Stanley French Press Coffee Kit
You can usually find me testing out the latest gadgets and high tech gear. But this time, some of the new gear I got that I’m most excited about isn’t as high-tech as I’m used to. I love it nonetheless and want to share.
First up, this awesome Stanley French Press Coffee Kit I got at Campers Village. This versatile set up allows you to boil water in the compact narrow kettle pot, add your coffee (grounds are conveniently stored in the lid!) then use the French press plunger grid to press fresh quality coffee, and transfer it to the thermos where it’ll stay hot for 24 hours. It also keeps drinks cold or iced if that’s your thing. I also thought it was really clever that the lid unscrews into two coffee mugs.
I also got a lot of use out of this kit by pairing it with a Biolite CampStove. Check out my video of how it all worked together! [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLLEy6r1jpk]
Next, I tested out a handy flashlight charger. The Black Diamond Ember Power light gives you light when you need it, which you always do when you’re camping, plus its USB port will also charge any gadget you have with a USB plug. Dead camera? No problem. Phone out of juice? Easy to fix. I kept this gadget in my purse and also found it really versatile when we were short-cutting home through a park after visiting a neighbour after dark. My husband’s also been stealing it for everything from finding some papers in his truck after sunset, to recharging his phone on the golf course.
LED Tent Peg
Speaking of light, I also love these new 10″ LED Light Tent Pegs from Coghlans. They secure your tent, tarp or lines, and have a simple twist on/off bright LED light which will keep you from tripping in the dark. I found myself using these to mark hazards around the campsite too, like big rocks and roots. Now, if only we could build LED lighting fibers into the tent strings….
I also picked up a couple other low tech options that I find I’m using constantly while camping and on the road.
The Nemo Helio Pressure Shower is super handy if you like to camp away from crowds and off the beaten path. It comes in a tiny zip pack about the size of a mixing bowl. The 11L capacity means plenty of water, and because it rests on the ground, you don’t need to worry about hefting it overhead, or trying to fill it while it’s dangling from a tree. So how does it work then? You pressurize the “tank” with a foot pump then use the sprayer to enjoy 5-7 minutes of shower time.
Curious how it works? Watch the short video![youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGeMMBlgLAw]
Lastly, I snagged one of these versatile hooks, thinking it would come in handy and it did. The Nite Ize Gear Line is a handy line with rigid twist-tie-like tabs on each end. It’s got several different carabiner-type S-clips along its length, meaning you can string up whatever you want and keep it there with ease. You can use it on a tree like I did to keep a garbage bag within easy reach, or use it in a tent to keep gear, towels, water bottles, or keys off the floor and within grabbing distance.
That’s just some of the new gear I’m loving this season. You can find everything I mentioned at Campers Village in Calgary and Edmonton, or online at Campers-Village.com
I’ll also be showing off these gadgets and some other cool camping gear later in July on CTV’s Tech Talk!
