The short answer is ‘Yes’ – Yeti cups can be washed in the dishwasher with no problems.
However, while you may have come across some conflicting information in the past (for example, Yeti recommended hand washing only prior to 2015), we have since completed tests and discovered that washing your Yeti in a dishwasher has absolutely no negative impact on them.
According to the information in this article, Yeti drinkware is dishwasher safe.
Yeti tumblers and cups are discussed in detail, including how to safely wash them in the dishwasher and by hand.
Table of Contents
Instructions for cleaning a Yeti Tumbler in the dishwasher
Step 1
Removing the lid from your Yeti cup and disassembling it into its component parts will allow you to transport it more conveniently.
Depending on which Yeti cup you have, you will be able to remove a variety of different parts.
Please refer to the care instructions for your specific model for more information on how to properly care for it.
Don’t forget to remove the gasket as well, as a lot of grime can build up in this area over the course of time.
Yeti has provided a helpful little guide that will assist you in taking the lid apart (and putting it back together again).
Step 2
It is recommended that you place the gasket in the utensil basket of your dishwasher after use.
As long as your Yeti is equipped with a stronghold lid, you can place the MagSlider, magnets, and rubber sleeve in the basket along with your gaskets and other accessories.
A similar statement can be made about the straw that is included with a straw cap.
Step 3
Place the remaining portion of the lid on the top rack of your dishwasher.
Lastly, your dishwasher allows you to place the actual cup, bottle, tumbler, jug, or whatever else you want in it wherever you want.
Step 4
Just make sure there’s a spot available for your vehicle. Even though Yeti cups are made of tough 18-8 stainless steel, there are no problems with them being washed in the dishwasher on any shelf.
Initially, it was speculated that the double-wall vacuum insulation would be a problem and could be damaged by the dishwasher.
This proved to be incorrect. Using extensive testing, Yeti discovered that this was not a problem.
So using a dishwasher to clean your Yeti was both safe and effective.
Step 5
Fifth, turn on your dishwasher and sit back and watch it do its thing!
A good practice to follow after your dishwasher is finished is to remove all of your Yeti’s pieces and thoroughly dry them by hand.
Once they have been allowed to dry completely, they will be as good as new and ready for your next adventure.
Hand washing Yeti
It is recommended that Yeti Tumblers be washed by hand.
It is possible that washing your Yeti drinkware will not be practical (or even possible) at certain points in the future. The fact that some of the larger models don’t fit as well in the dishwasher as they should make handwashing them more convenient.
You can hand wash your Yeti cup regardless of whether you have a dishwasher or do not want to use one.
The process is quick and easy and will restore your Yeti cup to like-new condition if done correctly.
Step 1
If any of the removable parts mentioned in step 2 are not completely submerged in soapy water for a minimum of 2 hours, they should be soaked.
There is no need for any special materials because any mild dish soap is safe to use and does not pose a threat to health.
A quick word about the straw caps: continue to soak the straw and lid in the same manner as you did previously.
If you notice grime around the pressure valve, you should refrain from removing the gasket from around it (leave it alone).
As an alternative, you can run water over the lid and gently lift the gasket with your finger to allow the running water to wash away the grime.
Step 2
If you want to clean the inside of your Yeti, you can use dish soap in the same way you would any other coffee cup.
If you have some particularly stubborn stains that are refusing to come off on their own, you can use Yeti’s own deep cleaning tablets to get the job done.
It’s as simple as filling half of your cup with warm water and dropping one of the tablets in there.
Drain the water and wash the dishes by hand after 5 minutes.
However, if you have a large Yeti (one that holds more than 30 ounces), you should use two tablets to ensure a thorough cleaning.
Step 3
After you have washed all of the parts, make sure that they are completely dry before putting everything back together.
Although Yetis do not rust very often, it does happen from time to time.
Step 4 (although this is rare)
When one of the few owners notices rust marks on their stainless steel appliances, a simple stainless steel cleaner will have them polished and look like new in no time.
Your Yeti has been thoroughly cleaned and is ready to be returned to service.
How Do You Microwave a Yeti?
To put it succinctly, microwave preparation of Yeti is not a safe method of food preparation. Stainless steel 18/8 is used to create Yeti drinkware, which is available in a variety of sizes and shapes.
Yeti drinkware is dishwasher and microwave safe.
Steel, like aluminum and any other conductive metal, has a poor reaction to the microwave radiation emitted by the device and should be avoided.
This Amazon listing for the Yeti 20-ounce Tumbler, which can be found by scrolling down to the Questions and Answers section and searching for “microwave,” provides additional evidence.
When it comes to Yeti drinkware, you’ll find that there is universal agreement that it should not be used in the microwave.
It is not safe to microwave a Yeti for the following reasons:
Consider the use of a microwave and the tiny “jolts” of energy it delivers to heat food or beverages.
This will assist you in comprehending the scientific reasoning behind why you are unable to microwave your Yeti.
The heating process occurs when bursts of energy pass through an object, causing the natural vibrations of the molecules to accelerate, thereby causing the object to heat up.
The molecules are being penetrated by these “microwaves” of radiant energy, they are vibrating faster and faster as the number of “microwaves” of radiant energy that have penetrated the molecules increases.
As a result of this movement, friction is created. It is converted into heat when all of the kinetic energy has been used up.
Although these waves are able to travel through the molecules of stainless steel, the material from which Yeti drinkware products are made, they are unable to do so through the molecules of titanium.
As an alternative, the metal “absorbs” the energy, causing it to accumulate within the substance’s molecular structure.
Due to excess energy that is eventually released, sparks, intense heat, and loud “popping” noises are all produced as a result.
As a result, a potential fire poses a threat to your microwave, your Yeti product, and your personal safety in general.
It is possible for an object to be “conductive,” which means that the pass-through process initiated by the microwave is prevented from taking place in that particular object.
Yeti mugs, tumblers, jugs, and bottles will have the same effect as any other type of metallic container.
What Happens to a Yeti When It’s Microwaved?
It has already been stated that microwaving a Yeti will result in an excessive buildup of heat, which will eventually manifest itself as sparks, smoke, and even flames inside your microwave.
Yetis should not be microwaved if you want to avoid this problem.
Non-only is this potentially dangerous, but it is also unlikely that the process will result in any significant heating of the liquid within the Yeti.
The stainless steel structure of a Yeti will protect whatever is contained within it from being exposed to the same microwave waves because it will “block” and absorb the energy emitted by microwaves.
It will be impossible for the waves to reach the liquid contained within the Yeti and begin the process of heating it if they are unable to do so.
As a result, the end result is a significant amount of effort with only a lukewarm beverage to show for it.
The best course of action is to avoid putting your Yeti in the microwave because you have no way of knowing how long it will take for sparks to fly (literally).
In order to be on the safe side, keep metal and microwaves at least 3 feet apart.
Cooking a Yeti in the Oven: Is It Possible?
Instead of using the microwave to reheat liquids, you could bake Yeti drinkware in the oven to ensure it is safe to use.
The short answer to this question is no; it doesn’t work like that.
However, not only should you avoid baking Yeti drinkware, but you should also avoid doing so for two other reasons.
Yeti drinkware should never be exposed to temperatures higher than 185°F for a number of reasons.
Temperatures higher than 185°F have the potential to permanently damage the drinkware by either warping the metal or melting the other components of the drinkware set.
It would take an inordinate amount of time to reheat the liquid, which is another consideration.
If you want to get the Yeti warm, you’d need to preheat your oven to 185°F before putting it in for at least 20 minutes.
Although this is true in some cases, the stainless steel double-wall vacuum insulation designed to keep liquids at the proper temperature within the Yeti also does an excellent job of preventing heat from entering the Yeti.
The bottom line is that you can technically reheat a Yeti in the oven if you keep the temperature below 185°F, but it is not an effective or efficient method of reheating your beverage, so don’t waste your time trying it.
Alternatives to cooking a Yeti in the microwave
Heating Yeti drinkware, on the other hand, is largely superfluous in the vast majority of situations.
These products are specifically designed to keep liquids hot or cold for extended periods of time, and they are heavily insulated in order to achieve this goal.
Yeti mugs have proven to be effective at keeping beverages warm for up to six hours in laboratory tests.
Using your Yeti, you can enjoy hot beverages by simply pouring them directly from the pot into the drinkware and covering it with the lid.
Alternative solution: If your beverage becomes cold inside your Yeti, it is best to pour it into a separate microwave-safe container and reheat it in the microwave before returning the container to the Yeti for consumption.
Even after it has been placed back into the Yeti drinkware, it should continue to be hot for several hours (up to seven hours).
Cups and tumblers that are safe to use in the microwave as an alternative
For those who need to microwave their drinks on a regular basis, it’s preferable to use a BPA-free plastic or ceramic mug rather than a stainless steel Yeti.
You can find a wide variety of reasonably priced, microwave-safe options on the market.
Just to name a few options, consider the Tervis insulated tumbler or mug, the W&P Porter ceramic mug, plastic tumblers such as this coffee cup look-alike from Copco, or a simple ceramic travel mug like this eye-catching option from Ello Jane.
No matter which option you choose, always make sure to read the safety instructions before you start anything.
A Yeti is both dangerous and counterproductive when heated in the microwave.
You should now understand that microwaving a Yeti is not only dangerous but it is also ineffective when it comes to heating liquids to a safe temperature in a short amount of time.
When your beverage does need to be reheated, place it in a container that can be microwaved for 30 seconds.
Even though it is cold outside, Yeti has earned a well-deserved reputation for superior manufacturing products that can keep your beverages hot for hours, regardless of the outside temperature.
As a result, you shouldn’t have to reheat your coffee, tea, and other hot beverages very often if you do it correctly.