Have espresso, will travel?

Kelsey

This Christmas we'll be house sitting at Hearvey Bay and I've started to contemplate the coffee requirements for the trip.

I have aero press, but that's my fallback - with a bit of planning I think I can do better than miss my morning ristretto.

So I'm keeping an eye out for a super cheap 2nd hand machine, preferably sub-$100 that I can resell after Chrissie.

Thinking perhaps a Gaggia, older La Pav or even a Presso...

What's everyone else do when away, but staying put with access to 240v?

Brett_H

You'll need a grinder... Are going to take the smart? A presso is also a serious option in that price rage but 2nd hand ones don't come along often. A good little gaggia from the bay (caveat emptor) would be great but after is more likely then before in regards to Christmas. The Pav is a great traveller but I also used to take the splendor to music camp. Your semi-commercial domestic seriously doesn't take up that much extra room and provided you can park within reasonable distance to ya digs!

mycuppa

I often take my Expobar Minore and K10 grinder with me when I drive from Melbourne to Newcastle - and despite the almost adult-passenger type weight, it's well worth the effort when I spend a week making 100 coffees for friends and family. Learned many years ago that traveling with basic equipment and supplies was going to end in tears of disappointment and frustration. The only issue I face is my Dad cracking the shites at the size and space it consumes now he has down-sized his digs. After the first cup though, all is forgiven.

derrilex

I just take eveything with me. Last trip to straddie had the BZ and the 0480. Next trip will be the BZ and the eureka. Good reason to keep the original boxes. 3 weeks is just too long to go without my gear. Keeping beans for 3 weeks is the challenge. Might have to chuck the hybrid in next trip

beanflying

Given that I have a Pavoni and or a Micro Cimbali to play with my traveling gear is generally NON Espresso. Last couple of trips were take the Ascaso I mini and a Siphon/Butane Burner for me and one where there was a crowd I made sure there was Plungers available to go with the Ascaso. My normal Camping kit is an Aluminum Siphon and Hand Grinder and a gas burner. Other than that the Pavoni and Kyocera has been away with me in the past when there has been power available. It is the lightest quickest heating kit for the job! K10 and a Minore just shows EXTREME dedication to Espresso :laugh:

mycuppa

Bean Flying wrote:

K10 and a Minore just shows EXTREME dedication to Espresso :laugh:

Alas, I just cannot handle anything else except maybe a quality large capacity stovetop. Unfortunately, my holidays somehow always turn into the accidental home cafe barista and when I'm spending part of my day making coffees, the last thing I want to do is struggle with basic kit. All I want is to make the 20 coffees as quickly as possible so I can keep on eating and drinking other stuff not related to coffee.

Koffee_Kosmo

I have purchased an Inox stovetop for traveling duties It's stainless steel with cups Haven't used it yet but one day :question: KK

galumay

I spent 4 weeks in NZ with the Clever Coffee Dripper & the OE Lido grinder, if I was driving I would consider one of my Caravels.

Seeya_Latte

From what I already have, I take : Aeropress Caffetiera (stovetop) - if gas is available of course, if not ...a butane job Bellman (stovetop) - ditto I grind enough coffee and bring along =========================== If I was to buy something cheapish To add a bit more flexibility to the list: Saeco Via Venezia (a mate just bought a new one for $300) Mypressi or Handpresso Kyocera or Porlex Emide grinder (small, <$100, not popular but I have seen it around, can't confirm if it'd do espresso, can't leave it on continuously for more than 1 min...on the surface it doesnt have a lot going for it on paper but may be worth the experiment)

FreshCoffee2

I also nolonger do espresso when I travel with my wife. Cant be bothered packing semi commercial equipment any more / heavy / space problem, and coffee isnt just about espresso. That said, the kids booked a holiday home for a week for us all sometime in the early part of next year.....we all have a good semi commercial equipment at our respective homes (various models of our BFC / Diadema Junior / Unico Splendor machines and either Macap or Eureka grinders), and someone will have the finger pointed to bring one of the setups along (and will then get stuck making everyone coffees all the time.... But its ok! ;D Otherwise, I'm happy to do good filter or infusion while away.

Ol_Grumpy

Has no one considered the Rosco and Rossa {Mini} Portapresso?

Brett_H

Ol Grumpy wrote:

Has no one considered the Rosco and Rossa {Mini} Portapresso?

Not for sub $100 OG unless Kelsey already owns one. They are spectacularly made and would last a life time ergo they are comparatively cheap compared to buying a second hand gaggia every second year. Interesting...

Ol_Grumpy

Brett H wrote:

Not for sub $100 OG....

:doh But... But... it's only another zero.... :doh :note to self "read the 'whole' thread next time"

Kelsey

The plan was to take the Smart grinder - small, light, cheap and if broken a good excuse to upgrade. ;D I'm a little more protective of Betsy II however. Betsy I got a small amount of travel, but I never liked doing it. Space is at a premium in the car with two kiddies, but its definitely the thought of lugging around the most expensive consumer item I own that gives me the willies! A Rosco would be great, but yeah, not really in the budget! I'm inclined to just leave it with the aeropress and Hario hand grinder, but I will miss real espresso. If that battered La Pav on the bay of evil goes cheaply enough I'll throw in a bid!