How to Make Coffee While Camping
Your guide for making the best cup of coffee on your camping trip.
Using this guide, you can learn 6 different ways to make coffee without a traditional plug-in coffee maker while on a camping trip. Using minimal steps, durable materials, and mostly just boiling water and one additional appliance, these methods are a great way to pack light while still getting an AM caffeine fix. Here’s your all-inclusive guide for how to make coffee while camping.
In this guide:
French Press
Percolator
Moka Pot
Instant Coffee and Pour-Over Maker
Coffee Bags
Cowboy Coffee
Frequently Asked Questions
French Press
If you’ve got some time before your morning hike, bringing a French press with you is a possible option for how to make coffee while camping. Made of kitchen-grade stainless steel, the French press is tough enough to be packed in a bag on the go. Heat your water to near boiling, and pour into the French press. Place your coffee grounds in the plunger just above the water and brew for about 4 minutes. Slowly depress the plunger to the bottom of the chamber to press the grounds. Dispose of the grounds and rise when finished.
Stovetop percolators are a great camping option because they don’t require a messy coffee filter and can be heated directly over a flame. These coffee makers are designed to withstand high temperatures and come in durable stainless steel that won’t trap odors over the course of your trip. They’re easy to transport with a tight-fitting lid to and brew a hefty 8 -12 cups. Fill your pot with hot water, scoop your coffee grounds into the built-in filter, and wait for the water to boil. Then, move the pot to the edge of the fire to cool down and allow the coffee to brew for 5 – 10 minutes. Pour and enjoy the easy clean up.
Different from a percolator, moka pots are more specifically catered to brew espresso. Their smaller size makes it ideal for when you need just a couple shots of caffeine in the morning. Made from durable aluminum, moka pots are compatible with camping stoves and are lightweight and portable. With a convenient built in strainer, just add your water and coffee grounds and set to boil for 3 – 4 minutes.
For a minimal effort cup of coffee, you can pack instant coffee for the pour-over method. Using a stainless steel (reusable) filter and a coffee mug of your choice, just place your filter over your mug, add your grounds to the filter and slowly pour boiling water overtop. Making coffee by the cup helps overcommitting to a full pot and the stainless steel filter can be easily rinsed out and used again the next morning.
Similar to tea bags, coffee bags are ideal for camping because they’re single serving, biodegradable, and don’t require any additional equipment. Pour boiling water into your coffee cup and steep the coffee bag for about 3 minutes (or longer if you want a richer flavor).
An old coffee making trick, cowboy coffee doesn’t require any coffee maker or coffee filter at all. Heat water in a cast iron skillet or pan over the fire until just before boiling. Remove the pan from the heat, add in your coffee grounds, and then return it back to the edge of the fire to simmer on low. After a couple minutes, the coffee grounds should start to sink to the bottom. To speed up the process, you can drizzle some cold water over top. Then gently pour the brewed coffee into cups and watch as the grounds stick to the pan for easy clean up.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best method for making espresso while camping?
The moka pot is ideal for making espresso while camping due to its small size and compatibility with camping stoves.
How do you make cowboy coffee while camping?
Heat water in a skillet until just before boiling, add coffee grounds, and let simmer. Pour brewed coffee into cups after the grounds settle.
