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I am taking Primitvo so in some stages there are no bars, just great nature to be appreciated (I added this to the initial note). But I am too aware of the extra 300 grams (plus cup).My advice is to forget the thermos as the added weight will eventually get to you.
Did I miss the Camino you are walking? Some routes like the CF are blessed (mostly) with regular bars and cafes where you can get your cuppa if you need it.
Other routes will be more hit or miss.
I think that you are answering your own question and leaning to not taking it
I too am a tea drinker and understand your desire for a hot tea break. When I was younger, in cold weather, I slugged a thermos, with me that had a plastic cup. However,I have given up on this practice given the weight of the Thermos over so many miles.
thankyou, I had a look at the thread and feel less quirk for my tea addictionDo check out this long thread detailing how some of us brew and drink when in an albergue.
I do not know the answer to your question re getting hot water in the morning on the Primitivo.thankyou, I had a look at the thread and feel less quirk for my tea addiction
But now I have an additional rookie question.
I am doing the Primitivo and staying in municipal albergues as much as possible. But I was not considering taking a electric coil, I assumed that it would be no issue to get hot water in the morning. The thread is from 2013 so somethings might have changed (or not).
Do you know if getting hot water in the morning in the albergue will be an issue?
I really love a hot cup of tea so I was planning on taking a thermos bottle and some tea bags so I could have a nice cup during the break stops, surrounded by nature (it's my first Camino, maybe I am being too idealistic).
So I started to do some test runs during my training walks. And now I have a problem. The tea is very hot, just how I like it, but I am not able to drink it out of the bottle (even if the bottle has a lid designed precisely with that function) because it is too hot. I can't do the little sips like with the cup. Do I have to take a cup too? The thermos bottle is already heavier than a "normal" bottle, and I would not want to take additional weight (and space).
Any advice or suggestions? Or should I just forget the idea and resign myself to just having tea in the bars along the way (I am taking the Camino Primitivo, and in some stages there are no bars).
This is a good idea. I'll check it out.a collapsible cup. I got them (came in pack of 2) from Amazon, cheap and cheerful.
My advice is to forget the thermos as the added weight will eventually get to you.
Did I miss the Camino you are walking? Some routes like the CF are blessed (mostly) with regular bars and cafes where you can get your cuppa if you need it.
Other routes will be more hit or miss.
I think that you are answering your own question and leaning to not taking it
Hi Carla, I know it's extra weight, but I took my little thermos with me on my Northern Coastal El Camino (in addition to the water bottle) and I didn't regret it for a moment. Just a few sips from the cup (thermos lid) here and there (especially during cold rain) make it a treatI really love a hot cup of tea so I was planning on taking a thermos bottle and some tea bags so I could have a nice cup during the break stops, surrounded by nature (it's my first Camino, maybe I am being too idealistic).
So I started to do some test runs during my training walks. And now I have a problem. The tea is very hot, just how I like it, but I am not able to drink it out of the bottle (even if the bottle has a lid designed precisely with that function) because it is too hot. I can't do the little sips like with the cup. Do I have to take a cup too? The thermos bottle is already heavier than a "normal" bottle, and I would not want to take additional weight (and space).
Any advice or suggestions? Or should I just forget the idea and resign myself to just having tea in the bars along the way (I am taking the Camino Primitivo, and in some stages there are no bars).
I'll try de cold water trick. Concerning the weight, the best I could find at reasonable prices was 366 g. for 0,8 l bottle1) When preparing the tea to fill the thermos, add a bit of cold water so it will be drinkable. But find the lightest bottle available to minimize weight.
This is too sophisticated (and heavy) for me2) I enjoy making tea on my walks, all year long. When out, I am walking a minimum of 7 to 10 km. But this can be more involved as I use an alcohol burner to heat the water. That means I have a pot and a cup, a burner, and a bottle of alcohol, as well as flint and steel.
yes, it is. And a very enjoyable one, good to think, to relax, to talk, to admire nature, to warm up, to breath, to wake up, .......3) Drinking of tea is a human ritual.
Your mug looks great. Is it inox inside ? I think I would feel safer to put a coil in a inox mug but there is a weight issue (as in life, it is all a matter of compromises and balances...)I too like me sup of tea. There are plenty of bars/cafes on the CF and probably most other Caminos. I carry a coil and tea bags (Barry's) in an insulated mug (Sunhill) to use when I reach my destination when most cafes etc. are still closed. Buen Camino, Noel
@Carla M. your thread has completely changed my Caminohopefully for the better.
There was a very popular coffee thread not long ago. But I had it in my mind that I should survive not having coffee in the morning and start walking without breakfast for 1-2 hours until the next village/cafe is open.
John’s mention of the word “coil” had me search on Amazon and even in the UK, I found one with European plug40% off hooray! So I hope my BPA free plastic collapsible cup (it says safe for dishwasher and microwave) can handle the coil, I have a feeling it won’t. If so then my trusted 15yo mug it is then! It can double up as storage for the coffee and tea.
But I would still look forward to having freshly made cafe con leche!
thankyou @chinacat, I was looking for a more accessible solution. Anyway I think it would not work for me because the lid in the titanium mug does not seem to be suitable to travel/avoid spills. To have the tea on the go I would still have to take the thermos bringing the tea kit to a little over 800 gr (plus the tea itselfIf, if I was going to carry 300gr worth of ‘tea-equipment’, I‘d take this:
Kraku ultralight camping stove
Collapsible titanium camping stove weighing just 45g. Tiny pack size perfect for ultralight adventures and solo wild camping. Free delivery, free returns, 3-year warranty.alpkit.com
MytiMug 450 Titanium camping mug
A 450ml titanium camping mug that's the perfect size for a morning coffee out in the wild.alpkit.com
https://alpkit.com/products/primus-camping-gas-canister
(100gr size which you can purchase in Spain … will boil about 12 litres I think)
I already have these, so it wouldn’t entail any further expenditure … except for the gas.
More versatile than a thermos too.
About 300gr, including the gas, which weighs 198gr!
I never heard of this, but there are so many tea rituals. That's part of its beauty. In South Africa for example, one way to drink tea is by heating milk with water first (half / half) and only after putting the tea herbsThis is a bit off-topic but my husband and I were recently in Palencia, on our way to the Frances. At our hotel bar I ordered a cup of hot tea with milk. They brought me a cup of hot steamed milk with a tea bag in it, no water. Has anyone else had this happen to them? I liked it so much I specifically asked for that when I wanted tea on the camino: cafe con leche caliente ... sin agua!
This is the dream goal @DanaMadison ! But my thermos is 366g for 0,8 l, and those with a cup-lid weight double that. It is too much for me.Just a few sips from the cup (thermos lid) here and there (especially during cold rain) make it a treat
Carla, sorry I haven’t heard of inox. My mug and coil weigh 1lb. which is a little under 500 grams, I think. Buen Camino, Irish/NoelYour mug looks great. Is it inox inside ? I think I would feel safer to put a coil in a inox mug but there is a weight issue (as in life, it is all a matter of compromises and balances...)
How much does it weight (mug + coil) ?
The best inox based mug I could find was 256 gmand haven't started in the coil search.
Carla, sorry. 10 ounces (about 284 grams)Carla, sorry I haven’t heard of inox. My mug and coil weigh 1lb. which is a little under 500 grams, I think. Buen Camino, Irish/Noel
I am 52 years old doing my first Camino, alone. I read that in the Camino Primitivo there are several stages with no support infrastructures, so no option to get the hot water. Also, I am way out of my comfort zone as I have never did walks, hikes, camping or slept in communal rooms.One thing to consider is that you are not in your usual environment and also not with your usual habits. I am quite grumpy without a couple of cups of coffee in the mornings, however, after trying several different methods to bring and drink early coffee on the Camino, I finally decided it would just have to do without until it was available somewhere. I did survive (as did my husband who had to endure my morning grouchiness) I did take a plastic cup on my first Camino and never got it out of my pack so have stopped taking one since. Consider taking your favorite tea (much lighter) instead and asking for hot water when it and a cup are available?
Of course by all means carry it if it is important to you. You will know after a few days if it is worth the weight to you or not.I am 52 years old doing my first Camino, alone. I read that in the Camino Primitivo there are several stages with no support infrastructures, so no option to get the hot water. Also, I am way out of my comfort zone as I have never did walks, hikes, camping or slept in communal rooms.
I guess I just wanted to take a little comfort drink with me, and also for me, having tea can be a sort of meditation. I would love to sit in the middle of nature and just have a nice hot tea.
But I am aware of the weight issue. My last resort will be to leave all the tea kit and take it as part of the Camino experience. But I am hopeful to find a solution with the help of this forum members.
That’s an approximation of chai.This is a bit off-topic but my husband and I were recently in Palencia, on our way to the Frances. At our hotel bar I ordered a cup of hot tea with milk. They brought me a cup of hot steamed milk with a tea bag in it, no water. Has anyone else had this happen to them? I liked it so much I specifically asked for that when I wanted tea on the camino: cafe con leche caliente ... sin agua!
Inox is stainless steel. My mug (Sunwill) is made with this. I got the larger version to fit the coil and some tea bags inside. The smaller one is lighter of course but the coil won’t fit inside for storage.Carla, sorry. 10 ounces (about 284 grams)
Hola, I also prefer tea (black) early in my day. Now for your problem - may I suggest that you take a "fold down" mug/cup. I have one I bought in Pamplona back in 2017, but I am sure you should be able to get one from your local outdoors / trekking store. Buen CaminoI really love a hot cup of tea so I was planning on taking a thermos bottle and some tea bags so I could have a nice cup during the break stops, surrounded by nature (it's my first Camino, maybe I am being too idealistic).
So I started to do some test runs during my training walks. And now I have a problem. The tea is very hot, just how I like it, but I am not able to drink it out of the bottle (even if the bottle has a lid designed precisely with that function) because it is too hot. I can't do the little sips like with the cup. Do I have to take a cup too? The thermos bottle is already heavier than a "normal" bottle, and I would not want to take additional weight (and space).
Any advice or suggestions? Or should I just forget the idea and resign myself to just having tea in the bars along the way (I am taking the Camino Primitivo, and in some stages there are no bars).
I can definitely use it for the water and save some grams, but for the tea I would need something thermal to keep it hot.Would a Vapur collapsible bottle work for you? It is very light and, though I have only used it for water, the web site says it can also handle hot beverages. This way if you also have to bring a silicon cup it won't be too much weight.
yes, this is the same product I linked in my post previously! Mine (Smartcafe brand) has lasted me about 15y, the rubber ring around the plunger is not very good anymore, so I have upgraded to this exact one, as it comes also with a lid. Although I wouldn’t be walking with this full of water/tea/coffee inside my bag. It’s good as a cafetière and to brew loose leaf tea (getting very posh now with this Camino!).I actually stumbled into another, also plastic, slightly heavier and smaller (in size and price), that doubles as confetiér
https://www.amazon.es/dp/B00DB4JY72/
Could I use the coil in the thermic bottle, make the tea in it and take it to the walk. And use a small collapsible cup to drink the tea wherever I felt like ? Could this work?
Yes, this is what I had in mind with the coil. Because the wand of the coil has a clip, so if you put it in your thermal flask it should sit nicely. Would work nicely with tea bags. I have about 5 thermal flasks at home (don’t ask me why! Including one with a cup as a lid) so I can try the coil with them too.Could I use the coil in the thermic bottle, make the tea in it and take it to the walk. And use a small collapsible cup to drink the tea wherever I felt like ? Could this work?
thankyou @chinacat, I was looking for a more accessible solution. Anyway I think it would not work for me because the lid in the titanium mug does not seem to be suitable to travel/avoid spills. To have the tea on the go I would still have to take the thermos bringing the tea kit to a little over 800 gr (plus the tea itself)
Great! So I will wait for your review on the coil on flask option. Could you also weight the coil?Yes, this is what I had in mind with the coil. Because the wand of the coil has a clip, so if you put it in your thermal flask it should sit nicely. Would work nicely with tea bags. I have about 5 thermal flasks at home (don’t ask me why! Including one with a cup as a lid) so I can try the coil with them too.
My cafetière mug will be for drinking coffee and *cough* loose leaf teaand when not being used, the mug can store the coffee and tea.
I will doGreat! So I will wait for your review on the coil on flask option. Could you also weight the coil?
In terms of the confetier mug, yes, the plunger also makes for a good tea infuser (and leaf teas are more ecological than the tea bags)
Lipton’s Yellow Label should be bannedI drink so much tea I should qualify for an Irish passport; and it’s something I miss until I’ve been in Spain for 48 hours. I don’t carry a brew-kit whilst walking; but whenever I’m packing a big holiday bag a travel kettle goes in every time.
What I do -always-carry are half a dozen ‘proper’ tea bags so that on the rare occasions that I have the patience to educate a young camarero/a in the noble are of brewing up, I don’t have to choke on Lipton’s Yellow Label or Horniman’s floor sweepings.
The Yellow Label has saved me sometimes, when there was no drinkable coffee, so I must treat it with respect. But definitely not my first (or second) choice.Lipton’s Yellow Label should be bannedI drink a liter of tea a day I think.. No Irish blood though... I thought the English were the heavy tea drinkers My tea bags are not negotiable, I rather ditch something else
This is another level of sophisticationI wouldn’t be carrying tea in the mug … I’d be brewing up on the trail!!!
I am a little confused by the weight you quote for an "isothermic" bottle, especially your view that one with a cup is about double the stated 366g.Decathlon has a very nice isothermic bottle with 366 g. (the ones with a lid that also serve as a cup are about double that weight)
but even 366g. might turn to be too much weight for me, and either way I will need a cup because I can´t drink hot tea from the bottleCantil de caminhada MH500 isotérmico inox 0,8L
Cantil de caminhada MH500 isotérmico inox 0,8L ao preço de 15€ em Decathlon.pt Precisa de manter as suas bebidas quentes ou frias durante várias horas? Os nossos criadores desenvolveram esta garrafa de aço inox, sólida e isolante.www.decathlon.pt
I am a little confused by the weight you quote for an "isothermic" bottle, especially your view that one with a cup is about double the stated 366g.
GARRAFA ISOTÉRMICA DE CAMINHADA INOX 0,4 LITROS AZUL
This product is from the Decathlon Portuguese website : weight 290g which I am sure includes the cup - these, in my experience, weigh very little. Cost - a mere 9 euros.
Fingers crossed it will arrive soon enough, before you leave, and it will work out.@Carla M. nooo I made a mistake. The coil I bought was shipped from China, and will arrive sometime in May (hopefully before I left for my Camino). Its already despatched and they provide tracking number so may be faster than that
It’s strange because I remember choosing an option that said “delivery Saturday” (yesterday). There is also an option for exactly the same product/brand to be sent by Prime, to arrive same day by 10PM (tonight!) but it’s double the price (£8 -> £16).
Coil!Fingers crossed it will arrive soon enough, before you leave, and it will work out.
Now I am indecisive if I should wait for your testing, or order a coil, or order a alcohol stove.
I also need my tea!
I didn't take enough and a lovely English lady who owned an Albergue gave me some of her Yorkshire tea.
What’s in tea? It’s much more than just hot water and herbs300g either way will not make or break a camino so if a lovely hot brew is important to you then take it! A lot of people take a ' luxury ' item be it a thermos, ipad/kindle, camera gear, drone, book etc️
thanks @Carmel L , have you tried to heat the water with the coil directly in the thermos?Hi Carla
I have used a coil heater/immersion heater whilst on the CF. Loved it and won't leave home without it whilst travelling in Europe. This time I am hiking in the UK doing a Coast to coast walk - West to East. I have found a light weight thermos by Klean Kanteen wide vacuum insulated 473ml/314g empty plus a bog standard s/s campling mug at 100g. So far seems to meet all the requirements. Have a look at this for comparison.
Cheers Carmel
Yes, in the Sierra Nevada. A friend who prided herself on her Spanish asked for "té hecho con leche" instead of "té con leche" and got exactly what she ordered!This is a bit off-topic but my husband and I were recently in Palencia, on our way to the Frances. At our hotel bar I ordered a cup of hot tea with milk. They brought me a cup of hot steamed milk with a tea bag in it, no water. Has anyone else had this happen to them? I liked it so much I specifically asked for that when I wanted tea on the camino: té negro con leche caliente ... sin agua!
I live in Spain and this is a constant battle. I have tried many different ways of phrasing it. Now I order té negro and then once it arrives I ask for un pocito de leche fria (cold milk), but half of the time I still get a cup of hot frothed milkYes, in the Sierra Nevada. A friend who prided herself on her Spanish asked for "té hecho con leche" instead of "té con leche" and got exactly what she ordered!
@Carla M. Wow!!! So proper!
@Carla M. Wow!!! So proper!
Anyway, good news! It only took 10 days to deliver my coil from China.
My contigo flask only has capacity of 400ml and weighs 308g already, so I think yours is very lightweight with capacity of 800ml! Just make sure it doesn't leak when put inside your backpack.
The smartcafe cafe press/mug has capacity of 300ml and weighs 204g.
The coil weighs 91g. It has a US connector (not European!) but they gave me a UK adaptor. No worries as I will bring a universal adaptor anyway for the trip.
The coil fits both the flask and smartcafe. It is very basic - metal coil, rubber covered lead, and plug. So it doesn't have on/off button. So, set everything up first before you plug it in. Likewise, when the water is boiling, it doesn't switch off, you have to manually unplug it. Then wait for it to cool down before packing away, or maybe rinse under cold tap water to shorten the time.
Time it took to boil 400ml water: 4min30sec (I think this is a bit long, I was too impatient to watch water boil so I started washing dishes and then realised the water was boiling/had been boiling for some time as the coil didn't have an autostop). Time it took to boil 300ml water 2min30sec (but I was more aware and switch it off once it started boiling).
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I brought my home made alcohol pop can stove hoping to save the day with my wife or some hapless hypothermic pilgrim. In a raging rain and wind storm she opted for our destinatio, not hot tea. Denied. Later we met an Englishman who got lost, fallen into a ravine and credited his thermos of hot tea with saving his life. I always carry a thermos of hot tea mountaineering in the winter on day trips. I never again carried a stove.. Just tea bags and the delights of less stuff and sourcing hot water..
Hello Carla,
Have you done your Camino? If so, please report on how you addressed your tea issue, and how well your chosen gear worked out for you. Thanks!
Wow, you put serious planning and thought into your hot drink choices!!
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