Making Coffee While Camping
(or Hiking)- 8 Different Ways
There's nothing like waking up to a breath taking view outdoors in nature.
[ With a cup of coffee of course]
If you're like me, then nothing gets you going and ready to greet the day quite like a nice cup of coffee at your campsite.
Just because you’re roughing it doesn’t mean you should drink bad coffee, or worse, no coffee at all.
There’s plenty of different ways of making coffee while camping, but these are some of the best methods.
Some are easy, and some are a bit more involved. Depending on how particular you are about your coffee, you’re sure to find a method that works well for you.
COFFEE BAGS
There’s no easier way of making coffee while camping than by using a coffee bag.
Many coffee manufacturers make coffee bags, or you could easily make your own.
Coffee bags work just like teabags.
You heat some water up, and pour it over the coffee bag and let it steep in the cup for several minutes.
While this is the easiest way you could choose, it doesn’t produce a great tasting cup of coffee. So, if you’re particular about how you like your coffee, you may want to go with other methods.
VACUUM BOTTLE
If you're going hiking or on a day trip, you can brew coffee at home and take it with you in a vacuum bottle.
If you're going hiking and you want good coffee, or maybe a long drive and don't feel to spending money this is the perfect solution for you.
Brew your favorite coffee at home and take with you. These vacuum bottles will keep your coffee hot for hours.
What do I Need ?
- Quality vacuum bottle - Stanley Adventure Vacuum Bottle is a great choice (will keep your coffee hot for 24 hours)
COWBOY COFFEE
All you need is: campfire, water, coffee beans, eggs (what? read on).
Cowboy coffee is a tried and true method of making coffee that was made popular by cowboys hundreds of years ago.
It’s a pretty rough and tumble way of making coffee while camping. But, you may find that you enjoy it.
There are a few different ways to make cowboy coffee, but my favorite (and one of the most popular methods) is the eggshell method.
Making a COWBOY Coffee
- Bring 4 cups of water to a boil over the fire
- While the water is boiling, prepare your coffee. Depending on your taste, add about one cup of ground coffee to a large bowl.
Crack an egg into the coffee grounds. The egg will act as a coagulant which will keep the coffee grounds together. - Once the water boils, remove it from the heat and put you coffee grounds in the pot.
- Put the pot back on the fire and let it boil for a minute.
- Once the water cool down, shock it with little bit of cold water to make the grounds sink.
COFFEE PERCOLATOR
Easy to brew coffee with, 8-12 cup capacity which makes it perfect for a group of people.
That’s right, the coffee maker you remember from your grandma’s house also may be the best travel coffee maker.
The way coffee makers function is pretty interesting, and some people swear by the percolator as the best method of brewing coffee.
A percolator has two chambers inside. A top chamber holds your coffee grounds, and you fill the bottom chamber with water.
Some percolators are pretty large and allow you to brew 8-12 cups of coffee at a time.
My favorite is the Farberware Yosemite 8 Cup Percolator. It brews anywhere between 4 and 8 cups of coffee at a time. It’s durable, constructed of stainless steel and it can stand up to years of use, even while camping.
Above all it makes TERRIFIC coffee.
Making a Coffee with a PERCOLATOR
- Start a coal fire (wait until the wood burns to coal)
- Remove the coffee basket and fill the percolator with water ( don't overfill, look for the marker in the percolator)
- Fill the basket with coffee grounds
- Place the basket inside the percolator
- Secure the percolator lid
- Place the percolator on the fire.
- Wait until the water boils. The coffee should be bubbling and have a dark color.
Pour Over Filter
Easy to use, great solution if you're camping/hiking solo.
If you’re flying solo, a pour over filter might be a good option for you.
My favorite drip over filter is a stainless steel model from Yitelle.
It features ultra fine filter mesh to keep the grinds from landing in your cup.
Unlike paper filters which rob your coffee of many of the delicious oils within the beans, this model provides you with the full flavor of your coffee.
PROS
- No need for paper filters
- Durable
- Makes GREAT coffee
CONS
- Doesn’t pack flat
Making a Coffee with a Pour Over Filter
- Place the drip over filter on top of the cup or mug
- Add the desired amount of your favorite coffee to the filter
- Pour hot water over the coffee grinds - do it SLOWLY.
- The water flows through the grinds and before too long, you have a delicious cup of coffee
The Kujo PourOver
Specially made for camping, won't take space.
The Kujo Pourover deserves mention because it’s a Kickstarter project that is specially made for camping.
If you’re looking for a way to make great coffee that isn’t going to take up space in your pack, this may be the best way to make coffee while camping for you.
This brewing method from Kujo is a disposal drip coffee filter that works under the same premise as other pour over filters.
The only difference is once you've finished, you can just throw it out. Plus, it takes up about as much space as a napkin in your pack.
The AeroPress
Cheap, portable, easy to use and makes great coffee
If you want the most delicious cup of coffee while camping, backpacking or on a road trip, the AeroPress might be your best look.
It’s a strong candidate for the best travel coffee maker.
The AeroPress has quickly become the favorite new gadget of coffee aficionados everywhere.
It’s a pretty interesting method of brewing coffee, and there’s plenty of science backing this product up.
It works similar to an espresso machine in that it makes a small amount of concentrated coffee.
You can either drink it as is or add more hot water to it for a traditional cup of coffee.
PROS
- Makes a truly delicious cup of coffee
- Easy to use and clean
- 30-60 seconds to make a cup
- Travel coffee maker with case
CONS
- Multi-piece system, if you lose a piece, you’re out of luck
GREAT guide on making coffee with an AeroPress
French Press
Cheap, portable, easy to use and makes great coffee
Personally, I think it’s hard to beat French press coffee.
A French press is a great option for a portable coffee maker.
Usually they don’t have much use outside of the kitchen, thanks to their glass construction.
Fortunately, there are some options for us campers as well.
One of those options is The Stanley Adventure Press. It's practically indestructible, and it's easy to use. It will also fit nicely in your backpack. And of course, it brews delicious coffee.
PROS
- Handle folds flat against the French press for easy storage
- Practically indestructible
- Insulated to keep your coffee hot longer
CONS
- Filter mesh wears out over time, and it doesn’t seem like it’s replaceable
Having an Amazing Coffee When Camping is Totally Possible
Having a great cup of coffee when camping or just hanging out in nature is totally possible and amazing if I might say. By now I'm sure you'll be able to choose your favorite way of doing that.
If you have other tips or ways please let me know in the comments.
