How accurate is the temperature control on the COSORI mug warmer?
COSORI says readings are accurate to within 1°F across a range of 77°F to 194°F, set with touch controls on an LCD display, and you can switch between Fahrenheit and Celsius. The setting is the temperature of the heating plate, not of your drink, so the drink always sits cooler than the number. How much cooler depends on the mug and the room: holding a hot drink at about 110°F with the included mug in a 75°F room can take about 180°F on the plate, which is why the right setting runs anywhere from 150°F to 190°F depending on the mug.
Can the included mug go in the microwave?
No. It is 304 stainless steel, and metal does not belong in a microwave. The warmer is the way to keep it hot: pour the drink in hot and set the mug on the plate, which is designed to pair with this steel mug. The mug is easy to clean.
What's actually included in the box?
COSORI lists the warmer, one matching 17-ounce stainless steel mug and a user manual, packed in a gift box that makes it an easy present for Christmas, Mother's Day or Father's Day. A small cover keeps the heat in, and the warmer runs from an AC adapter with a detachable cord.
How much power does it draw, and can I leave it plugged in all day?
Very little. The warmer draws 24 watts, running on 12 volts DC from an adapter that plugs into any 100 to 240 volt outlet, and COSORI describes it keeping a drink at your chosen temperature all day long. Whether it switches itself off varies: some units do not, while others only turn on with a mug in place and shut off about ten minutes after the mug is lifted. If automatic shut-off matters to you, check it on the unit you receive.
Is it worth it for a mug warmer?
Value divides opinion. The case for it is the set: a matching steel mug built to take heat from the plate, for little more than the warmer alone, plus a 1-year warranty, an optional 2-year extension and lifetime customer service. The case against is that it is a modest 24-watt plate that keeps a hot drink hot rather than reheating a cold one. If what you want is coffee that stays hot through a long morning at a desk, it does that job well.
Does it actually keep coffee hot for a long time, or does it cool off fast?
On the plate it keeps coffee hot, and that is what it does best: a setting of 170°F stretches the drinking time of a cup. Where opinions split is heating time. It warms slowly, taking about half an hour to heat cool water, so pour your drink in hot. Off the plate, drinks can cool quickly in the steel mug; the cover helps, and so does a mug cozy.
