Drop 01: Wolf Hour/ 50 made/ The list hears first

Gear / kit / coffee

Tailgate coffee

Proper coffee out of the back of a truck. One burner, one grinder, one press, five minutes. Works at a trailhead, works at school pick-up.

The setup that lives in the truck. It makes a better cup than most of the cafes on the way, which is the only reason to carry it.

How to decide

  1. What it costs. Grinder is the thing to spend on. The press is cheap and the kettle you already own.
  2. Look and feel. Everything here fits in one small bag. If it doesn't, you've bought too much.
  3. Take notes. Count how many people you usually make coffee for. Most of this kit is one cup at a time.
Chestnut C3 grinder

DOES THE JOB

Chestnut C3 grinder

Timemore / $60 to 80

The grinder that made me stop looking at grinders. Not the best one on earth, but it’s the one I reach for because it’s small, it’s metal, and it grinds fine enough for an AeroPress without taking all morning. Tape the lid when it’s in the bag.

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AeroPress Go

POCKET ROCKET

AeroPress Go

AeroPress / $40 to 50

Nobody’s paying me to say this. It’s the one coffee thing that goes on every trip without me thinking about it, and that’s the whole test. Makes a proper cup on a tailgate in about ninety seconds. Bring a second one or make your friend wait.

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