REVIEW – You’ve probably used a french press to make coffee at some point by now. You’ve probably also used a thermos to keep your precious coffee hot. What would you say if I told you they could be the same thing and make great cups (plural) of coffee? Enter the BruTrek 48 from Planetary Design. It combines both of those into a single product that you’ll wonder how you lived without. And, if you don’t currently have a way to make coffee, this might be the only thing you need.
What is it?
The BruTrek 48 or BaseCamp is a french press built into a double walled stainless steel thermos that should survive any adventure.
What’s included?
- Main canister
- French-press lid and plunger
- Product detail packaging
- Coffee/water ratio card
Tech specs
Click to expand
Material: Double-walled Stainless Steel
Size: 32 or 48 oz versions
Dimensions: 2 lbs 6oz | 11′ high x 4.5″ diameter (+ 2″ handle)
Brew type: French Press
Additional: Bru-Stop™ technology
Design and features
The BruTrek 48 is a serious piece of kit to add to your camping or beach setup. I’ll leave your specific beverage choices (hot coffee/tea, or cold brew) up to you, but this thing can do it all. Beyond that you just need a way to boil water.
The canister is a double-walled, vacuum-sealed chamber for your beverage habits. This is the 48oz version which adds up to a lot of coffee, and a long time that it stays hot.
The plunger has a fine mesh, safely keeping the grounds below and out of your brewed beverage.
The top-side of that plunger has a stainless steel plate, part of their Bru-Stop™ technology. This plate flexes out of the way during plunger deployment to allow the brew through, and then seals off the grounds effectively ending the brew cycle so your next cup isn’t stronger than your first cup. It’s pretty ingenious.
Speaking of the plunger; It has a nice domed top that’s palm and finger friendly along with a diameter that you’d be hard pressed to bend or damage.
The spout has a very positive snap-lock which should all but guarantee against leaking. As a result, you need to flex it a bit to open. Note the two small holes (and their stoppers) that help vent when you’re pouring.
The entire container isn’t going anywhere during this process as there’s a big non-slip pad on the bottom which is helpful given that the whole system is 2 lbs 6oz before you add water.
The handle is sturdier than what comes on some bicycles. It’s bolted on and has a non-slip overmold for pouring confidence.
Lest you be worried about the proper coffee to water ratio, a handy reminder and instructions are waiting for you inside the canister.
Assembly, Installation, Setup
The BruTrek 48 really simplifies the whole process of brewing coffee or tea for that matter. Using a french press is already pretty easy, but when it’s made with a double-walled stainless steel design and impact resistant, BPA-free thermoplastics, there is nothing fragile about this brewing setup.
Let’s walk you through it…
- Measure out your water and set it to boil.
- Measure and add your coarse grounds to the BruTrek canister, then pour in about half your water being sure to get all grounds wet, let steep about 30 seconds, then stir before adding the rest of your water.
- Attach the lid with the plunger up and let it brew for 3-5 minutes.
- Last step is to press the plunger down to separate the coffee from the grounds (or the tea from the leaves). Again, no need to be gentle, but a smooth slow push prevents forcing any grounds up and past the plunger’s wiper. Your beverage is now ready to enjoy.
Performance
I’ve recently been gearing up to start camping again, and when I pulled out the bin labeled “camping” that has been moved more times than it’s been opened, I found the old percolator that is dented and silver just like you’re imagining.
This BruTrek 48 is not that, nor is it the french presses that have a glass carafe. This is more akin to your grandpa’s old Stanley thermos. All the parts are sturdy, the exterior finish feels closer to a power-coated process that will outlive your car’s paint. The handle would even let you wield this as a weapon, although I hope no one ever needs to.
Making coffee is super easy and the best part is the Bru-Stop™ tech which does work. I made 32 oz of coffee at the beach around 9am this morning, using the setup shown in the back of my truck. Enjoyed 3 cups between my wife and myself while chilling at the beach watching the surfers on a foggy morning. Had another cup after getting back home around 1pm, that was still plenty hot.
Cleaning afterward is super simple as the plunger keeps the grounds at the bottom as you pour out any remaining beverage, then you can dump the grounds to rinse. The large 4″ diameter makes it easy to clean inside as is the lid/plunger assembly.
It’s available in either 48 oz or 32 oz versions, and in 4 colors; Red Rock, Obsidian Black, Snowflake White, Storm Gray. Red Rock is shown in the 48 and 32 oz sizes for comparison below.
Now, who wants a cup of coffee?
What I like about Planetary Design BruTrek 48
- Bru-Stop™ – Push the plunger to the bottom and your coffee stops brewing
- Hot coffee – Stays hot for hours
- 2-in-1 – Brewing and thermos in one product
- Indestructible
What needs to be improved?
- Nothing, but note it’s not your ultralight, backpacking coffee maker
Final thoughts
Should you need a way to brew when you camp, or when you beach, or just when… the BruTrek is a stellar option. Easy to use, easy to clean and it’ll be ready whenever you are.
Price: $60 for 32 oz | $70 for 42 oz
Where to buy: Planetary Design and Amazon
Source: The sample of this product was provided for free by Planetary Design. Planetary Design did not have a final say on the review and did not preview the review before it was published.
