor to a variety of serious health concerns, including obesity, diabetes, heart disease, liver abnormalities, prostate and breast cancer.
In 2008 Canada proclaimed its intent to ban the advertisement and sale of baby bottles that contain BPA, and both national and state legislatures in the U.S. are trying to pass similar restrictions. The controversy continues.
So are the plastic caps that come with these water bottles safe?
The plastic caps found on WaterBox and Klean Kanteen bottles are made from polypropylene, a type of plastic that is free from BPA and doesn’t leach chemicals into food and beverages.
Our selection of sippy bottles by Thermos have silicone spouts and straws, and CamelBak straws and bite valves are made from polypropylene and silicone as well. The spouts and nipples available from Avent are also BPA-free.
Caps are available for Klean Kanteen Classic and Klean Kanteen Wide bottles with stainless steel on the inside, if you’d rather that your drink not touch any kind of plastic.
Can I put my stainless steel water bottle and cap in the dishwasher?
Depends on what you’ve got! Any of the bottles we offer with painted finishes (CamelBak, WaterBox and Klean Kanteen Colors) should be handwashed. Avoid washing painted surface with abrasive materials to keep it nice and bright.
The Thermos bottles we carry are dishwasher safe on the top rack, though the silicone parts can become worn if you put your bottle in the dishwasher very often. If you use your Thermos Insulated Bottle every day, we advise hand-washing.
CamelBak and Klean Kanteen specify hand washing their insulated bottles. Single-walled Klean Kanteens in unpainted brushed stainless steel finish are perfectly fine in the dishwasher.
As for lids, hand washing all of the caps, straws, and bite valves that we carry is best. Klean Kanteen polypropylene loop caps, sport caps, café caps, and sippy adapters can be cleaned in the dishwasher, but it is important that they be placed on the top rack. This is also true for the Avent nipples and spouts that fit the sippy adapter and the CamelBak Classic loop cap.
Klean Kanteen caps that are stainless steel on the inside fitted to polypropylene are NOT dishwasher safe. The pieces may come loose and make the cap effectively useless.
The reason for this is that most dishwashers heat the water on the bottom, so whatever is on the bottom rack gets sprayed with extremely hot water. Repeated dishwasher cleaning with hot water can be hard on the silicone parts of these caps and cause them to wear out more quickly, potentially causing leaks. It can also cause polypropylene to become brittle over time. This is especially true when using water softeners or dishwasher detergents that contain phosphates.
We recommend using a mild detergent soap to clean your stainless water bottle. Diluted vinegar and baking soda are also very effective cleansers, but frequent scrubbing with baking soda may damage painted finishes.
What about the freezer?
Not a great idea. Liquids expand when they freeze, potentially warping and damaging your stainless water bottle.
It is possible to use a single-walled stainless water bottle in the freezer provided there is enough room in the bottle for the liquid to expand, especially if the cap is left off. This is still not advisable, though, since freezing your bottle would probably void any warranty from the manufacturer.
Are stainless water bottles microwave safe?
No, they are not. Single-wall stainless bottles (NOT insulated or colored bottles) can be heated up on a stove, just take care not to melt any plastic lids and not to touch the hot steel with your bare hands.
Can I put juice and other acidic drinks in my stainless water bottle?
Absolutely! 18/8 stainless steel is very stable and does not react with acidic foods and drinks.
My Klean Kanteen Sport Cap is making a crazy noise! What’s going on?
Klean Kanteen Sport Caps have a small valve with a silicone plug that enables air to flow into the bottle so that water can flow out. The movement of the air through the valve makes a little noise.
If the noise escalates to a loud whistling or chirping, the silicone valve may be clogged or in the incorrect position. This can often be resolved by gently cleaning around the valve piece by hand or rotating it slightly. Klean Kanteen does not recommend removing the silicone valve piece, as it is difficult to get back in. You can also try loosening the cap from the bottle slightly for better airflow.
What can be done about a leaky Kid Kanteen sippy bottle?
The silicone disk on the spout can loosen with time and use, allowing liquid to escape from the air vent. It can be removed, cleaned, and replaced, which usually solves the problem.
