Car/canoe camping coffee maker review

[fightingquaker13]

On my Montana trip, I did a little gear test. For years, I have used about every conceivable means to make coffee. Percolators, cowboy coffee, a backpacking esspresso maker (bought as a joke, but damned if it didn't work) and french presses. Everything but instant (I'd rather drink tea). This trip, I put two to the test (simpy because I found the Biletti for $5 at a second hand gear shop). A lexan 4 cup french press (about 3 cups of coffee) with a neoprene wrap and a very old school Bialetti metal esspresso maker.
Ease of operation:
Monkey simple for both. The press, add coffee (loose ground) add hot water, wait 4 minutes, depress plunger and drink.
Old school espresso maker: This is like a reverse percolator. Picture a metal pitcher. It sits above a resevoir. Unscrew the resevoir, add the water. Then insert a metal filter and pack with coffee. Screw into pitcher and place over heat. The fliter has a tube so as the water boils the water is forced through the coffee and into the pitcher, sort of like a still.

Quantity off coffee: more for the press. But, the espresso maker makes it strong if you use real esspresso. (As a side note let me reccomend Pillon. Its less than three bucks a bag and better by far than star bucks).

Ease of cleaning: This is the deal breaker. What do you do with the grounds? This is the problem of all coffee making, the mess. Its particularly bad with cowboy coffee (not to mention the coffee flavored rice). Most places its easy. You rinse, and throw them in the bushes or on your fire. Not so much where the bear threat is real. Here is where the esspresso maker shines. Let it cool, unscrew the bottom, and all the grounds are in a nice little wad you can dump in a bag and dispose of properly. The rest you just rinse and wipe.

Given that they both go for about $20 and will last forever, I vote for the Bialetti if weight doesn't matter. The othe perk is that for the early start you can do a cafe Cubano. This is 1/3 coffee packed, 1/3 sugar packed, 1/3 coffe packed. It will motivate you on even a cold day (since you will be too buzzed to sit still ).

Anyway, my .02.
FQ13

[kilopaparomeo]

For the best coffee, I vote french press.  It is perfectly suited for camping (add coffee and hot water...that's it) and makes a WAY better cup than either percolator or drip coffee makers ever could.  Plus no messy filters to dispose of.  My only issue is that my press has a glass carafe so it is a bit fragile.

Have never tried a camping espresso maker.

[fightingquaker13]

For the best coffee, I vote french press.  It is perfectly suited for camping (add coffee and hot water...that's it) and makes a WAY better cup than either percolator or drip coffee makers ever could.  Plus no messy filters to dispose of.  My only issue is that my press has a glass carafe so it is a bit fragile.

Have never tried a camping espresso maker.

Any camping retailer (Gander, REI etc) will have them in lexan. The Espresso maker isn't really for camping, its just what folks had before the electric stuff (giant brass behemoths not withstanding). It is to your electric what a percolayor is to a drip maker. I've used it at home a lot as its easier to clean and makes more than my krupps and I usually don't do a cappucino anyway. If I do a latte its iced (glass half full of milk and ice cubes, add espresso. Perfect for Florida). Those who charge elitism can KMA as they don't appreciate the joys of strong coffee and cold milk on a hot morning. Seriously, when car camping, just being able to shake the grounds into a bag and bin it is a hassel saver when there is no other good way to get rid of them in a bear safe manner.
FQ13

[ericire12]

I take energy drinks that have caffeine when I go camping and just do without the coffee for a few days (I need the caffeine hit or I will get headaches). When backpacking I pack the Monster mini energy shots to save on weight and space. Zero fuss and it keeps bear attraction to a minimum.

[PegLeg45]

[Sponsor]

[billt]

There is always enough fuel in the tank for a trip to Denny's. I'm not sure which coffee maker they use.      Bill T.

[Timothy]

There is always enough fuel in the tank for a trip to Denny's. I'm not sure which coffee maker they use.      Bill T.

I just chew the grounds and spit them in the face of the charging grizz......

right before I scream like a little girl and run, arms flailing wildly...

 

[billt]

I just chew the grounds and spit them in the face of the charging grizz......

I swallow the whole cup while it's still too hot to drink......... Then throw the dollar bill down on the counter, and walk out like I own the joint!   Bill T.

[fightingquaker13]

I swallow the whole cup while it's still too hot to drink......... Then throw the dollar bill down on the counter, and walk out like I own the joint!   Bill T.

A dollar bill? When was the last time you bought coffee? Hell, you get a small at Mickey D's for that.
FQ13

[McGyver]

Geez, guys! It's just COFFEE! MAN UP!

Mc says, as he heads to the HIE check-in office! LMAO!