OT: Portable Espresso Machine Recommendations?

[earlfoss]

With some travel coming up, I thought I'd reach out to the forum to get recommendations on what portable espresso maker folks recommend. I will be in a fairly remote area with little access to anything decent. I also like buying gadgets

I have done some Googling but value the opinions of forum members here who have some firsthand experience.

Thanks in advance!

[AngryScientist]

aeropress 100%

[fmradio516]

aeropress

[tctyres]

Yeah, technically the aeropress is not espresso, but I don't see how you are going to get a better tasting, easier cup of coffee.

+1 on aeropress

[fredd]

Aeropress is amazing but more filter coffee than espresso.

It depends on how portable you're aiming for. Something that fits in a trunk, in a suitcase, or in a backpack?

For ultra portable, you can try the wacaco nanopresso. It doesn't get to 9bars but it does get closer than the aeropress. The experience is a bit of a hassle compared to the aeropress though.
The flair neo and cafelat robot are arguably portable, and supposedly make good cups. Same with the entry level breville machine.

[Clean39T]

Originally Posted by AngryScientist

aeropress 100%

Originally Posted by fmradio516

aeropress

Originally Posted by tctyres

Yeah, technically the aeropress is not espresso, but I don't see how you are going to get a better tasting, easier cup of coffee.

+1 on aeropress

Aeropress PLUS Fellow Prismo attachment..... ??

https://fellowproducts.com/products/prismo

Prismo is a pressure-actuated valve designed to be used with the AeroPress® Coffee Maker. This attachment allows for a build-up of pressure to brew espresso-style coffee and creates a no-drip seal for recipes that normally require inverting your AeroPress®.

I haven't used it myself but am thinking of trying it just for home use to break up the monotony of pour-overs.

[jkbrwn]

Presumably you'll have access to boiling water? Is this a camping thing or will you at least have a car of some kind? If a car and you can transport a slightly bigger machine, and want true espresso,you could grab a manual maker like the Flair Neo. Allows you to use actual coffee rather than a pod. Is cheap, too. If you want something that's really good, a Cafelat Robot is superb.

The Aeropress, no matter what attachment you use with it, simply does not make espresso. If you want espresso-style, e.g. short, black and strong, it would be okay, but then so would a moka pot.

Edit: just noticed that the Flair Neo was already suggested.

[earlfoss]

Originally Posted by jkbrwn

Presumably you'll have access to boiling water?

I'll definitely have access to boiling water. Something that fits into a suitcase is fine. I appreciate the suggestions BIG TIME. Yet another reason why I love this forum.

[jkbrwn]

Originally Posted by earlfoss

I'll definitely have access to boiling water. Something that fits into a suitcase is fine. I appreciate the suggestions BIG TIME. Yet another reason why I love this forum.

Then I think the Flair Neo really could be a good shout as its cheap...but it doesn't break down. The Flair Classic comes with a travel case and breaks down and is only $40 more. Something like the Robot also does not break down. With that said, I've taken my Robot car camping and it was great. But I wouldn't put it in a suitcase I don't think.

[tctyres]

Originally Posted by jkbrwn

Then I think the Flair Neo really could be a good shout as its cheap...but it doesn't break down. The Flair Classic comes with a travel case and breaks down and is only $40 more. Something like the Robot also does not break down. With that said, I've taken my Robot car camping and it was great. But I wouldn't put it in a suitcase I don't think.

I seem to recall that you posted on the Robot before. How often do you pull shots on the single serving mechanical machines? And what's your daily driver? I'm just curious. I have no skin in the espresso game at all. I'd probably pull a shot a few times a week, max. I do like a good cup of coffee.

[earlfoss]

I love lever machines, and had no idea the Robot existed. I'd buy it if the delivery time wasn't going to overlap with my trip. My daily driver is a 20+ year old LaPavoni Professional. Maintenance has been easy with gasket replacement maybe every 2-3 years.

[C40_guy]

I propose that we have a new tagging option for threads.

OT is for threads that are off topic
$OT is for threads that are off topic and risk exposing readers to new things they must purchase right away.

and of course, we can tweak the $OT with a ranking of how risky the thread might be...

For instance:

$OT for best camping tent stake
$$$OT for best portable camping espresso machine

Thoughts?

[earlfoss]

Originally Posted by C40_guy

I propose that we have a new tagging option for threads.

OT is for threads that are off topic
$OT is for threads that are off topic and risk exposing readers to new things they must purchase right away.

and of course, we can tweak the $OT with a ranking of how risky the thread might be...

For instance:

$OT for best camping tent stake
$$$OT for best portable camping espresso machine

Thoughts?

This is brilliant!

[tctyres]

Aaandd now Flair is dominating my feeds on social media

Re: moka pot. It's definitely not like anything else in the coffee world: higher pressure than regular coffee, lower pressure than espresso, gets a "burnt" flavor easily. Having that pot is worth it though, particularly if you follow James Hoffmann's technique. Also, the moka pot works well with milk drinks using the french press as a foamer.

I don't use my french press(es) at all anymore ... too much of a pita to clean, and the quality of the brew isn't that great.

[d_douglas]

Tons of options here (per usual on the Paceline) but the Aeropress simply rules. It’s durable plastic (buy the stainless filter) and light and dead easy. You really don’t need anything else. I use this at work everyday I am in the office these days - they call me the coffee weirdo.