EMSA Stainless Vacum Flask

I mentioned a few weeks ago that I'd bought a new vacumn flask, I used to carry a flask on day walks but since starting to get back into walking I've just taken a stove. I suppose I was mainly following the current trend, you don't see flasks mentioned much now and although I read a few posts recommending various brands, none of which were marketed at the outdoors scene I didn't really give it much thought.

It was purely by chance that I ended up buying a flask, I was in a shop specialising in cookware and utensils when I noticed flasks branded EMSA Admiral and remembering that the ones I'd seen recommended (not EMSA) were aimed at the catering industry I decided to buy one. They had 2 sizes in stock, 0.5l and 1.0l but I decided on the 1.0l version which was £14. There was an information label attached to the flask which mentioned a 5 year guarantee, suggested that it could keep drinks hot for 12 hours and also that the flask had been rated as '2.0 Gut' by Siftung Warentest To be perfectly honest I had no idea what that meant apart from 'Gut' being good but it looked impressive.

EMSA are a German company based in Emsdetten and manufacturing in Germany, it's worth taking a look at their website, in particular the page titled 'Company, Quality and Responsibility'.
The flask is an actual vacumn flask rather than simply an insulated flask and has a ribbed outer casing which helps provide some grip. The screw on inner cap has a flip up pouring spout and the outer cap doubles as an insulated mug like pretty much every other flask and like most other flasks the mug is too small for my liking.






I tried the flask as soon as I got home, priming it 1st before filling it with boiling water. The 1st thing I noticed was that there was a spot near the bottom of the outer casing, about 25mm diameter that was almost too hot to touch. My 1st reaction was that it was leaking somewhere but as it didn't feel warm anywhere else I put it down to the inner and outer being connected probably due to the manufacturing process. I left the flask in the garage overnight and checked it again the next morning, the temperature in the garage had been down to around freezing and the flask was standing on a concrete floor but after almost 17 hours the water was still close to 70°C, just about warm enough for a coffee with milk added.

I've since used the flask on a couple of occasions and needless to say it was fine, At 675g empty it isn't light, a gas stove and mug would weigh less never mind a meths stove set-up but a flask is quick and easy.