Morning coffee.

[MadRiver]

I’m trying to decide between a French coffee press and a Bialetti espresso pot. Although the weight issue is not a deal breaker, it looks like the espresso pot would be easier to pack. Your thoughts?

 

[Tramper Al]

I like my coffee, so before you get advice about trying Folgers coffee bags, and the like, I thought I'd better reply.

It depends on how you like your coffee, right? I mean French press and moka pot espresso are very different brewing techniques.

For everyday, I like drip (Melita style) brewing at home, and I find the 1 ounce weight MSR Mugmate to be unbeatable as a lightweight consistent brewer of fine coffee.

 

[MadRiver]

I’ve tried the Folgers coffee bags and was not impressed. Although I use a drop coffee maker at home, the MSR Mugmate doesn’t float my boat so to speak. I did use the Bialetti years ago for espresso or for a quick cup of coffee and liked the quality of the brew so long as I kept it on the light side. The French press is the only item I haven’t used, so I might end up going with the Bialetti.

 

[Chip]

I can't brew a decent cup at home, let alone in the woods.
My thoughts on coffee ?
Tea. It's just so darn easy.

 

[Jonatha]

Big Sky Bistro

Mad River,

I got a Big Sky Bistro at REI and I think it is great. Basically it is a french press and a mug in one - and not heavy. I hear you on the Folgers - doesn't cut it for me either.

 

[Gris]

coffee is one of my biggest vices (red wine another). my brother gave me a french press for X-mas. i took it along/used it once. to me it's all about grinding the beans fresh. if i can't grind the beans fresh (and i dont know how to do that BC) i'd just as soon suffer thru Taster's Choice instant freezze dried. plus the dang FP thing is kinda messy to clean up... (as are the bags)

 

[jfb]

I usually just bring a small cone and filters, set it up over a Nalgene bottle that's inside a bottle parka and drip away!

 

[Pucknuts61]

If the French Press is a Bodum, then there are pro's and con's. The "press" is an aluminum screen...you let the grinds soak in boiling water then press them to the bottom. However the screen is course and too many grinds come through it. Yuck. On the pro side, the pot can be used as the mug (but it is glass so pack it carefully)
I use a simple but small aluminum coffee pot (2 cup perculator style), then I store some fresh ground beans in a zip-loc bag inside the pot.....no filter to throw away either.

 

[Artex]

I have one of these suckas and it works great:

Cup.pour.ri

Easy to use, easy to clean. Just be sure your coffee is ground very fine for best results.

 

[MadRiver]

I took a ride to Chef’s Equipment Emporium and bought a Caffettiere Napoletane. It’s lighter than the espresso pot and makes a larger cup of coffee. I will try it out tonight to see how well it works.




http://www.etnoshop.it/products.asp?id=63

 

[Bob Smith]

Forget about all that extra equipment! I just read about this new invention of self heating coffee! http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/food/2004-12-19-self-heat_x.htm?csp=15

How cool is this, twist the cap and 6 minutes later expresso.

 

[Doc McPeak]

Another vote for the Big Sky... Never camp without it.

Grind the beans the day you leave (tried a portable hand crank for about five minutes, I'd still be cranking!) and put them in individual baggies tied tight.

Whosever getting grinds through a French Press is grinding your beans (or buying them) with too fine a grind.

I also have the stainless steel insulated one. Indestructible and great for car camping, or winter sled camping.

 

[Orsonab]

Forget about all that extra equipment! I just read about this new invention of self heating coffee! http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/food/2004-12-19-self-heat_x.htm?csp=15

How cool is this, twist the cap and 6 minutes later expresso.

They've had this in the UK for a couple of years (oh, you yanks...always behind the times....) and it tastes as good as it sounds.....

I try a mixture of instant cocoa and instant coffee which results in a "curious"-tasting brew of caffeine and sugar. Wouldn't touch it at home but it tastes bloody good four thousand feet up.

 

[NateinCT]

moka moka

I am partial to the 3-cup Bialetti moka, but I like espresso....
It is durable and easy to clean too, although not the lightest caffeine fixer around.

 

[NateinCT]

that one looks pretty cool too!

I have one of these suckas and it works great:

Cup.pour.ri

Easy to use, easy to clean. Just be sure your coffee is ground very fine for best results.

 

[Nadine]

I've blown the rubber gasket on two French Press coffee makers, one of the GFI brand presses, and a mug Bristro press. I've tried that little green filter spoon and was not at all impressed. I spent 10 minutes trying to steep my Cup O' Joe and it never progressed to a drinkable phase. Fine grind, coarse grind, didn't matter. Now I use a small Melita cone filter system and nalgene bottle, with OR cozy. Easy to carry, set up, and foolproof.

However, the self heating 6 minute espresso has me on the edge of my seat! I hope it gets here soon
Ive been making espresso at home since '96 and I'm wicked addicted Just got back from Euro ski holiday and I'm still on the drink-espresso-all-day regime. I'll be having withdrawals later today

 

[sierra]

coffee is my life blood. For years I carried a perkulator in the backcountry and my climbing partners never questioned who was in charge of the coffee. The perk and the french press are the best methods for great coffee, problem is they are very messy and require alot of water to clean. I now use a cone shape filter, plastic, that sits on a mug, you can use fresh ground coffee and its the same premis as a perkulator kindof, this item is easy to clean, I just rinse or hold in the stream and shake.
I would say the Bistro mentioned above looks like a great device as well and I will proboly be trying one this summer.

 

[forestgnome]

They've had this in the UK for a couple of years (oh, you yanks...always behind the times....)

You euros are socialist and you destroyed all of your forests, not exactly cutting-edge.

I like tea when I'm camping. It's easy, it has caffein, and after all I am roughing it.

 

[Orsonab]

I'd drink my own urine if it had caffeine in it...

You euros are socialist and you destroyed all of your forests, not exactly cutting-edge.

Right now, the "biggest" socialist in Britain - Mr Tony Blair - is the only friend you've got so I wouldn't knock it if I were you.

And "destroyed forests" and "cutting-edge" - I geddit, very funny...

 

[Muddytrails]

Morning Coffee

I just love my fresh ground coffee every morning. I use to pack the fresh ground and use the melita method (same method I use at home), Now that I do winter camping and need to cut back on weight, I just admit that I am addicted to the "jolt" coffee gives me in the morning so I pack the Folger/or tea bag for something hot to drink and I take a caffeine pill(equivalent to one cup of coffee). Weighs alot less and you don't have to smell the coffee in your pack while hiking or driving.