I’m addicted to coffee. If I don’t get a cup of coffee in me before noon, I get a terrible headache. If I go a full day without it, I’ll feel like I have the flu. Needless to say, I simply can’t go camping without coffee.
Maybe you’re the same way, or maybe you just love coffee and don’t want to go camping without it. Either way, if you’ve come to find out how to make coffee while camping, you’re in the right place.
Here are 7 incredibly easy ways to make coffee while camping:
- Make cold brew coffee before you leave.
- Bring instant coffee.
- Pack coffee bags.
- Cook your coffee cowboy style.
- Bring a pour-over coffee maker.
- Take a French press with you.
- Get a stove top coffee percolator.
Cold Brew Coffee
Cold brew coffee is a great choice for people who love camping. It’s perfect for hot weather and makes having coffee outside easy and enjoyable. Cold brew doesn’t need a lot of equipment or heat to make, so you don’t have to worry about using a camp stove or starting a fire.
To have cold brew coffee while camping, you’ll need to plan ahead. Making cold brew takes between 12 and 24 hours at home before your trip. To make the coffee concentrate, mix coarse coffee grounds with cold water in a big container or a special cold brew coffee maker. Let the mixture sit for the right amount of time, and you’ll have a strong coffee extract. Put this concentrate in a sealed container or bottle so you can take it with you.
When you’re ready for coffee at your campsite, just mix the cold brew concentrate with cold water or milk until it tastes good to you. You can drink cold brew coffee over ice or straight from the bottle, which makes it easy and flexible for camping. Keep the concentrate in a cooler or insulated container to keep it fresh and cold during your trip.
Cold brew coffee has some advantages when it comes to taste and how it feels in your stomach. It’s smoother and less acidic than hot brewed coffee, which is helpful for people who have sensitive stomachs. Cold brew also brings out the natural sweetness and interesting flavors of the coffee beans, giving you a special coffee experience while camping.
Here is a quick video that shows how to make cold brew coffee for camping.
While cold brew definitely has its advantages, it does have 2 big drawbacks. The first is that you won’t get to enjoy a hot cup of coffee. Technically, you could heat it up over a campfire, but that kind of defeats the purpose and also ruins the taste.
The second big drawback to taking cold brew camping with you is the fact that you have to make it ahead of time. The process takes at least 12 hours so if you forget to do it the night before, you’ll be out of luck.
Instant Coffee
The next easiest type of coffee to make while camping is instant coffee.
Instant coffee is a perfect choice for campers who want a fast and easy way to have their favorite drink while enjoying the outdoors. It’s lightweight and doesn’t need much equipment, making it popular among hikers, backpackers, and campers.
Making instant coffee is very easy, which is great for busy mornings or a quick energy boost during a break from outdoor activities. You only need hot water and instant coffee packets or crystals. To make a cup of instant coffee, just boil water using a camping stove, a small kettle, or even a campfire. Pour the hot water into a cup and add the instant coffee. Mix it until the coffee dissolves, and your hot drink is ready.
One good thing about instant coffee is that there are many choices. You can find instant coffee in different flavors, strengths, and even caffeine-free versions. This lets campers choose what they like best. You can also use instant coffee to make other drinks like lattes or mochas by adding powdered milk or hot chocolate mix.
Instant coffee might not taste and smell as good as fresh brewed coffee, but it has gotten better in recent years. Many well-known coffee brands now make high-quality instant coffee that tastes more like traditional coffee. This means that even people who really care about their coffee can find an instant option they like.
I buy my instant coffee in single-serve packages. This makes it so that I can just bring enough for a few cups on each trip without having to open up, and eventually waste, an entire container.
Coffee Bags
Instant coffee is cheaper and easier than coffee bags but I do have to admit that coffee bags taste a bit better.
Coffee bags are a super convenient choice for campers who want to enjoy a nice cup of coffee while hanging out in nature. They’re like tea bags, but with ground coffee inside a disposable filter. This is perfect if you like the taste of brewed coffee more than instant coffee but don’t want to deal with the hassle of extra equipment.
Using coffee bags while camping is really easy. You just need a cup, hot water, and the coffee bags themselves. First, heat up some water using a camping stove, a portable kettle, or even a campfire. Once your water is hot, put the coffee bag in your cup and pour the hot water over it. Let the coffee steep for a few minutes, depending on how strong you like it. When it’s done, take out the coffee bag and enjoy your freshly brewed coffee.
One of the best things about coffee bags is that they’re lightweight and super easy to pack, making them perfect for backpacking trips and long hikes. Plus, they create less waste than other ways of making coffee, since you don’t need filters or extra packaging. Also, coffee bags come in all kinds of roasts and flavors, so you can pick the one you like best.
Sure, coffee bags might not give you as many options as some other brewing methods, but they’re a great mix of convenience and taste. The brewing process is closer to traditional brewing methods, which means the flavor is better than instant coffee.
Cowboy Coffee
Let me start this off by saying that I don’t make cowboy coffee anymore. I can’t stand drinking coffee grinds and I’ve never been all that successful at pouring cowboy coffee without sending a bunch of grinds into my cup. This being said, cowboy coffee is really easy to make and some people find the rustic nature of it kind of fun.
Making cowboy coffee is pretty easy. First, heat up some water in a pot or kettle over your campfire or camping stove. Once the water is boiling, take it off the heat and add coarsely ground coffee directly into the water. Let it steep for a few minutes to get the flavor just right. After that, give the coffee a bit of time for the grounds to settle at the bottom of the pot. Now, you can carefully pour the coffee into your cup, trying not to get too many grounds in it.
One cool thing about cowboy coffee is that it’s perfect for camping trips where you want to pack light. You don’t need to bring a bunch of extra gear, like coffee makers or filters. Plus, there’s something really special about making coffee the old-fashioned way, especially when you’re out in nature.
Of course, cowboy coffee might not be the smoothest or least bitter coffee you’ve ever had, but some people consider that to be part of the charm. It’s a bit rough around the edges, just like the cowboys who made it popular. And if you’re worried about getting some grounds in your cup, you can always bring a small strainer to make pouring easier.
Pour Over Coffee Makers
Pour over coffee makers are an awesome choice for campers who want a delicious cup of coffee while enjoying the great outdoors. This method is perfect for people who appreciate the taste of a well-brewed cup and are willing to put in a little extra effort to get it. Plus, there are lightweight and portable pour over coffee makers that are designed especially for camping.
Making pour over coffee while camping is pretty simple, but it does require a few more steps than some other methods. First, you’ll need a pour over coffee maker or a single-serve pour over coffee filter, a camping stove or campfire to heat up water, and some medium-fine ground coffee. Put the coffee maker or filter over your cup and add the coffee grounds. Next, heat up some water until it’s almost boiling. Slowly pour the hot water over the coffee grounds, making sure to wet them evenly. The water will drip through the coffee and filter, creating a delicious cup of coffee right before your eyes.
One of the best things about using a pour over coffee maker while camping is the control you have over the brewing process. You can adjust the strength and flavor of your coffee by changing the amount of grounds, the water temperature, and the speed at which you pour the water. This lets you make a cup of coffee that’s just right for you.
Sure, pour over coffee might take a little more time and effort than other methods like instant coffee or coffee bags, but the taste is totally worth it. You get a smooth, clean cup of coffee that really lets the flavors of the beans shine.
In a nutshell, pour over coffee makers are a fantastic option for campers who want a top-notch cup of coffee and don’t mind putting in a little extra work to get it. It’s a fun and rewarding way to make coffee that tastes amazing, and it’s perfect for savoring those peaceful moments in nature.
French Presses
In my opinion, the french press falls somewhere between making pour-over coffee and cowboy coffee. The French press takes a little less work than a pour-over coffee maker but it is also more likely to leave coffee grinds in your cup.
To make this type of camp coffee, you’ll need
a French press, coarsely ground coffee, and a camping stove or campfire to heat up some water. Add the coffee grounds to the French press, and then pour in the hot water. Give the mixture a quick stir to make sure all the grounds are wet, and then put the lid on the French press with the plunger up. Let the coffee steep for about four minutes (or longer if you like it stronger). Once it’s ready, slowly press the plunger down to separate the grounds from the coffee. Now, you can pour and enjoy your tasty cup of coffee!
One of the best things about using a French press while camping is the rich and full-bodied flavor you get from this brewing method. Since the coffee grounds are steeped in the water for several minutes, the coffee has a chance to extract all the delicious flavors and oils from the beans. Plus, the French press doesn’t use a paper filter, so you get a bit more of the natural oils in your cup, which adds to the overall taste.
Sure, French press coffee might require a little more effort than instant coffee or coffee bags, but the taste is definitely worth it. You’ll get a bold and satisfying cup of coffee that’s perfect for sipping by the campfire or enjoying during a quiet morning in nature.
It’s Time for The Percolator
Sorry, but I had to. Anyway, stove top coffee percolators are a classic choice for campers who want a piping hot cup of coffee with a touch of nostalgia while enjoying their time outdoors. This brewing method has been around for ages, and it’s perfect for those who love a strong and robust cup of coffee. Plus, there are sturdy and compact percolators designed just for camping.
To make coffee in a a percolator while camping, you’ll you’ll need a percolator, medium-coarse ground coffee, and a camping stove or campfire to heat up the water. Fill the percolator’s bottom chamber with water, and then put the coffee grounds in the percolator’s basket. Next, assemble the percolator by placing the basket on the post and attaching the top chamber. Place the percolator on your heat source, like a camping stove or a grate over a campfire, and let the water heat up. As the water gets hotter, it’ll travel up the post and bubble through the coffee grounds, creating that delicious brew.
Coffee made in a percolator can often come out tasting a bit burnt. Avoid this by cooking your coffee in small batches and by pouring the coffee as soon as you feel it’s ready.
Want to see the process in action? Check out this video on coffee percolators.
Have your own way for making coffee while camping? Tell us about it in the comments below!
