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The next time you rise and grind to fill your camping mug with a delicious cup of joe, make sure to follow these best coffee making for at camp. That way, your coffee-making game isn’t on the weaker side.
In this guide, we spill the beans on the absolute must-do’s of making coffee outdoors. Plus, we offer several brewing methods for campers looking for compact gear and an easy cleanup.
Whether you like brewing it over a campfire or on a propane or liquid fuel stove, most coffee tips for camping come down to two factors: the freshness and quality beans, and their brewing method. Here are the must-do coffee tips for camping.
High-quality beans can make or break a good cup of coffee. (And, depending on how much you rely on it in the morning, bland coffee could ruin your whole day.)
One nice treat is to hunt down a local roaster along your journey and pick up a fresh bag of whole beans. If you forgot your coffee grinder, have them do the job for you. But, again, whole beans, if you can.
Keep those whole coffee beans in an airtight container to maintain their freshness.
However, since campers tend to use coolers as their airtight container, preserving perishables and deterring wildlife, we must point out that coffee is the exception. Storing coffee beans in an ice chest or cooler causes moisture, which can reduce the beans’ shelf life and even cause the beans to spoil. Just don’t do it!
Always grind coffee beans just before brewing to ensure optimal freshness. Why? Because ground coffee is more exposed to air, which oxidizes and decreases its taste. And… freshly ground coffee beans release oils that give it a more complex, robust flavor profile, making all that brewing effort at the campsite worth it!
Of course, you’ll need to bring a coffee grinder to do the job. Preferably one that is lightweight and compact. Bonus points if it has a coarse adjustment. Here are a few fantastic coffee grinder options:
Heat water in a camping kettle or camping tea pot with a spout that allows for an easy pour. This will help prevent burns or simply wasting good coffee.
For anything other than cowboy coffee kettle or percolator styles, choose a camping kettle or camping tea pot from a reputable brand like MSR, GSI Outdoors, or Snow Peak. These styles are designed to heat quickly and be lightweight.
Whatever you choose, keep the water just under boiling (a temperature of around 200-205 degrees Fahrenheit). Should you reach 212 degrees, you're boiling! In the wilderness without a way to gauge temps, just use your eyes to judge, pulling off the kettle before the water begins to boil.
Learn more tips on choosing the best camping kettle for you.
Whether you prefer the classic enamel camp kettle you can place directly over the fire or a quick on-the-go brew before you pack out, there’s a coffee maker for everyone.
But first, there are a few factors to consider when choosing a coffee maker for camping:
Great for larger crowds like family cookouts, enamel kettles and percolators make plenty to go around.
A large coffee kettle or percolator-style kettle is typically used to make cowboy coffee. Both can sit safely over a fire too, if you want to reduce your coffee-making camp equipment. It's also easier to reheat if it turns cold before others wake.
Here is how to make coffee using a kettle or percolator.
Directions
Cowboy Coffee:
Percolator:
Kettle and Percolator Models
The espresso pot, aka Moka Pot, is a handy coffee maker for camping, and especially great for 1 - 2 campers who need stronger shots. Plus, you can simply add hot water to craft an Americano coffee.
Much like a percolator, a Moka Pot design features a bottom reservoir and a built-in metal filter basket, reducing the need for paper filters.
Directions
Espresso Pot Models
Many campers love the Aeropress because it’s compact, mess-free and simple to clean up. Designed like a press ad pour over, it combines the best of both worlds for coffee lovers. It brews one cup at a time, so best for a campsite of 2-4 people.
Aeropress has two basic brewing methods; the official regular way, and the other inverted. Some people prefer the inverted way because it offers more control and immerses the grounds longer. Here’s the upside-down inverted method:
Directions
Aeropress Models
The French Press is a smart option for brewing coffee grounds overnight (looking at you, cold brew fans). After all, cold brew coffee is a nice refreshment in the hotter months.
Skip the breakable glass and aim for a stainless steel French Press or a French Press-style coffee mug.
Directions
French Press Models
Unlike the full-standing versions you see in coffee shops, pour-overs can be compact, lightweight and durable enough for camping. You can even find collapsible pour-over cones or folding pour-overs. Keep in mind: The larger your cone, the more coffee and people you can serve.
Directions
Pour Over Models
Yep, that’s right – instant coffee has come a loooooong way. And it’s super convenient for camping. Not only are they ideal for solo campers who limit weight or extra equipment, but also campers who simply want to jumpstart their day. And you’d be surprised just how tasty they can be.
Instant coffee and coffee tea bags are especially useful when you need to limit your gear and supplies. Backpackers love instant coffee because it’s quick to make and easy to pack out the trash in the backcountry. Coffee “tea” bags work the same.
Have a favorite coffee blend? You can purchase bags and DIY your own coffee tea bags!
Directions
Instant Coffee Brands
Do you have any special brewing techniques you use while camping? We love to know what other campers are doing to start their morning off right.
Let us know in the comments below!
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