Coffee, Tea, at Sea! - How do you like it?

[OdayDave]

Low octane and then espresso

When we overnight on the boat, the first one up perks a pot of coffee on the stove. After the first couple of cups of low test (and usually after breakfast) we make espresso. The little portable espresso maker from GSI (see the link) was a stocking stuffer from my wife a few years ago. It works great and now I wouldn't be without it in the morning. Daves/v Hakuna MatattaO'Day 222

 

[al hughes]

coffee bags

I use the Folgers Coffee bags on board. There is very little mess. The bags are about the size of a tea bag and sealed in a foil bag. No grounds, and no coffee pot to clean out.Good winds, AL

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

Mark...Percolator 101

Fill the pot with COLD water. Use 2 tablespoons (one coffee measure) of "percolator grind" coffee--drip grind is too fine...you'll have grounds in your coffee--per cup of water. Put on the stove over high heat...after it starts to perk, watch the little glass in the top of the lid...when it's a good rich dark color, it's ready to drink. It may take a little practice know how long to perk it to keep it from being too weak or too strong and bitter...but once you get the hang of it, perked coffee is better than ANY drip or french press.As for the "coffee bags"...if you just dunk 'em in hot water till the water turns brown, the coffee they make is barely one step better than bilge water (so is tea, if you make it that way)! And IMO, coffee from a French press isn't any better. But if you pour BOILING water over the bag, then cover the cup and wait about 2-3 minutes, they make coffee that's actually pretty decent--still not great, but a LOT better! And any self-respecting Brit knows that the water must be boiling when it's poured over tea to make it drinkable at all.

 

[Mark Burrows]

Gracias Peggy

I'll get my percolator grind tomorrow!Mark

 

[Bob Todd]

Hey Peggie...

You forgot one thing.Once the coffee begins to fully perk, turn the heat down as low as possible without losing the perk. For a small (6 cup) pot you perk for about 8 minutes. For a large (10 - 12 cup) pot, a bit longer.Perking continuously on high heat tends to boil the whole pot and can cause a bitter taste.Been perking on the boat and at home for about 30 years and there's nothing like it.Cheers,Bob

 

[DCC22853]

12V Kettle?

I would like a 12V kettle, so that I don't have to mess with the stove or a pot if I just want a hot chocolate or cup of soup. Does anyone know where I could get such a thing? I've seen 12V coffee makers and even 12V blenders, but a simple kettle seems to be completely elusive.