Relaxing at your campsite and sipping your morning coffee as the day begins is a treasured moment on any camping trip. There are plenty of ways to learn how to make coffee while camping and we have highlighted five sure-fire favorites below.
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1. Percolator Camping Coffee
If the question is how to make coffee while camping like grandma did? – then percolator coffee is surely the answer. This style of coffee requires a percolator coffee pot, which looks like a kettle and includes a press and filter inside. The result is a robust, if not sometimes bitter coffee, with the grinds completely separated from the water.
- Fill the bottom chamber with cold water and the basket with coarse coffee grinds – about 1.5 tablespoons per cup of water
- Secure the top of the percolator and put on a heat source set at about medium-high heat.
- Bring to a boil and simmer for ten minutes.
- Pour your cup of Joe.
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2. Pre-Packaged/Steeped Camping Coffee
When it is time to level up on the coffee flavor, while also minimizing the items you need to make coffee while camping, then steeped coffee is the way to go. You read that right. This coffee comes in a pouch and is brewed much like how you would steep an individual tea bag. Wildland Coffee is leading the way in the easy-to-make and tasty campsite coffee revolution, and Apex Club members get a discount. This method is great for any camping situation, and especially so for backpackers or those camping light on equipment.
To make steeped coffee simply:
- Heat 8 ounces of water to almost a boil.
- Add a bag of coffee and steep for eight minutes.
- Remove the bag and sip away!
3. French Press Camping Coffee
French press coffee delivers fantastic flavor when done right. The trick is using medium ground grinds. Too fine a grind and you will end up with a muddy mess. Too coarse a grind and you will lose out on flavor. You can bring the tried-and-true glass french press but keep in mind that it is delicate and may not be durable enough for your camping trip. A plastic French press may be a better option for making coffee while camping, although in either case, a French press does take up some room and is not ideal for campers who need to go light with their equipment.
How to make coffee while camping with a French press coffee requires:
- Heat water to a near boil.
- Remove the plunger and add medium ground coffee to the chamber, about 1.5 tablespoons per cup of water.
- Pour water into the chamber and stir grinds in water for about 10 seconds.
- Insert the plunger and press down so it rests just above the water.
- Let the coffee brew for about 4 minutes.
- Slowly push down on the plunger until it reaches the bottom of the chamber.
- Pour and enjoy
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4. AeroPress Camping Coffee
An AeroPress makes consistently outstanding coffee and is a favorite coffee-making contraption among coffee lovers. An AeroPress consists of a few relatively small plastic pieces, and a paper or mesh reusable filter. With its straightforward useability and packability, an AeroPress works well for many camping situations (although not backpacking). One drawback with an AeroPress is that you can only make one cup of Joe at a time.
How to make coffee while camping with an AeroPress, simply:
- Heat water to a near boil.
- Insert the filter in basket and twist basket onto the brew chamber.
- Place the brew chamber with the basket over your mug.
- Add finely-ground coffee into the chamber (about 1.5 tablespoons per cup).
- Fill the chamber with hot water.
- Stir the water and grounds for about 10 seconds.
- Insert the plunger and leave at the top. Let coffee brew for about 1 minute.
- Press plunger down so coffee comes directly into the mug.
5. Cowboy Coffee
This is the classic, traditional way to make backcountry coffee. While you’ll get points for the ruggedness factor of cowboy coffee, the acrid taste, and remnant grinds may not be preferred for some.
To make cowboy coffee:
- Bring water to a boil in a kettle.
- Add coarsely-ground coffee grinds, one tablespoon per 1.5 cups of water.
- Stir the grinds and let the kettle boil for two minutes.
- Remove the kettle from heat.
- Remove the grinds by skimming the top of the water, or adding about 1oz of cold water and waiting a minute for the grinds to settle. (In the olden days, cowboys would also add eggshells to the kettle to keep the grounds down and enhance the flavor.)
- Pour your cup and enjoy!
Pro Tip: Some kettles are firepit friendly, but many are not. If you want a reliable heat source to boil your water that works for any kind of kettle, check out Camp Chef stoves – on discount for Apex Club members.
Are you ready for your adventure? Plan your camping trip!