Make Your Own Stainless Steel Straws
by Rachel Tayse • November 28, 2011 • Drink, Eco-friendly • 15 Comments
I rarely use a drinking straw. In the entirety of my nearly 11 year marriage to Alex, we have only purchased one box of 100 plastic straws, many of which were used for crafting, not drinking, purposes.
Along came Lil and our family’s straw consumption sky rocketed. Straws are fun for kids and easier to use than a drinking glass. Lil is more likely to finish a drink, especially a smoothie, if she uses a straw.
As the straw waste and news reports about the dangers of BPA began to pile up, we found ourselves looking for a safe and reusable alternative.
Glass Dharma and other companies make beautiful glass straws. At $7 each, even with a lifetime guarantee against breakage, we just couldn’t see investing in this option.
Alex, a materials scientist by education, thought he might be able to make straws at home from a safe, easily attainable material. Stainless steel is free of potentially dangerous chemicals like BPA, unbreakable, and easy to clean. With just a few simple tools, most of which we have around the house for plumbing, Alex created a set of stainless steel straws.
Here’s how:
1) Buy tube stock from McMaster-Carr hardware supply. A shipped 6-foot length of 5/16-inch diameter round tube 304 stainless steel costs around $40. Other diameters are available.
2) Use a pipe cutter (available for around $10 at hardware stores) for to cut the steel into usable lengths. We like 8- and 6-inch lengths. The 6-foot length of tube makes 5 long and 5 short straws.
3) Optionally, bend one end at a 45 degree angle with a pipe bender (available for $20 at hardware stores).
4) Sand edges and outside with fine (220) grit sanding sponge and/or Dremel tool with a sanding point.
5) Wash well with soap and water or in the dishwasher.
Our home made straws have been in heavy use for over two years now. We rinse them immediately after use and wash in the dishwasher.
Unlike when we first made them, stainless straws are now offered on Etsy and at green living stores like Columbus’ Generation Green. The most basic straws are cheaper to purchase than make from scratch.
When you create the straws yourself, you can play with bends, diameters, and lengths. They are a fun project to make as a family. Create a bunch and package sets in beautiful fabric carrying cases for unique, eco-friendly gifts.
Have you ever used a stainless steel straw? Would you consider making them yourself?
Simple, awesome, and wonderful! I’m totally adding this to my list of things to do!
I hope you enjoy making them, Eric.
This is a perfect idea… I would love to try this because this is useful and cute. Another thing, this is perfectly designed.
Hey man, thanks for the mention. All our straws are handmade using techniques only slightly more developed than yours.
Cheers!
Your straws are great, Heather! We briefly considered making them for sale but decided against it.
I have Glass Dharma straws. However, if I had little ones like you do, I’d go stainless.
Pingback: Today’s Best Internet: Links « Kay Steiger
You can buy these straws at Amazon 4 $9.99 they come with a little wire brush to clean them
I found this site and plan to make some http://creativecarissa.blogspot.com/2011/04/reduce-reuse-recycle-diy-glass-straw.html?ext-ref=comm-sub-email
Pingback: DIY Stainless Steel Reusable Straws For Your Cocktails | Shelterness
I LOVE this idea! Can you please tell me the lenght’s you did (like in the small jelly jar pictured above)?? Also, I like a fatter staw for smoothies, how does the 5/16 work for you guys?? Thank you!!
Love this!! I am an avid straw user and I have been using stainless steel straws for about 3 years now and would never go back….
Pingback: Straw Wars: The campaign to keep straws out of restaurants… and landfills | Blog | BSI Biodegradable Solutions
I bought a variety of stainless steel straws with cleaners on eBay. I won’t be going back to plastic ever. I even bought milkshake and spoon straws… Pretty neat stuff!! Here is the link http://stores.ebay.com/malabarhillz
Pingback: Minimalist techno steel drinking straws « Plastic Is Rubbish or the problems with man-made polymers