Coffee Cup. Lightweight but moderately durable

[Skidsteer]

I got to thinking about Fiddlehead's recommendation to carry a styrofoam cup for coffee and really couldn't come up with a good reason against it except durability concerns. So.....

Use a 'Go-Paks' snack container and a ten-ounce styrofoam cup.

Pinch the lip of the cup all the way around to make for an easier fit, press it down by hand as far as it will go, turn it upside down on a flat surface and give it a good smack. Voila! Insulated coffee cup.

You can even get fancy with coffee filters or mugmates for 'Cowboy coffee'.

Finished project is .65 ounces/18 grams.

[Alligator]

That's a great idea. Have you tried anything hot in it yet? I was wondering about the plastic.

[Skidsteer]

That's a great idea. Have you tried anything hot in it yet? I was wondering about the plastic.

Yup. Tried the cowboy coffee with the four-cup coffee filter. You have to put more filter in the cup than is shown in the photo or the filter tends to blow upward because of the the hot air(if that makes sense), but the cup itself is cool to the touch and the lips.

[Twolf]

I work in a restaurant and I can get the 8oz cardboard soup to go containers. Two cups are less than an oz and are very durable and no plastic. I used one for 10 days and it was just starting to leak. I tried using a #4 coffee cone filter and let it steep in cup then drain but it takes a while to drain while you hold it. When I tried to hurry it by squeezing it, it burst. I carry 2 cups, one for instant oatmeal.

[Pokey2006]

Another idea: one of those single-serve microwavable Chef Boyardee things. Because it's microwavable, the plastic stands up to the heat. And it's small, so it packs easily. Haven't used it in the field, yet, though.

[Jaybird]

[QUOTE=Skidsteer;303784]I got to thinking about Fiddlehead's recommendation to carry a styrofoam cup for coffee and really couldn't come up with a good reason against it except durability concerns. So...etc.../QUOTE]




use your cook pot for your coffee mug!
like a SnowPeak Trek 700:


http://www.amazon.com/Trek-700-Titan.../dp/B000696CXO

only 4oz. sweeeeeet!

[jasonklass]

That's an excellent idea Skidsteer. I especially like the coffee filter using the lid to hold it in place.

[Pokey2006]

But 30-plus bucks for a cooking pot/coffee mug?? Yikes! I mean, it does look totally cool, and I'll put it on my wish list. But it's fun to come up with cheaper stuff. And lighter stuff. An entire mess kit based on these ideas and the Heineken pot detailed in other threads weighs in at less than the titanium pot/mug! And only costs about $5 or so. Check out those Heiney pot threads. I wonder how it would work to use the pot as a coffee mug?

[Skidsteer]

That's an excellent idea Skidsteer. I especially like the coffee filter using the lid to hold it in place.

I'll probably try a Melitta cone in it next. I think it will work even better and will stay in place by itself. As I said, you have to be careful with the four-cup filter. The tight seal created by the lid won't let the hot vapor escape fast enough and will blow the filter upward if you don't start with it hung fairly low.

[bigcranky]

I'm with Jaybird, I have to carry a cooking pot anyway, so I just use it for my coffee, too. Snow Peak 700 with a homemade Reflectix cozy makes a great coffee mug. It's not ideal if you want to really cook, but it's fine for boiling water for freezer bag meals.

[Skidsteer]

use your cook pot for your coffee mug!
like a SnowPeak Trek 700:


http://www.amazon.com/Trek-700-Titan.../dp/B000696CXO

only 4oz. sweeeeeet!

I'm with Jaybird, I have to carry a cooking pot anyway, so I just use it for my coffee, too. Snow Peak 700 with a homemade Reflectix cozy makes a great coffee mug. It's not ideal if you want to really cook, but it's fine for boiling water for freezer bag meals.

Sheesh, guys. I use a SP Mini-Solo for a coffee cup most of the time. 3.45 oz for a 3-cup pot after replacing the stock lid with an aluminum lid from an old egg poacher.

This cup is merely an alternative for those that want one.

[Jaybird]

But 30-plus bucks for a cooking pot/coffee mug?? Yikes! I mean, it does look totally cool, and I'll put it on my wish list. But it's fun to come up with cheaper stuff. And lighter stuff. An entire mess kit based on these ideas and the Heineken pot detailed in other threads weighs in at less than the titanium pot/mug! And only costs about $5 or so. Check out those Heiney pot threads. I wonder how it would work to use the pot as a coffee mug?

well, if you want an "entire mess kit"...its gonna weigh a load more than 4oz.

a titanium pot will last you a Looooooong time....IMHO...well worth the 30bucks.....i got mine on SALE for 20!

stay away from STYROFOAM...it disintegrates...& not very environmentally-friendly!

[bigcranky]

Hey, Skids, that wasn't an attack. Really. Homemade cheap gear is great, and your idea will work fine (and better than a plain styrofoam cup, I think). I was merely pointing out that if one is making coffee, one is probably carrying a pot to boil the water anyway, and one can use one's pot to drink the coffee.

[jlb2012]

Skidsteer - by any chance does this coffee cup nest in a Heineken can?

[Skidsteer]

Hey, Skids, that wasn't an attack. Really. Homemade cheap gear is great, and your idea will work fine (and better than a plain styrofoam cup, I think). I was merely pointing out that if one is making coffee, one is probably carrying a pot to boil the water anyway, and one can use one's pot to drink the coffee.

Forget about it.

I'll likely carry it once or twice on overnighters to see how it works and then go back to drinking instant coffee from my pot(for longer hikes, anyway). The biggest reason I post this stuff is to see how other folks can build on the idea, concept, and/or materials to come up with cool stuff that meets a need.

Skidsteer - by any chance does this coffee cup nest in a Heineken can?

Maybe. Probably. In a chopped Heinie anyway. I'll give you a more definite answer tomorrow when I get home and actually give it a try. I'm stuck in LA for tonight.

If it's any help the O. D. of the uppermost rim( @ 1/16"-1/8" thick) is 3 9/16". It necks down to 3 1/4" for the next 1/2", then gradually tapers from 3 1/8"(5/8" down from very top of cup)to 2 3/8" at the very bottom.

[jlb2012]

Maybe. Probably. In a chopped Heinie anyway. I'll give you a more definite answer tomorrow when I get home and actually give it a try. I'm stuck in LA for tonight.

If it's any help the O. D. of the uppermost rim( @ 1/16"-1/8" thick) is 3 9/16". It necks down to 3 1/4" for the next 1/2", then gradually tapers from 3 1/8"(5/8" down from very top of cup)to 2 3/8" at the very bottom.

Doesn't sound promising - the max diameter of the Heinie is 3 1/4 inch - that would be chopping it right at the upper fat ring.

Say hi to the folks in Lower Alabama for me.

[Dances with Mice]

A couple of years ago I found 'Lipton's Soup on the Go' or whatever it's called, the plastic microwaveable disposable one-serving soup container with a plastic sippy lid. After eating the soup I cleaned the container and tried it as a coffee cup. It worked! Hallelujiah! A lightweight nearly insulated coffee cup with sippy lid, free, and one that wouldn't burn my lips like my metal cookpot.

A W-B member was just starting his thru-hike attempt and I PM'd him about my idea. He tried it out. It worked. He took the cup with him.

Later on a hike, without warning, my cup disintegrated. Bad luck? I hoped the guy I recommended the cup to had better luck. He didn't. When I read his TJ entry I felt so bad.

This weekend I was finally able to apologize to Mickey One-Sock for my bad gear idea. I am still so sorry, Mickey.

I think Skids has found the answer to the longevity problem. Kudos!

So what do I use these days? First off, screw lightweight because we're talking coffee now and 'cowboy coffee' sucks so don't even go there wih me. Some grocery stores here sell insulated French Press cups for about ten bucks. I have one at work. I have another that I leave in my business travel overnight suitcase. There's another at home that I can take when I have to drive. One more is in a duffle bag full of juggling props. Never leave home without it.

But some people are willing to accept lower standards of coffee for less weight. I understand that. HYOH and DYOC.

(Drink Your Own Coffee.)

[buckowens]

I bet a styrofoam cup would last a long time if it had a wrap of good ole duct tape around it! Duct tape good...

[Frolicking Dinosaurs]

::: sports evil grin as she takes this to next level :::

Have any of you guys ever tried using two of those really thin plastic cups and 'styrofoam in a can' (foam insulation) between them?

[Skidsteer]

::: sports evil grin as she takes this to next level :::

Have any of you guys ever tried using two of those really thin plastic cups and 'styrofoam in a can' (foam insulation) between them?

Heheh.

Uhhuh.