Hi to all and happy vanning now that the warmer weather is coming on us. Looking at getting a small automatic coffee maker for our van and wondering what others have been using. I love my coffee, use a plunger for home and work but don't want to have to continually go to coffee shops for decent coffee, Hate instant stuff! Needs to be lightweight and wasy to clean. cheers Ann
Happywanderer said
02:05 PM Nov 8, 2010
I see you have had 37 views and no replies so will give my tuppence worth.
Rather than buying a coffee maker why not buy the boxes of sachets of cappichinos, You only have to add water and it looks much the same.
Usually 10 in a box for about 4-5 dollars.
Would be a lot cheaper and easier to do.
roddam said
02:38 PM Nov 8, 2010
thanks for the reply, it might be that no one drinks coffee out there!!!!!!!! We only drink black expresso and couldn't afford to go to cafe's all the time!!! I am sure I will get some clues or feedback.
Pejay said
04:17 PM Nov 8, 2010
Hi Ann & Neil, we take a plunger with us - sits in an ice cream tub up in the cupborad, and buy our coffee in Kg packs, then decant it into 250g lots and vac seal it - and hubby is a coffee fanatic, and he is happy with this set up.
Rolly said
04:21 PM Nov 8, 2010
I use a plunger and/or 'Moka' percolator depending on my whim at the time.
jimricho said
06:59 PM Nov 8, 2010
I too much prefer coffee to river mud....
I use one of these when travelling, only a one cup job however, maybe make double strength and dilute to get two cups (??). I think I bought it at woolworths or maybe Coles in the Coffee/Tea section.
I also use a plunger...
Rosie said
07:08 PM Nov 8, 2010
I bought a large thermal jug, you can also buy vshaped coffee filter holder that sits on the jug, paper filters, just put coffee in filter pour hot water in and there you go. That idea I got in Germany many years ago. Love my coffee...cheers Rosie
jimricho said
06:21 AM Nov 9, 2010
Maybe a "common or garden" type funnel available at any dollar shop etc would serve as a coffee filter holder (?)
Andrea said
10:00 AM Nov 9, 2010
I have another suggestion, Anne: John and I are fussy about our coffee, too, and I found a stovetop espresso machine which is a little wonder. It's a Bellman, bought on line from Coffee Craft in Adelaide - .
This little machine (making our morning coffee as I write!) heats to a certain point, then the coffee flows out into a suitable receptacle. Turn off that valve, wait about two minutes, then steam and froth your milk. The result is a very enjoyable cappuccino.
Ours cost $125 about a year ago, and we also like their coffee; you can buy it ground to your specifications, or (like us) buy a small grinder.
Cheers --
Andrea
Happywanderer said
02:55 PM Nov 9, 2010
I've got a coffee perculator here bought at a market for a couple dollars a few years a go. Haven't used it yet and don't know how to. Its a silver/s/s with black handle, spout and a glass see through thing in the lid.
Its got the plunger strainer thing in side so I presume you use it like any ordinary coffee perculator. Bought it for travelling and still not out there.
On the bottom it reads SWAN, Made in England with a number 2-79
Hopefully will get to use it one day.
Terro said
06:46 PM Nov 9, 2010
Hi Roddam,
Just seen your post. We too like good coffee and this little maker has been great. $40 from Sam's warehouse in 2004. You might know Sam's as Go Lo or Crazy Clark's. Any way it is so simple I don't think you could break it. Here's a few pictures.
Terro
Cruising Granny said
09:50 PM Nov 9, 2010
All those big pictures of coffee machines.
What about plungers?
I'm boring. International Roast for me.
Although I did try some beaut blends up on the tablelands at Mareeba. Yum! Something special.
roddam said
06:58 AM Nov 10, 2010
Thank you all for your responses. Good to see so many coffee lovers and I love the pictures. As 'black only' coffee drinkers can't go for long without a good one. Used to have milk but found the milk always ran out so easier to get used to it without milk. Now love it. cheers Ann
Blonderer said
06:28 PM Nov 11, 2010
As an avid coffee drinker, the best coffee nearest to an expresso, but without the worry of carring an expresso machine, are Coffee Bags. They are great, quick, convenient. U have to love strong coffee though. Try Robert Timms Italian Expresso style coffee bags they are the strongest. The best taste is to follow the instructions and leave the bag to steep for 4mins, then squeeze out and add milk or not.. Mmmm, I think I have talked myself into a cup, off to put the kettle on......
Connie said
09:52 PM Nov 11, 2010
At the risk of howls of protest, we take our Nespresso machine with us. It's quick & easy with NO mess to clean up and makes superb coffee. George Clooney showed us that they use it in heaven.
roddam said
06:55 AM Nov 12, 2010
Yes, I have heard good reports about the Nespresso and they seem to be very lightweight as well. Seems the only stumbling block when travelling is getting the pods of coffee. One of my work colleagues is bringing hers to work next week to try. As my husband keeps saying "consider the weight for when we are packing the van!!!". Not sure if he means the weight of the machine or mine hehe, cheers Ann
-- Edited by roddam on Friday 12th of November 2010 06:55:49 AM
jimricho said
07:09 AM Nov 12, 2010
Blonderer wrote:
As an avid coffee drinker, the best coffee nearest to an expresso, but without the worry of carring an expresso machine, are Coffee Bags. They are great, quick, convenient. U have to love strong coffee though. Try Robert Timms Italian Expresso style coffee bags they are the strongest. The best taste is to follow the instructions and leave the bag to steep for 4mins, then squeeze out and add milk or not.. Mmmm, I think I have talked myself into a cup, off to put the kettle on......
At 6.28 pm I'm usually having something a bit stronger than coffee!
Blonderer said
03:50 PM Nov 12, 2010
jimricho wrote:
Blonderer wrote:
As an avid coffee drinker, the best coffee nearest to an expresso, but without the worry of carring an expresso machine, are Coffee Bags. They are great, quick, convenient. U have to love strong coffee though. Try Robert Timms Italian Expresso style coffee bags they are the strongest. The best taste is to follow the instructions and leave the bag to steep for 4mins, then squeeze out and add milk or not.. Mmmm, I think I have talked myself into a cup, off to put the kettle on......
At 6.28 pm I'm usually having something a bit stronger than coffee!
oh dear jimricho, I forgot to mention Irish coffee laced with whiskey.... Is that better?
Ron and Shirley said
04:02 PM Nov 13, 2010
We are both coffee lovers, double short black for me, and the same for Shirley though she dilutes hers with milk, LOL. At home we have a you beaut SEACO machine which is great.
We find these to be brilliant. They take up little room as you need a mug anyway (they are a thermal mug to keep the coffee warm) plus there is nothing extra to wash up. Strength of the coffee off course depends on how much grinds you put into the cup and how long you allow it to stand before you push down the plunger.
We also use them for smoko on the road as we pack them in with the thermos.
BTW we only use Vittoria Coffee, beans at home and the ground expresso on the road, and buy up heaps when it is on special like recently $13 a Kilo at Safeway/Woolies if you bought 2 packs.
I use one of these when travelling, only a one cup job however, maybe make double strength and dilute to get two cups (??). I think I bought it at woolworths or maybe Coles in the Coffee/Tea section.
I also use a plunger...
Just seen your post. We too like good coffee and this little maker has been great. $40 from Sam's warehouse in 2004. You might know Sam's as Go Lo or Crazy Clark's. Any way it is so simple I don't think you could break it. Here's a few pictures.
Terro
Yes, I have heard good reports about the Nespresso and they seem to be very lightweight as well. Seems the only stumbling block when travelling is getting the pods of coffee. One of my work colleagues is bringing hers to work next week to try. As my husband keeps saying "consider the weight for when we are packing the van!!!". Not sure if he means the weight of the machine or mine hehe, cheers
Ann
-- Edited by roddam on Friday 12th of November 2010 06:55:49 AM
On the road we have tried numerous devices. Then many years ago we came across the "plunger cup" in a hardware/camping store in Hay NSW. The one in this link is similar http://www.gourmetshopper.com.au/shop/product.php?productid=8508
We find these to be brilliant. They take up little room as you need a mug anyway (they are a thermal mug to keep the coffee warm) plus there is nothing extra to wash up. Strength of the coffee off course depends on how much grinds you put into the cup and how long you allow it to stand before you push down the plunger.
We also use them for smoko on the road as we pack them in with the thermos.
BTW we only use Vittoria Coffee, beans at home and the ground expresso on the road, and buy up heaps when it is on special like recently $13 a Kilo at Safeway/Woolies if you bought 2 packs.