Brewing Camp Coffee...

[Mike_rupp]

I don't understand the manual grinder. I have a small electric grinder. it is the size of a standard glass. Pretty much the same size as the manual grinder. most of us travel with some sort of power inverter. I just plug in my small electric grinder and get fresh coffee. Let the battery do the work.

Is the small electric grinder a conical grinder or a burr grinder? I'm not a fan of the conical grinder since you can overheat the beans as well as the inconsistent grind. I bought a small conical grinder a long time ago and now use it strictly as a spice grinder.

Also, I don't bring an inverter along. I don't bring anything along that needs 120V AC.

 

[paulj]

Is the small electric grinder a conical grinder or a burr grinder?.

I'm not clear on the terminology. The usual inexpensive electric grinder has food processor style blades. That's not what you mean by conical, is it? That kind can produce inconsistent results and heat.

Most electric burr grinders are relatively large and expensive.

The manual ones that I'm familiar are similar to pepper grinders - grinding the beans between an outer and inner toothed wheel. The inner one may be conical in shape. Some are metal, some ceramic. They run in the $20 range.

 

[NothingClever]

Heat milk.

Pour into a ceramic cup.

Add instant Medaglia D'Oro.

Add sugar to taste & stir.

Tackle your day.

 

[spressomon]

Handpresso Wild

Ok...a little update for those that just can't do without their espresso in the morning or afternoon out there on the byways...or anywhere you can't haul your 120V espresso maker along.

I put my order in for the new French designed Handpresso back in June. After a couple initial manufacturing delays it finally arrived in September. Since then I've put it to the test by making espressos, cappuccinos and lattes for myself and my friends. I also purchased the nicely made and form fitting padded nylon zippered case with my Handpresso.

It works just like their website promised: Quick, easy, no mess and most of all respectable espresso complete with crema. Although the E.S.E. pre-ground and measured "pucks" don't rival freshly ground its convenience and no-mess dosage makes it ideal for the road and off-road traveller.

Utilizing a Jet-Boil for the hot water you can have a single shot of tasty espresso in just a few minutes. And clean up involves wiping or quickly rinsing the crema residue from the bottom of the "portafilter" housing.

Bottom line: The Handpresso works as advertised and provides a tasty trail side espresso in a matter of minutes conveniently and cleanly.


I do not have any affiliation with either the parent company of Handpresso nor WholeLatteLove: But here is more info for those that might be interested in this product:

Manufacturer:
http://www.handpresso.fr/

Stateside retailer:
http://www.wholelattelove.com/Handpresso/handpressowild.cfm

 

[Photog]

That Handpresso definitely looks like an expedition ready espresso maker. It is even priced the same as most expedition gear.

 

[Hilldweller]

The GSI Espresso maker with a drip spout is just a variation on the 'moka pot', such as this one:
http://www.wholelattelove.com/Bonjour/cafemilano_stovetop.cfm

The Piazza one appears to operate the same way. Steam from the boiling water in the lower container forces hot water up through the grounds in the basket, and on to a colleciton means. With a moka pot, the top has a central fill tube, with the GSI model it is a drip spout.


Various sources claim that the moka pot is the most common way of brewing the morning coffee in Italian homes.

When considering a small moka pot, check the support grid of your camp stove. These pots are sized in terms of demi-tasse cups, not 6 oz ones.

Another consideration with these pots. The screw on top has a gasket that makes a pressure tight seal. With time and use the gasket ages and cracks, and needs to be replaced.

Instructions for using a moka pot:
http://coffeetea.about.com/od/brewingbasics/ss/mokapot.htm

I think my wife paid $5 for this at Marshalls 15 years ago. It's due for a new gasket and fizzes a bit....

 

[jim65wagon]

Stoopit french press question of the day:

We bought a french press earlier this year, the coffee tastes real nice, one small problem with it though. We make our coffe, drink our coffee, then do the dishes. The press won't come apart for cleaning! It sticks like we're using superglue for grounds. The "time to clean the press" fiasco was a riot for the Monongahela trip, as many others got to witness the "press tugowar". We've tried cleaning immediately after pouring coffee out, tried letting it cool completely, even tried greasing the seal with cooking spray. Every time it's a test of strength and endurance, eventually it comes apart, sometimes with the comical view of the grounds spraying a good distance! What gives?

 

[Tucson T4R]

Stoopit french press question of the day:

We bought a french press earlier this year, the coffee tastes real nice, one small problem with it though. We make our coffe, drink our coffee, then do the dishes. The press won't come apart for cleaning! It sticks like we're using superglue for grounds. The "time to clean the press" fiasco was a riot for the Monongahela trip, as many others got to witness the "press tugowar". We've tried cleaning immediately after pouring coffee out, tried letting it cool completely, even tried greasing the seal with cooking spray. Every time it's a test of strength and endurance, eventually it comes apart, sometimes with the comical view of the grounds spraying a good distance! What gives?

Not sure what's happening with your press. I use a insolated stainless steel one I have had for a couple years now and it never sticks. Either right after use or at home sometimes it sits all day and I clean it at night with the dinner dishes. Always slides right out. ??

 

[rambrush]

I wonder if the gounds are to fine ground? or are you mashing it very hard on the down stroke? I have 3 different ones and never had this problem.
I use coarse grind and gently push down till i feel resistance and the stem is indicating its down.

 

[tdesanto]

Stoopit french press question of the day:

We bought a french press earlier this year, the coffee tastes real nice, one small problem with it though. We make our coffe, drink our coffee, then do the dishes. The press won't come apart for cleaning! It sticks like we're using superglue for grounds. The "time to clean the press" fiasco was a riot for the Monongahela trip, as many others got to witness the "press tugowar". We've tried cleaning immediately after pouring coffee out, tried letting it cool completely, even tried greasing the seal with cooking spray. Every time it's a test of strength and endurance, eventually it comes apart, sometimes with the comical view of the grounds spraying a good distance! What gives?

I have three different presses and don't have this issue either. The screen (filter) that presses the grounds down should allow air back through when you pull up on it. So, that can't be the problem. I'm wondering if the lid to has a gasket or seal on it. If that's the case, then when the pot cools down it can create a vacuum. The lid would also have to have a gasket around the shaft too; otherwise, air should get in there preventing the vacuum.

If the vacuum effect is not the issue, then perhaps the screen is just really tight against the inside walls of the pot? A trick I've found is to pull the screen up at an angle so that only part of it is contacting the inside walls.

Which brand is it?

TD

 

[spressomon]

I just found this manual and portable espresso maker. Although the Handpresso is very handy, quick and clean the Presso's advantage is the ability to use any kind of beans...

http://www.presso.ca/

http://www.singleservecoffee.com/archives/012875.php

 

[jim65wagon]

I have three different presses and don't have this issue either. The screen (filter) that presses the grounds down should allow air back through when you pull up on it. So, that can't be the problem. I'm wondering if the lid to has a gasket or seal on it. If that's the case, then when the pot cools down it can create a vacuum. The lid would also have to have a gasket around the shaft too; otherwise, air should get in there preventing the vacuum.

If the vacuum effect is not the issue, then perhaps the screen is just really tight against the inside walls of the pot? A trick I've found is to pull the screen up at an angle so that only part of it is contacting the inside walls.

Which brand is it?

TD

It's the lexan GSI. There is no vacuum around the lid. Empty, the filter screen slides up and down without effort. I guess I'll make coffee with it this winter until I get it figured out...

 

[tdesanto]

It's the lexan GSI. There is no vacuum around the lid. Empty, the filter screen slides up and down without effort. I guess I'll make coffee with it this winter until I get it figured out...

So, if there isn't a vacuum causing it to get stuck, then maybe enough coffee grounds are getting stuck between the edge of the screen and the walls of the press? These are causing enough friction to keep it from moving?

Try this, once you can get the screen lifted just enough that the lid can come off, then pull the lid over to the side so that the screen is at an angle. If you can get it this far, then it should be easier to lift out as the screen won't be touching all the way around; instead, it will just be touching a little bit on each side.

If this won't even work, I'd call GSI and ask them about it, as this is definitely not normal.

 

[tdesanto]

I just found this manual and portable espresso maker. Although the Handpresso is very handy, quick and clean the Presso's advantage is the ability to use any kind of beans...

http://www.presso.ca/

http://www.singleservecoffee.com/archives/012875.php

This and the other espresso maker you posted earlier look like very cool options.

 

[spressomon]

This and the other espresso maker you posted earlier look like very cool options.

I've used the HandPresso a bunch already. Nothing beats it for speedy tasty espresso pronto style in a very compact super easy to clean package. The only downsides: You can't use your favorite local roastery beans as it requires E.S.E. pods; and the E.S.E. pods are a little spendy (but not compared to Starbucks ;-).

So I have one of the Presso's coming. I can't wait to try it. It will be faster for supplying my camp friends with crema topped 'spresso drinks and allow me to use my buddy's beans!

More info to follow!

Dan