USB Mug Warmer

The Halk · 3 Dec 2008 at 14:11

I guess this is the best forum...

As a proper Brit I patronise foreigners and drink lots of tea.

However I like my tea between certain temperatures, which means I spend a lot of time waiting for it to cool down, and if I get distracted then it gets too cold.

I've seen those USB mug warmers before, and I'm (probably against all reason) considering buying one.

Please hammer me with stories of how they are dangerous, don't work, breeding grounds for bacteria, killed your first born etc. Alternatively tell me they're the greatest invention since internet porn, and it'll make my day.

EDIT : Also will it run Crysis?

-Ad- · 3 Dec 2008 at 14:18

It will only work properly if it has 4gb of ram, but make sure your PC is running vista, otherwise you won't be able to use all of this ram. Then your tea will get cold and die

Tempted to get one for the office

The Halk · 3 Dec 2008 at 14:27

This one is for home. There's a Costa next to my office, so I get one of their great big cups of tea, and put the lid back on when it cools down a little, keeps it drinkable for 45 minutes or so.

But I don't have that in the house, my tea goes from far too hot to far too cold in minutes, especially these days when it's subzero and I've got the window open.

swyllie2000 · 3 Dec 2008 at 15:18

Why have you got the window open if its sub zero? :confused:

4T5 · 3 Dec 2008 at 15:20

I use one of those tall black Guiness mugs with the lid & little drinking hole that Always burns you no matter how many times you tell yourself it's hot. (Yes I am like Homer hanging from a leccy cable repeatedly touching the beer cans) I don't care though it keeps me Tea perfect for ages, I'm always leaving my tea to get cold when I game but this Mug sorts it.

I secretly admit to finding Any USB gadget Fantastic, It's the Geek in me.

Hatter The Mad · 3 Dec 2008 at 15:21

This managed to destroy one of my USB hubs (the ones directly on the moterboard) - only use it with an external, powered hub.

Apart from that, they're good.

The Halk · 3 Dec 2008 at 15:44

swyllie2000 said:
Why have you got the window open if its sub zero?

I like fresh air, and I smoke. I also don't like being warm indoors. I'd rather put a jumper on when it's cold than turn up the heating.

bledd · 3 Dec 2008 at 16:03

sounds like a fire hazard tbh

FirebarUK · 3 Dec 2008 at 16:05

A perfect companion to the USB missle launcher.

FRS2462 · 3 Dec 2008 at 16:05

-Ad- said:
It will only work properly if it has 4gb of ram, but make sure your PC is running vista, otherwise you won't be able to use all of this ram.

Any x64 OS will fully utilise your 4GB of RAM!!

*Chris · 3 Dec 2008 at 16:07

malc30 said:
I secretly admit to finding Any USB gadget Fantastic, It's the Geek in me.

That wasn't very secret mate.

topgun06 · 3 Dec 2008 at 16:17

Ive got one as a present. Not tried it with a mug but I hold little hope.

I did try to see how good it was at melting a piece of chocolate sitting on some kitchen paper... no chance!

Swordfish · 3 Dec 2008 at 16:21

Had one that did both - kept hot or cold.

Never used it

Threw it in the bin !

Snakedoctor · 3 Dec 2008 at 16:23

They are rubbish tbh, about as warm as rather jolly cold thing. USB crimbo lights are the way forward.

MikeHunt79 · 3 Dec 2008 at 16:23

I doubt it will work well, 5v x 100ma = half a watt! You'd be better off pointing a desk lamp at your mug of tea!

FWIW, a Kettle is 3000 Watts...

DigitalReaper · 3 Dec 2008 at 17:19

USB can supply 500ma in multiples of 100. It's still only 2.5w though, nowhere near enough to heat up a cuppa

I did see a DIY one where a guy used a peltier with a custom made heatsink on either side so you could place a cup in the middle, AFAIK it worked quite well. Nice thing about peltiers is for every watt you put in you get 2 watts of heat (one from the electricity and one 'pumped' from the cold side).