Hate the idea of instant coffee, even when it’s a more practical solution? So do I. Two years ago before a backcountry cabin trip, my husband and I decided it was time to own a coffee press.
If you’re a coffee lover, you know that a French press produces a fine cup of joe. Rather than filtering the coffee as a drip coffee maker does, a press allows the coffee to steep in boiling water which captures more of the coffee’s flavor.
I decided on a GSI JavaPress after, admittedly, not a ton of research. However, it was the only one that could make enough coffee to meet our demands that didn’t also have a gawky handle or spout. With a 30 ounce capacity the GSI press yields about three real mugs, or four “I’m-having-you-over-for-coffee-and-dessert” cups of coffee. It weighs in at 10.3 ounces and stands about 7.5″ tall, but if you pack your bag of coffee inside the empty carafe, you gain back some pack space.
We grind our beans at home to get the best texture, but GSI also sells the JavaGrind hand-crank grinder, which fits directly on the JavaPress. Whether grinding beans yourself or at the grocery store, I suggest a pretty coarse grind to keep any mud from forming and making its way into your cup. If your grounds are too fine, they’ll also get caught in the plunger, which is a pain to clean. Still, removing the o-ring on the plunger from time to time is necessary to get rid of any bits that build up over continued use.
The Lexan carafe of the JavaPress is dishwasher safe, BPA-free and impact resistant (a definite plus for someone who’s nickname is Crash). I have never put any of our press pieces into the dishwasher, which has surely cut down on the wear for this piece. Although, I don’t think you’ll find that boiling water and coffee grounds are cause for a disinfecting, high temperature clean-up! The carafe and insulated lid are marked #7 and #5, respectively, allowing (in many locales) the pieces to be recycled at end-of-life, which is super important to me.
My favorite feature is the EVA Neoprene vest that slips over the carafe. It has fill windows (not sure why, as when you’re pouring your water in, you can see how far you’re filling it) and a webbing handle, which allows a secure grip if you let it wrap around the back of your hand. My husband would argue this, but I think the vest does less to keep the coffee hot and more to keep you from blistering your palm as you pour boiling water into the press.
The overall verdict? A great product that has served us well in the woods (and at home a few times), the GSI press is a must for car camping and short treks. Take it backpacking if you’re not going ultralight or if you absolutely must have brewed coffee. Otherwise, pop a few Via packets into your pack and call it a trip.
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-Eryn Willard is a New Jersey-born Marylander. She owns a graphic design firm and serves on the board of directors for Outdoor Industries Womens Coalition. Eryn loves hiking, snowboarding, climbing and mountain biking, and blogs about her (mis)adventures at http://baconbetty.wordpress.com.
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Nice review here. I have a french press gizmo that goes into a standard Nalgene bottle. It’s pretty cool because all you need is the press. Of course, the Nalgene doubles as a bottle to hold anything.
Although the convenience of Via is hard to beat.