I like my homemade doily swag lamp. Sometimes I consider changing out the shade. However, when last I mentioned that idea to Don, he gave it a thumbs down. Turns out he likes the crocheted doilies because they allow him to see through the lamp to the window and beyond. There’s a lightness, an airiness to the whole thing. So it stays as is.
When I realized I’d be staying in Brooklyn off and on over the next week and a half (in an apartment close to the theater) I knew it was time to finally order my Kuissential SlickDrip.
What the heck is that, you ask?
You know I love my coffee. Since last summer, I’ve started making my coffee every morning using the single cup pour over method. Best coffee I’ve ever tasted. It involves using a filter holder that sits on top of a mug, a number 2 filter, a couple scoops of coffee and boiling water. Simple. Cheap. Just the cost of the coffee and the filters. Here at the house, we use a filter holder made by Melitta that we’ve had for years. But what to do when one of us is traveling?
This. It is perfect for traveling. It’s made of silicone, and collapses for easy packing.
Here it is, sans filter.
And here it is in its neatly collapsed state.
I tried it out both yesterday and today and, maybe I’m crazy, but my coffee seems to taste better than ever.
I was turned onto the SlickDrip by my roommate this past summer in Chautauqua. Andrea is a costume designer and she travels a lot. She told me she had two needs on the road: portable speakers for her music/playlist and the SlickDrip. She likes a strong cup of coffee. Her enthusiasm for it was infectious. She insisted on making me a cup of Peets using the SlickDrip and I went into a swoon after tasting the coffee. I became a single cup pour over convert. When I came home, I dug out our Melitta filter holder and stopped using the coffeemaker. It’s now in the closet and I’ve never turned back.
I’m not being paid by Kuissential, they don’t know I exist. Oh, wait: they do know I exist because, after I purchased the SlickDrip via Amazon, they sent me a great email with all sorts of tips for making great coffee. I just wanted to share this with you because it’s such a neat idea.
Anyway, you know I love to talk about coffee and I know everyone has their preferred method of brewing coffee. It’s a highly personal thing! But, after years and years of coffee drinking, I feel like I’ve finally found the best way to make an excellent cup of coffee and it doesn’t involve the expense of a coffee maker. Who knew? We’ve happily kicked the coffee maker to the curb.
And just like making a good cup of tea, this takes a little time. I find the ritual of slowly adding water to the grounds very calming – a little ceremony, if you will. It’s a nice way to start my morning.
Tomorrow, when I take off for Manhattan/Brooklyn, I’ll have a bag of Peets, a few filters, and my collapsible coffee dripper.
And some books to read, of course. And my flannel pajamas.
New post up on Just Let Me Finish This Page. I want to know your thoughts on The Long Way Home by Louise Penny. I just finished it.
Happy Thursday.
Wendy TC says
I’ve been using a French press for years. I used to have three, but the medium size broke a number of years ago and I never replaced it. I use the small one as an everyday press, so I can make just one or two cups of coffee. I use the large one for small gatherings and during tax season. Traditionally, I brew a large French press of coffee for my tax prep sessions. Somehow, Peet’s helps me get through them. Bon voyage and stay safe and warm.
Claudia says
Peets helps get me through a lot of things, Wendy!
Sarah says
The pour over method is the best isn’t it, Claudia? I, too, have one for a single cup of coffee and have been using that method for years. One of my sons turned me onto the method, but (unless I’m in a hurry) I pour boiling water into the mug first and make sure the mug is HOT and then proceed to make my coffee. My son has been using his filter holder since college and he is now 53 years old!
Oh, BTW, I ordered the Levenger tote bag yesterday…they are on sale. I hope I like it, butI’m short so I don’t know if it will be too big for me or not. Anyway, they should give you a discount on your next order because I first learned about the tote from your post!
Be safe on your trip and enjoy that coffee!
Sarah
Claudia says
Good idea to pour boiling water into the mug first, Sarah!
Enjoy your tote bag – I bet if the handle is too long, you could get a shoe repair person to add a couple of holes in the strap.
Vera says
Good Morning Claudia. I had forgotten about this nifty device! I’ve used a single cup Melita cone for years and years. Don’t use it daily…still rely on my (old) coffee maker, but when that goes I may switch over. I really love French press coffee and Ikea has a nice, large press for little money. But the slick drip would be awesome for when we travel in our camper. I love that it collapses right down to almost nothing. You’d better pack not only flannel pj’s, but long underwear as well…this weekend is going to be brutal along the NE corridor.
Claudia says
Yes, it’s going to be cold, but thankfully, I’m staying right across the street from the theater! And I’m already used to the cold – it’s been consistently frigid here in my little neck of the woods.
Linda @ A La Carte says
My Calif daughter uses this method for coffee and I must admit it is very good. My other daughter uses a French Press. I still have my Kcup but I’m giving thought to changing to the Melitta drip method since the Kcups do cause lots of trash and I’m feeling a bit bad about that. I might have to buy the slickdrip for my daughter who travels a lot! Enjoy your trip to the city!
hugs,
Linda
Claudia says
It might be a neat gift for her, Linda!
Dawn says
What a neat device, it makes me want to drink coffee again. I had an old client (in her late 90’s) that was from Ireland and she always used something similar but hers was glass.
Claudia says
I’ve seen the glass holders, Dawn. (Of course, I’d probably break one if it was glass.)
Patricia says
Hi Claudia,
The Kuissential reminds me of a collapsible cup my dear Aunt Blanche gave me one year when I was very young. It was for traveling. She also gave me paper toilet seat covers. I’m sure I was no more than a tween when I received the gift, and I never knew such a thing existed. You can imagine at the time I thought it was quite an odd gift! Aunt Blanche was indeed ahead of her time, bless her heart!
Claudia says
Aunt Blanche was a trend-setter, Patricia.
Donnamae says
I’m curious…is a slick drip similar to how a French press works? I’ve had wonderful French press coffee…and awful coffee. Does the slick drip produce a stronger cup? Sounds like you are all set for tomorrow…enjoy! ;)
Claudia says
I’ve used a French Press, but many, many years ago, so I’m not sure. French Presses are, for me, messy. I like the grounds being contained in the filter. It does produce a strong cup of coffee, which I like.
Nancy Blue Moon says
The SlickDrip sounds perfect for a traveler like you Claudia..and for home too..I don’t like really strong coffee so I probably wouldn’t enjoy it..I’m looking forward to hearing about your next adventure..Be safe in the big city!
Claudia says
I will, Nancy.
missy george says
Clever device..I almost wish I had somewhere to go so I could use one…
Claudia says
Well, of course, you could use one at home, like I did this morning!
Pat says
All these coffee methods are new to me! I used to have a wonderful percolator and it made wonderfully strong HOT coffee… Now I have a regular OL coffee maker. :/
I’d be willing to try something like this…
Have safe travels!!
Claudia says
Thank you, Pat!
Janet in Rochester says
Good for you, Claudia. Hey, people have been making good coffee for centuries without expensive electronic equipment. Dammit, we can again! LOL. Bunns and Keurigs and Technivorms all eventually break down and/or wear-out, and need to be replaced. But you’ll have that little red circle of silicone forever and it’ll always make you good coffee. Without taking up space or requiring energy. It’s not only smarter and cheaper, but it’s sustainable and green too! Personally I think the world needs to realize that “the simpler way” is often better way for many many more things beside coffee. Hey, I can dream… Enjoy your day!
Claudia says
Much cheaper, that’s for sure. And very space saving. As someone who doesn’t have all that much counter space, I really love not seeing that coffeemaker there.
Marilyn says
Had a melita in the70’s or 80’s and LOVED it. Have thought of going back to it. Love my keurig as hubby doesn’t drink coffee so for 30-60 cents per cup I try to justify it. I also have a nice coffee maker that I rarely use..think I’d really like to return to “simple” (and GREAT btw!)
When you get a chance, I hope you will share your coffee measurements. I can never seem to get it right (approx how many ounces of water and how many scoops (Tablespoons perhaps?) of coffee? I don’t know that I have ever seen Peets coffee in this part of the U.S. May have to hit up Amazon (what kind? dark roast, french roast, regular, decaf? I assume there are several versions)
Safe travels and stay warm!!!
Claudia says
I like strong coffee and I use French Roast. Not everyone likes their coffee that way. But I don’t like Starbucks, which, as a rule, I find too strong. I use two coffee scoops per mug – but I use a large mug.
Susie says
Claudia, I had never heard of this. Sure seems easy enough. Simple to pack and take along. Hope you have a fun trip. xoxo,Susie
Claudia says
Very easy, Susie.
Barbara W. says
I must admit I’m pretty happy with my single serve Keurig (Christmas gift). I’m the only coffee drinker in our home, so no more wasted coffee. The other day I noticed our local hole-in-the-wall hamburger joint serves coffee in a small French Press, instead from the usual carafe stewing on a hot plate. I was quite impressed!
Can’t wait to hear about your next adventures! This term my daughter is taught Milton by a professor from Brooklyn whom she raves about. (I think secretly she likes his accent.)
Claudia says
Using the single cup pour over, there’s no waste of coffee, either. There was when we used our regular coffee maker. I’m thrilled to no longer have a coffee maker taking up counter space!
Cool about the hamburger joint!
pam in illinois says
I have the Mellita brewer and I just cannot seem to get a good cup of coffee from it. What ‘grind’ do you use? We have a Keurig coffee maker. I buy the San Francisco Bay coffee. It 99.9 % recyclable pods. The rings at the top are made of corn. Even the bags they are packed in are biodegradable.
I am glad you will be able to enjoy a good cup of coffee while you are gone. pam
Claudia says
I just buy Peets French Roast Ground. I have a grinder, but I find I don’t want to go through grinding the beans every morning – it’s noisy and I don’t want to wake up Don. (And I don’t like having to clean out the grinder.) As simple as possible, that’s my motto!
Nancy in PA says
Now I’m trying to imagine Milton with a Brooklyn accent, Barbara W. I had a Spanish teacher in high school who had a Bronx accent, after studying for two years with a teacher who spoke perfect Castilian. It was interesting, to say the least.
Claudia, have you ever tried FaceTime with Scout?
How does she act when she sees you preparing for a trip?
Claudia says
She doesn’t get it, either on Face Time or Skype. She walks away! She doesn’t know yet that I’m going but she will tomorrow. She just gets rather still and sad. But Daddy will spoil her.
Barbara W. says
My daughter spent a lot of her formative years in England and subsequently sounds like an announcer from the BBC. Oxford v. Brooklyn? I think open discussion in that class would be a lot of fun to listen to.
Doris says
Claudia, Enjoy your city time. Doris
Claudia says
Thank you, Doris. I’ll miss my family, though. I don’t like being away from them.
Chris k in Wisconsin says
Glad it won’t be a long time away this time. I am watching the Evening news and, oh, my!! I hope you aren’t in the path for this next weather mess. It appears it is going farther north?? I feel so sorry for those folks. After last winter it just makes my stomach hurt to think of it.
Safe travels, and stay warm and dry while you enjoy your traveling coffee buddy!! Let’s hope the forecasters are off track on this one and it all just fades away.
Claudia says
I don’t think we’re going to get the stuff that is headed toward New England, but it’s going to be unbelievably, dangerously cold this weekend!
Lori says
I stumbled upon the ‘pourover’ method this fall . After watching several youtube videos, I treated us to the tools needed to do the job and we’ve been making them ever since. I too enjoy the ritual involved, the patience needed to brew the perfect cup. We earned BIG points when we gave the Hario tea kettle and ceramic dripper to our son-in-law for Christmas….maybe the travel dripper will b his birthday gift :)
Have a great week and enjoy your coffee !
Claudia says
I like that ritual, too. Somehow it makes the coffee worth the waiting for.
Sweet Cottage Dreams says
So is there a filter that goes inside?
We once had a coffee maker with a glass carafe. When that broke, we used the filter and put
it over a metal coffee pump pot and poured the hot water into the filter. After having had a few nasty burns, we opted out for a new coffee maker. Barry bought a Technivorm Mocha Master and we are loving the way our coffee turns out.
LOVE your coffee mug!!!
Claudia says
A #2 paper filter, Becky. Easy-peasy!
Debby Messner says
Safe travels, stay warm and enjoy that coffee. I saw Peets in the grocery. I think I will try this.
Claudia says
I’m drinking some of that coffee right now, Debby!
Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces says
I’ve never seen this before. It really would be great for travelling! Thanks for sharing!
Claudia says
I think it’s perfect for traveling, Linda.
t says
Thank you for this recommendation; I am a pour over girl, perfect for just me, but a hassle when my husband wants coffee, too (company, etc). Switched to a French press that makes more than one cup (and was in my cupboard) after being served coffee this way following Christmas dinner at an elegant restaurant. I still prefer pour over, so adding this collapsible version will be perfect for storing and will allow me to brew two cups at once. And so much easier to through in our pail for composting than getting the grounds out of the French press.
And I am a Peets lover, too; Major Dickinson’s please!