http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/produ ... Id=2427103
Backpackers Tea Kettle
I spend a lot of time hiking and backpacking and came across these tiny little backpacking kettles and fell in love. The one I am looking at is made of stainless steel and comes with a tea infuser for loose leaf. They also make them in aluminum and haulite. I have read here somewhere before that if you brew tea in a metal pot/kettle that is tastes funny. Does anyone think this would be a bad buy, or would it make a decent enough cup of tea for the backcountry?
http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/produ ... Id=2427103
http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/produ ... Id=2427103
Do you know of a mug with an infuser off hand? At REI they have a thermos for coffee or tea that has a strainer that stops the leaves or grinds from going in your mouth but then I wonder how you stop the leaves from brewing after a few minutes...
http://www.rei.com/product/748285
I think the mug would be a good option. I do love the ritual of putting on tea though, and this one makes enough for 4 cups so me, my s.o. and our daughter could each have a cup in the morning.
http://www.rei.com/product/748285
I think the mug would be a good option. I do love the ritual of putting on tea though, and this one makes enough for 4 cups so me, my s.o. and our daughter could each have a cup in the morning.
Mar 1st, '08, 12:19
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When out and about and not going full on gong fu I opt for a kettle, thermal mug and mug. I use the thermal mug as a brewing vessel with the drinking hole as a teapot spout.
I find the kettle worthwhile as it boils water far faster than a pan would, I have found my tea making disturbed and delayed due to a group of people eying me with dry noodle snacks in hand.
I find the kettle worthwhile as it boils water far faster than a pan would, I have found my tea making disturbed and delayed due to a group of people eying me with dry noodle snacks in hand.
ooh that is funny! With this one, I could just boil the water then drop the tea in the infuser in and elimate the thermos as brewing vessel. Unless... the metal will make the tea taste funny.
I just ordered a Jetboil stove and after just reading about coffee presses a few threads below this one I wonder if I could just buy the associated java press that goes with it. Hmm, so many options!
In any case, this little kettle sure is cute. And, as I happen to have a weakness for cute.. I think I'll buy it!
Mainly I am curious about the different metals. As I've seen these kettles in steel, aluminum and haulite, I don't know if there will be any differences between them and how they interact with the tea.
I just ordered a Jetboil stove and after just reading about coffee presses a few threads below this one I wonder if I could just buy the associated java press that goes with it. Hmm, so many options!
In any case, this little kettle sure is cute. And, as I happen to have a weakness for cute.. I think I'll buy it!
Mainly I am curious about the different metals. As I've seen these kettles in steel, aluminum and haulite, I don't know if there will be any differences between them and how they interact with the tea.
Yea, I'm all into cute, too, and would probably get that little pot. [So shiny; want to buy.]
When it comes to metal touching food, I really prefer stainless steel to aluminum. But if you're hauling it in a backpack and only using it for camping trips, the lighter the better.
When it comes to metal touching food, I really prefer stainless steel to aluminum. But if you're hauling it in a backpack and only using it for camping trips, the lighter the better.
"Top off the tea... it lubricates the grey matter."
(Jerry Ledbetter, "Good Neighbors")
(Jerry Ledbetter, "Good Neighbors")
Taking a regular mug is usually not an option for backpacking, since weight is an issue. Just a weekend trip, possibly...but I still wouldn't because of the weight and the room it takes up. I know it's difficult for non-backpackers to understand how something that small would be an issue, but it is.
They have so many single infusers on the market i'm sure you can find one that will suit your needs. Unless you plan on using a lot of different foods that just need boiling water, and not actual cook time, I wouldn't go for the kettle. But you know better your pack weight and needs!
Just my fellow backpacker's 2 cents
They have so many single infusers on the market i'm sure you can find one that will suit your needs. Unless you plan on using a lot of different foods that just need boiling water, and not actual cook time, I wouldn't go for the kettle. But you know better your pack weight and needs!
Just my fellow backpacker's 2 cents
Well as far as weight and space I am doing alright. I tend to be a minimalist when camping/backpacking so I feel I could fit this little kettle. I think with everything spreadout my pack weight is about 15 lbs.
We tend to take 4-5 day trips into the Boundary Waters and this year we may go to Isle Royale or Lake of the Woods. The Jetboil I have already boils water real fast and is also it's own cup which is why I was thinking of just adding the java press to it. That would probably be the most efficient way to go about it. But when your sitting out in the woods for days on end doing not much of anything I can imagine I would like the calming, enjoyable effect of putting on the little tea kettle. They say every backpacker should be allowed one frivilous item.. this could be mine, though I'd have to sneak the mini binoculars and bird book into my daughters pack then!
I'm not sure what you mean by single infusers.. you mean just the infuser basket on it's own? What do you drink your tea from?
We tend to take 4-5 day trips into the Boundary Waters and this year we may go to Isle Royale or Lake of the Woods. The Jetboil I have already boils water real fast and is also it's own cup which is why I was thinking of just adding the java press to it. That would probably be the most efficient way to go about it. But when your sitting out in the woods for days on end doing not much of anything I can imagine I would like the calming, enjoyable effect of putting on the little tea kettle. They say every backpacker should be allowed one frivilous item.. this could be mine, though I'd have to sneak the mini binoculars and bird book into my daughters pack then!
I'm not sure what you mean by single infusers.. you mean just the infuser basket on it's own? What do you drink your tea from?
Mar 4th, '08, 19:18
Posts: 344
Joined: Jan 23rd, '08, 00:59
Location: Williamsburg, VA
When I travel I have a small 4oz gaiwan that I take with me. I have a small lunhbox that I bought at Target and I also purchased some 1ft. thick pads from a fabric store. I cut out the exact shape and half the depth of the lunchbox and fitted it with the foam and cut out shapes for the lid, cup (brewing vessel), and saucer, then the other half of the foam fits on top. The thing can be thrown off a balcony and be fine and it takes up hardly any space or any weight at all. The kettle coule be good for brewing water, but I always shy away from actually brewing in metal vessels. I can taste a difference. Many people will tell you they cant, but I certainly do not find this to be the case. I'm not saying I think you should build a contraption like me just for camping but I am trying to say is that I would stay away from metal. I hope this helps!
-Nick (TaiPing)
-Nick (TaiPing)