We got 2 sets of Toastmaster Travel Coffee Maker in a self-contained zippered case years ago as promo giveaway - haven't seen it in stores lately, but found them on eBay. Pack your own coffee, creamer powder & sugar, add water and wait ... http://www.ebay.com/itm/TOASTMASTER-...-/281223825120

Or, just fill this with coffee, add hot water over a mug, wait till it finished dripping - add sugar & cream to enjoy. https://leescoffee.com/shoponline/vi...MMGroupMMID=28

The shortcut, visit your nearest Asian supermarket for popular 3-in-1 instant coffee packets, dissolve quickly in hot water - the ones from Vietnam & Southeast Asia are the best, although those from Nescafe are pretty good - cost about 25 cents a cup.

Are these things dual voltage?

Handpresso, anyone?
 

Anyone tried the handpresso?

Looks expensive, but if it works...?

I occasionally travel with my Impress Coffee Brewer. Pros, It works well and keeps the coffee hot for a good long while. Cons, gotta supply your own hot water and the size of the cup doesn't fit a car cup holder.

Another vote for the aeropress, though you do have to supply your own hot water (which is likely to be the easiest thing to find most places). You can also purchase a stainless steel filter so you don't have to worry about paper filters (though some people note that the stainless filter influences the taste of the coffee).

" Anyone tried the handpresso?

Looks expensive, but if it works...? "


Yes, purchased in France when they first were marketed.

Great idea, the design looks great, but the final coffee in my experience was so-so.

I have the kit with the small cups, napkins, and the pump in a soft case. I tried this for one year using 20+ different coffee blends in the ESE paper pods. The problem is finding or having consistently hot water from a thermos or insulated flask. Next to a campfire, as the video ad illustrates is fine, but not realistic in other settings. Never hot enough, especially in our cold European Winters.

We once stopped in the Alps on the side of the road, and I decided the setting deserved a good espresso. Out came the Handpresso, in went the thermos water and pod, and I started pumping away in front of the Porsche. A car went by, stopped, backed up slowly, and the driver looked at me and the Handpresso.

" Just a cup of coffee " I said, with the driver saying with a smirk " Ah ha: I was wondering what you were up to. "

Sadly, it is now stored away somewhere.

Which led me to carrying first a Nespresso Citiz model, and now a smaller Pixie when I travel. Consistent taste, a good selection of different coffee blends, and 74 C / 165 F HOT water anywhere, especially in winter.

Am I missing something? These things look huge. How do you travel with one?

Bear with me on the cm to inch conversion, but the Pixie measures 10 " long, 9 " tall, 4.5" wide. It is very light.

I can store a good supply of coffee capsules inside the water reservoir, with more elsewhere in Nespresso sleeves. If I need a small mains converter to step down to 110V ( from 220-240v ) in North America, it is easy enough to pack along with the Pixie. The wattage draw of the machine is minimal.

Nespresso makes a soft padded rubber-like case that holds everything on it's own, much like a thick messenger bag. The padded case fits in any of my Rimowa carry-on cases, with room left for a jacket, slacks, an amenity kit, etc. I also carry a Rimowa Notebook case which attaches onto the pull handle atop the carry-on, and the capacity of that Cordura and polycarbonate case is surprisingly cavernous for files, laptop or tablet, and clothing.

The Citiz Nespresso, an older model, was taller, but also packed in my carry-on case.

I did this after not finding any decent coffee in a hotel one cold rainy night after a 10 hour work day, sans supper. Going out by auto I found everything closed, and the rain increasing to sleet. I was even willing to stand outside in line at Starbucks ( I know -what a sacrifice ). All I wanted was one little demitasse's worth in the warmth and dryness of my hotel room, which was not to be.

So returning home I tried packing a Nespresso machine, which easily worked surprisingly, and have been doing so ever since. My concern travelling to Washington DC, USA, was flying in with the machine and meeting the Dulles airport security at departure, or upon arrival. I printed off the machine instructions, a few photos, and even had my receipt at the ready, to avoid a code-3 incident, jail, or possibly a vacation at Gitmo.

Producing all of the above, the departure Custom's Official post-x-ray, smiled and stated " Thanks: We know what they are. " Thinking about it later, it was as though the officer was saying " Yes, and we have electricity in the US too. "

Somewhat anti-climatic, but there you have it.

Thanks for the detailed explanation. I'll have to take a closer look at the Nespresso Pixie -- it still sounds large, but it might be worth the sacrifice in packing room to have decent coffee available. I've got a week in Prague coming up and may be going, immediately, to Barcelona for another week -- all for work. I'm not at my best without a couple of good cups of coffee to start my morning, so this might be a solution.

Hi PT-

You would need a step-up ( or a step-up/step down ) converter for Prague. A small one will do. ( Prague does have excellent coffee bars, but at Midnight when it snows, I would prefer a cup wherever I was staying inside ).

I see that Nespresso is offering a $ 75. coupon currently in the US, with the purchase of a new Nespresso machine. That would pay for the protective case which they carry at the Nespresso boutique inside the Bloomingdales store near you in Costa Mesa. ( We were there will visiting our son before we flew out to Brasil ).

We were gifted some colourful anodized metal cups from there which we didn't need, so we returned them, and the Nespresso staff was very helpful. You may also wish to consider speaking with Abbie, the helpful and capable Manager at Sur La Table in Manhattan Beach, regarding a good price on the same machines.

It makes my workday better, I assure you.

Thank you so much! We're moving this weekend, but next weekend will be spent at Bloomingdales and Sur La Table. :)

Finally got a chance to check it, it's 110 volts only @ 400 Watts. We replaced the 10 oz. serving - plastic coffee cup with a standard 12 oz. ceramic coffee mug instead - and use a permanent mesh reusable filter or disposable paper filter. The included bigger plastic container for coffee grounds fit inside the coffee cup for compact travel w/o the carrying case (taking along dry creamer & sugar packets) Other use - hot water for coca beverages & cup-a-soup late night when there is no room service or microwave.

I bought this for home, it's great. Just $20 at Walmart. You could have it shipped to your hotel and use it just while you're there. :)

http://www.walmart.com/ip/FARBERWARE...nless/23262193

You're exactly right there's no good travel coffeemaker. I'd like to make one for Kickstarter, have any ideas how to make it small? Collapsable silicon?

I have to applaud you :). I simply love that good coffee is a priority for you, you know this and have planned accordingly...to the point of travelling with your Nespresso Pixie. Obviously you're not the only one since Nespresso makes a travel case for the Pixie.

My coffee needs are simpler but vital. I must have a cup first thing in the morning. It should be written as a prescription. That one cup is enough but it is essential and I am very particular about it. I used to travel with a small Keurig. Now I have learned that there are some very good instant coffees out there that will work. I really like the immersion heater/stainless mug idea for hot water. This never occurred to me.

My real issue is milk. Not cream, not powdered creamer or any flavored muck. Just plain milk for my coffee. I tend to pick up a small carton upon arrival and keep it in the fridge or ice bucket.

Thanks reqrott -

Simple pleasures.