GSI Outdoors Java Press Coffee Maker Review

Bottom Line

When you need to make coffee for more than one or two people, preparing one large batch instead of individual cups is where the GSI Outdoors Java Press shines. This French press brews two to three cups at once with no waiting in between. Simply add coffee and hot water to the pitcher, set a timer, then press and pour.

The Java Press is durable, thanks to its Lexan vessel paired with an insulating sleeve. This design meant we were never worried about it breaking or scratching during our camping trips in Utah. Additionally, the sleeve features a soft handle, making the whole contraption easy to pour, and it’s light enough that we didn’t mind taking it on small group backpacking trips.

Ultimately, it’s a user-friendly coffee maker that performs equally well at the campground and the kitchen. If you’d like to explore other options, consider our comprehensive guide to the best camping and backpacking coffee makers.

How We Tested

We tested the Java Press at home, in our backyards, and while camping throughout Utah. We brewed coffee for one, two, and three people using differently sized coffee grinds to evaluate the Java Press’s performance.

Portability

While we may appreciate the GSI Java Press for many other reasons, it ranks low for portability compared to other coffee makers designed for camping. After all, it’s not the easiest to pack. The vessel is large, and due to the plunger and filter, you can’t easily store other gear inside to save space. We found that we could stash a small bag of pre-ground coffee and a box of matches, but not much more.

The height and diameter also meant it occupied more space in our camp kitchen box or backpack. It’s not a deal-breaker, but it’s worth considering if you’re short on space. Thanks to the soft fabric handle, it can be clipped to the outside of a pack; however, that wasn’t an ideal situation since we found it bounced and swung around while hiking. Still, it’s an option.

The Lexan body is durable, so we were never concerned about breakage when we knocked it off a picnic table or bumped it against a tree trunk.

Ease of Use

The Java Press is as easy to use as any French press. Simply add coffee, hot water, steep, press, and pour. We found it even produced decent coffee when brewing without following strict ratios, although results were more consistent when we weighed our water and beans.

The pressing action was smooth and didn’t leave any grounds in our cup.

During testing in cold weather, the insulating sleeve helped maintain the liquid’s temperature but didn’t keep the coffee hot for long. Once brewing was complete, we preferred to transfer the contents to insulated mugs rather than leaving it in the press. For that, we were glad the Java Press has a handle. While it was soft and not usable on its own, when we grabbed the vessel by the body and slid our hand through the handle, it made pouring feel more secure.

Time to Brew

The customary brew time for a French press typically ranges from three to four minutes, and the Java Press was no exception. From the moment we added the coffee and hot water to when we poured a serving, it took four minutes and 20 seconds, which included a four-minute steep. Steeping time can vary based on your preferences.

That doesn’t include the time it takes to boil water, which is necessary. Brew time is inactive, meaning you don’t need to do anything while the coffee steeps. You can prepare for your day or finish packing your bag while your coffee brews.

Ease of Cleanup

While the Java Press may not have taken the longest to clean among the camp coffee makers we tested, it wasn’t far off. It took 35 seconds of nearly constant running water to remove the damp coffee grounds from the filter and its components. Submerging it in water sped up the process, but since drinkable tubs of water aren’t always available when camping or backpacking, that was a small comfort.

Grounds rinsed out of the pitcher easily. The smooth sides and wide opening were also easy to clean and large enough for us to reach in with a sponge or dishcloth.

Coffee Strength

During testing, we found that the Java Press brewed average-strength coffee. Although we generally prefer our coffee strong, we weren’t disappointed with the results. You can customize the strength of your cup by adjusting the size of your grounds: a smaller grind produces stronger coffee, while larger grounds yield milder coffee. However, if our grounds were too fine, we found grit at the bottom of our cups. 

As long as we kept a medium to medium-coarse grind, the grit was minimized thanks to the fine metal mesh filter, and the coffee remained strong enough to prevent complaints, especially when paired with a longer steep time.

Should You Buy The GSI Outdoors Java Press?

If you’re making coffee for more than two people at the campground or in the backcountry, or brewing multiple cups for yourself, a French press is the fastest and easiest way to do so. The Java Press, in particular, is a great option as it prepares multiple cups at once with no cleanup required in between, and is lightweight and easy to use.

People who appreciate those features will find it well-priced; it offers great value for those who want to make a lot of coffee quickly with minimal fuss. Even most backpackers won’t mind the light weight, especially if they’re sharing the load of coffee, the stove, and so on. 

That said, those who tend to brew just enough coffee for one might find the size of the Java Press excessive. It is, after all, bulky to pack. Similarly, those who prefer strong espresso-style coffee may also want to consider other options since it’s easier to make French press style coffee weaker but more challenging to strengthen it without getting grit in your mug.

What Other Camping & Backpacking Coffee Makers Should You Consider?

If you like the idea of the GSI Java Press but think there might be another camp coffee maker that suits you better, check out these options, all of which we reviewed in our coffee makers for camping and backpacking gear guide.

ESPRO Ultralight Travel Press Bottle Review: For a single-serve French press to go, consider the ESPRO. Brewing occurs directly in the insulated travel mug with a French press style filter, allowing you to enjoy a single cup of similarly strong coffee in about the same amount of time.

Aeropress Go Review: If you frequently brew just one or two cups at a time and prefer a device that’s easier to clean between uses, the Aeropress Go is a great option. It also enables you to customize the brew strength while remaining compact and portable.

Jetboil Silicone Coffee Press Review: This option is ideal for Jetboil users seeking a lightweight, portable French press accessory that transforms their pot into a multi-functional coffee-making powerhouse. It can brew several cups at once.