The Discovery: Electric Kettle Meets Electric Vehicle

It’s a fall October evening. The sun is sinking behind the Cascades as my Rivian hums quietly at a charging station. The air has that unmistakable Northwest bite – cool, damp, and earthy. I’m leaning against the tailgate, watching the light fade, when a simple craving hits: I want a cup of coffee. Maybe tea. Or even instant soup.

That’s when it clicks. Why not keep an electric kettle in the truck?

The Rivian has 120V outlets built right in. Silent power on tap. No generator, no gas stove – just plug-and-play convenience that makes a charging stop feel like home.

My Complete Budget Rivian Coffee Setup

Total cost: under $75 (less than most people spend on coffee in a week)

Sure, you could spend $200+ on a fancy temperature-controlled gooseneck kettle. But for tailgate coffee while your EV charges? This budget setup delivers café-quality results without the premium price tag.

1. Amazon Basics Electric Kettle

Get the Amazon Basics Electric Kettle →

This is the foundation of the whole setup. The Amazon Basics Electric Stainless Steel Kettle is compact, durable, and surprisingly fast. It holds just over a quart of water and boils in 4-5 minutes thanks to a 1500-watt heating element.

Why it’s perfect for the Rivian:

• 1500W power draw works perfectly with Rivian’s 120V outlets
• Auto shut-off prevents battery drain if you forget it
• Boil-dry protection for peace of mind
• Stainless-steel interior (BPA-free and easy to clean)
• Compact enough to store in the gear tunnel or under a seat

The affordability is a bonus – it’s cheap enough to keep permanently in the truck without worrying if it gets knocked around on rough roads.

2. Hario V60 Plastic Coffee Dripper

Get the Hario V60 Dripper →

The Hario V60 Plastic Coffee Dripper 02 is lightweight, unbreakable, and built for travel. Plastic might not sound premium, but it’s actually ideal for a vehicle setup – no broken ceramic or chipped enamel to worry about.

Perfect for EV camping because:

• Practically indestructible
• Weighs almost nothing
• Makes exceptional pour-over coffee
• Fits over most mugs or thermoses
• Takes up minimal storage space

3. Mini Manual Coffee Grinder

Get the Mini Hand Grinder →

Fresh-ground coffee makes all the difference. This Mini Manual Coffee Grinder has 40 adjustable settings and a small crank that feels satisfyingly mechanical. There’s something about grinding beans by hand that slows time down just enough to appreciate the moment.

Why hand-grinding works for road trips:

• No power needed (save the battery for the kettle)
• Compact and portable
• Consistent grind quality
• Becomes part of the ritual
• Quiet operation (no 6am blender noise at campsites)

How to Make Pour-Over Coffee in Your Rivian

The next morning after ordering my setup, I made my first pour-over coffee from the tailgate. Here’s the process:

1. Plug in the kettle to your Rivian’s 120V outlet (front trunk, bed, or cabin)
2. Grind your beans while the water heats (about 30 grams for a 16oz cup)
3. Set up the V60 over your mug with a paper filter
4. Pour slowly in a spiral motion once the kettle boils
5. Enjoy as steam rises into the cool air

As the kettle reached a quiet boil, I poured a slow spiral of water over freshly ground beans, steam rising into the cool air. The smell of coffee mixed with pine and damp leaves. No gas stove, no noise – just quiet, efficient heat from the truck’s battery and a ritual that felt grounding.

That first sip was everything.

Maybe it was the crisp air, maybe it was the silence – but it reminded me that simple comforts don’t need to be sacrificed when you travel electric. With a few compact tools and some fresh beans, even a charging stop can feel like a café in the woods.

Beyond Coffee: Other Uses for Your Rivian Electric Kettle

This setup isn’t just for coffee. The electric kettle opens up a whole world of possibilities:

• Tea – proper brewing temperature for any variety
• Instant meals – ramen, soup, oatmeal, dehydrated camping food
• Hot chocolate – perfect for kids on family road trips
• French press coffee – if pour-over isn’t your style
• Hot water bottles – instant warmth on cold camping nights

Storage Tips for Your EV Coffee Kit

I keep this little setup packed and ready in a small stuff sack:

• Kettle stores in the gear tunnel or front trunk
• V60 and grinder nest together in a small bag
• Coffee beans in an airtight container
• Filters and a small towel complete the kit

Everything fits in a space smaller than a shoebox, and it’s always ready for the next adventure.

Budget Coffee Setup: The Complete List

Ready to upgrade your charging stops? Here’s everything you need:

• Amazon Basics Electric Kettle – Fast-boiling, reliable, perfect for EV use
• Hario V60 Dripper – Portable perfection for pour-overs
• Mini Hand Grinder – The ritual of the road in 30 grams

Total investment: Less than $75 for café-quality coffee anywhere your Rivian takes you.

Whether it’s a dawn departure or a sunset stop, there’s something satisfying about brewing coffee right from the Rivian – electrons in, caffeine out.

FAQ: Making Coffee in Your Rivian

Will using an electric kettle drain my Rivian’s battery? Minimally. Boiling water uses about 0.1-0.2 kWh, which is less than 0.2% of your total battery capacity. You won’t even notice the difference in range.

Can I use this setup in other electric vehicles? Any EV with a real 120V household outlet can handle a 1500W kettle. The F-150 Lightning, the Cybertruck and several GM EVs have them. Note that the Tesla Model S and Model X do not: their accessory outlets are low-voltage and nowhere near enough for a kettle.

Do I need special filters for the Hario V60? Standard V60 size 02 paper filters work great. Buy a pack of 100 and keep them with your kit.

Can I use pre-ground coffee instead of the hand grinder? Absolutely. The hand grinder elevates the experience, but pre-ground coffee works fine if you want to simplify the setup even more (and skip the grinder).

What about cleaning while on the road? The beauty of this setup is how easy it is to clean. Rinse the kettle and V60 with water, compost the grounds and filter, and you’re done. No soap needed between uses.

Some links in this post are affiliate links. If you buy through one, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Hotel Wi-Fi. Airport Wi-Fi. Cruise Wi-Fi. It’s all one giant roulette wheel of frustration.

I used to just accept it. I’d go through the “agree to terms” captive portal, connect every device one by one, and pray that the connection wouldn’t drop right in the middle of an upload. Until one day, I saw Dave’s Garage and Network Chuck both talking about something called a travel router — specifically the GL.iNet Slate AX (GL-AXT1800) — and it completely changed how I connect on trips.

What Is a Travel Router?

Think of it as your own portable Wi-Fi network in a box.

You plug it into the hotel’s Ethernet jack or connect it to their Wi-Fi once, and it creates your own secure Wi-Fi bubble for all your devices. Laptops, phones, tablets — they all reconnect automatically to your network, not the hotel’s.

It means you only have to deal with the “sign-in page” once, and everything else just works. That alone was worth it. But this little box does a lot more.

Why I Picked the GL.iNet Slate AX

After watching Network Chuck set it up like a pro (coffee in hand, naturally), I went down the rabbit hole. Here’s what sold me:

• Wi-Fi 6 performance: Dual-band speeds up to 1800 Mbps (600 Mbps on 2.4GHz + 1200 Mbps on 5GHz).
• VPN-ready: WireGuard (up to 550 Mbps) and OpenVPN pre-installed, compatible with 30+ VPN providers.
• AdGuard Home integration: Block ads and trackers across your entire network.
• OpenWrt: Customize it, install plugins, or even build your own private VPN gateway.
• Guest Mode & QoS: Keep things organized if you’re sharing Wi-Fi with family or coworkers.
• NAS support: Plug in a USB drive and instantly share files on your private network.
• Cloudflare encryption & IPv6: For faster, more secure browsing.

This router is small but mighty — about the size of a deck of cards, yet packed with serious power.

Real Talk: Why It Solves a Real Pain Point

Every trip I’ve taken — from hotels to Airbnbs to RV parks — I’ve wasted time reconnecting devices, troubleshooting dropped Wi-Fi, or exposing my laptop on an untrusted network. This little device fixed all that.

Now I just plug it in, connect once, and my devices think they’re back home. My VPN kicks in automatically. No random networks, no throttled speeds, and no sketchy public hotspots.

And because it’s portable and USB-powered, I can toss it in my tech pouch next to my chargers and adapters.

Final Thoughts

I wish I’d discovered this years ago. If you travel even a few times a year — for business, vacation, or content creation — a travel router will instantly upgrade your digital life on the road.

You can grab the same one I use on Amazon here: 👉 GL.iNet Slate AX (GL-AXT1800)

Trust me: once you’ve set it up once, you’ll wonder how you ever managed without it.

Some links in this post are affiliate links. If you buy through one, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Building a Budget-Friendly Off-Road Recovery Kit for Rivian R1T

If you own a Rivian R1T or R1S and enjoy off-roading or overlanding, having the best recovery gear for Rivian vehicles is essential. However, the official Rivian Off-Road Recovery Kit costs $650. Instead of paying full price, I decided to build my own DIY Rivian off-road recovery kit for just $204. Below is a comparison of the best budget recovery kit for Rivian and the official version.

Official Rivian Off-Road Recovery Kit ($650)

This kit includes seven essential recovery tools, all organized in a heavy-duty CORDURA® zip-up bag. The components are:

• 30’ (9m) tow strap (essential for vehicle recovery)
• 8’ (2.4m) short strap (for various recovery scenarios)
• Two soft shackles (lightweight and strong)
• 3/4" (19mm) bow shackle
• Hitch link and hitch pin
• Recovery gloves (for hand protection)
• Heavy-duty CORDURA® storage bag

Buy the Official Rivian Off-Road Recovery Kit on rivian.com

This kit is designed to handle the weight of Rivian’s R1T and R1S off-road adventures and weighs approximately 22 lbs. However, you can put together a similar off-road recovery kit for Rivian at a fraction of the cost.

DIY Budget Rivian R1T Recovery Kit

1. 20’ Rhino USA Recovery Tow Strap

• Description: A heavy-duty tow strap (3" x 20’) made from durable polyester, lab-tested with a break strength of 31,518 lbs. Ideal for Rivian off-road recoveries when stuck in mud, sand, or snow.
• Buy the Rhino USA Recovery Tow Strap on Amazon.com

2. 10’ Rhino USA Kinetic Bridle Rope Recovery Kit

• Description: A kinetic recovery rope with 30% stretch, designed to allow smoother, safer recoveries. Includes two soft shackles, perfect for use with Rivian’s factory tow points.
• Buy the Rhino USA Kinetic Bridle Rope Recovery Kit on Amazon.com

3. Rhino USA Shackle Hitch Receiver

• Description: A shackle hitch receiver that fits standard 2" receivers, allowing secure recovery hookups. Ideal for Rivian R1T owners who need budget-friendly recovery gear.
• Buy the Rhino USA Shackle Hitch Receiver on Amazon.com

4. WARN 88895 Synthetic Leather Winch Gloves with Kevlar Reinforcement

• Description: Heavy-duty gloves reinforced with Kevlar to protect your hands during Rivian R1T recovery operations.
• Buy the WARN 88895 Synthetic Leather Winch Gloves on Amazon.com

Additional Considerations for Rivian Recovery Gear

• Soft Shackles Only: If you want additional soft shackles, the Rhino USA Synthetic Soft Shackle (2-Pack) are sold separately.
• Storage Bag: The Rivian kit includes a CORDURA® bag, but you can store your DIY recovery kit in a waterproof gear bag to keep everything organized. I’m still deciding on the final bag to use, and am trying out a few that I have. I’ll update this post when I’ve decided which one I am going with long term.

Final Thoughts: Should You Buy or Build Your Own Rivian Recovery Kit?

By selecting these budget-friendly off-road recovery gear options, you can assemble a DIY Rivian R1T recovery kit tailored to your needs at a fraction of the cost. Whether you’re tackling tough terrain, overlanding, or just want to be prepared for unexpected situations, having the right gear on hand is essential.

Would you build your own DIY off-road recovery kit for Rivian or buy the official Rivian kit? Let me know in the comments!

Some links in this post are affiliate links. If you buy through one, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

What’s in the Box

The NEEWER Tabletop Overhead Camera Mount Stand comes well-packaged with several key components designed for flexibility and ease of use. Here’s what you’ll find inside:

• TL253A Telescopic Desk Light Stand: Extendable from 24 inches to 47 inches with three sections for convenient height adjustment via twist locks. The ball head is 360° rotatable, and the 1/4" screw can mount various LED panel lights, ring lights, and cameras weighing up to 8.8lb.
• DS001 Horizontal Holding Arm: Extends from 11.8 inches to 20 inches and mounts horizontally on the desk light stand through its oval clamp. It can hold webcams and LED lights up to 2lb.
• Adjustable Desk Clamp: Fits on the edge of desks up to 3.5 inches thick. Rubber pads protect your desk from scratches and ensure stability.
• Universal Phone Holder: Adjustable between 2.5 inches to 4 inches, compatible with most smartphones on the market.
• Screw Adapters: Two adapters (1/4" to 3/8" and 1/4" to 5/8") to mount a variety of devices and accessories.

Setting Up the Stand

Setting up the NEEWER Tabletop Overhead Camera Mount Stand is straightforward. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. Assemble the Desk Light Stand: Extend the TL253A stand to your desired height and lock it in place using the twist locks. The 360° rotatable ball head allows for flexible positioning of your camera or light.
2. Attach the Horizontal Holding Arm: Secure the DS001 holding arm to the stand using the oval clamp. Adjust the arm’s length as needed.
3. Mount the Desk Clamp: Attach the adjustable desk clamp to the edge of your desk. The rubber pads will protect your desk surface and provide a stable base.
4. Add the Phone Holder: Attach the universal phone holder to the holding arm. It’s adjustable to fit most smartphones securely.
5. Use the Screw Adapters: Utilize the included screw adapters to mount different devices and accessories as needed.

Performance and Versatility

In practice, the NEEWER Tabletop Overhead Camera Mount Stand offers impressive stability and versatility. Here are some key highlights:

• Height and Angle Adjustment: The telescopic design and rotatable ball heads allow for precise height and angle adjustments, making it easy to capture the perfect shot or video.
• Strong and Stable: The sturdy construction ensures that your devices remain secure during use, even when fully extended.
• Multiple Applications: Whether you’re recording YouTube videos, live streaming, participating in Zoom calls, or taking overhead shots, this mount stand adapts to your needs.

Testing the Setup

To demonstrate the capabilities of the NEEWER Tabletop Overhead Camera Mount Stand, we conducted a quick test by mounting a camera and an LED light. The setup process was smooth, and the stand held the devices firmly in place, providing excellent lighting and stable footage.

Conclusion

Overall, the NEEWER Tabletop Overhead Camera Mount Stand is a versatile and high-quality addition to any content creator’s toolkit. Its flexibility, stability, and ease of use make it ideal for a wide range of applications, from professional video production to casual streaming.

If you’re interested in purchasing the NEEWER Tabletop Overhead Camera Mount Stand, use the affiliate links below to support my blog at no extra cost to you.

• NEEWER Tabletop Overhead Camera Mount Stand on Amazon

Some links in this post are affiliate links. If you buy through one, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

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