One of our favorite and most used (by far) part of our Emergency Supplies are our Klean Kanteen Bottles. We've been using them for years! We've got nearly every size and shape and have really put them through their paces. So at long last it's time for us to do a thorough review of them.

Why we love Klean Kanteen

There are a million different stainless steel bottles out there. What makes the Klean Kanteen bottles any different? A few things actually:

Firstly and foremost the Klean Kanteen bottles are made from high quality food grade 18/8 Stainless Steel. That means that the bottles are super durable. Do they ding up? Yes, if you drop them on a rock or something. Sometimes you can really blast them and the bottom pops out a little. If that happens just take a hammer and pop it flat. Problem solved.

The next thing, and probably the most important is the electropolished interior. It doesn't make the water taste like anything and it doesn't hold on to flavors.

We don't use ours to carry anything but water. You could certainly use them for other liquids but we mostly just drink water when we are out anyway.

Cleaning & Empty Storage

You can quickly fill them with tap water, give them a few shakes and dump that water out to clean them if the water inside smells a little funky. If you get them really dirty inside just pour a half cup of white vinegar in, cover and shake for a couple of minutes, rinse and they are as good as new.

You could get in there with a brush and soap but you shouldn't have to do that very often.

For long term empty storage, let them dry upside down on a rack for a few hours, then store them right side up with the cap OFF. When you are ready to use again just give a quick rinse (for any dust that may have gotten in there) and fill with clean water.

Long Term Water Storage

We've found that you can store water for several months in these that is still good to drink after opening, so if you want to keep water in them and in a Bug Out Bag you can do so. Couple of tricks:

• Use with one of the Kleen metal caps, the plastic ones work OK but not as well.
• Make sure you're starting off with a squeaky clean bottle.
• Fill all the way to the top so when you secure the cap water seeps out.
• Tighten snugly so no water leaks out. Don't go overboard but make it tight.
• Keep closed until you are ready to drink. If you do open it repeat the process above.

We've found that water kept over the summertime in a hot car was good to drink 3 months after filling! Be careful in the winter though, frozen bottles could crack open if too much water is inside.

My father-in-law destroyed one by filling it up and forgetting it in the freezer for a day. Oops!

Sizes

If you are rationing yourself you can sneak away with one 40 oz bottle to last you a day. That's assuming your activity level is low, if you are exercising or sweating a lot you could need significantly more.

There are wide mouthed and narrow mouthed versions available. Determine your use case to pick which one is best for you. We like the narrow mouthed bottles because we prefer the metal caps over plastic.

If you plan on boiling water in one then the wide mouth bottle might suit you best.

You may have used other metal bottles before but there really is a difference between the cheap ones and the Klean Kanteens. Give one a try, you'll be impressed.

Where to Get Them

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Klean Kanteen Bottles

Typical Price: $30

Our classic and wide-mouth stainless steel water bottle collection is designed to last a lifetime and backed by our Strong as Steel Guarantee. These simple single-wall, non-insulated solutions are made with 18/8 durable stainless steel, and are lighter weight compared to our insulated bottles; perfect for travel, hiking, sports and more.

From kids bottles to bundled gift sets, these reusable bottles have kept us happy and hydrated for over 18 years.

$30Klean Kanteen