Self-heating Coffee is Back!

I was very saddened a few years back when self-heating coffee was pulled from the market. OnTech, the company that held the patents on the technology, ceased operations shortly after picking up Walmart as a customer. I was amazed, because that is the kind of critical-mass moment that technology companies look for; a solid, large customer.

OnTech sold the coffee initially under their own brand, and then briefly as Hillside Beverages. The technology isn’t rocket science, it’s used in Army MREs (Meals Ready to Eat) for eons. Basically, water sits in one packet, and in another, pellets of a flammable substance (say, magnesium just for example). When you break a tab, the water and magnesium mix, and heat is created. Now, uncontrolled, this could start a fire… but the technology regulates the mixture so that, instead, you get a hot cup of coffee at any time.

There were other issues, sure, like the coffee going stale prematurely. However, a new company has emerged/reconstituted OnTech’s product line. Hot Can, Inc. is now selling the cans through Walmart once again.

At essentially $2/can, plus shipping, it’s certainly more expensive than Starbucks. However, it may be cheaper than getting out of your desk and spending 15 minutes in the office to get a cup of coffee… oh, memories of wasting time there.

Despite the high price, I’ll be picking up a can and work up a review… as soon as the caffeine wears off. Okay, fine, during the self-heated caffeine binge.