• Preheat or precool your Stanley Cup by filling it with hot or cold water for 5 minutes before adding your drink.
• This simple step helps the bottle retain temperature longer, improving performance.
• Many users were unaware of this tip, causing frustration over the bottle’s insulation quality.

If you own a Stanley Cup water bottle, you probably think you know how to use it. After all, it looks simple enough—just fill it up and enjoy, right? Well, it turns out millions of fans have been missing a crucial step, and the revelation has set social media buzzing. A viral TikTok has exposed a surprising secret: to get the best out of your Stanley Cup, you actually have to prep it before use. And most people aren’t doing that at all.

Oliver, a TikTok user, recently shared a clip with his signature bright blue Stanley Cup that sent waves through the online community. He confessed that for years he never bothered to preheat or precool his bottle before adding his drinks. The discovery came when he finally glanced at the care instructions and found a surprising tip buried in the manual — one that most people ignore.

The Little-Known Preheat and Precool Trick

Oliver explained that to maximize how long your drink stays hot or cold, you should first fill your Stanley Cup with either hot or cold water, depending on what you plan to drink. Then, you let it sit for several minutes before emptying it out and adding your beverage. This simple step, he says, primes the cup to better retain temperature.

“If you own one of these, nine times out of ten, you’re using it wrong,” Oliver declared, holding up his vivid blue bottle as proof. He admitted he almost tossed the instructions in the trash but stopped when he saw this gem of advice. Curious, he asked his followers if anyone else was taking the time to preheat or precool their Stanley Cups before filling them up.

The response was overwhelming — and a little hilarious.

Public Reaction: From Laughter to Outrage

Many users admitted they’d never even glanced at the manual. “We don’t read contracts when we buy a house or car… we definitely ain’t reading Stanley directions,” one commenter quipped, capturing the general attitude toward product manuals. Another joked, “Stanley should pay you because no one in America reads manuals or directions.”

Others poked fun at the trendy status of the bottle. “I guess that’s what happens when you buy something ‘trendy,’ lol,” one user wrote, shaking their head at their own mistake.

But not everyone was caught off guard. Several people shared that they actually do a version of the preheat or precool trick with other high-end bottles. “I have a Yeti and do this every time! It keeps drinks hotter or colder for much longer,” one user explained. Another revealed a similar ritual: “I fill mine with ice and put it in the fridge overnight before adding water. The ice doesn’t melt for at least three days.”

Yet, for all the chuckles and tips, some voices grew frustrated — not with users but with Stanley itself. “Those things cost $50. They need to make a better product. This is insane,” one commenter wrote. “You have to ‘activate’ the cup? That’s crazy, smh,” said another, shaking their head at the idea of having to prep a bottle before use.

What the Stanley Cup Manual Really Says

It turns out, this isn’t just an online myth. The official Stanley Cup owner’s manual does instruct users to preheat or precool their bottle before filling it. The recommended process is straightforward:

• Fill your vacuum bottle, mug, or food jar with warm or cold tap water.
• Let it sit for about five minutes.
• Empty the bottle, then immediately fill it with your desired hot or cold beverage.
• Secure the stopper and lid quickly to minimize heat loss.

This step helps the vacuum insulation maintain temperature longer, whether you want piping hot coffee or ice-cold water. But because so few people read manuals, this advice has been overlooked—leading to disappointment when drinks don’t stay hot or cold as long as expected.

Why Does This Matter So Much?

Many people shell out good money for Stanley Cups because of their reputation for durability and excellent insulation. When the bottle doesn’t perform as promised, users often blame the product rather than themselves. This simple preparation step explains a lot.

The failure to prep your bottle means the inside temperature is far from ideal when the drink is added. For example, pouring hot coffee into a cold, unheated bottle immediately saps the drink’s heat. The Stanley Cup’s vacuum insulation can’t work its magic if the bottle’s interior starts out cold. The same goes for cold drinks added to a warm bottle. By preheating or precooling, you’re giving the cup a head start to lock in your drink’s temperature.