It’s time to brew like a barista. A fresh breeze is blowing above your tent, the sun is rising just above the clouds, and you’ve got great company. Now, the only thing missing is a great cup of coffee.
When you wake up from on your Florida Keys camping trip all groggy, there’s nothing quite like a great cup of coffee to start the day. If you’re one of those people who just brings instant packets from 711 and a canteen of hot water, you’re missing out. Believe it or not, it’s possible to make the perfect cup of coffee while camping.
Furthermore, every year, tens of millions of people choose a good tent and go camping. It’s safe to say a good number of them would love to start their day off with a hot cup of joe. Whether you’re a seasoned camper or a newbie who has no idea how to pitch a tent, we’re here to show you foolproof ways to make the perfect cup of coffee on your next camping trip. Bring coffee grounds, filters, some clean water, and maybe a canteen too.
1. Cowboy Coffee
Are you the kind of camper who can pack for a week with only minimal gear? If so, the cowboy coffee-making style is for you. It’s super simple. Just get a kettle that can be placed over the campfire.
How to Prepare Your Coffee
To make your cup of coffee, first fill your kettle with water and bring it to a boil. Make sure to only boil as much water as you’ll need per person and cup.
Next, carefully remove your kettle from over the campfire and let it cool down enough to stop boiling. Thirty seconds to a minute should be plenty of time. Stir in two tablespoons of coffee grounds per serving. You should hear a sizzle when the grounds hit the hot water.
Now let your coffee sit for two minutes. Stir it up again and let it rest for two more minutes. Finally, once the grounds settle to the bottom of the kettle, slowly pour your coffee into a mug and try to get as little grounds into your cup as possible. And just like that, you’re done! It really is that easy.
2. Use A Percolator
This is for the camping minimalist who wants a slightly more fancy cup of coffee than the cowboy coffee style. Do you know how a percolator makes your coffee? It’s pretty cool. When the water heats up, it’s pushed up a tube, sprinkled over your coffee grounds, and then trickles back down the kettle. This cycle continues until your water becomes freshly brewed coffee.
How to Prepare Your Coffee
To brew a cup of coffee with a percolator, here’s what you need to do. First, open the lid and take out the tube and basket insert. Second, fill the kettle with water. Place two grounds of ground coffee per serving into your basket. You can use a round paper filter in your percolator basket if you’d like. This will help to keep most of the grounds out of your coffee.
Next, put the tube and basket back inside the percolator kettle and put the lid back on. Place your percolator on over over a heat source. Then let your coffee do its thing for about eight to ten minutes. Let it rest and cool down for about two minutes after it finishes brewing. You’ll want to make sure all those loose grounds settle down before you go to pour.
3. Get Yourself A Camping Drip Coffee Maker
Okay, we’ve got to admit. These ways to make a good cup of coffee while camping have been getting more bougie as we go along. This option is about as close as you’re going to get to using your own drip coffee maker from the comfort of your home. One of our favorite styles is the Coleman Camping Coffeemaker. The base of the coffeemaker has two legs which rest in front of and behind the burner.
How to Prepare Your Coffee
Watch your coffee brew up right in front of you as you warm yourself by the fire. First, just like your favorite drip maker in your kitchen, you’ll pour water into the back reservoir of this machine. Next, open up the front filter basket and add enough grounds for up to ten servings of coffee (or however much you think you’ll need). When you're ready, turn on your camping stove to heat up the water. You can brew a full pot of coffee in just about ten minutes.
4. Use a French Press
Another good way to make a cup of coffee while camping is to use a French press. Today’s market offers a whole slew of durable materials like double-walled stainless steel and plastic makers, perfect for that tent life.
How to Prepare Your Coffee
Here’s how to make French press coffee. Add one tablespoon of coffee grounds per cup you plan to make. Boil one cup of water per serving and let it sit for 30 seconds. Pour half of this water into your French press machine. Let the coffee do it’s thing for about one minute. Then, add the rest of the water and let the coffee steep for around three minutes.
The longer you let it steep, the stronger your cup of joe is going to be. Gently press the plunger down as far as it will go to strain the grounds. Then, pour your coffee into a mug and enjoy!
5. Try Out the Pour Over Method
Do you love the portability of a rubber band and cheesecloth for coffee making? You have to admit the process isn’t easy though. Well, we have good news for you. Have you tried using a single serve filter? You can get a filter that’s created to rest atop your mug with no rubber band necessary. The Single Serve Coffee Brew Buddy by Primula is just one method. It’s one of the most portable picks on the market. When you’re not using it, it lies completely flat.
How to Prepare Your Coffee
To brew a cup of coffee using this way, you’ll have to use the pour over coffee method. First, place coffee grounds into the filter. Then, boil water in a kettle and let it cool slightly. Slowly pour the water into the grounds. Make sure to pause for a moment and let the coffee bloom before pouring in all of the water.
6. Buy A Cheap Collapsible, Silicone Pour Over
Here’s another beautiful option for making drip coffee while camping. When you’re finished using it, it collapses into a flat disc. The silicone filter cone uses the pour over method to quickly whip up a cup of grain-free coffee. We love that the material doesn’t hold odors or leak out chemical tastes. Also important to note, the silicone won’t break in your box of camping gear like other coffee makers could. When you’re finished using it, just rinse it, wipe it, and collapse it. It’s that easy to pack up.
How to Prepare Your Coffee
Here’s how to make a cup of coffee with a silicone pour over. Pop open the cone and set the bottom ring on top of your coffee mug. Place a number 2 or number 4 coffee filter inside of it and add 2 tablespoons of coffee. Boil the water and let it cool down just slightly. Then, pour just enough water to saturate the coffee grounds. Then, give it a minute before you pour the rest of the water in. Remove the cone and drink your coffee.
7. Use A Submersible Filter Cup
This is similar to other pour over products, except your coffee grounds are submerged in your cup. The canister closely resembles that of a reusable coffee filter but it also has a lid. One of our favorite products is the MSR MugMate Coffee and Tea Filter. You can get it on Amazon for only $12.
How to Prepare Your Coffee
To use the submersible filter cup, fill it with coffee grounds. Secure the pour over lid and place it on your cup. Slowly pour hot water over the grounds until they are saturated. Allow it to bloom for a minute before you slowly pour the rest of the water through the filter. Take the filter out and your coffee is done!
Pick Up One of These Camping Tools to Make the Perfect Cup of Coffee
We hope you enjoyed reading our picks for camping tools to make the perfect cup of coffee. Whether you’re a minimalist, seasoned camper, or camping newbie, we’ve made sure to include methods for all manners of taste. Moreover, from pour-overs to French press and everything in between, we've got you covered to make your camping trip easier than ever. A hot cup of coffee in the morning makes all the difference.
Questions and Comments…
Do you have any favorite coffee makers for your camping trips? If so, let us know in the comment section below. We'll be sure to get back with you soon.
Related Article: The Best Portable Travel Coffee Makers For Your Caffeine Cravings
