How long can you leave water in a thermos?

It's common for people to carry their water in a stainless steel thermos, whether as a way of protecting the environment by not buying bottled water, for practicality, or even for fashion. However, some users wonder: how long can water be left in these containers?

If tap water is boiled and then poured into a tightly sealed stainless steel thermos bottle, it can be consumed the next day without any problem, Because boiling eliminates most bacteria and microorganisms, and because it is sealed, there is no risk of new contaminants coming into contact with the water, allowing it to be preserved overnight.

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However, if the stainless steel thermos is not completely filled with boiling water or if it is stored without the lid securely in place, It's not recommended to drink that water the next day. Likewise, if the thermos doesn't have a good seal, it's best to avoid drinking its contents the next day.

There's a saying that "water left standing overnight should not be drunk, no matter where it's stored," although this belief has no scientific basis. The reality is that water left standing for more than eight hours doesn't necessarily deteriorate during that time.

It's not that if you boil it at eight in the morning, it can no longer be drunk at four in the afternoon. There's no exact time at which water becomes unfit for consumption. This depends primarily on factors such as the environment, ambient temperature, and how it's stored. As long as the water has been properly stored—for example, in a tightly sealed stainless steel thermos—it can be drunk without problem the next day.

Water stored in a stainless steel thermos can be drunk the next day without any problem. It is generally safe to consume within that timeframe, however, It is not recommended to continue drinking it on the third day, since, although the water has been sterilized by boiling, during use it comes into contact with the air, which allows the entry of microorganisms. After two days, these can multiply and give rise to harmful compounds, such as nitrites. For this reason, it is not advisable to consume water that has been in the thermos for more than two days.

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