FAQs

Calicle cups are made of 18/8 food grade stainless steel, also known as 304 stainless steel. They have a double-walled vacuum insulated construction with a layer of copper plating. This gives them amazing insulating properties.


All pieces are BPA and phthalate free and meet FDA standards.

Calicle cups have two stainless steel walls separated by… nothing. When the bowls are manufactured, the air between the 2 walls is removed and the bowl is sealed creating a vacuum space. This vacuum space acts as a barrier which prevents temperature from transferring between the inner wall and the outer wall. This results in a product that retains food temperature longer.

Calicle cups are designed to maintain food temperatures, however, the actual length of time that they are able to do so depends on a variety of environmental and physical factors.


Food type, temperature of food when packed, use of the lid, and the ambient temperature all affect the length of time the temperature will be maintained.


We tested ice cream in both glass bowls and Calicle cups (with the lid on) and found that ice cream in the Calicle cup remained largely intact for three hours, whereas the ice cream in the glass bowl was pretty melted after 1 hour.


We’ve got a few tips for maximizing temperature retention:

  • For hot foods, warm your bowl by filling it with hot water for a few minutes, then empty it and add your food. 
  • Similarly, cold water can be used to chill the bowl before adding cold foods.


Out and about? Placing the bowl in a colder environment – such as a cooler, and out of direct sunlight - will also extend the cold time so you can enjoy ice cream long after dishing it up.


Not quite ready to head out? Place the filled bowl in the fridge or freezer (for frozen treats) until you’re ready to go. 

Nope! Calicle cups feature a double-walled construction with vacuum insulation plus an additional layer of premium copper plating, which gives them amazing insulating properties and keeps them condensation free. No wet hands, drips or water rings! The bowl exterior stays dry and remains at a comfortable temperature to hold.

NOTE: If the bowl has been in the fridge or freezer, there may be some condensation and it will feel cool to hold for a few minutes until the outer wall of the bowl warms to room temperature. Once this temperature is reached, there should be no additional sweating.

Nope! No nasties here. All components are BPA-, phthalate- and lead-free so you can enjoy worry-free.

Hand washing is recommended to maintain the exterior finish of the bowl. Use a mild dish detergent, hot water and a soft cloth or brush. Rinse well with fresh water and dry with a clean cloth. 

Washing bowls in the dishwasher may damage their finish, however, bowls are top-rack dishwasher safe if preserving the finish is not a priority. Using a dishwasher should not affect the insulating properties.

Never use bleach or chlorine cleansers - they can damage the finish of stainless steel.

Yes. Food-contact items should always be washed before the first use and after each subsequent use. Wash your Calicle bowl and lid in hot, soapy water and rinse well. Dry with a clean cloth. Your bowl is now ready to be filled with your favorite treats.

Calicle lids are made of clear Tritan™ with a food-grade silicone gasket and steam release valve. The lid is top rack dishwasher safe but you may prefer to hand wash it when washing the bowl. For hand washing, use a mild dish detergent, hot water and a soft cloth or brush. Rinse well with fresh water and dry with a clean cloth.


Periodically remove the silicone gasket for a deeper clean. The steam release valve is not removable.


The silicone gasket can be removed by slipping a dull knife under its edge and lifting gently to raise the ring. Grasp the ring and gently pull it off the bottom of the lid. Avoid stretching it too much, so it will maintain a tight fit and leak-resistant seal. To remove lingering odors, soak the silicone gasket in a mixture of distilled vinegar and baking soda overnight, then rinse well before reinstalling. Ensure both the lid and gasket are dry before reinstalling the gasket.

Calicle cups are made from 18/8 food-grade stainless steel which is safe, durable and BPA-free. It is a highly rust resistant food-grade stainless steel. In the unlikely event that it shows rust, it’s also easy to get rid of. To remove the rust color, soak your bowl overnight with hot water, some apple cider vinegar and a tablespoon of baking soda. Give it a scrub in the morning with a soft brush and it will be good to go.

While our lids are extremely leak-resistant, slight leakage may occur if bowls are upside down. We suggest keeping them upright for a clean, leak-free experience. Ensure that the silicone gasket is resting flat in its groove and the sealing valve is closed for the best seal.

Bowl lids fit snugly to prevent leaks and contain a unique sealing valve that helps regulate pressure, release steam and secure the lid. Due to their snug fit, they can be a bit difficult to remove. Find a few tips below to make it easier.


To open the lid: 

Method 1: For easier removal, place the bowl on the flat surface. Open the lid sealing valve to release the seal by gently lifting the end closest to the edge of the lid. Holding the bowl with one hand and placing the thumb of the opposite hand on the extended tab of the lid will provide the best grip for opening the lid. Slowly pull up on the lid tab to remove the lid. Do use caution when contents are hot to prevent burns.


Method 2: Place the bowl on a flat surface. Open the sealing valve to release the seal by lifting the end closest to the edge of the lid. Hold the bowl with one hand. Place the thumb of the other hand under the lid tab and wedge the fingertips of that hand between the bowl rim and the lid. Press down with your fingertips and slowly pull up with your thumb on the lid tab to remove the lid. Do use caution when contents are hot to prevent burns.


To close the lid: 

Lift the lid sealing valve to open it. Press on the lid and close the sealing valve for a secure seal.


NOTE: Steam pressure may cause the lid to rise when filled with hot foods. Open the sealing valve periodically to release steam.

Hot foods can cause steam and pressure build-up in your bowl. We designed our lids with a sealing valve for steam and pressure release to eliminate the potential problems of the lid being difficult to remove and unintended food splattering.


We recommend opening the valve any time you are applying or removing the lid. This helps equalize the pressure within the bowl for easier opening and closing. Additionally, if the contents are hot, open the valve periodically to release any built-up pressure and steam.


Pressure or steam buildup may cause the lid to rise. Do use caution when contents are hot to prevent burns.

Just about anything you can think of, hot or cold!


We love using them for ice cream (of course!), but Calicle cups also work great for other frozen treats and smoothie bowls. They can hold chilled dips or potato salad at your picnic or shave ice at the beach. Need some inspo? Take an ice cream adventure with our easy DIY no-churn recipe.


We like it hot, too. Soups, stews, chili are all better at the right temperature and nacho night is a breeze when your sour cream stays cold and your cheese sauce warm and melty.

It’s safe to use Calicle cups in the fridge. We love them for prepping cold items like overnight oats or fruit bowls the day before.


Use caution when using your bowl in the freezer – the expansion of contents as they freeze may damage the bowl. Use only in the freezer for foods that don’t expand – like ice cream!

Calicle products are designed for use at home or on-the-go. Perfect for pool parties or movie nights at home. Enjoy it at the beach, or take it along on a picnic. Wherever you go, whatever you do, Calicle cups will be there keeping your foods at the right temperature so you can enjoy longer.

Yes! No matter how you travel, Calicle cups are the perfect companion for your next car, boat, plane or train trip. Keep in mind that any liquid contents will be subject to TSA rules.

No! Stainless steel is not microwave safe. Additionally, Calicle cups are not designed for use on the stove or in the oven. This not only will damage your product, but may be dangerous to you and your appliance. 

Calicle products are designed in Canada and manufactured by our partners in China. Currently, there are no manufacturers of vacuum-insulated products in North America.

Calicles (pronounced kal′i·kəl) are small cuplike cavities, made of limestone, that make up the skeletons of most corals.


We chose this name for several reasons including our love of the ocean, the fact that calicles are bowl shaped and, most importantly, that our eco-friendly, reusable product can replace single use ones and help reduce our impact on the planet - including coral reefs.

Product quality is important to us because it contributes to customer satisfaction, and our customers are our top priority. If there's a problem with your product, our goal is to make it right.


We offer a 1-year limited warranty for manufacturing defects on all Calicle products purchased from an authorized retailer with proof of purchase. We will replace defective parts or products with the same or comparable part or product. Damage from normal wear and tear (including paint damage) is not covered. If your item was damaged during shipping from an authorized retailer, please contact the reseller directly. We only accept claims for items damaged during transit if purchased on caliclecups.com. The warranty is void if the products are used for commercial purposes or damaged during abnormal or unintended use and does not cover any items that have been modified or personalized (such as post-purchase engraving, vinyl monogramming, etc.). We reserve the right to request images of the defective product if deemed appropriate.


For warranty claims, please contact us at hello@caliclecups.com.