Coffee Preparations

[Brian McVickers]

In the field coffee seems to be the big thing now. The Outdoor Retailer show this past weekend had innovative offerings from several companies. The french press seemed to be the leader with many sizes and forms.

One to mention is the Press-Bot www.press-bot.com

It turns an ordinary wide mouth Nalgen water bottle into a french press. It has very simple construction and only weighs 2.4 ounces so it would be great for backpacking. MSRP is $20.

 

[VikingVince]

After years of trying all the different approaches, I've finally arrived at my number one rule:
No cleaning of coffee grounds from anything! (this includes any type of fine wire mesh filter, coffee pots and their components, or other containers)
Cleaning coffee grounds is messy, takes time, and usually uses some additional water for rinsing...all a PTA...IMO. And god forbid you should spill your garbage and have coffee grounds all over!

My current solution is using the JetBoil (love it!) to boil water and the one-cup Melitta coffee filter. (requires carrying #2 paper filters) You can get more than one cup of coffee; I fill my 12 oz mug easily. Then just lift the paper filter out and throw it away. (I put the grounds into a ziplock bag so theres no chance of it spilling anywhere else). Presto...good, hot coffee without having to clean coffee grounds from anything.

I've tried the coffee bags (just like tea bags) like BX mentioned...I like them in a pinch or if I'm really in a hurry...too bad they're not available with a little better quality coffee...then I'd use them always

 

[GeoRoss]

I have several different sized stove top espresso dealies like thesehttp://www.1-800-espresso.com/bialetti-espresso-maker.html.

I often make an 'americano' by diluting it with hot water. Works for me.

Ross

 

[calamaridog]

Any good 12v coffee pots?

 

[awalter]

I have a little 4 cup combo (12V/110V) perc pot. Got it 10-15 years ago. It works fine on 110, but takes about 30 minutes on 12V, which is OK if that's all you have available. I'll check to see if I can find a name.

 

[Brian McVickers]

Disposing of the grounds

Regarding the disposal of used coffee grounds, what are the thoughts on burying, scattering or washing into a river?
I practice leave no trace and tread lightly as much as possible but just wondering since coffee grounds are usually 100% natural, good for plant fertilizer and are pretty much like dirt.

 

[VikingVince]

Brian...

that's a very poignant question re coffee grounds...what does the Tread Lightly organization say about that? We need our TL Master Trainer here:luxhello: (Oh...Mr Brady!!....) I've just been assuming that it was a big no-no to bury coffee grounds or dispose of in some other way in the wilderness. I've never done it in all my years of camping...are coffee grounds biodegradable?...beats me

just went to the Tread Lightly website...couldn't find any specific comments on coffee grounds...although they posit packing out all your garbage. Coffee grounds are considered garbage but are they biodegradable? Hmmm....even if they are biodegradable...just seems less than desirable

 

[Brian McVickers]

One thing to consider is that coffee and coffee grounds are not indigenous to the areas we often travel. So even if they are biodegradable they don't belong and could impact the localized environment in a undesirable way.

If I eat a mango while standing under a mango tree I can then drop the mango skin on the ground near all the other fallen mangos and I know that that environment will be ok and be able to absorb and benefit from that mango skin. If I were to drop that mango skin in the middle of the desert, well it just doesn't belong there even though it is biodegradable.

But I still wonder about coffee grounds. I guess my primary thought was about how easy clean up would be if you just dipped your French press into a running stream to wash it out --- but now this could go on to a whole new thread about washing dishes! Do you go to the extent of washing a pot, straining the dishwater to pack out the chunks with you and scatter the remaining water?

 

[paulj]

Because of all these issues in dealing with garbage and dishwater, I try to use cooking methods and foods that keep cleanup simple, and use the least amount of water. Even in estabilished campgrounds disposal of dishwater is a borderline activity. Some have dishwater disposal points, often small dry wells with a screen on top. Some require use of special sinks. Most have not provision for dishwater disposal. Since in most cases it easier to dispose of solid garbage, I lots of paper towels in clean up.

Under these circumstances I consider the paper filter cone to be the best - the grounds get put in the garbage bag along with the filter. The pan is just used for boiling water, and the coffee cup just needs rinsing.

paulj

 

[GeoRoss]

Regarding the disposal of used coffee grounds, what are the thoughts on burying, scattering or washing into a river?
I practice leave no trace and tread lightly as much as possible but just wondering since coffee grounds are usually 100% natural, good for plant fertilizer and are pretty much like dirt.

"When in doubt, pack it out"

Ross

 

[calamaridog]

I always leave with more trash than I came with.

With that being said, I wouldn't give it a second thought if you spread your coffee grounds out on the ground.


"When in doubt, pack it out" is good advice however:wavey:

 

[calamaridog]

12 volt coffee pot

I bought this one. I'll let you know how it works.


Stainless Steel Carafe with Ergonomic Handle
Translucent Reservoir - Brew Just the Right Amount of Coffee
Carafe Fits Securely to Prevent Spills
Drip-Stop Feature when Removing Carafe
Illuminated On-Off Switch
Automatic Shut-Off
Drip Stop Feature When Removing the Carafe
Uses Standard Cone Filters
Convenient Cord Storage in the Base
Ideal for Marine Use

 

[awalter]

Combo coffee pot is a "NESCO 12V/120V 4 cup Coffeemaker" not sure if they are still around.

 

[blupaddler]

I use the Bialetti 6 cup model. It made the entire Baja trip with no problem. Although, my wife does "americano" hers very often. And, Al's Baileys got to be too much to pass up towards the end of the trip.


I love the Bialetti. Good, dark, espresso. Something that puts a little zing into your morning.

I, however am looking into "other" options. I saw the snow peak one at REI a while ago, and it is very well constructed.



"coffee, is the world shaking or is it just me?"

 

[blupaddler]

Here is a link from a website that someone shared earlier. Talks about "Cowboy Coffee." So, basically forget all of our fancy-pancy coffee thingys, and make coffee out of a regular pot.



http://www.ineedcoffee.com/04/cowboycoffee/


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