# Combo or key lock thermos/bottle, any such beast? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 11, 2023, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/combo-or-key-lock-thermos-bottle-any-such-beast/983897 "2023-05-11T15:12:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2023, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/combo-or-key-lock-thermos-bottle-any-such-beast/983897/1 "2023-05-11T15:12:23Z")
Google searches have failed me but I’d think there would be something like this out there. I want to keep a container of coffee creamer in the shared fridge at work but I don’t want it to be a community used creamer. If I could find a thermos with a locking lid making in unopenable by anyone but the owner it would solve my problem. ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2023, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/combo-or-key-lock-thermos-bottle-any-such-beast/983897/2 "2023-05-11T15:26:31Z")
Would this work? [It's Not Your Lunch Locking Lunch Bag | It's Not Your Store](https://itsnotyourstore.com/products/its-not-your-lunch-locking-lunch-bag) ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2023, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/combo-or-key-lock-thermos-bottle-any-such-beast/983897/3 "2023-05-11T15:29:40Z")
Like this? > **[Amazon.com: YAODHAOD Combination Lock for Wine, Drink Bottle Lock, Bottle...](https://www.amazon.com/YAODHAOD-Combination-Lock-Wine-Password/dp/B0BLZ52Q7Z)** > > Online Shopping for Kitchen Utensils & Gadgets from a great selection at everyday low prices. Free 2-day Shipping with Amazon Prime. ETA: linked to another product but turns out that one is unavailable. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2023, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/combo-or-key-lock-thermos-bottle-any-such-beast/983897/4 "2023-05-11T16:30:11Z")
Well, that will work until the offending coworker discovers [The Lockpicking Lawyer](https://youtube.com/@lockpickinglawyer). Then it just becomes an arms race that the o.p. will find himself periodically on the losing side of. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2023, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/combo-or-key-lock-thermos-bottle-any-such-beast/983897/5 "2023-05-11T17:27:50Z")
I solved this problem by buying a pack of the individual creamer cups that don’t need to be refrigerated, and I keep em in my desk. [![](https://img.rewe-static.de/8187738/2315090_digital-image.png?output-quality=75&fit=inside%7C600:600) ](https://img.rewe-static.de/8187738/2315090_digital-image.png?output-quality=75&fit=inside%7C600:600) ---
**Author:** ![filmore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7993a0/32.png) [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2023, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/combo-or-key-lock-thermos-bottle-any-such-beast/983897/6 "2023-05-11T17:49:24Z")
I would suspect that if you kept your creamer in a normal, insulated bag, most people would leave it alone. I wouldn’t think lunch thieves would be going through the bags looking for creamer. But just in case, put the creamer in a bottle labeled “Breast Milk”. ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2023, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/combo-or-key-lock-thermos-bottle-any-such-beast/983897/7 "2023-05-11T17:58:47Z")
I second this. Have used them. ---
**Author:** ![a6ka97](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c2a13f/32.png) [@a6ka97](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/a6ka97)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2023, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/combo-or-key-lock-thermos-bottle-any-such-beast/983897/8 "2023-05-11T19:11:58Z")
Depending on the shape of your container could you use a lock out type device used for round valve handles? Modify the stem hole side to fit the neck of your container and lock it. The lock out will just spin so the stealer(s) can not unscrew the cap. ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2023, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/combo-or-key-lock-thermos-bottle-any-such-beast/983897/9 "2023-05-11T22:07:07Z")
With regard to above posted lock: > **[Amazon.com: YAODHAOD Combination Lock for Wine, Drink Bottle Lock, Bottle...](https://www.amazon.com/YAODHAOD-Combination-Lock-Wine-Password/dp/B0BLZ52Q7Z)** > > Online Shopping for Kitchen Utensils & Gadgets from a great selection at everyday low prices. Free 2-day Shipping with Amazon Prime. It fits more than wine bottles. I’ve used them on these bottle preforms: > **[Preform Container with pencil and RITR Logbook](https://shop.geocaching.com/default/preform-container-with-pencil-and-ritr-logbook.html)** > > Looking for a stronger hide? > > These preform containers are designed to be melted into soda bottles, but geocachers throughout the world realized that they made great heavy duty hides! In the pre-formed form, these little bottles are super strong... ---
**Author:** ![markn\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2023, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/combo-or-key-lock-thermos-bottle-any-such-beast/983897/10 "2023-05-12T02:48:48Z")
I hope Richard Feynman doesn’t work at your office. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2023, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/combo-or-key-lock-thermos-bottle-any-such-beast/983897/11 "2023-05-12T02:55:11Z")
Just don’t use 31-41-59 or 27-18-28 as your combo and you’ll be relatively safe. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2023, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/combo-or-key-lock-thermos-bottle-any-such-beast/983897/12 "2023-05-12T04:29:52Z")
How often do you pour creamer into coffee in a day? It would drive me nuts to have to undo a lock every time I wanted a fresh cup. And it would make me mad at my co-workers that I couldn’t just leave it in the fridge marked “mine”. [Personal desk-sized fridges are all the rage right now.](https://www.walmart.com/ip/Personal-Chiller-LED-Lighted-Mini-Fridge-with-Mirror-Door-Refrigerator-White/715569668?wl13=1264&selectedSellerId=0) ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2023, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/combo-or-key-lock-thermos-bottle-any-such-beast/983897/13 "2023-05-12T15:22:38Z")
I’d probably use it once a day so a small bottle would last a while. It’s a tiny fridge so a lockable lunchbag would never fit. It’s shared by about 10 people over 3 shifts but the overnighters seem to think anything is fair game if left in there. Will try the YAODHAOD lock on a small bottle and that should suffice. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2023, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/combo-or-key-lock-thermos-bottle-any-such-beast/983897/14 "2023-05-12T16:02:07Z")
> [@filmore](#): > > I wouldn’t think lunch thieves would be going through the bags looking for creamer. That’s what I’d do. A loose condiment or creamer container in a workplace refigerator could, in the mind of a moocher, be justified as up for grabs. Having to dig through others’ bags removes the possibilty for a misunderstanding. Failing that, I’d pour the creamer into something clean but odd like an old ketchup bottle or pickle jar. Come to think of it, a hand sanitizer pump might be fun, too. ---
**Author:** ![Apodder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/apodder/32/17727_2.png) [@Apodder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apodder)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2023, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/combo-or-key-lock-thermos-bottle-any-such-beast/983897/15 "2023-05-12T22:50:23Z")
I think I’d just switch to powdered. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2023, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/combo-or-key-lock-thermos-bottle-any-such-beast/983897/16 "2023-05-13T18:43:36Z")
I think it makes more sense to switch to having the offending employees fired. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2023, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/combo-or-key-lock-thermos-bottle-any-such-beast/983897/17 "2023-05-16T13:59:32Z")
[![](https://i.imgur.com/py2uJ5y.jpg) ](https://i.imgur.com/py2uJ5y.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![markn\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2023, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/combo-or-key-lock-thermos-bottle-any-such-beast/983897/18 "2023-05-17T04:29:29Z")
Oh nice! I should have thought of a 3D printed lock earlier. Thingiverse has a whole bunch of options, depending on the type of bottle you want to lock. > **[Search Thingiverse - Thingiverse](https://www.thingiverse.com/search?q=Milk%2Block&page=1&type=things&sort=relevant)** > > Download files and build them with your 3D printer, laser cutter, or CNC. Thingiverse is a universe of things.