You’ve left behind the modernities and the hustle and bustle of city life to spend some relaxing time in nature. It’s good to take a break and leave behind these things for a while, but is it necessary to leave behind your favorite cup of coffee too?
There’s something different about being surrounded by nature! The crisp air, the sound of the wind blowing past the trees, and the smell of the sand, all of these are life’s greatest pleasures. Strong coffee and these natural amenities will be a magical combination.
If coffee is integral to your daily routine, you must not miss it while camping because the experience is out of this world. Are you thinking about how to make coffee while camping? Worry not because we’ve got you covered! Here’s a sure way to make artisan coffee while enjoying your outdoor excursion.
First, the 3 Important Rules to Brew a Great Camp Coffee
If camping is your favorite thing, you’ll agree that the best thing about camping is enjoying a strong coffee while sitting near the campfire. Making coffee is simple, but when you’re camping, it can be challenging to bring that flavor to your cup, which you usually do. And this is because you’ve limited resources, and preparing your favorite type of mocha is not possible.
Plus, if you’re a coffee geek, you won’t like the taste of instant coffee, which is the easiest option during camping. So, what is the code for making a delectable cup of joe while camping? Let’s start with these three rules:
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Use Fresh and Best Quality Coffee
Get freshly roasted whole-bean coffee. Also, grind it just before leaving for camping or buy pre-ground coffee. The best thing about getting high-quality, freshly roasted beans and brewing them yourself is that it is much cheaper than drive-thru coffee.
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Keep the Coffee Beans in a Hermetic Canister
Coffee’s quality degrades due to exposure to air. If you have ground coffee, it degrades even more quickly than coffee beans because more surface area has exposure to air and humidity.
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Don’t Boil Your Camping Coffee
The temperature at which coffee brews is 200 to 205 degrees Fahrenheit. Boiling water for a prolonged period might produce a burnt taste if the coffee is inside too. The boiling point can reach 212 degrees Fahrenheit or more if you’re camping at a height.
Things You’ll Need to Brew a Tasty Coffee While Camping
Though having them while camping isn’t necessary, having them can improve your experience. Most are basic things and require little effort to attain. Here are the things you’ll need to make a perfect camp coffee:
Heat Source
Whatever you use to cook will be a sufficient heat source. Therefore, take a camp stove along if it’s easy for you. And if you’re RV camping, you can also have an electric kettle. If none are convenient, just choose the campfire as the heat source. To make coffee over the fire, you’ll need a grate to put the kettle or pan over it.
Portable Coffee Grinder
Since you’re a coffee lover, you must already know the meaning of brewing freshly ground coffee. However, it is also convenient to grind your coffee beans before leaving for camping. But if you have a habit of brewing your coffee right after grinding it, take some coffee beans and a grinder. Portable coffee grinders are useful as they allow you to get the most out of fresh coffee.
Travel Kettle or Cooking Pot
A travel kettle saves your time as it helps in boiling water quickly. For this reason, an electric kettle is your best travel partner. It won’t only help you make tea or coffee but also help you make instant noodles to have a quick meal on your trip. A travel kettle also helps prevent burns and spills and provides a fantastic coffee-making experience.
Besides that, you can also use a pan for heating water. However, remember that you shouldn’t boil your camp coffee. Remove the water just before it is about to boil fully. If you accidentally boil it, remove it from the heat and add a little cold water.
Miniature Coffee Scale
A digital scale will help you make perfect brews while camping. Don’t worry because you won’t need an expensive coffee scale. Some coffee scales have a built-in timer, and they charge via USB-C. A miniature coffee scale is portable and will help you make a camp coffee with precision.
Camp Coffee Mug, Of course!
A camp coffee mug should be durable and easily cleanable. To choose the best camp coffee mug, you must consider ceramic mugs that are pretty sturdy. A coffee mug for camping should have a spill-proof lid and good-quality insulation. Besides these, some of the best camping coffee mugs have wide openings.
Best Ways to Make a Perfect Camp Coffee
Now that you’ve all the right tools for making camp coffee, you can learn how to make delicious coffee. To make a perfect camp coffee, you only need a little knowledge and the best tools. Whether you’re RV camping, car camping, or car camping, you can use these methods for brewing a cuppa. These are the best methods to make a camp coffee:
Cowboy Coffee
Imagine being surrounded by trees and enjoying fresh mountain air while making camp coffee in the wild-west style. However, the cowboy method is becoming less common with the advent of technology. But if you’re fond of camping and want to enjoy making coffee in the simplest way, try the cowboy coffee method.
Cowboy coffee offers the simplest way to make coffee. You will only need a campfire, coffee beans, a camping coffee pot, and water. A pro tip is to use a filter over the camp mug so that the coffee grounds don’t enter your coffee. If you don’t have a filter, allow the grounds to settle before pouring it into the mug.
Directions
- Take cold water and add it to the pan. Add one and a half cups of water and add one tablespoon of ground coffee.
- Place the pan on the heat source and let it heat the mixture. Watch the pan like a hawk and extract it from the heat source before it starts to boil. Let the grounds settle down, and add ¼ cup cold water.
- Let the grounds settle down, and add ¼ cup cold water.
- Strain the coffee into your mug and enjoy the potent brew.
French Press
French Press coffee is easy to make and is also one of the most accessible options while you’re camping. This coffee is made in a french press: a cylindrical pot with a built-in filter screen and a plunger. It is designed in such a way that it presses hot water into ground coffee. And this produces a rich and robust flavor in a cup of coffee.
If the grounds are too coarse, they may clog the filter, and if the grounds are too fine, they will pass through the filter and ruin the coffee. Some campers won’t consider taking a delicate glass and copper french press. The good news is you can get a french press made of durable material too. For instance, they can be plastic or double-walled stainless steel. If you’ve made up your mind to take a french press with you while camping, here’s how to use it:
Directions
- Place the french press on a flat surface. Now pull the plunger while holding the handle tightly.
- Add a heaping tablespoon of coffee grounds to the pot per 6 oz of water.
- Add hot water to the pot and stir it lightly.
- Put the plunger back and stop just above the water level. Let the water and coffee grounds stand for 3 to 5 minutes.
- Now start exerting steady pressure by putting the plunger down slowly.
- Serve coffee immediately; otherwise, the mixture will get too bitter.
Instant Coffee
Instant coffee, as the name suggests, offers a quick and easy way to satisfy your craving for coffee while camping. For some campers, instant coffee is the easiest option, though it doesn’t taste as good as other types of coffee. But still, you can enjoy your coffee in the easiest way possible. The key to making the best instant coffee is using fresh, high-quality coffee beans.
Also, instant coffee has improved a lot in the past years. Some years ago, instant coffee grounds used to be tasteless, but now it can produce a good cup of coffee. Also, many options are available, and readily available as ‘coffee pods’ at many shops. So, if you want to avoid the hassle of following the whole process of coffee making, try instant coffee.
Directions
- Boil water in a kettle and pour it into a mug.
- When the cup is warm, take out the water from it. People call this pre-heating the mug.
- Add a coffee pod or 1 to 2 teaspoons of instant coffee to the mug.
- Pour water over it so that the coffee dissolves entirely in it.
- Add milk and sugar to it. Enjoy!
Aeropress
The Aeropress method offers the easiest cleanup method and is a good option for campers. After all, cleaning the mess after having coffee is also a hassle. An Aeropress is a portable device that works almost the same as the French Press. However, the difference is that the French press pushes the coffee ground towards the bottom while the Aeropress pushes them upward.
An Aeropress is a perfect option for backpacking coffee because of its compactness and lightweight design. The best thing about this lightweight and portable coffee maker is that it brews a rich and flavorful coffee with a quick brew time. Lastly, the cleanup is easier than French Press. You’ll have to take out all the grounds with a French Press to clean it. If you’re willing to use an Aeropress in your tent, follow these directions:
Directions
- Heat water, bring it to a boil, and let it cool down. Your aim should be to reduce the temperature between 175 F and 195 F.
- Assemble the Aeropress by inserting the plunger in the chamber. Now flip it upside down but don’t put the filter or cap on.
- Put the funnel in and add ground coffee into the chamber.
- Add hot water to the chamber until it’s full.
- Use a spoon to stir the coffee and water mixture.
- Put on the cap.
- Flip carefully, so the cap is down, and put it on a mug or cup.
- Now gently press it down. Serve and enjoy!
Grandpa’s Percolator Coffee
In early times people would use a percolator; that’s why it’s known as grandpa’s percolator coffee. Perhaps you know it from the old times when you used to go camping with your grandparents. In old times, coffee drinkers used to take percolators with them to brew coffee because, at that time, there was no automatic camping coffee maker. This method requires a stovetop percolator pot. It consists of a kettle, a small siphon window, a lid, and a ground basket.
You just have to use high-quality coffee beans and grind them properly. After the advent of automatic coffee makers, percolators became obsolete, but now they are back on the market. You can find these percolators in specialty coffee shops, and if you’re a coffee lover, you can get your hands on them easily. Follow these directions to make coffee in a percolator.
Directions
- Boil water in a separate kettle and grind coffee beans to a medium-coarse consistency.
- Put the coffee grounds in a filter basket and shake evenly to distribute the grounds evenly.
- Put the filter basket in the percolator’s compartment.
- Place the percolator on the heat source. When you hear the sputtering sound, you should know that percolation has started.
- Turn the heat down when you see that the coffee is starting to come out of the top.
- Spoon coarse coffee grounds and pour the coffee into your mug to enjoy.
Simple Pour-Over
The simple pour-over method requires very little equipment and can serve as a great method for camping. Many pots and equipment are designed for the simple pour-over method. The good thing about this method is that it offers easy cleanup. You can also use biodegradable pour-over filters that you can throw away after use.
The method requires a filter through which you pour hot water through the coffee grounds. This filter is of a cone shape and has a simple design that fits easily in the opening of the mug. The water passes the coffee grounds and enters the mug. The simple pour-over method is also known as drip coffee or filter coffee. Here’s how to use the simple pour-over method:
Directions
- Place the filter or the pour-over dripper over the coffee mug.
- Wet the filter by drizzling a little warm water on it.
- Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of coffee grounds for one cup of water.
- Pour hot water on the coffee grounds and wait a minute for the coffee to bloom.
- Keep on pouring hot water in steps until the coffee mug is full.
- Remove the filter and add milk and sugar to the mug, serve it and enjoy!
Espresso Pot Coffee
The Espresso pot camping coffee is quite popular among campers and backpackers. This method requires an espresso pot that is foldable and relatively compact. An espresso pot coffee is a similar method to that of a percolator pot. And this is also a two-component device, and the coffee-making process requires two steps.
This method can brew great coffee and select several pot sizes according to your camping requirements. The espresso pot coffee method allows you to make rich and thick coffee. An Espresso pot typically has an aluminum body, which helps retain the heat for a while. It is also easy to clean, thus a good option for camping.
Directions
- Use a kettle or a secondary pot to boil water.
- Take the espresso pot and fill its bottom chamber with hot water.
- Put coffee grounds in the ground basket and put the basket in the bottom chamber.
- Place the Espresso pot on a low to medium heat source and allow it to brew coffee for 6 to 10 minutes.
- You can see coffee seeping into the upper chamber, and the mixture turns golden honey.
- Remove the pot from the heat and pour cold water over the bottom chamber.
- Pour the coffee into a mug and enjoy.
How to Choose the Best Camp Coffee Tools
We know your excellent camping trip is only complete with a strong cup of coffee.
There’s no better way to enjoy your camping trip without a rich and hot cup of coffee in your hand.
Making a coffee while camping should be easy, low-maintenance, and quick. Follow these tips for the best coffee results without too much effort.
Below are some tips to help you choose the best camp coffee-making tools:
Types of Camp Coffee Makers
There are different types of coffee makers for the coffee-making method you choose. For instance, there is a coffee press (French press and Aero press) that allows you to press the grounds with the help of a plunger. Percolators, filters, and pots are available as great brewing camp coffee makers. Consider a coffee maker that is the most convenient for you and helps you on your camping trip.
Ease of Use
While camping, the most annoying thing will be cleaning the coffee maker or carrying lots of coffee-making tools. You must already have a lot of stuff, and carrying excess weight can take time and effort. A mesh filter is easily cleanable and is helpful, especially if it’s disposable. This way, you won’t have to take out the coffee grounds and clean everything.
Portability
When you bring your coffee maker to the road, you must also consider its portability. You won’t bring a large coffee maker with you for camping as it’s too heavy. Portability and size are paramount when you are going to choose a coffee maker for camping. If you’re going on RV camping or truck camping, you can take a bigger coffee maker; otherwise, a compact and lightweight setup is more practical. A small and portable coffee maker is suitable for backpacking too.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How to make coffee while camping without a fire?
If you don’t want to make a fire for making coffee, you must invest in a good-quality camping stove. A camping stove is quite beneficial, especially if you frequently go camping. You can also get an electric heater if you have access to electricity. Mini gas stoves are also available easily, which can save your space and help you brew a strong cup of coffee outdoors.
2. What to do with coffee grounds while camping?
If you’re a professional camper, you must know one important camping rule! The rule is to leave no trace after you’ve moved away from the camping site. But if you’re a coffee lover, you’ll have to use coffee grounds frequently, and discarding them can be a hassle. To solve the issue, you must carry a sealable bag that could help you dispose of coffee grounds while camping. You can discard the bag once you find a trash bin nearby.
3. How to make camp coffee without a coffee maker?
If you want to make coffee without investing in a coffee maker or a brewing setup, you can do so successfully. No coffee maker, no problem! Because there are other alternative methods for brewing coffee outdoors. You can use the stovetop method, the coffee bag method, the strainer method, the cowboy method, and the instant coffee method. These methods will require only a kettle, a pan, a pot, and a heat source, and you’re good to go!
5. What’s the best way to make coffee while camping?
The best way to make coffee while camping is the one that is the most convenient for you. If you want to spend most of your time hiking the trails, take coffee bags or instant coffee, a kettle, and a heating source. Whether you’re glamping in an RV or sleeping in your tent on a mountain, you can brew a cup of coffee most conveniently.
6. How to Make Iced Coffee While Camping?
If you’re the one who loves coffee more when it’s cold, you must learn how to make cold coffee while camping. The best way to do so is to prepare coffee ahead of time and take it along while camping. Put your brewed coffee in an airtight container and consume it whenever you want to. However, store it in an airtight container; otherwise, it will lose its taste.
Wrap Up!
There you are! That was our ultimate guide to making the best coffee while camping. There are various methods to make camp coffee, but it all depends on your taste, preference, and the number of people in your camping group. If camping alone, you can bring an AeroPress or French Press to brew a rich cup of coffee. The instant coffee or cowboy coffee method will work if you have a large group camping.
Convenience is the most critical factor when making coffee while camping. We all would love to have a rich, smooth and thick coffee while camping so that we could have an energetic start to the camping trip. Regardless of your method or tools, just remember that you’ll be caffeinated enough to enjoy camping.
