How to open a thermos?

How to open a thermos, what to do if the lid is sucked in and the contents cannot be removed - these questions often arise among people who actively use devices in their daily life to maintain the temperature of drinks or food. Of course, all this happens for very specific reasons, most often when the rules for using the accessory are violated. An overview of the most common causes of the problem will help to understand why a thermos with and without a button does not open.

In a situation where the thermos cannot be opened, the most common ignorance of the laws of physics is often the culprit. For example, if you pour boiling water into the flask and then leave it unattended for 12-24 hours or more, the pressure in the container will decrease. The cork will literally be pushed inward. However, if the lid is sucked in the thermos, most likely we are talking about a model without a thread. The screwed part of the neck prevents the occurrence of such phenomena, even if the container is strongly twisted in a hot state.

There may be other reasons that prevent the thermos from opening.

1. Sticking parts of the thermos on top of each other. It happens when a sweet and sticky liquid gets on the thread. If you do not wash the thermos immediately after use, the old plaque will simply stick together its parts.
2. Rusting. If an old thermos in a metal case does not open, corrosion may be the cause of the problem. It is she who increases the friction of parts. When trying to unscrew the plug, corroded elements can simply crumble.
3. Damage to the plug itself. You can notice the presence of problems by simply tilting the closed thermos slightly. In this case, liquid will seep along its neck.
4. Deformation of the silver coating of the bulb. The problem may be a factory defect.

Depending on whether there are problems with opening a thermos with a button or with a regular plug, they can also be solved in different ways. There are several working methods.

1. Cooling. The thermos can be placed under the tap stream so that moisture drains over the problem area. Cold water will cause the plug to shrink, losing its original volume. Then you can try again. The cork will give way easily if done correctly.
2. Physical impact. You can try wrapping your hand in a towel or tissue to increase the grip of your palm on the cork. After that, it will be enough to act with one hand, moving the lid gradually, but with a pronounced effort.
3. Using sharp objects. If we are talking about a natural cork made from a special type of wood, you can simply pry it off with a knife from one of the edges to break the tightness. As soon as air enters the vessel, the stuck element can be removed without difficulty. In the case of a threaded rubber stopper, this method also works. You just need to act very carefully so as not to damage the elastic part, otherwise the vessel may depressurize with subsequent use.

Here's how to proceed.

1. Find the pressure ring. Unscrew it by turning it counterclockwise.
2. Remove the valve. Remove the mechanism from it.
3. Divide the valve into individual elements. To reach the button, the valve stem is pushed out, being careful not to destroy the retaining ring.
4. Rinse the parts, check their integrity and serviceability.

Then all that remains is to assemble the valve mechanism, install it in place. In cheap Chinese thermoses with a button, you can usually pull out the stuck element by hand, simply by prying it with the sharp tip of a knife or the tip of a screwdriver.

In order to ensure the successful use of the thermos after purchase, it is worth paying attention to preventive measures that exclude the occurrence of possible problems. First of all, the container must be thoroughly washed with soda, rinsing inside and out. Do not use chemical detergents. Then it is worth brewing 1 teaspoon of green tea inside, pouring boiling water over the tea leaves. After a few hours, it remains only to drain the liquid, rinse the container.

There are other preventive measures that can also be identified to prevent jamming of the cork.

1. Use the thermos only for storing unsweetened drinks. In this case, it will be possible to avoid sticking of parts of its structure. Sugar can be added directly to the cup.
2. Always adhere to the shelf life. Drinks lose temperature within 12-24 hours after being in the flask. There is no need to store them inside longer.
3. Inspect and check the neck before use. If there are traces of rust, you should just throw away the item that has served its life.