Date:         Tue, 7 Dec 1999 11:06:03 -0500
Reply-To:     The Bus Depot <ron@NETCARRIER.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         The Bus Depot <ron@NETCARRIER.COM>
Subject:      Re: Campfire coffee, was: Heater for Winter Camping
In-Reply-To:  <01BF40A1.20457B40@ip239.raleigh10.nc.pub-ip.psi.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

We use what I think is called a French Press here in the States. You see
them all over Europe but not too frequently here.  You boil water separately
in a pot over the stove or fire, then pour it into this carafe, which you
have already put ground coffee in (ground slightly courser than would be
used in an auto drip coffee maker).  After letting it steep for several
minutes, you push down on the reuseable metal filter at the top of the
carafe, which forces all of the grounds to the bottom of the carafe,
allowing you to pour "groundless" coffee.  The carafe we have makes perhaps
4-5 cups, and has an outside insulated layer to keep the coffee warmer
longer (and is also plastic, which helps protect the glass carafe inside it
while bouncing around inside the camper cabinets).  Frankly, it makes a
better cup of coffee than an auto drip coffee maker, which I am told is why
they are so popular in Europe.  We got ours at a small shop in Bath, England
while traveling through Europe in a VW camper last year.  But I'm told that
Starbucks has them, as well, I'm sure, as most better housewares stores.

- Ron Salmon
  The Bus Depot, Inc.
  http://www.busdepot.com
  (215) 234-VWVW



 > Well, we actually use an old style campfire coffee pot on our Westy
stove.
> Not the type with the little perc basket, but the REAL old style...Pour in
> coffee, Pour in water, Boil until it smells right (about 10 minutes), let
> settle 1 minute, pour in cup. Mmmmmmm. Brush teeth afterward, or else you
> look like you've never been to the dental hygienist.