CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Questions/Support/Help

Very Random Query

(68 posts)
  • Started 8 years ago by Wilmington's Cow
  • Latest reply from gembo
  • This topic is not resolved

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  1. Does anyone know if it's possible to get a teeny vacuum flask? 50ml would do, but 100ml might be as small as they go, but I can't find a reliable Googled source.

    (basically making my own coffee at work, with a cafetiere mug, is cheaper than buying the not-as-good coffee from the in0house café, but transporting milk, and keeping it cold, is problematic - don't have a fridge).

    Posted 8 years ago #
  2. I were right about that saddle
    Member

    Many years spent in chemical laboratories never revealed such a vessel in the extensive catalogues of glassware. I think big ones are probably quite efficient for small volumes, hence etc.

    Have you thought about keeping a small rabbit on your desk to milk?

    Posted 8 years ago #
  3. fimm
    Member

    The smallest style of flask I know is this kind:
    http://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/lifeventure-thermal-mug-d3432028?id_colour=122
    but that's 500ml, so not much help.

    EDIT:
    They do a 300 as well:
    http://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/lifeventure-thermal-mug-d3432028

    Posted 8 years ago #
  4. kaputnik
    Moderator

    I'll stick my neck out and say the milk's not going to turn to cheese during your commute in even the heat of a Scottish summer in the bottom of a pannier. Wrap it in a cool, damp cloth then pop it in a sealed bag if you have concerns.

    Failing that, coffee and cheese is the new thing.

    Posted 8 years ago #
  5. Chug
    Member

    What about those vacuum mugs you can get - do any have clippy tops? (I have only seen ones with rubber seals that rely on friction)

    Posted 8 years ago #
  6. Out of the suggestions so far I think I'm going to go with the milkable rabbit...

    Posted 8 years ago #
  7. I were right about that saddle
    Member

    I like kaputnik's Victorian water-soaked earthenware and cheesecloth discourse. You'd have to ride a safety bicycle.

    Posted 8 years ago #
  8. Stickman
    Member

    I've got one of those Lifeventure mugs - recommended.

    Posted 8 years ago #
  9. kaputnik
    Moderator

    My second scheme is to put the milk in a small Nalgene-type bottle, with a string tied round the neck. Drop the bottle into your cycling water bottle. Fill latter with cold water. This will keep the milk cool thanks to the thermal mass of the relatively larger water bottle. The string is there to help fish the milk out when you need it (so you have to remember to leave it hanging out of the neck of the water bottle when you clip / screw the lid down).

    Posted 8 years ago #
  10. SRD
    Moderator

    (so you have to remember to leave it hanging out of the neck of the water bottle when you clip / screw the lid down).

    won't that totally negate the seal?

    Posted 8 years ago #
  11. SRD
    Moderator

    my suggestion is that you ask for a fridge! but I also agree that your milk won't go off - i take mine in in a plastic tub and often leave it on my desk all day.

    Posted 8 years ago #
  12. I were right about that saddle
    Member

    My third scheme is to bow to the inevitable march of technological progress.

    Posted 8 years ago #
  13. kaputnik
    Moderator

    @SRD with a narrow twine, I doubt it. The plastic of a cycling bottle is pretty flexible stuff and the vessel isn't under pressure.

    Posted 8 years ago #
  14. SRD
    Moderator

    Lakeland advertises a 200ml one "that we think is ideal for milk"

    http://www.lakeland.co.uk/10638/Lakeland-Stay-Cool-Flask

    (i'd get one myself if they were a wee bit cheaper...)

    Posted 8 years ago #
  15. Chug
    Member

    USB fridge ?

    EDIT - For desk, rather than bike....

    Posted 8 years ago #
  16. steveo
    Member

    USB fridge ?

    Connected to a dynamo and battery.

    Posted 8 years ago #
  17. paddyirish
    Member

    Been making my coffee as @WC describes for years. Epiphany arrived when I realised that coffee was better with only one iumpurity added (hot water)...

    Posted 8 years ago #
  18. I love this thread.

    I don't love the idea of powdered milk.

    I love the USB fridge.

    I've actually got a lifeventure mug, and usually use that to transport a first coffee for the day that I make at home with my hipster stove top espresso machine (I'm not quite hipster enough to have a full-on barista machine...). I guess I could just get another.

    The little shop on site occasionally sells 250ml milk cartons (I've got one today) but I've had that smelling distinctly 'odd' by the end of the day (our office gets unbearably warm), plus it's more milk than I need, so a lot goes to waste.

    Fridge has been asked for in the past. I think the issue is very like in a previous large organisation - they want people to use the canteen, so want to discourage personal food choices (same reason for there not being a microwave - I still fight the system by bringing in my own lunches that don't need reheated).

    Posted 8 years ago #
  19. kaputnik
    Moderator

    Anyone ever made coffee with distilled water (I'm looking at you, IWRATS)?

    It tastes absolutely foul on its own, I wonder what effect it would have on the black stuff. I've heard that "pure" ethanol watered down to 40% strength with distilled water and then mixed with orange juice is palatable.

    Posted 8 years ago #
  20. I were right about that saddle
    Member

    @kaputnik

    The liquids with which I have made espresso coffee are;

    1) Tap water
    2) Mineral water
    3) Grappa

    I was once tempted to make non-aqueous Soxhlet coffee, but only a madman would ingest anything that's been near lab glassware. Mind you, anyone who's drunk cafe alpino (3 above) is, in practical terms, a madman.

    Neat ethanol is a remarkable drink. Not palatable, but astonishing.

    Posted 8 years ago #
  21. gembo
    Member

    @kaputnik "I've heard that "pure" ethanol watered down to 40% strength with distilled water and then mixed with orange juice is palatable."

    Only if you are in prison

    I have been in prisons a lot through my work I must stress (never overnight) Only once locked in (by accident) and another twice in the BAR-L during pretend riots. THe officers liked a pretend riot allowed practice for actual riot which would not be good (I was never caught up in that sort of thing). THis was however when I stopped taking milk in tea/ coffee. To make it easier to check for floaters.

    I am currently drinking a nice blend of brazilian coffee from Marks and Spencers that putting milk into would be wrong.

    Some of the more bitter coffee does benefit from chalky moloko

    Posted 8 years ago #
  22. wingpig
    Member

    Get a small foldable thermal bag and put milk in that in a small bottle along with a freezer pack.

    Posted 8 years ago #
  23. kaputnik
    Moderator

    Only if you are in prison

    Or the quantitative genetics laboratory

    Posted 8 years ago #
  24. I were right about that saddle
    Member

    @gembo

    Only if you are in prison

    Well, it would be a screwdriver.

    Posted 8 years ago #
  25. dougal
    Member

    @wingpig's suggestion is good enough for a weekend away camping so should probably manage a day in the office.

    Posted 8 years ago #
  26. PS
    Member

    Black coffee would be the way to go in my book. Work your way through a range of different beans for flavour sensations.

    In fact, get yourself an aeropress and mini porlex grinder to go the full coffee geek, hand grinding your coffee in the office. ;-)

    Posted 8 years ago #
  27. chdot
    Admin

    "@wingpig's suggestion is good enough"

    But now WC really wants the USB fridge!

    Posted 8 years ago #
  28. Now see the original request was really because I want stuff that takes up 'less' space in my bag. Now I'm looking at a coolbag and ice brick and bottle.

    Is no milk a hipster move (in which case I'm in). What's the view on sugar (I can just about drink coffee without sugar, but not tea (with some exceptions)).

    Aeropress? You foul temptress PS - almost bought one for my last office...

    "But now WC really wants the USB fridge!"

    Exactly!

    Posted 8 years ago #
  29. SRD
    Moderator

    I just bought a pack of 3 mini (2.5 x 3 inches) coolerpacks at the sainsbury's on MMW...for £1.50

    Posted 8 years ago #
  30. Min
    Member

    I trained myself as a teenager to drink tea and coffee with no milk and no sugar. Best move I ever made. Seriously. Then the only thing that could stop me getting a tea or coffee in any situation is that I run out of tea or coffee and who does that?

    Posted 8 years ago #

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