That would depend on the type of travel. It does look like the pipe like spout could be easily damaged. I would like one but only for car travel, and even then not road warrior style (one night here one night there) but maybe for a 3 day or longer stay. I have an Aroma AWK kettle with the same type cordless heating system as this Buono. I have 1/4th the cost of the Hario tied up in it after visiting Target. I can do a cotter pin mod and get a decent pour too. If I bang it around or just forget it I would just pick another up at a box store.

The road warrior in me (in spirit only now) says travel light - don't take anything along you can't afford (emotionally or financially) to lose of have stolen along the way.

Thought I'd report back in case someone else has a similar question later.

What I wound up going with is a 17 ounce Bodum Bistro kettle. Super easy to source. I got mine online. You might even be able to find one locally; I've seen them at specialty kitchen stores. There are some larger volume kettles in this product line, but I was looking for the smallest footprint possible for travel purposes.

While it's not a particularly rugged build quality, it's very lightweight. If I'm flying, I take it in my carry-on luggage—which has only prompted a special search of my bag on one occasion—protected with bubble wrap. It's also relatively inexpensive. I don't worry about it getting lost or stolen.

Some of the product reviewers online had trouble with the auto-off safety feature when using the kettle for back to back cups. I've never had a problem, and I'm generally making two cups of coffee back to back. I usually pull the kettle off before it hits a full boil. If it does get to a full boil and engages the "safety," you can override that with a cooling flush. Pretty simple.

When I'm traveling, I usually match this kettle with an Aeropress and a Hario Mini Slim. It gets the job done. It's different than what I'm used to at home—pour over or espresso—but makes good coffee in a hurry and with minimal clean up.

David,

If you're ever in need of a very-compact travel coffee rig, I've recently refined mine just that bit more. As others have mentioned, the immersion heater is my water-heater, and I just set that inside a stainless-steel milk frothing pitcher. Lately, I've been carrying a spare after having heard of reliability issues (though I've not had any issues with the original one I bought over a couple years ago).

Here's my kit: Aeropress, Geska hand mill, immersion heater and pitcher... all packaged neatly inside a cooler I just picked up (camo motif was what made it a discounted item at LL Bean )





Notice the coffee?... Absolutely delicious!

Ah, yes. That's a good compact system. Excellent bean selection as well.

My roadie setup fits in the wide-mouth tool bag that my cordless drill set came in. While it's oversized for a travel bag, it will also fit two insulated travel mugs and 3 lbs. of coffee. Even though I've flown with it, it's really more appropriate for car trips.

Nice use of a Geska. My travel grinder is supposed to be a Hario Slim—that is the most appropriate grinder that I have for the job—but some of the time I can't help but pack a 1930s Bakelite Pe De:



When I study the form of the Pedelite mill, it totally reminds me of a cordless drill. That's probably why I can't help but pack it the tool bag.

That's a good use for a frothing pitcher. I'll have to get a immersion heater for the next time I fly. I bet I can cut the volume of my gear in half that way. Thanks!

(BTW: Is that a collapsible bowl in the kettle? Do you put the kettle on that while it's coming to temp?)

This is my traveling set up. The wire drip and silicon cup collapse to almost nothing. Sometimes I bring the Bodum Bistro (17oz) to heat water.

Very nice and collapsible Henry. For an alternate water-heating option, I really recommend (especially if space is tight) the immersion heater and small (10-ounce?) steaming pitcher. Nice thing for your preparation method, you'd have the pouring-control we've all come to know and love with a steaming pitcher.