Making coffee while camping?

[stearns]

Hey guys,

I'm planning a couple camping trips for this summer, and since I need my daily fix I was wondering what your preferred method is to get coffee without electricity. I'd also like to avoid the need for open flames (such as a camp fire) just in case.

Thanks :cf2

[markem]

Will you have a camp stove? If so, boil some water and do a pour over. One cup at a time, but a good cup. For larger groups, I'd recommend making some coffee syrup and go that route - also a good route if you have limited space, like a backpacking trip.

[stearns]

I don't have anything currently, I'm weighing options before I buy anything so I can try to not have to buy something else after realizing I was wrong. My first thought is to buy a camp stove and use a small french press, but I don't know if theres some fancy mobile maker that I don't know about

[markem]

You can also use a moka pot. My friends who motorcycle camp make coffee on the cylinder head of a BMW oil head.

[bobarian]

Starbucks? :sh

[stearns]

Starbucks? :sh

I'd rather drink dirt :pu :r

[bobarian]

http://www.ineedcoffee.com/04/cowboycoffee/:tu

[Wharf Rat]

Starbucks? :sh

Starbucks instant coffee isn't as good as real brew. But, its a very sensible alternative when space / weight is at a premium.

[CigarNut]

I used to use a Melitta coffee maker when I camped -- the single cup maker with either the paper or resuable filters works pretty well -- and it is fast. It's basically a plastic filter holder that sits on your cup. http://www.amazon.com/Melitta-Ready-Single-Coffee-Brewer/dp/B0014CVEH6/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1397843455&sr=8-7&keywords=single-cup+coffee+maker

They make a larger version that comes with a carafe. http://www.amazon.com/Melitta-Coffee-Pour-Over-Brewer-1-Count/dp/B0000CFLCT/ref=sr_1_4?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1397843602&sr=1-4&keywords=Melitta

If you bring the right coffee, ground to the right size it makes a great cup of coffee.

[Sweet_Leaf_PDX]

I bring a french press and just boil water on my camp stove.

You can get a very portable single burner stove for reasonable prices. They run on those mini tanks of propane.

[stearns]

I bring a french press and just boil water on my camp stove.

You can get a very portable single burner stove for reasonable prices. They run on those mini tanks of propane.

This is what I'll probably end up doing, but thanks for the tips all, keep em coming :tu

[SvilleKid]

I don't have anything currently, I'm weighing options before I buy anything so I can try to not have to buy something else after realizing I was wrong. My first thought is to buy a camp stove and use a small french press, but I don't know if theres some fancy mobile maker that I don't know about

MSR Whisperlite. Hard to beat. http://www.google.com/aclk?sa=l&ai=CG1t_uINRU42sFuOgsAe_rYAozsqOuwK2ss2hbO7D9P3sAQ gGEAEoCFDXwuDmAWDJhoCAuKPcE6ABv5DSxgPIAQeqBCFP0AcX elISO8Ywi87M7S6t4t4hUDxeZXzlQmkHuA2C5LCwBQHABQWgBi aAB_7bhCGQBwPgEru1iNPfsMPzLg&sig=AOD64_2lMzi-sSdbHWpBYAUcF4MvtOc1SA&ctype=5&rct=j&q=&ved=0CKcBELsX&adurl=http://www.afterschool.com/p/msr-whisperlite-liquid-fuel-stove-864958%3Fsite%3DCA%26utm_source%3Dcse%26utm_medium %3Dcpc_as%26utm_term%3DFPS-194017%26utm_campaign%3Dgoogleproductsearch%26CAWE LAID%3D500003340000049543&cad=rja
I still lean towards liquid fuel stoves, because they produce higher BTUs, and work in cold as well as heat. And I like the remote location of the fuel tank of the above model. Neven liked the stoves that sit on top of disposable fuel cylinders, they tend to be top heavy.

As to coffee, if it's just me and one other, I take the easy way out, and buy the Maxwell House pre-made 4-serving pods(?). That's if I don't have any of the hotel packs saved up. May not be the same as the good ground-fresh coffee as home, but it's light, compact and still tastes something like coffee.

[shilala]

Ben, you absolutely cannot beat an old percolator on the campfire. Plus you can use it on a camp stove. Coleman makes a tiny, super powerful, single burner stove that's like a Coleman lantern base with a burner.
You can get all your coffee gear in one little tub, or stuff it all in your backpack.

[the nub]

if you don't want to deal with prep, why not make concentrated single serving cold brew, store each serving in a separate container or ziplock and add hot water to it?

[replicant_argent]

If you want a new toy, buy an Aeropress. Makes a damn good cuppa. Lexan/polycarbonate/something pretty unbreakable.
Small propane/butane stove, something to heat water in, good to go.

[RevSmoke]

Do a lot of camping. I have one of these - http://www.cabelas.com/product/Cabelas-Stainless-Steel-High-Temp-Coffee-Pot/732378.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fproduct.jsp%3F productId%3D732498&categoryIds=104795280%7C104754780%7C104247180&WTz_l=RI%3BIK-517720

But, if you need something smaller, then I'd suggest one of these. http://www.cabelas.com/product/Cabelas-Stainless-Steel-Cool-Touch-Coffee-Pots/732498.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fproduct.jsp%3F productId%3D732378&categoryIds=104795280%7C104754780%7C104247180&WTz_l=RI%3BIK-510164

Both make great coffee.

In fact, I like to use my 14 cup in the cabin up north over most other methods.

Peace of the Lord be with you.

[gravel]

I've used the press pot, moka pot, aeropress, percolator, and clever coffee dripper when camping all based on my whims when packing. Since my wife started to enjoy coffee (which corresponded to home roasting), I've used a press pot almost exclusively (based on the size). When more than two coffee drinkers are camping a percolator is definitely the way to go. When it was just me, I preferred the aeropress or moka pot.

As already mentioned, there is something to be said for cowboy coffee when camping.

[massphatness]

Have a small two-burner stove. Heat the water. Mix with Starbucks Via instant coffee. It's not the best cup of coffee, but it's really REALLY convenient.

[Mattso3000]

For compact coffee makers, the aeropress is the way to go. I love mine and prefer it to the regular press. Never tried the moka pot though.

[shilala]

I'm with Todd, 100%. That's exactly the kind of pot I was talking about.
Makes the best cowboy coffee in the world. :tu

[8zeros]

My two cents from a lifetime of coffee drinking and camping.
Instant coffee for a fix, just to survive. Always have some somewhere. Don't need the water real hot. I had a small jar even when backpacking.
Pour over is great, one cup at a time.
French press takes less room than a percolator but it's messy and only makes two cups. I have used mine a lot tent camping.
Percolators are good for more cups and you don't need a separate pot just to boil water in.
I have settled on this drip maker by Coleman (http://www.cabelas.com/product/Colemanreg-Stovetop-Coffee-Pot/715013.uts?Ntk=AllProducts&searchPath=%2Fcatalog%2Fsearch.cmd%3Fform_state%3D searchForm%26N%3D0%26fsch%3Dtrue%26Ntk%3DAllProduc ts%26Ntt%3Dcoffee%26x%3D0%26y%3D0%26WTz_l%3DHeader %253BSearch-All%2BProducts&Ntt=coffee&WTz_l=Header%3BSearch-All+Products) because it's just like home.

[markem]

Ben, you absolutely cannot beat an old percolator on the campfire. Plus you can use it on a camp stove.

Agreed. When we used to head out for opening day of fishing with the tent trailer, it was often quite cold. Most of the time we made coffee in a tin can with grounds thrown in along with egg shells. At 20* and snowing you will think it is the best coffee that you ever had. Oh the joys of being a teenager with a fish crazy dad.

If you have the room, don't forget to bring some port for the coffee.

[Buckeye Jack]

I think if I were in need of a coffeemaker for a camp, I would most definitely go with an aeropress with a metal filter....I use one at home now, and with how it all fits together to store, can't imagine why I wouldn't take it with me.

[tsolomon]

Ben, you absolutely cannot beat an old percolator on the campfire. Plus you can use it on a camp stove. Coleman makes a tiny, super powerful, single burner stove that's like a Coleman lantern base with a burner.
You can get all your coffee gear in one little tub, or stuff it all in your backpack.This is what we did, but the Moka pot sounds good and I'll take along on the next trip.

[gravel]

Agreed. When we used to head out for opening day of fishing with the tent trailer, it was often quite cold. Most of the time we made coffee in a tin can with grounds thrown in along with egg shells. At 20* and snowing you will think it is the best coffee that you ever had. Oh the joys of being a teenager with a fish crazy dad.

If you have the room, don't forget to bring some port for the coffee.

Egg shells? A variation of egg coffee?

[markem]

Egg shells? A variation of egg coffee?

Helps remove bitterness and removes some of the cloudiness.

[Django]

I always bring a Moka pot when camping. When I don't have it with me I just go Turkish (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkish_coffee) (without sugar though).

Turkish (in this case) is just a fancy name for putting ground coffee in a pot/pan with water, boiling it, adding sugar and then pouring the coffee (grounds included) in a cup.

[stearns]

Does anybody use the jetboil kit (http://www.rei.com/product/791310/jetboil-flash-java-kit)? Seems like a cool alternative that could fit my needs

[T.G]

Does anybody use the jetboil kit (http://www.rei.com/product/791310/jetboil-flash-java-kit)? Seems like a cool alternative that could fit my needs

Looks like it can only be used to boil water with the included container and can't actually be used as a stove with other pots, pans or containers. Seems very restrictive.

I'd just take my aeropress, a regular one burner stove and whatever pots/pans I was bringing anyway. The aeropress takes 30 seconds to make coffee, so making for multiple people is not really going to take any longer than it takes to boil the same quantity of water in a percolator. The aeropress can also make a decent faux-espresso if you're into them.

Or make cold-brew extract ahead of time and just dump that into hot water as needed.

[CRIMPS]

Whisperlite and a thermos-french press, especially when backpacking.

Car camping, I use the same french press, but usually use the trusty old Coleman cooking stove.

[8zeros]

I just looked up the Aeropress and like that idea a lot more than a regular french press. It seems less messy.
I have to take issue with T.G. on the 30 seconds though. I count the time from turning on the burner to sipping that first wonderful, glorious, life bringing, eye opening, fog clearing sip. Then, with a french press, you have to clean it all out to get the next press going.
I still use my french press from time to time. With my wife and me it takes a full four mugs to start us going. She doesn't even get up without a mug in her hand.

[T.G]

I just looked up the Aeropress and like that idea a lot more than a regular french press. It seems less messy.
I have to take issue with T.G. on the 30 seconds though. I count the time from turning on the burner to sipping that first wonderful, glorious, life bringing, eye opening, fog clearing sip. Then, with a french press, you have to clean it all out to get the next press going.
I still use my french press from time to time. With my wife and me it takes a full four mugs to start us going. She doesn't even get up without a mug in her hand.


I actually covered that when I said boiling the water and such all took the same amount of time.

If you use the "inverted power method" then it's about a 1-1:30 brewing times. Clean up is still the same though - just a few seconds.

[CigarSquid]

Do a lot of camping. I have one of these - http://www.cabelas.com/product/Cabelas-Stainless-Steel-High-Temp-Coffee-Pot/732378.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fproduct.jsp%3F productId%3D732498&categoryIds=104795280%7C104754780%7C104247180&WTz_l=RI%3BIK-517720

But, if you need something smaller, then I'd suggest one of these. http://www.cabelas.com/product/Cabelas-Stainless-Steel-Cool-Touch-Coffee-Pots/732498.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fproduct.jsp%3F productId%3D732378&categoryIds=104795280%7C104754780%7C104247180&WTz_l=RI%3BIK-510164

Both make great coffee.

In fact, I like to use my 14 cup in the cabin up north over most other methods.

Peace of the Lord be with you.



This is the way to go, I think. I use this method and love it. I also have the big one because I can drink a pot to myself, especially when camping.

[replicant_argent]

Does anybody use the jetboil kit (http://www.rei.com/product/791310/jetboil-flash-java-kit)? Seems like a cool alternative that could fit my needs

As much as I like gadgets, Jetboil, in my research, just seems too much like a one trick pony. Proprietary stuff annoys me.
As far as coffee is concerned, I would rather pack a pound of coffee than er... a lot of stuff.

[azar]

percolator in the camper and one in the house just because

[dave]

At first I thought you were talking about camping. Buncha coffee snobs.... :)
14643 If I'm in camp and you break out anything more 'elaborate' than this, I will have a hard time not laughing. Where do you plug your hair dryer in?



;s

[replicant_argent]

And I would pleasantly smirk while drinking kick-arse coffee, Dave. So.... Nyah. I'd still give you some, though. Maybe.

[JLMraider]

Looks like it can only be used to boil water with the included container and can't actually be used as a stove with other pots, pans or containers. Seems very restrictive.

http://www.cpsc.gov/PageFiles/73261/09126.jpg

I LOVE my Jetboil. I don't have the coffee press accessory yet but with it you can boil water, add your coffee, then press it just like a french press. The water boils quick. I've used it to brew up some instant coffee, the cappuccino packs out of MREs, and hot teas. I've also used it for oatmeal and ramen soup cups.

With the metal bracket in the top right of this picture you can use different pots/pans. The triangle piece in the bottom right attaches to the bottom of the fuel can to stabilize the entire system. Everything in the picture will pack down into the cup from the zig zag part up. The fuel can pictured will fit in this model, the larger fuel cans can still be used but will not inside the cup for packing. The make different size and color Jetboils.

If you're willing to spend the money on it, retail on this one is right at $100, I highly recommend it for any outdoor excursions you may go on.

[OnePyroTec]

It is a little bulky, but I use this when in the woods for several days.
http://www.coleman.com/product/camping-coffeemaker/2000003603#.VNZrvy6S8sI

I would have bought this one had I seen it first.
http://www.coleman.com/product/10-cup-portable-propane-coffeemaker-with-stainless-steel-carafe/2000008430#.VNZr-S6S8sI