If you’re a coffee-lover, you probably already know the feeling of pain when you’re running late for work and don’t have time to make a pot in the morning.
Usually, this isn’t a concern – you can always grab a cup from your local coffee shop.
However, if you’re traveling or are so late you can’t take the time to wait in line, you probably resign yourself to doing without. After all, without a quality coffee maker, there’s no way to get your precious cup of coffee – and there’s no way to bring your coffee machine on the go with you, is there?
Not exactly. Just because you’re on the go and can’t stop at a coffee shop doesn’t mean you have to do without your daily dose of caffeine. Here’s a guide on how to make the perfect mug of coffee while you’re away from home!
What Are Portable Coffee Makers?
Portable coffee makers are precisely what they sound like – compact coffee makers that can fit into a backup and can be carried around while traveling (whether that be to work or on holiday). They’re particularly useful when you’re going somewhere where coffee stores are rare, like if you’re planning a camping trip.
Before you can buy a portable coffee maker, there are some factors that you will need to consider. These include the type of coffee maker you want to buy, how much coffee it makes, what power source (if any) it needs, and how long it takes to brew coffee. Once you’ve determined what your needs are, you can get started actually buying a coffee maker.
Read the Reviews
This is perhaps the most important part of buying a portable coffee maker. Once you know what your requirements are, it can be easy to go to a store, ask an employee for something that fits your parameters, and buy the one they suggest. The team at idealgrind.co.uk explained that while suggestions from a sales associate are undoubtedly helpful, they’re not as effective as looking for reviews from users online. To start with, look for lists of the best portable coffee makers on the market that meet your requirements. Once you’ve found a list, check individual reviews for each coffee maker listed on the brand’s website or a third-party website like Amazon.
Doing so will allow you to see how other people found the experience of using that particular portable coffee maker. For example, if you’re planning on going camping, you can check for reviews from other people who used their product for the same purpose and see if it did well outside. If you’re looking for something you can leave in your car, you can check for reviews on how the coffee maker held up against the impact of frequent vehicular travel.
Types of Coffee Makers
As discussed above, it’s important to keep the type of coffee maker you’re looking for in mind before you purchase a portable coffee maker. There are numerous options available for you to choose from, depending on how you like your coffee. These include:
1. Pour-Over Coffee Makers
This is perhaps the best option if you’re looking for a coffee maker for long journeys. The process is relatively simple – you place the coffee grounds in a funnel with a filter and pour hot water over it. The first time you do so, the grounds “bloom,” and the second allows you to properly brew your coffee.
The best part of these makers is that you don’t need much in terms of equipment – a brewing device that holds the grounds and the filter, the actual filter itself, and the coffee grounds. Depending on your preference, you can also bring along something to add additional flavor to the coffee. While brewing takes a bit of time, this method doesn’t require a power source, which comes in handy when you’re planning a long drive or are going somewhere with no electric outlets.
2. French Press
In order to use a French Press, you will have to combine the coffee grounds and boiling hot water in the coffee maker and allow it to steep. The coffee maker does three tasks at once – brewing, pressing, and straining. After letting the coffee steep for a few minutes, push the plunger down to properly brew the coffee.
French Pressed coffee offers a full-bodied flavor, perfect for people who prefer strong coffee. However, the drawback is that cleaning the press once the coffee is ready is a long process. Additionally, once the coffee is brewed, it should be poured as soon as possible to prevent over brewing and a bitter flavor, which can be difficult if you’re also using your portable coffee maker as your cup.
3. Stovetop Coffee
A stovetop coffee maker is perfect for espresso lovers who don’t want to shell out to buy expensive equipment. While the coffee produced by this type of coffee maker isn’t technically espresso, it’s still dark and strong enough to do the trick.
These coffee makers have two halves – boiling water is added to the bottom half and coffee grounds to the top. It’s then heated over a stove (hence the name), and the steam created by the heat creates pressure, pushing the water through the beans and resulting in the perfect brew.
Keep in mind that these are only some of the types of coffee makers on offer – check to see if there’s a portable version of your favorite version of the drink before buying.
Additionally, as previously mentioned, there are several other factors that you will have to keep in mind before making a purchase. However, as long as you read the reviews, choose an appliance that produces the perfect cup of joe for your tastes, and make sure that the coffee maker is small enough for you to carry easily, those other factors are secondary.
Constantly being on the go doesn’t have to mean coffee withdrawal. With the numerous portable coffee makers available for you to choose from, all it means is that you’ll soon get proficient at making a cup of coffee in minutes!