UnkaJesse
07-17-2006, 13:40
I'm going to take my first whack at a formal gear review. Since I did not get a lot of response when I asked about it before purchasing, I thought some others might benefit from my my contribution............here goes......
Reviewer Name
UnkaJesse
If the Crocodile Hiunter saw me on the trail, he'd say, "It a large male!".
35 years old
Have been known to hit Starbucks twice in one day.
Experience: Hiking regularly for roughly 12 years, mostly weekenders on the GA-NC AT, the Cohuttas and the Chatooga. Done the Yosemite backcountry three times for several days. Currently planning a week in WY's Wind River Range for five days.
Similar Products Used: GSI's Lexan Java Press (10 oz size), Maxwell House Coffee Singles bags, instant coffee, doing without
Locations/conditions tested: July in Georgia. ("It's hot. It's damn hot. It's Africa hot.")
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Weight (advertised): 2.8 oz.
Weight (as tested): I did not verify this. No reason to doubt it.
Price: $18 at REI
Manufacturer web address: press-bot.com
Phone Number:
E-mail address:
Makes 32 oz of coffee using your existing Nalgene wide mouth bottle.
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Construction, Design, or Initial Impression: It might take you a bit to figure out how it works the first time you see it. If fact, I put it out on the table at a shelter and one of my companions remarked that it looked like a small sat dish. I had to tell him that it was not HD compatible. It is made of plastic with a metal rod, filter and fasteners. I think the actual press part will wear out first because of how it folds up.
My GSI press developed a crack, which started the whole process of looking for a replacement. It weighed 5oz and only made 10oz of coffee, which meant that I spent quite a bit of time making coffee for myself and whomever else was with me.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Initial Tests:
I can never wait to play with new toys, so I made a Nalgene full of coffee at home before I hit the trail. No problems noted. I did not determine if it is dishwasher safe. I would suggest that you master the art of removing the press from the bottle at home, as you do not want to figure this out on the trail with a nasty bottle full of coffee grinds. It is not hard to do, but you definately need to get the hang of it.
It did a better job of keeping the grinds out of my coffee that the GSI press did. It has a tight fit against the inside of the bottle. In fact, it sometimes will not slide down the inside of a dry bottle.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trail Test:
Since we are talking about a fairly simple device with a single purpose, I am writing this after only one trail night.
First, carrying the press is much easier than the previous one because it simply fits inside the Nalgene bottle that I already carry. I usually put my titanium spoon and fork set in my Nalgene so the fork won't puncture other items or the pack itself. I was pleasantly surprised to see that that is still posslble with the press installed.
I made coffee for myself and two other bean addicts very easily with the new press. One major benefit of this one over the GSI unit is capacity. In fact, I have exceeded the capacity of my pot. Therefore, to make a full 32oz, you I either need a bigger pot or to use my buddies' stoves and pots as well. (I know this sounds excessive to the non-coffee drinkers.)
Pouring us much cleaner than with the old press. The bottle to press and press to cap connections are sufficient to keep your java hot for a reasonable time. I wrapped the bottle in my bear bag for insulation and it stayed hot for at least 30 minutes. On my WY trip, I plan to use an insulated water bottle cover to help. I've checked and it will fit inside with the press installed.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Conclusions/Recommendations:
For those that like a strong cup, you cannot put the Nalgene cap back on if you pack the press full of coffee grinds. I carry the very small vacuum packed bags of coffee that you can find in any mid market grocery store in the US. I used about 2/3 of the bag for the frist run and thought I would leave the old grinds in and put the remaining coffee in for the second run. The press functions perfectly like this, but the plunger cannot go down far enough to allow you to put the Nalgene cap back on. Next time, I will use 1/2 and remove the grinds. This will not be a problem for those that prefer a milder brew.
Follow the directions. (coffee goes in first, then the press, then the water) I tried it first coffee, water then press. You end up with grinds on top of the filter and a big mess. I tried it this way because of the tight fit against the inside of the bottle and I tought it would allow me to put the hot pot down faster. You need to pour some water in, tilt the press to the side and let the water go down, and repeat until you get it all in.
My conclusion is that this is a wonderful piece of gear for the coffee lovers out there. That said, it is not without a few downsides....
1. Complication. Until you master the art of getting the press in (and out of) the bottle, you might be frustrated and run back to Maxwell House coffee singles bags.
2. You have to have a Nalgene bottle. If you don't already use one, add the weight and price to the figures I've given.
3. You give up the use of the inside of your Nalgene bottle for some things. I sometimes keep sunglasses inside so they won't get crushed. (not a big concern on the long green tunnel, so consider it an example) While I can still put my spoon and fork inside, I know larger items will not go in there.
4. Cleanup. You will need to wash the bottle and the press after each use to prevent coffee odors in your bottle and a big ole mess. This is true for any press, however.
...so, if you mastered the art of putting the square peg in the square hole in preschool, you already carry a Nalgene bottle that is not packed full of stuff, you don't mind cleaning up after yourself, and can spare three ounces, you will probably like it as much as me.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Anything else worth mentioning:
If you hike with someone else, let them carry the coffee. That will sound like a great deal to them. Don't tell them that the coffee maker is less than three ounces. They will never complain about carrying five times as much weight.
I hope this is useful. See you up the trail,
Unka Jesse
Reviewer Name
UnkaJesse
If the Crocodile Hiunter saw me on the trail, he'd say, "It a large male!".
35 years old
Have been known to hit Starbucks twice in one day.
Experience: Hiking regularly for roughly 12 years, mostly weekenders on the GA-NC AT, the Cohuttas and the Chatooga. Done the Yosemite backcountry three times for several days. Currently planning a week in WY's Wind River Range for five days.
Similar Products Used: GSI's Lexan Java Press (10 oz size), Maxwell House Coffee Singles bags, instant coffee, doing without
Locations/conditions tested: July in Georgia. ("It's hot. It's damn hot. It's Africa hot.")
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Weight (advertised): 2.8 oz.
Weight (as tested): I did not verify this. No reason to doubt it.
Price: $18 at REI
Manufacturer web address: press-bot.com
Phone Number:
E-mail address:
Makes 32 oz of coffee using your existing Nalgene wide mouth bottle.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Construction, Design, or Initial Impression: It might take you a bit to figure out how it works the first time you see it. If fact, I put it out on the table at a shelter and one of my companions remarked that it looked like a small sat dish. I had to tell him that it was not HD compatible. It is made of plastic with a metal rod, filter and fasteners. I think the actual press part will wear out first because of how it folds up.
My GSI press developed a crack, which started the whole process of looking for a replacement. It weighed 5oz and only made 10oz of coffee, which meant that I spent quite a bit of time making coffee for myself and whomever else was with me.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Initial Tests:
I can never wait to play with new toys, so I made a Nalgene full of coffee at home before I hit the trail. No problems noted. I did not determine if it is dishwasher safe. I would suggest that you master the art of removing the press from the bottle at home, as you do not want to figure this out on the trail with a nasty bottle full of coffee grinds. It is not hard to do, but you definately need to get the hang of it.
It did a better job of keeping the grinds out of my coffee that the GSI press did. It has a tight fit against the inside of the bottle. In fact, it sometimes will not slide down the inside of a dry bottle.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trail Test:
Since we are talking about a fairly simple device with a single purpose, I am writing this after only one trail night.
First, carrying the press is much easier than the previous one because it simply fits inside the Nalgene bottle that I already carry. I usually put my titanium spoon and fork set in my Nalgene so the fork won't puncture other items or the pack itself. I was pleasantly surprised to see that that is still posslble with the press installed.
I made coffee for myself and two other bean addicts very easily with the new press. One major benefit of this one over the GSI unit is capacity. In fact, I have exceeded the capacity of my pot. Therefore, to make a full 32oz, you I either need a bigger pot or to use my buddies' stoves and pots as well. (I know this sounds excessive to the non-coffee drinkers.)
Pouring us much cleaner than with the old press. The bottle to press and press to cap connections are sufficient to keep your java hot for a reasonable time. I wrapped the bottle in my bear bag for insulation and it stayed hot for at least 30 minutes. On my WY trip, I plan to use an insulated water bottle cover to help. I've checked and it will fit inside with the press installed.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Conclusions/Recommendations:
For those that like a strong cup, you cannot put the Nalgene cap back on if you pack the press full of coffee grinds. I carry the very small vacuum packed bags of coffee that you can find in any mid market grocery store in the US. I used about 2/3 of the bag for the frist run and thought I would leave the old grinds in and put the remaining coffee in for the second run. The press functions perfectly like this, but the plunger cannot go down far enough to allow you to put the Nalgene cap back on. Next time, I will use 1/2 and remove the grinds. This will not be a problem for those that prefer a milder brew.
Follow the directions. (coffee goes in first, then the press, then the water) I tried it first coffee, water then press. You end up with grinds on top of the filter and a big mess. I tried it this way because of the tight fit against the inside of the bottle and I tought it would allow me to put the hot pot down faster. You need to pour some water in, tilt the press to the side and let the water go down, and repeat until you get it all in.
My conclusion is that this is a wonderful piece of gear for the coffee lovers out there. That said, it is not without a few downsides....
1. Complication. Until you master the art of getting the press in (and out of) the bottle, you might be frustrated and run back to Maxwell House coffee singles bags.
2. You have to have a Nalgene bottle. If you don't already use one, add the weight and price to the figures I've given.
3. You give up the use of the inside of your Nalgene bottle for some things. I sometimes keep sunglasses inside so they won't get crushed. (not a big concern on the long green tunnel, so consider it an example) While I can still put my spoon and fork inside, I know larger items will not go in there.
4. Cleanup. You will need to wash the bottle and the press after each use to prevent coffee odors in your bottle and a big ole mess. This is true for any press, however.
...so, if you mastered the art of putting the square peg in the square hole in preschool, you already carry a Nalgene bottle that is not packed full of stuff, you don't mind cleaning up after yourself, and can spare three ounces, you will probably like it as much as me.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Anything else worth mentioning:
If you hike with someone else, let them carry the coffee. That will sound like a great deal to them. Don't tell them that the coffee maker is less than three ounces. They will never complain about carrying five times as much weight.
I hope this is useful. See you up the trail,
Unka Jesse