Campsite coffee: Bellman Espresso and Steamer CX 25L review


Coffee-lovers, don’t freak, but back when I lived in the UK I’d be pretty happy with a cup of instant coffee in my tent. I know what you’re thinking … ew. Well, luckily you lot introduced me to the real stuff and well, now I just can’t go back.
That was until we started road tripping around Australia and the daily hunt for a decent cafe began. You’ll know just as well as me that those hunts can sometimes be impossible, especially when you’re camping off-grid (I mean, you literally have no chance). To avoid having to opt for the instant petrol-like stuff, last year we bought ourselves a Bellman Espresso & Steamer CX 25P. Want to know how we’ve found it? Read on to get the low-down.
We wanted something that could produce a rich espresso; a coffee that’s just as good as what we’d get from our local cafe. We also needed something we could take camping and it looked perfect for adventures on (and off) the road – you can even put it on the fire. We don’t really use the milk steamer, but it’s nice to know there is one when we feel like testing our barista skills. Finally, you can make three to nine cups from it – anything from a long black to a flat white – which is pretty cool if you’ve got company.
The Bellman is a stovetop espresso maker so first things first, you’ll need a stove! You will also need ground coffee which you can buy, but I recommend buying beans and grinding them yourself – it’ll put your coffee in a whole new league. Once you’ve got your ground coffee ready, here’s what you need to do:
Overall, the Bellman Espresso & Steamer was probably our best purchase last year. We use it all the time, whether at home on a lazy Sunday, camping or cruising around in a camper. I really recommend this to anyone who loves both brews and adventures.
Cost: $349 (however, it is currently on sale for $279)
Where to purchase: Alternative Brewing
I have an antique Italian one of these bought at an auction house for about $10. It is one of my treasures, along with a Swedish gas fired toaster/grill.
Your grounds look too coarse.
If you can do 9 cups, I would be extremely surprised.
Tip. Do the milk first.
there are much easier ways to make a great coffee. we found it very hard to get a consistent brew.
How did you go about the long black? did you simply steam the water? any tips are appriciated. nice review. I’m planning to get one