MSR WindBurner Coffee Press Kit

A French press add-on to the Windboiler 1.0 liter pot, stows nicely inside and makes a gourmet brew.

The Windboiler Coffee Press kit is a nifty and fully-functional add-on to the 1.0 L Windboiler system. I bought Mine in Pinedale, Wyo., during an unplanned exit midway through a 9-day hike in the Wind Rivers, when with our food supplies partially depleted we decided we could afford the extra weight of the press and some ground coffee. I used it every morning for the rest of the trip, and on a subsequent 10-day canoe trip.

The screen and shaft together weigh 37 grams (1.3 ounces), a small enough weight penalty for a good brew as compared to the instant coffee we were choking down on the first part of the trip. The shaft comes apart into two pieces that lock together via a molded recess in the handle, and the screen and shaft will stack inside the pot on top of the stove burner head, helping to stabilize and protect the burner when on the move.

(the stove burner head is under the screen in this photo)

The Windburner 1.0 L pot is sized to stow a small size canister as well as the burner head, in which case I'm pretty sure there wouldn't be enough room to fit in the press, but I don't have a small canister at hand to check. I usually use larger canisters anyway, and stow my cup lid(s) and a lighter in the pot so that I can use the cup(s) for cooking utensils and related items.

The parts assemble easily. The two parts of the stainless steel shaft screw together and pass through a hole in the pot lid and screws in to a brass fitting molded into the plastic screen assembly. I have learned to put it together with a light touch because it can be overtightened to where I needed a Leatherman to unscrew it — the shaft doesn't give much to hang onto. Otherwise I am confident that it will hold up well under long-term use.

The brewing procedure is self-explanatory, at least to anyone who has used a French press before. Although the max fill line in the pot is at 600 ml (I think because it can boil violently and spit water if filled above the line, raising liability issues), I routinely make about 800 ml of coffee, enough to fill two insulated mugs almost to the brim.

With the fast boil times of the Windboiler and some quality bean, I can make morning coffee before my eyes are fully open! I suppose the next stage is a hand grinder, and after that a milk foamer, but we'll leave that stuff at home for now.