Backside Line
The GSI Ultralight JavaDrip is a backpacker’s very best espresso maker: it packs flat, weighs virtually nothing, and you’ll customise the espresso energy by adjusting the dimensions of the espresso grounds you employ to make a traditional pour-over espresso.
It’s merely designed with a reusable and washable mesh cloth basket as a substitute of the standard hard-sided cone discovered on most pour-over units. Which means you don’t have to pack further filters. Throughout tenting journeys in Utah, we cherished that every one we needed to do was add grounds to the basket and pour scorching water excessive. Three plastic legs outfitted with clips on the tip match onto the rim of each camp mug we tried, in addition to the mugs in our cupboards at dwelling.
This can be very light-weight, so even ultralighters will think about switching from on the spot espresso. Whereas it is probably not probably the most sturdy possibility we examined, its inexpensive worth makes it exhausting to argue with the worth. In the event you’d prefer to see different choices, try our finest tenting and backpacking espresso maker gear information.
How We Examined
We examined the GSI Ultralight JavaDrip for weeks, each indoors and open air, at frontcountry campgrounds and much from civilization. We packed it, weighed it, and brewed loads of espresso to judge the way it compares to different pour-over units we’ve used and whether or not it ought to earn a spot in our coffee-making package for future out of doors adventures.
Fast Specs
GSI Open air Ultralight Java Drip
Greatest ultralight espresso maker
CleverHiker Ranking:
4.7/5.0
Worth:
$11
Liquid Capability:
1 cup
Weight:
.4 oz.
Measurement:
4.2 x 4.2 inches
Professionals
- Customizable taste profile
- Easy to make use of
- Ultralight
- Inactive brew time
- Cheap
- Packs flat
- No filter required
Cons
- Damp after use
- Makes one cup at a time
Portability
We ranked the GSI Ultralight Java Drip on the prime of the checklist for portability for 2 causes: it’s ultralight and it packs down extremely small. In reality, it was the lightest espresso maker of all that we examined at simply .4 ounces. That makes it an ultralight backpacker’s dream.
What’s extra, it collapses virtually totally flat, making it straightforward to stash in a camp mess package or kitchen stuff sack. It takes up just about no area in both. Plus, as a result of it’s constructed from mesh materials and versatile plastic arms, we weren’t frightened about it getting bent or damaged after we stuffed it within the backside of our packs. It all the time bounced again after we unpacked it and had been able to brew.
Ease of Use
In the case of making espresso at camp, it doesn’t get a lot simpler than utilizing the GSI Ultralight Java Drip. The design is simple: a reusable mesh basket hooked up to a plastic body with three arms that clip onto the rim of almost any camp mug. Throughout testing, each mug we tried it on, from slim to broad mouth, carried out completely.
To make use of it, clip it in place on the rim of your cup, add espresso grounds to the mesh filter basket, and pour scorching water over it. It is advisable pay extra consideration to how a lot espresso and water you’re utilizing than with units that restrict portioning to a espresso basket dimension or water reservoir, however with a digital scale, it’s straightforward to realize the suitable ratios.
Time to Brew
We discovered that brew time diverse relying on our grind dimension, however on common, making a pour-over with the GSI Ultralight JavaDrip took about 3 to 4 minutes per cup. This period doesn’t embody boiling water.
Brew time is energetic, which suggests we’ve to sit down and pour water over the grounds during the brew time. Nevertheless, be sure that to keep watch over how a lot water you’re pouring, because it’s straightforward to get distracted and add an excessive amount of, which might make your brew watery.
Ease of Cleanup
One factor we appreciated in regards to the GSI Ultralight JavaDrip was how straightforward cleanup was, regardless of not with the ability to take away and throw away a disposable filter. It wasn’t as quick as with another units we examined, however rinsing the mesh basket after use was straightforward and simple. It was even simpler if we allowed the grounds to dry after use.
As a result of the filter is in-built, it meant that if we needed to pack up and go away proper after breakfast, we needed to put the filter away damp. We discovered that bringing alongside a small stuff sack for it stored the opposite pack contents dry and prevented the filter from selecting up grime or grime.
Espresso Energy
Whereas the GSI Ultralight JavaDrip didn’t brew the strongest cup, it ranked someplace within the center. Moreover, we found that it was straightforward to customise the brew energy by merely adjusting the grind dimension of the espresso grounds we used. A finer grind produced a stronger cup, whereas a coarser grind resulted in a weaker cup. This may occasionally make it a superb possibility for campers who every have their very own espresso preferences.
Simply guarantee to not use too positive a grind. Water will drip by means of too slowly or in no way. Conversely, too coarse a grind means water flows by means of the mesh materials sooner than it might by means of a paper filter, so some trial and error could also be wanted to find out the proper consistency. Additionally it is vital to notice that for even a median energy cup, weighing or measuring your beans and water is essential to realize the perfect 16:1 (water to espresso) ratio.
Ought to You Purchase the GSI Ultralight JavaDrip?
In the case of ultralight camp espresso makers, no product gives higher worth, particularly contemplating the minimal waste it produces (there aren’t any paper filters required). This makes this little machine a shoo-in for backpackers, whether or not they establish as ultralighters or not.
Moreover being light-weight, it’s straightforward to scrub, making it appropriate for a small group. Nevertheless, getting ready espresso for greater than two folks can change into tedious. Subsequently, those that frequently make drinks for the whole crew might not discover it as helpful.
Contemplate the truth that it really works with just about each camp mug, you don’t need to pack further filters, and you’ll even customise the brew energy to a point, and you’ve got your self a winner. Nevertheless, in case you favor your espresso further sturdy, nearer to espresso energy, the JavaDrip can’t fairly hack it.
What Different Tenting & Backpacking Espresso Makers Ought to You Contemplate?
In the event you like the concept of the GSI Ultralight JavaDrip however are questioning if there’s one other camp espresso maker on the market that might swimsuit you higher, try these choices, all of which we reviewed in our espresso makers for tenting and backpacking gear information.
MiiR Pourigami Overview: Nonetheless a pour-over, however extra sturdy and, if potential, extra moveable. It could be heavier, but it comes with its personal journey sleeve, and cleanup is straightforward due to disposable filters.
ESPRO Ultralight Journey Press Bottle Overview: For a extra handy possibility for one, think about the ESPRO. Brew straight within the insulated bottle utilizing a French press-style filter and revel in a single cup of equally sturdy espresso in roughly the identical time.
Kuju Single-Serve Pour Over Overview: All of the pour-over goodness with not one of the preparation or cleanup. These single-use packets make one cup of espresso every, are light-weight, and cleansing up includes throwing the whole bag within the trash while you’re executed.
