Coffemaker in the car

As someone who enjoys the process of making coffee I tried moka pots, the bellman and even a manual leverpresso in the van. I have now settled on a V60, an Aeropress and the Outin for espresso based drinks. I have a small gooseneck kettle and most importantly a good quality hand grinder. Everything fits in a single dedicated drawer.

I'm prepared to accept I may have a coffee problem…
You always see on youtube people using gooseneck kettles but never thought of getting one for home. It could work in the van, we drink tea as well, as long as it can boil 1 litre of water. The camping kettle we use is useless at pouring and the whistle has never worked.
I have not tried an Outin but my problem would be getting my frothed milk for my latte. The mess we have at home with our espresso machine wouldn't go down well in the van. So would never go the Bellman route.
 
What is it about coffee and Cali’s?
Agree about the Bellman.
In the world of Top Trumps; I raise the Bellman with one of these https://rocket-espresso.com/products/domestic-models/porta-via
I haven’t used it in the California but have taken it to music festivals so that I win the best coffee competition with my friends!
The problem would be the queue of people waiting for coffee. You've got a serving hatch by the sink, perfect.
 
For anyone using the Bellman ask me what happens if you leave it on the stove and get distracted? Our friends in France are still finding splashes of milk stains in their kitchen!
 
Then there is the question of water. Tap water is full of contaminants and tastes foul once you move away (even in coffee). Bottled water is better, ideally in glass; reverse osmosis is better again (we use that). I am now flirting with the idea of distilled water:


And there is the cup. I carry a Portuguese porcelain cup and saucer in the California, and a French bone china one at home. The difference is noticeable, and naturally these both never go near a dishwasher.

Coffeelink in Ipswich are wonderful suppliers, who roast on a Thursday generally for dispatch and enjoyment 2-3 days after. I am currently alternating between Peruvian, Ethiopian and Peruvian. I like the high altitude beans far from local intense farming.
 
Last edited:
Anyone remember the coffee advert when the woman made lots of machine noises while boiling the kettle and opening the jar of INSTANT!

For all the campervan owners get a jar of Instant and a trangia kettle and use your gas ring, however the question was coffeemaker in a car!
 
I have a Conqueco espresso machine in the drawer for emergencies, but my go to is a Lavazza A Modo Mio. It’s perfect for the van.

IMG_1459.jpeg
 
You always see on youtube people using gooseneck kettles but never thought of getting one for home. It could work in the van, we drink tea as well, as long as it can boil 1 litre of water. The camping kettle we use is useless at pouring and the whistle has never worked.
I have not tried an Outin but my problem would be getting my frothed milk for my latte. The mess we have at home with our espresso machine wouldn't go down well in the van. So would never go the Bellman route.
I have one of the Subminimal hand frothers. Bit of a learning curve but once you master it it makes good microfoam in no time. You still have to heat the milk though so doesn’t really solve the mess problem!
 
Iced filter coffee is a treat in the summer - much nicer than cold brew ;-) Now if I can only find a solution for making ice in the van…

Take a yeti coolbox, buy the ice in the shop, will last for a few days…can also store your gin/wine/beer in there & makes a handy stool!
 
Then there is the question of water. Tap water is full of contaminants and tastes foul once you move away (even in coffee). Bottled water is better, ideally in glass; reverse osmosis is better again (we use that). I am now flirting with the idea of distilled water:


And there is the cup. I carry a Portuguese porcelain cup and saucer in the California, and a French bone china one at home. The difference is noticeable, and naturally these both never go near a dishwasher.

Coffeelink in Ipswich are wonderful suppliers, who roast on a Thursday generally for dispatch and enjoyment 2-3 days after. I am currently alternating between Peruvian, Ethiopian and Peruvian. I like the high altitude beans far from local intense farming.
The Tesco home brand mineral water is really good for coffee and usually easy enough to find when in Blighty.

Recently I’ve been trying some beans from a Dutch roaster, Dak. Some of the best coffee I’ve ever had, pricey though. I usually drink single origin but their blends are like alchemy.
 
Take a yeti coolbox, buy the ice in the shop, will last for a few days…can also store your gin/wine/beer in there & makes a handy stool!
I have a bit of a Yeti fetish but could never justify pulling the trigger on one of their cool boxes. I do have one of their soft versions though, might give that go.
 
This thread is starting to get expensive … :oops:
I can feel myself beginning to go down a 'coffee maker rabbit hole' again! Just when I thought it was safe to keep using the trusty old Bialetti :D
 
Aeropress for simplicity, storage, ease of cleaning and versatility. Can make a shot of strong coffee (I know, not true espresso, but neither is Nespresso) to add to some hot milked whisked with an Aerolatte (lasts longer than the IKEA one) for first coffee of the day, then longer black/filter style for the 2nd/3rd… Less faff than a V60 to get consistently good coffee
 
Back
Top