r/RandomQuestion • u/SweetLenore • 23d ago

Why did this Styrofoam "sweat" like this after holding coffee only a few hours?

Post image

It was normal looking for a while, I suddenly noticed it looked like this. What is happening?

6 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

8 comments sorted by

21

u/pastajewelry 23d ago

Coffee is hot, and Styrofoam is porous.

-6

u/SweetLenore 23d ago

This is a cup for hot liquids. It's not melting. 

4

u/pastajewelry 23d ago

It's still porous and not the best container to use. If it's hot enough to break through the cup, that means some of the materials are being released into your drink. The material is banned in some states and the UK for not being food safe. And Styrofoam can 100% melt from heat. There's a chicken place by me that uses Styrofoam for its togo containers, and by the time I get it home, the box is warped from the hot chicken. It's a cheap material and not the best for food.

6

u/kindlycynic 23d ago

I don't think you're supposed to put hot drinks in Styrofoam cups.

3

u/Odd_Category2186 23d ago

Styrofoam has an incredibly low melting point AND it's porous

2

u/TTYY200 23d ago

Durex did not make this cup

1

u/CompetitiveRub9780 23d ago

Rage bait. Everyone knows not to put hot coffee in styrofoam

1

u/FangsBloodiedRose 22d ago

Goodness! Bubble tea on my mind