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VSSL Java Review: A coffee grinder built for the end of the world

Some people say that mountain climbing and long journeys are painful art. I call it the entrance fee. By following remote paths through hills and valleys, you can see beautiful and remote works of nature that others cannot see. However, due to long distances and few replenishment points, the backpack will become heavier, and it is necessary to decide what to put in it-every ounce is important.
Although I am very cautious about what I carry, one thing I never sacrifice is drinking quality coffee in the morning. In remote areas, unlike cities, I like to go to bed early and get up before the sun rises. I found that a quiet Zen is experiencing the action of making my hands warm enough to operate the camping stove, heating water and making a good cup of coffee. I like to drink it, and I like to listen to the animals around me waking up-especially songbirds.
My current preferred coffee machine in the bush is AeroPress Go, but AeroPress can only brew. It does not grind coffee beans. So my editor sent me a high-quality coffee grinder designed for outdoor use for me to review. The suggested retail price on Amazon is $150. Compared with other handheld grinders, the VSSL Java coffee grinder is a premium model. Let’s kick off the curtain and see how it performs.
VSSL Java is packaged in a beautifully designed and attractive black, white and orange, 100% recyclable fiber cardboard box, without single-use plastic (great!). The side panel shows the actual size of the grinder and lists its technical specifications. VSSL Java is 6 inches tall, 2 inches in diameter, weighs 395 grams (13 ⅞ ounces), and has a grinding capacity of approximately 20 grams. The back panel proudly claims that VSSL can brew epic coffee anywhere, and touts its ultra-durable aviation-grade aluminum structure, the iconic flip-clip carabiner handle, 50 unique grinding settings (!) and stainless steel Burr liner.
Out of the box, the quality of the VSSL Java structure is immediately obvious. First of all, it weighs 395 grams, which is very heavy and reminds me of the old D-battery Maglite flashlight. This feeling is not just a hunch, so I checked the VSSL website and learned that Java is a new member of their product line this year, and the company’s main business is not coffee gadgets, but high-end customizable survival packaged in it. Equipped with an aluminum tube similar to the handle of a large old D-type battery Maglite flashlight.
There is an interesting story behind this. According to VSSL, the father of owner Todd Weimer died when he was 10 years old, when he began to explore the Canadian wilderness more and more deeply in order to escape, remember and gain vision. He and his childhood friends became obsessed with travelling light and carried their basic survival equipment in the smallest and most practical way. Decades later, Todd realized that the handle of the Maglite flashlight could be used as the perfect container for carrying important equipment. The VSSL design team also realized that a bulletproof travel coffee grinder was needed on the market, so they decided to build one. They made one. The VSSL Java hand-held coffee grinder costs US$150 and is one of the most expensive premium travel hand-held coffee grinders. Let’s see how it withstands the test.
Test 1: Portability. Every time I leave home for a week, I always carry the VSSL Java hand-held coffee grinder with me. I appreciate its compactness, but never forget its weight. The product specification of VSSL states that the device weighs 360 grams (0.8 lb), but when I weigh it on a kitchen scale, I find that the total weight is 35 grams, which is 395 grams. Obviously, the VSSL staff also forgot to weigh the tapered magnetic attachable handle. I found that the device is easy to carry, small in size, and can be stored. After a week of dragging it, I decided to take it on vacation or car camping, but it was too heavy for me to pack it in a backpack for a multi-day backpacking trip. I will pre-grind the coffee in advance, and then put the coffee powder in a ziplock bag and take it with me. After serving in the Marine Corps for 20 years, I hate heavy backpacks.
Test 2: Durability. In short, the VSSL Java hand-held coffee grinder is a water tank. It is carefully crafted from aviation-grade aluminum. To test its durability, I dropped it on the hardwood floor several times from a height of six feet. I noticed that the aluminum body (or hardwood floor) is not deformed, and every internal part continues to rotate smoothly. The handle of the VSSL is screwed into the cover to form various carrying loops. I did notice that when the grind selector is set to coarse, the lid will have some stroke when I pull the ring, but this is fixed by rotating the grind selector all the way and tightening it to be very fine, which is significantly reduced Mobile. The specifications also indicate that the handle has a carrying capacity of more than 200 pounds. To test this, I installed it from the rafters in the basement using a C-clamp, a rock climbing slide, and two locking carabiners. Then I applied a body load of 218 pounds, and to my surprise, it maintained. More importantly, the internal transmission device continues to work normally. Good job, VSSL.
Test 3: Ergonomics. VSSL did a good job in designing Java manual coffee grinders. Realizing that the copper-colored knurls on the handles are a bit small, they include a tapered 1-1/8-inch magnetically attached handle knob to make grinding more comfortable. This tapered knob can be stored at the bottom of the device. You can enter the coffee bean chamber by pressing the spring-loaded, quick-release, copper-colored button in the middle of the top. Then you can load the Bean in it. The grinding setting mechanism can be accessed by unscrewing the bottom of the device. The designers of VSSL used diamond-shaped cross-hatching around the bottom edge to increase finger friction. The grinded gear selector can be indexed between 50 different settings for a solid, satisfying click. After the beans are loaded, the grinding rod can be extended by another 3/4 inch to increase the mechanical advantage. Grinding the beans is relatively easy, and the internal stainless steel burrs play a role-cutting the beans quickly and efficiently.
Test 4: Capacity. The specifications of the VSSL state that the grinding capacity of the device is 20 grams of coffee beans. This is accurate. Trying to fill the grinding chamber with beans over 20 grams will prevent the lid and grinding handle from springing back into place. Unlike the Marine Corps amphibious assault vehicle, there is no more space.
Test 5: Speed. It took me 105 revolutions of the handle and 40.55 seconds to grind 20 grams of coffee beans. The device provides excellent sensory feedback, and when the grinding device starts to rotate freely, you can easily determine when all the coffee beans have passed the burr.
Test 6: Consistency of grinding. The stainless steel burr of VSSL can effectively cut coffee beans into suitable sizes. The ball bearing is designed with two high-grade miniature radial ball bearing sets to eliminate vibration and ensure that the pressure and force you apply will be applied evenly and effectively to grind the coffee beans to the desired consistency. VSSL has 50 settings and uses the same vario burr setting as the Timemore C2 grinder. The beauty of VSSL is that if you don’t determine the correct grind size the first time you try, you can always choose a finer setting and then pass the ground beans through another pass. Remember that you can always regrind to a smaller size, but you cannot add mass to the beans that have already been ground-so make a mistake on the side of the larger ground and then refine it. Bottom line: VSSL provides exceptionally consistent grinds-from large and coarse denim coffee to moondust ultra-fine espresso/Turkish coffee grinds.
There are many things to like about the VSSL Java hand-held coffee grinder. First, it provides exceptionally consistent grinding in 50 different settings. Regardless of your preference, you can really dial in the right grinding degree for the right brewing method. Secondly, it is built like a tank-bulletproof. It supports my 218 pounds while swinging from my basement rafters like Tarzan. I also put it down a few times, but it continues to work well. Third, high efficiency. You can grind 20 grams in 40 seconds or less. Fourth, it feels good. Fifty, looks cool!
First of all, it is heavy. Okay, okay, I know it’s difficult to make things that are both strong and light while reducing costs. I got it. This is a beautiful machine with very good functions, but for long-distance backpackers like me who pay attention to weight, it is too heavy to carry with them.
Secondly, the price of 150 dollars, most people’s wallets will be stretched. Now, as my grandma said, “You get what you pay for, so buy the best you can afford.” If you can afford VSSL Java, it’s really worth it.
Third, the upper limit of the device’s capacity is 20 grams. For those who make larger French press pots, you must perform two to three rounds of grinding-about two to three minutes. This is not a deal breaker for me, but it is a consideration.
In my opinion, the VSSL Java manual coffee grinder is worth buying. Although it is a high-end product of a handheld coffee grinder, it runs smoothly, grinds consistently, has a strong structure and looks cool. I recommend it to travelers, car campers, climbers, rafters and cyclists. If you plan to carry it in a backpack for long distances for many days, you need to consider its weight. This is a high-end, expensive, and professional coffee grinder from a niche company that is specially built for caffeine lovers.
Answer: Their main job is to make high-end tool kits for storing and carrying your essential items for survival in the wild.
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Joe Plnzler was a Marine Corps veteran who served from 1995 to 2015. He is a field expert, long-distance backpacker, rock climber, kayaker, cyclist, mountaineering enthusiast and the best guitarist in the world. He supports his outdoor addiction by serving as a human communication consultant, teaching at Southern Maryland College, and helping startup companies with public relations and marketing efforts.
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Joe Plnzler was a Marine Corps veteran who served from 1995 to 2015. He is a field expert, long-distance backpacker, rock climber, kayaker, cyclist, mountaineering enthusiast and the best guitarist in the world. He is currently on a partial hike on the Appalachian Trail with his partner Kate Germano. He supports his outdoor addiction by serving as a human communication consultant, teaching at Southern Maryland College, and helping startup companies with public relations and marketing efforts. Contact the author here.
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Post time: Aug-23-2021