There are so many great ways to brew a great great cup of coffee in the outdoors. Many think it is impossible to recreate the coffee they have at home but with such a variety of options there is almost a guarantee to be one way that fits your camping lifestyle and your taste in coffee. Whether you are looking to make a pot of coffee over a campfire or enjoy a cup of coffee from a French press, we will show you how to brew coffee each and every way while camping.
Instant Coffee
Instant coffee is easily the fastest way to make coffee while camping. Instant coffee is very portable and supper easy for tight packing. Even though it is very accessible instant coffee gets a bad word for not tasting the best. Depending on your taste instant coffee can still be very enjoyable and get the job done with very little work.
How to Use Instant Coffee
It is recommended to read the instructions on your instant coffee as the amount of water can vary from brand to brand. The basic idea of instant coffee is to put boiling water in your cup and then add your instant coffee to the water. You will want to wait a few minutes and stir until it is completely dissolved in the water. From there add what you like into it and enjoy!
Best Uses
The ideal use of instant coffee is for when you are in a rush and have little time on your hand. Using instant coffee when backpacking or other situations with limited space and weight is the most common use of instant coffee when camping.
Pour Over Coffee
Pour over coffee while camping is another very simple method with easy clean up and great tasting coffee. This method allows you to choose any type of ground coffee making it a lot better for more personal choice when it comes to taste but still being very portable and easy.
There are many different options when it comes to what you use to make pour over coffee. You can get reusable mesh filters or disposable paper filters depending on your preference. With that you can also get single surviving filters or large filters making it easy for larger groups.
How to Make Pour Over Coffee Camping
- Begin heating up your water until boiled.
- Fill your paper or mesh/cloth filter with your preferred amount of coffee grounds and place over your cup.
- Once your water has boiled begin to pour the boiling water into the filter starting from the outside and going towards the center in a circular motion. If water starts to overflow the filter stops pouring until the water line falls below the coffee grounds.
- When you have the proper amount of coffee in your cup you will have a very easy clean up. If using a disposable paper filter you can throw that in your trash along with the coffee grounds. If you used a mesh or cloth filter or a dripper rinse with biodegradable soap along with all other camping dishes.
Best Uses
Pour over coffee when camping is very versatile for many situations. It can be best used for single serving or big groups. Whether you are using disposable or reusable filters they are both very light weight and easy to pack, saving a lot of space compared to some of the other camp coffee making ways.
AeroPress
AeroPress coffee is favorite to many people when it comes to camp coffee. It is loved by many because there are multiple ways to brew depending on your taste. It is also very compact and can easily fit in tight spaces. Lastly it has a very easy clean up because of the press process that compacts all grounds. With so many great advantages of the AeroPress it is highly recommended when it comes to making camp coffee.
How to Make AeroPress Camp Coffee
- Place your filter into the brewing chamber and put it all over your coffee mug.
- Put your preferred coffee grounds into the brew chamber.
- Once your water has boiled but just enough water onto the grounds so they are barely wet (this releases the gas from your coffee grounds).
- Carefully pour the rest of the water into the new chamber until it’s almost full.
- Once water starts to drip out the bottom of your filter it is time to plunge (should take 30-60 seconds). Insert the plunger into the top of the brew chamber and slowly press down. This will force the water through the grounds and filter. Continue until all water is out of the chamber and cup is filled.
Clean up
Very similarly to the pour over process you will want to discard the compacted coffee grounds and disposable filter if used. After that wash each part individually with all other dishes.
Best Uses
I find the AeroPress the best well rounded way to make coffee when camping. It is a mix between a pour over and a French press. This creates a great taste and easy use along with the ability to make it for a large group or a single serving.
Cowboy Coffee
Cowboy coffee requires the least amount of equipment and is the most versatile way of making coffee while camping. This method allows you to use whatever you have on hand to make coffee.
How to Make Cowboy Coffee Camping
The most popular way to make cowboy coffee is to put as much water as you want to drink and put in the proper amount of coffee grounds. Heat until boiled and turn off from heat. Then add around a half cup of cold water and stir. Let it sit for a few minutes as the cold water makes the coffee grounds go to the bottom. Finally enjoy!
Next way is to find a cloth of any type that will hold your coffee grounds. This could be anything you have around like a bandana, clean sock, or any other type of cloth. Bring your water to boil and put your coffee grounds in the cloth. Once boiling reduce heat and add coffee grounds to water for a few minutes. After a few minutes of brewing it is time to try.
Last way and my least favorite is to scoop the grounds off the top. You will want to boil your water then add the appropriate amount of coffee grounds. Keep heat high for a few minutes with coffee grounds in the water. Once coffee is brewed the grounds will be floating on top and you will want to scoop them off the surface with a spoon until no more grounds remain.
Best Uses
I think the best time to use this is if you have a very large group since you can use as much water as you can boil. It’s also a great back up method if your other coffee making methods don’t work or you forgot necessary equipment at home. Do not use fine grind coffee grounds as it makes it hard to know if you messed something up and you have any coffee grounds in your coffee camping mug.
Espresso Pot
The Espresso Pot is a great way to make coffee when relaxing at your campsite but may take some time to master. This process takes a bit of time but produces great results when it comes to the taste.
How to Make Espresso Pot Coffee Camping
An espresso pot is split up into three different sections: bottom chamber, metal filter, and the surviving section which is the top section.
- Begin putting water in the bottom chamber until the full line
- Put the desired coffee grounds in the metal filter and place on top of the bottom chamber(make sure not to pack the coffee grounds).
- Place the top section on and bring to a boil. The steam will rise through the coffee grounds and begin to fill up the top section with brewed coffee.
- Once the surviving section is filled with your amount of coffee turn off the heat and enjoy!
Best Uses
This process takes a good amount of time but if you are relaxing and want a strong tasting campfire pot of coffee this is a great way to enjoy your morning coffee.
Camping Percolator
This is one of the oldest ways people have been making camp coffee. Using a percolator does take a bit of time but is easier to learn compared to an Espresso Pot.
How to Use Camp Coffee Percolator
The percolator is split into two parts: main pot, and a long tube with a basket/metal filter on top.
- Begin with filling your pot to your desired amount or up to the fill line.
- With ground coffee you will need a paper filter. If you have large ground coffee you may not need any filter. Fill your metal or paper filter with the desired amount of coffee grounds. Put the basking and tube section back into the pot with the water.
- Put a percolator over the campfire or camp stove until water begins to boil. Once water begins to boil you will see through the “bubble spot” or on newer ones a small glass window. Let it bubble for about 10-15 minutes or until it reaches your preferred color.
- After 10-15 minutes it is ready to pour into your camping mug right out of the percolator.
Best Uses
This is a simple way to make great-tasting coffee as long as you have time. It’s perfect for a relaxed morning camping or enjoying the van life. Find the Best Percolator for you Here!
French Press
Using a French press while camping is a luxury if you enjoy French pressed coffee at home. It may sound fancy but the great design of new camping presses make it simple to brew a tasty cup of coffee just like back home.
How to Use a Camping French Press
- Begin scooping the desired amount off the coffee grounds you want into the bottom of your press.
- Pour a small amount of boiling water to wet your grounds. This will eliminate the CO2 from your coffee grounds. Wait for 30-60 seconds.
- Fill your pot with the proper amount of boiling water for your coffee grounds.
- Place let/press on top and let the boiling water and coffee grounds sit for 8-10 minutes.
- Once coffee is ready press down the plunger and begin to pour and enjoy your coffee!
Best Uses
This is for anyone who enjoys a simple way to brew their coffee and can be used with a large group of people.
Final Thoughts
No matter what type of coffee you enjoy there is an option to fit you when camping. Each method has its own unique tastes along with their pros and cons. It took me and my family years to narrow down our favorite way of making coffee. After finding what type of camp coffee fits you the best you may want to try out your favorite few options. Even though you found one that works there can always be a better option. For many coffee drinkers a good cup of coffee in the morning makes the day so much better: this means finding the best camp coffee method is vital for the perfect camping experience.