Compact Manual Espresso Makers Are A Great Outdoor Option
For some conventional camping coffee methods are not enough. True espresso lovers like to be able to make there beverage of choice even when they are on the road or enjoying the great outdoors. Here are a few portable espresso makers that can make a good cup of espresso almost anywhere. Portable espresso makers seem to be growing in popularity, and as a result more products are being introduced on a regular basis. We here at Camping Coffee will keep our eyes open for great new camping worthy espresso makers and add them to the list if they make the cut.
| Portable Espresso Makers | Our Picks | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Homgeek Mini | Budget Pick | Material: Food Grade Plastic | Dimensions: 3.74″ x 2.76 “x 7.09” |
| Minipresso GR | Top Pick | Material: Food Grade Plastic | Dimensions: 2.8″ x 2.4 “x 6.9” |
| Handpresso Outdoor Set | Dimensions: 8.2″ x 4 “x 10,2” | Plus Accessories | |
| Litchi Portable | Material: Food Grade BPA Free Plastic | Dimensions: 2.7″ x 3.7 “x 7.6” |
Homgeek Mini Espresso Maker
- Capacity: 2.82oz
- Material: Food Grade Plastic
- Dimensions: 3.74″ x 2.76 “x 7.09”
- Weight: 12.99oz
Like all the portable espresso makers on this list the Homgeek requires hot water, so you will need a way to heat water in order to make a great cup of espresso. Fortunatly there are some great compact camping stoves that make this pretty easy.
Initially the Homgeek feels like it might not be really durable due to it’s light weight and somewhat cheap feeling plastic, but that initial impression has proved to be incorrect. This mini espresso maker just keeps on going, so props to Homgeek for finding a happy medium between weight and quality.
One of the benefits this manual espresso maker has over automatic machines is that it is quiet, The easy to operate hand pump does all the work quietly which is especially nice if you are camping or backpacking.
One drawback of the Homgeek Mini Espresso Maker is that it struggles a bit if the coffee is packed to tightly. Make sure to just tamp the coffee down lightly, and it will deliver a great cup of espresso.
Minipresso GR Portable Espresso Maker
- Capacity: 1.69oz
- Material: Food Grade Plastic
- Dimensions: 2.8″ x 2.4 “x 6.9”
- Weight: 10.4oz
The MinPresso by Wacaco is the smallest portable espresso maker on this list, but it’s small size does not seem to have a negative effect on the quality of the espresso it produces.
One of the highlights of the MinPresso is the option of ordering a larger water tank that holds up 100ml of water for those times you need to make two cups of espresso relatively quickly.
Like the Homgeek version mentioned above it is important not to tamp the ground coffee down to tightly, because the hand pump does not create quit enough pressure push it through. It takes a few test trials to get the tamping and grind size exactly right for the best possible results, but testing shots of espresso is not the worst way to spend time.
One of the drawbacks of the MinPresso is that the nozzle can be a bit difficult to clean. Ideally MinPresso will update this model with one that allows the user to disassemble the nozzle. Still this is a relatively mild inconvenience for the ability to make an excellent cup of espresso almost anywhere.
Handpresso Outdoor Set
- Capacity: 1.69oz
- Dimensions: 8.2″ x 4 “x 10,2”
- Weight: 3.25lbs
- Includes: 1 Handpresso Wild Espresso Maker, 4 Espresso Cups, 1 Insulated Flask, 2 Napkins, 1 Light Weight Hard Thermo Foam Case.
The Handpresso set is quite a bit more expensive than the other products on this list, and it is quite a bit bigger, but it is such a well built and convenient set that it is probably a must have item for a lot of espresso lovers. It’s size and weight probably make it less than ideal for most backpackers, but for picnics, road trip or drive in camping the Handpresso Outdoor Espresso set is awesome.
The thermos that ships with this set is nice to have for those times you are making espresso for multiple people, and the temperature gauge on the thermos lets you know when the coffee inside is getting a bit too cool.
One of the benefits the Handpresso has over most other portable espresso makers is the ability to use loose coffee or the more convenient E.S.E. pods. The main drawback of the Minpresso is the relatively weak portafilter that ships with it. For best results I recommend replacing it with an intense portafilter.
If you are looking for the ultimate manual espresso maker for road trips or picnics than the Minpresso Outdoor Set is hard to beat.
Litchi Portable Espresso Maker
- Capacity: 1.69oz
- Material: Food Grade BPA Free Plastic
- Dimensions: 2.7″ x 3.7 “x 7.6”
- Weight: 13.1oz
The Litchi Espresso Maker stands out from the other products on this list by being both the cheapest and the easiest to make more than one shot of espresso quickly. The Litchi is also the easiest product on this list to clean after use which is a big plus for campers and backpackers.
The main drawback of the Litchi is that the angle of the pump makes it a bit more awkward to operate than most of the others on this list. However it also seemed to take less work than the MinPresso or the Homgeek versions to get adequate pressure for a good cup of espresso.
The drawstring bag that ships with this is an appreciated accessory that it’s competitors don’t offer. Overall the Litchi is a well designed product that should last for years if it is used properly.
- Homgeek Mini | Capacity: 2.82oz | Material: Food Grade Plastic | Dimensions: 3.74″ x 2.76 “x 7.09” | Read More…
- Minipresso GR | Capacity: 1.69oz | Material: Food Grade Plastic | Dimensions: 2.8″ x 2.4 “x 6.9” | Read More…
- Handpresso Outdoor Set | Capacity: 1.69oz | Dimensions: 8.2″ x 4 “x 10,2” | Plus Accessories | Read More…
- Litchi Portable | Capacity: 1.69oz | Material: Food Grade BPA Free Plastic | Dimensions: 2.7″ x 3.7 “x 7.6” | Read More…