Stainless steel can be a great choice for water bottles. They easily hold drinks in both hot and cold temperatures, are easy to clean and can often be washed in the dishwasher, not to mention that it will save you money and be better for the environment than drinking water from plastic bottles. Stainless steel is also a healthier choice than plastic as plastic is a health hazard and some types can even release chemicals into food and drink.
Stainless steel is also superior to aluminum, at least for water bottles; Aluminum does not tolerate heat well, and also reacts poorly to acidity, so aluminum water bottles are made with a protective liner. But these liners may contain chemicals such as BPA, which have been linked to harmful effects on plastic.
High quality stainless steel is a better choice than plastic or aluminum, but it's important to note that some lower quality stainless steel water bottles have their own problems with leaching chemicals. In 2017, the website Natural Baby Mama hired a lead poisoning prevention advocate to test several stainless steel water bottles and found several dots of lead solder on the bottom. These points were scraped off in some cases, exposing consumers to the risk of lead poisoning.
What to look for in stainless steel water bottles
So, how do you know if a stainless steel water bottle is really safe to drink? Flaske, a manufacturer of sustainable products such as water bottles, recommends only buying those made from high quality 18/8 stainless steel.
What is 18/8 and why is it so safe? According to Corrosionpedia, 18/8 (also known as 304 grade) refers to stainless steel made from 18% chromium and 8% nickel. This form of stainless steel is durable, easy to clean and resistant to oxidation and corrosion (e.g. from acidic liquids).
As Flaske points out, scratches, dents, or aging won't turn 18/8 stainless steel into a material that releases chemicals into the water. In addition, these water bottles do not require a liner, unlike aluminum bottles, which ensures that the taste of the water remains free of "bad tastes". Iron Flask, another manufacturer of stainless steel insulated water bottles, echoes this 18/8 recommendation, saying that among the many reasons to use 18/8 stainless steel, safety is number one.
