CoffeeForums Coffee Facts

Q: Let's say you're on the road and you need to take your espresso/Cappuccino addiction with you, but you're in the hills where coffee let alone Espresso is unknown/commercially unobtainable. Bearing in mind the electrical outlets provided in tatty rural motels, and your need for a portable, but durable Espresso machine which also makes a passable Cappuccino, do you Choose Gaggia Carrezza, or choose Solis SL-70? The grinder traveling with you is a Pavoni PG-C (the Imat/Nemox Lux, Ascaso 2t conical burr set). Will 1425 watt Gaggia trip circuit breakers at the Bates Motel, sparking a confrontation with the Manager? Does the 1100 watt Solis SL-70 have a 3 prong plug, or a 2 pronger like the Gaggia? Will prolonged storage, months of non-use, kill either of these machines before their time? Or would you choose some other low cost Espresso/Cappuccino maker?

A: I would lug mine if I hadn't already injured my back. I settle for my press or local Espresso when traveling which, in the right neighborhoods, can be pretty good. Where you going? Joplin Missouri in 1931? I have a Goodwill Saeco Via Venetto (sp?) that fits nicely into an old Mac carrying case (the really old all in one units). I can also carry a few other accessories: Cutting board, cork screw, nice wine glasses, steaming pitcher, "good" knife. If in "unknown" areas will include my Braun grinder KM330 - modded to get fine enough for this unit or enough coffee for the first couple shots, then I will explore and find any sources locally. The case itself looks old (about 20 years)- unattractive to "heist merchants", is padded and fairly large again unattractive to "heist merchants". I'd go for the Aeropress as it's the simplest solution and somewhat more flexible depending on the coffee you have access to. I have a funky travel Espressso maker that has two alloy "wings" that flip up. You pour hot water into a cylider over the tamped grounds where it is held by a valve. You then fold down the "wings" - it's a bit like a laPavoni lever machine. Works fine, but too fiddly and messy for camping. I also have a Cappucino maker mocha pot. Stainless steel with the typical water reservoir on the bottom, but a built in foaming plunger for milk. It then pumps the coffee up into the top pot with the foamed milk. Not bad result and quite compact and robust.