Brew Time

February 21, 2008 by Darren
Filed under: Blog, Walking the dogs 

Well with the “life events” in full swing, it meant I found myself walking the dogs in daylight. I’ve said in the past that the dog walking is some “me” time. So today I took out the Vargo “Ti-Lite” Mug and my Outdoor Designs Mini Stove, so I could brew up on the way round.

The Outdoor Designs Mini Stove I’ve had for a couple of years now. I’ve mainly used it as a second stove, along side the Jetboil when on family camping holidays. For the price that Backpackinglight.co.uk are selling it, I don’t think you can go wrong with this little stove. It’s ideal for the backpacker/camper on a tight budget, or for the teenage child on the D of E. It’s not the lightest stove on the market, but then again at the price who cares.  The stove even has a built in ignition system, so no need for matches. The stove just has a robust feel to it. I like this stove alot. Sadly I didn’t time how long it took to boil the water.

Left: Brew kit

Below: the Vargo “Ti-Lite” Mug in use with windshield.

This was the first time I’d used the Vargo “Ti-Lite” Mug, it’s light, and I boiled some water in it. Once the water had boiled I used the handles on the “Ti-Lite” to pour into my MSR Titanium Mug and MSR Mug Mate. The handles were warm, but not so hot that I couldn’t use my bare hands to hold the “Ti-Lite”.

The windshield you can see in the pictures is made from the “Pot Cosy and Windshield” kit from Backpackinglight.co.uk. You will also see that I needed to use it today because of the strong breeze about. But muggins here had forgotten any tent pegs to help hold it in place. So I improvised by using twigs!  The windshield is one I use with the Jetboil, because sometimes you do need a windscreen even for the Jetboil. The problem with the Jetboil is finding one tall enough to be used with it. Most of the commercial ones are too short.

I do like my MSR Titanium Mug, and I think it is crying out for a mini cup cosy of it’s own for when the coffee is brewing. Kate will be so pleased I’m planning on giving Bob more of my money ^__^

Well I think I’ve bored you enough with this little brew kit talk. Imagine what it would of been like if I’d had a bushbuddy? But it’s those peaceful moments (with the distant sound of the M3, and soldiers firing) that just makes it bearable to get through the “life events”. I may get odd looks sometimes when people come across me brewing up, but then who cares I’m the one with fresh hot coffee.

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Comments

10 Comments on Brew Time

  1. mike pitt on Thu, 21st Feb 2008 8:22 pm

    2. that sounds like a great idea a pot cozy for the mug whilst coffee brews.
    thanks

  2. Darren on Thu, 21st Feb 2008 9:25 pm

    3. Mike, you’re welcome
    let me know how you get on with it.

  3. Caron on Fri, 22nd Feb 2008 4:51 pm

    4. I use one of those silicon charity/fashion band things round the top of my mug so I don’t burn my lips. I made my cozy so that it only comes up to the bottom of the band. Cut out a rectangle around the handles or even just some slits…you lose some insulation but you don’t have to remove the cozy to drink :)

  4. Darren on Fri, 22nd Feb 2008 9:58 pm

    5. Caron,
    thanks for those tips.
    Do you have any piccies of this I can post?

  5. Caron on Sat, 23rd Feb 2008 11:15 am

    6. I could take some. How do I get them to you?

  6. Caron on Sat, 23rd Feb 2008 11:39 am

    7. Ignore my last. Have engaged brain now and photos are uploading to Flickr :) http://www.flickr.com/photos/12843134@N00/

  7. Darren on Sun, 24th Feb 2008 9:06 am

    8. Caron,
    thank you for doing that.
    excellent photos, they really show the cosy well.
    Couldn’t possibly have the band you use though. My dad would turn in his grave, he was a para ^_^

  8. Caron on Sun, 24th Feb 2008 8:00 pm

    9. Hey! It was free! :)

  9. TTG on Tue, 16th Jun 2009 5:49 pm

    10. The photographs showing the stove and windshield seems to show a blue band around the canister is this a cosy for the gas can too? I have the evargo mug, did your come with grease inside that did not shift with detergent? I had to boil it away on my hotplate stove at home (forgot about it and boiled it dry) to remove the grease. This mug and the MSR and Alpkit versions too are actually heavier thn some Aluminium pots. My AGG 3 cup has the same volume and is a quarter lighter. Just thought you should know.

    I am thinking of getting a Primus windshield and the pot with the flux ring on it to go with my old primus stove. It is cheaper than paying £50 for the eta express and gets you the same thing but my stove has PZ ignition.

  10. Darren on Tue, 16th Jun 2009 6:06 pm

    11. TTG, that is a cozy for the gas cylinder as you rightly guessed. It was made out of a bit of a sleeping mat. I can’t claim credit for the idea or making it, that was Podcast Bob, who gave it to me.
    There was no grease in my mug.
    Thanks for the pointer about the AGG3.
    Yep that is the cheaper way to get the same if you already have the stove. Plus it gives a better windshield.
    Thanks for the great comment

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