Klean Kanteen · Insulated Drink Tumblers
Klean Kanteen Rise Stainless Steel Tumbler - Cream
Lower concern. Bare stainless steel has no PFAS coating.
Klean Kanteen Rise is 18/8 stainless steel with no reported internal coating or surface treatment. Stainless steel itself poses no PFAS risk from the material.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
18/8 stainless steel, no internal coating
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Uncoated safe material
Bare, uncoated material (cast iron, stainless, carbon steel, or glass) with no surface treatment to contain PFAS.
Category baseline
other is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
This tumbler is constructed from 18/8 stainless steel, a chromium-nickel alloy with 18% chromium and 8% nickel that resists corrosion and staining. The absence of an internal coating (Klean Kanteen does not use Teflon-type coating or epoxy liners in this model) eliminates common risks from degrading nonstick surfaces or plastic-based coatings. Stainless steel is metallurgically stable under normal use and does not leach polymers or organic additives into beverages.
The brand's record and disclosure
Klean Kanteen has built its reputation on material transparency and PFAS-free positioning; the company publicly commits to avoiding fluorinated coatings and does not use Teflon-type coating or aqueous film-forming foam treatments in manufacturing. The brand maintains third-party certifications including BPA-free claims and does not use BPS or phthalates in closures or gaskets on most products. No product recalls or safety controversies for this tumbler model are on public record.
How it compares in its category
Bare stainless steel tumblers are among the safest beverage containers available, offering better chemical stability than plastic alternatives (which may leach BPA or phthalates) and without the coating-failure risk of some insulated competitors. Klean Kanteen's uncoated design is simpler and more durable than competitors relying on epoxy or ceramic interior finishes that can chip and degrade. The trade-off is lower insulation compared to double-walled vacuum models, but this eliminates risks from adhesives or coatings in the air gap.
If you buy it
Hand wash or use gentle cycles; avoid dishwasher heat cycles if you want to preserve any rubber gasket longevity (though stainless itself is unaffected). Stainless steel is inert and does not degrade from hot or acidic beverages; no special precautions are needed for coffee or citrus drinks. Inspect the silicone or plastic lid gasket periodically for cracks or discoloration; replace lids if they show wear. The tumbler will not leach metals at typical use temperatures because 18/8 steel is passivated (a protective oxide layer forms and prevents further reaction).
Beyond PFAS: other things we checked
Established hazard classes for this product type, assessed from public information. These never change the PFAS grade; a Likely flag caps the Verdict at “Buy with care.”
Nickel leaching from stainless steel
18/8 stainless steel contains 8% nickel; leaching is minimal in neutral to acidic beverages at room temperature but could increase slightly in highly acidic drinks (vinegar, citrus) or prolonged hot contact. For nickel-sensitive individuals, this poses theoretical concern, though published migration studies show levels well below food safety thresholds in normal use.
Lid gasket material safety
Klean Kanteen typically uses food-grade silicone or elastomer gaskets in lids. No recalls or contamination reports are on record for this model; silicone itself does not leach BPA or phthalates. Check the product specification sheet to confirm gasket material if you have specific sensitivities.
Coating degradation (internal)
Because this tumbler has no internal coating, there is no risk of peeling enamel, Teflon-type coating flaking, or epoxy breakdown. This eliminates a major failure mode seen in coated stainless steel or aluminum tumblers.
Aluminum leaching
This product is stainless steel, not aluminum, so aluminum leaching is not a concern. The distinction matters because cheaper insulated tumblers sometimes use aluminum cores or liners.
Volatile organic compounds (off-gassing)
Stainless steel does not off-gas formaldehyde, benzene, or other VOCs associated with foams, adhesives, or coatings. Any odor on first use is typically from manufacturing residue (oils or dust) and dissipates with washing.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 92% confidence. It is not a lab result.
No independent PFAS lab test is on record for this exact product. A lab test could move the score in either direction.
The brand has not made a specific, verifiable PFAS-free statement, so part of this score reflects that missing disclosure rather than a confirmed material.
Formulations and coatings change between production runs. Always check the current label before buying.
More insulated drink tumblers grades
How we score: every product runs through the same public 0–100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.