How To Make Coffee While Camping – [10 Easy Ways]

For camping enthusiasts, there is no better part of a camping trip than greeting the morning in the wilderness with a hot cup of coffee. It gets even better if you can effortlessly brew great coffee.

However, craving for coffee is one thing while preparing it is another. Great coffee while camping might require you to bring a few pieces of equipment with you as well as some prep work. In regards to how much load you are willing to add to your backpack or amount of time you are ready to spend on making the coffee, there are different ways on how to make coffee while camping, and it's easier than you think.

A good cup of coffee while camping will add a lot of convenience and comfort to your outdoor adventures. But how do you make the great coffee outdoors? Here is an exclusive look at the 10 easy ways to make coffee when camping.

1. Use A Coffee Bag

Same to tea bags, coffee bags are convenient and quick camping coffee solution. Either homemade or store-purchased, the coffee bags are put into hot water and steep for brewing your coffee. Coffee bags take up a little space, do not require expertise, and are easy to clean up.

What You Need

• Coffee brew bags
• Hot water
• You can create your custom coffee steep bags if you prefer your freshly ground coffee
[Time Needed: 4 minutes]

How To Brew

The first process in using a coffee bag is making your standard coffee bags. Begin by taking a typical basket coffee sieve and place it flat.

Fill the coffee filter with ground coffee. Take the butchers thread, tie and sieve above the ground coffee while leaving a small extra string to hold and cut off the excess voila or filter.

After you have made your coffee bag or have the store-bought coffee bag, boil water until boiling over the stove or a fire. Put the coffee bag in boiling water and steep for 3 minutes. Remove the coffee bag and enjoy it.

PROS

  • Easy to use
  • Easy to clean up
  • Does not need any extra equipment

CONS

  • Requires packing out old coffee grounds
  • Coffee may taste stale

2. Cowboy Method

One of the most iconic things is a group of cowboys relaxing around an open fire having the black coffee brew from their hot coffee pot. Cowboy coffee is famous for its thick, dark texture, and it's unique for using an egg to assist in the process of brewing coffee.

What You Need

• Coldwater
• Cowboy hat
• 1 whole egg
• Ground coffee
• Cheesecloth
• Tin coffee pot
[Time Needed: 4 minutes]

How To Brew

Pour the water in the tin coffee pot and put on a burner or fire until full boil. Put the ground coffee in cheesecloth, then crack one egg a little and put at the top of coffee grounds.

Tie the cheesecloth and the egg/coffee combination together and put it in the boiling water. Take out the water from fire and leave the coffee mix to steep for 6-9 minutes, after which you will take out the coffee mixture and cheesecloth and serve.

PROS

  • Needs no extra equipment
  • Perfect for preparing coffee for two or more people
  • Does not need using paper filters

CONS

  • Coffee tastes chalky and over-extracted when brewed for so long
  • Coffee may have a vicious body and can be too thick

Read more about coffee maker with hot water dispenser

3. Percolator

Percolator is typically one of the best ways to make coffee when camping, and it's identifiable by its aluminum filter and glass button top. Also, they regularly come in larger 8-12 cup sizes hence perfect for larger camping groups.

What You Need

• An Enamel steel cup
• Coarsely ground coffee
• A campfire or a significant heating element
[Time Needed: 6 minutes]

How To Brew

To brew coffee using a coffee percolator, begin by disassembling the percolator and filling the percolator pot with cold water slightly up to around halfway level. Put the coffee halfway in the aluminum coffee filter and place a lid filter on the filter top. Put the filter on the aluminum stand top and set the entire unit into the percolator pot that has the water.

Place the lip on the kettle top and put the kettle on heat, and leave it to come into a boil. When the water is boiling, it bubbles up over the stem and onto the coffee grounds producing a babbling sound. Leave it to boil for 5 minutes, then take away the pot from high temperature and enjoy.

PROS

  • Easy to use
  • Perfect for large groups
  • Needs no special technique

CONS

  • Aluminum filter and the glass top is easy to break
  • It’s not easily portable

4. Use a Moka Pot

Moka pots, also known as Stovetop espresso makers, make a strong and vibrant brewed coffee. This method of brewing coffee is also a great European tradition. It gives you one way of making your camp coffee not taste like camp coffee. Its built-in metal filter basket makes sure you will never lack coffee because of forgetting paper filters.

What You Need

• Finely ground coffee
• A coffee computing spoon
• Mugs
• Water
• A Moka pot
[Time Needed: 8 minutes]

How To Brew

The brewing process using Moka pot involves filling the bottom compartment with water and the middle compartment with the finely ground coffee. Then place the serving carafe at the upper part. When the water boils, the coffee extract goes up into the serving container. You know it is done when the coffee is no longer flowing out of the inner tube, and you can lift the lid to see the progress.

Most of the Moka pots are designed from aluminum, and you can hence use them comfortably on fire. The coffee produced is more like an espresso, which is string and buzz. However, be more careful with the plastic handle when heating.

PROS

  • Has metal construction for more extended outdoor durability
  • Perfect for single-serve solo traveling

CONS

  • Has a plastic holder that might liquify over fire flames
  • Coffee can taste chalky if not controlled

5. French Press

Making camp coffee is easier using the French Press. French Press coffee makers are made of durable material, including; stainless steel or double-walled plastic making it perfect for the camp.

What You Need

• French coffee maker
• Fine coffee grounds
• Kettle
• Water
[Time Needed: 4 minutes]

How To Brew

In brewing the coffee, you require to have a cup of water for every scoop of coffee ground you pour in the press. Allow the boiling water to cool for 30 seconds and pour half the water into the French Press as you wait for your coffee to bloom. After about a minute, pour all the remaining water and let it steep for some minutes.

Leave a little space and place the lid gently at the top. For a strong coffee, you should let it steep for 3 minutes. Press the French Plunger softly and pour the brew and enjoy it. Your delectable, aromatic drink is ready.

PROS

  • Stainless steel made for higher durability
  • Has a knob and touch handle for safe handling
  • Easy to use

CONS

  • The method brings out natural flavors hence hard to choose your coffee

6. Single Serve Filter

How to make coffee while camping has never been this easier. Single Serve Filter has been designed in such a way that it rests at the top of your mug without falling in. This filter is one of the most portable coffee makers as it lies completely flat when you are not using it as compared to other filters that occupy slightly more space. This is one of the best tools for filtered coffee.

What You Need

• Water
• Coffee grounds
• A mug
• Kettle
• Single Serve Filter
[Time Needed: 4 minutes]

How To Brew

The Single Serve filter uses the pour-over coffee method. Simply place coffee grounds into the filter and then boil water in a kettle. Allow the water to cool a little and then pour the water slightly into the grounds. You can pour the water in bits to allow the coffee to bloom before pouring all the water on it.

If you need some extra zip in your cup of coffee, you can lift the filter above the cup and squeeze out the remaining concentrated liquids and oils from your coffee grounds. Enjoy the cup of coffee immediately.

PROS

  • Easily portable
  • Easy to use

CONS

  • Not the best option for a group of people

7. Hand Press Gadgets

If you love espresso, Hand Press Gadgets gives you a reason to smile. These devices are designed to replicate concentrated coffee extraction by building pressure via a manual pump to provide you with a taste of the real deal.

What You Need

• Boiling water
• A person with strong forearms
• Finely ground coffee the texture of prepackaging coffee pods
• Mug

[Time Needed: 1 minute]

How To Brew

Depending on your skills, you can use Hand espresso makers to make excellent coffee. Start by leaving the boiling water in the Hand Press Gadgets for 30 seconds and pour the grounded coffee in it. Wait for the coffee to settle before you begin pumping. When you see a brownie and rich layer on the top, you can start to pour it on a cup.

PROS

  • Comes as a singular unit hence no extra pieces of packing
  • Allows you to enjoy delicious espresso outdoors
  • Can be used with prepackaged or fresh ground coffee

CONS

  • Cools quickly
  • Hard to pump up to 16 pressure bars

8. AeroPress Coffee

AeroPress is one of the bulkiest coffee makers but also one of the simplest to use. It makes one of the freshest coffee mugs you have come across and it's not surprising that it has gained tremendous popularity among most coffee zealots. The AeroPress features durable and rugged plastic and has extra preparing gear such as stirring paddle, a measuring spoon and funnel for preventing spilling.

What You Need

• Paper filters or reusable metal filters
• Medium fine ground coffee
• A large cup
[Time Needed: 3 minutes]

How To Brew

Add two scoops of medium-fine ground coffee to the larger tube of the AeroPress chamber. Soak the coffee grounds with water about the width of two fingers and let it bloom for about 30 seconds to develop aromas and flavors. Add hot water until the chamber is full and stir the coffee grounds with a paddle.

Put the Plunger into the chamber and press down slowly. You should use a stable and robust mug with AeroPress to avoid it from tipping over when you begin pressing down. You can add water to your perfect taste. It delivers a damn good brew to keep you happy on your camping trip.

PROS

  • Package contains extra tool used in making coffee
  • Made of durable plastic that’s difficult to break or scratch
  • Built-in measuring units that are easy to use
  • Forced extraction that promotes making clean and robust coffee

CONS

  • Not easily portable and occupies ample space
  • Has 3 components and if you misplace one it can’t function

9. Pour Over Travel Mug

Pour Over Travel Mug offers one of the easiest ways to make coffee while camping because you make your coffee in your travel mug using the reusable metal filter included in the package. Pour-over is a portable option in making some coffee during camping, only needing rinsing, wiping, flattening, and them packing it.

What You Need

• Coffee grounds
• Dripper
• Filter cone
• Water
• Kettle
[Time Needed: 6 minutes]

How To Brew

On how to make campfire coffee using the pour-over travel mug, start by popping open the cone to set the bottom ring on top of the cup. Put the filter on your pour-over travel mug and two tablespoons of coffee grounds. Boil water and leave it to cool for some minutes.

Pour water that is sufficient in saturating your coffee and let it bloom for a few minutes. Pour out the remaining water and remove the filter. Place the lid on your travel mug and enjoy one of the best coffee brews.

PROS

  • Stainless steel and vacuum layered cup keeps the coffee hot for long
  • Highly durable

CONS

  • Not appropriate for many people

10. Manual Espresso Machine

Manual Espresso machines are highly portable and can be taken anywhere for your camping adventures. Depending on your expertise, you can use these coffee makers to get excellent coffee.

What You Need

• Metal filter
• Manual espresso machine
• Coffee grounds
• Water
[Time Needed: 1 minute]

How To Brew

The first step on how to make coffee while camping using the manual espresso makers, start by leaving the boiling water in the espresso machine for 30 sec and then pour in the grounded coffee. You don’t have to compress the coffee because the lid will do so. Allow the coffee to settle before you begin pumping ultimately. When you see a brown, rich layer on the top, you can pour it into your cup.

PROS

  • Highly portable
  • Produces a tasteful and robust drink
  • Requires less time

CONS

  • Needs a few skills
  • Coffee may become chalky when left for long

Conclusion

As you have seen, there are different ways of how to make coffee while camping. If you do not want to purchase coffee brewing equipment, you can stick to the more straightforward coffee making methods such as the cowboy method and the use of coffee bags. However, if you are seeking high-quality coffee, you might be willing to make a sacrifice and get a French press or an espresso maker with you.

Ignatius
 

Ignatius is the Editor of Best Coffee Hut, who considers himself as a coffee lover. He is passionate about learning the art of brewing amazing coffee since he has the most experience as a barista. He would love to help you to make a better cup of coffee every single time.

Click Here to Leave a Comment Below 0 comments

Leave a Reply: