Review on GSI Outdoors Personal Java Press by Kenny Rossi

Lightweight, works as it should, pours well, coffee beans don't spill into cup. Important; read instructions. These instant coffee packs like SB Via etc are ok for me in an emergency. But this GSI coffee press is awesome! Oooochen better aroma, taste than soluble. Always in my backcountry backpack now. This GSI pressing system requires care in handling. Because it's plastic, it won't stand up to mishandling, abuse, or the use of force like a steel press at home. Precautions are mentioned in the instructions for use. You can vary the amount of coffee as you like. Instructions recommend 2 tablespoons for every 6 ounces of water. I like my coffee a little weaker, so 18 ounces of boiled water makes 4 or 5 tablespoons instead of 6. Be sure to use a coarse grind rather than a fine grind. I use MSR Reactor to heat and boil water separately. Pour coffee into the press container, add boiling water, stir, then cover with a lid and turn slightly to close the opening to the spout. Then wait 4 minutes, slowly push the plunger, twist the lid to open the spout, pour into a mug, add cream/milk if desired, close the lid and enjoy. The only drawback: while you are waiting for the brew, the water cools down a bit. Who can drink boiling hot coffee?! I believe the end result is very hot coffee. Warm up your hands a bit while holding the cup, then drink when the temperature is right. When you're done, I find that when you remove the cover/piston to clean, pull the piston up. The cover is now easier to remove. Otherwise the lid will be difficult to remove as the plunger will have to go through the sides of the kettle in the down/lower position. Easy to clean with water, rinse. Pour used coffee beans near the bushes, they are useful. If water from a natural source (e.g. stream, lake) is used for cleaning, you can expose the printing system to contamination. Using hot, boiling water for the next brew can kill any possible bacterial contamination in the press from the natural water source. I usually keep a few ounces of boiled water separate so I can clean out the press pot and cup when I'm done. Store as dry as possible.