If you’re reading this, you’re probably a coffee lover that cannot go a day without it and would even like to enjoy a nice cup of hot coffee on your next camping trip or even an off-road adventure. Well, don’t worry because we’ve got you covered. In this article, we’ll talk about different portable coffee makers and all the ways you can make that perfect cup of coffee that will boost your energy.

 

French Press, Pot, Percolator, Grinder, & All Accessories You Need To Make Coffee 

When going outdoors you won’t have access to those fancy electronic coffee makers that you can just plug in and push a button and wait for your coffee to brew. Instead, we would use some pieces of equipment such as the French press, percolators, drippers, and a boiling pot. 

Now you might be thinking, what is the best camping coffee maker? There are lots of them and it really depends on you. Some are smaller in size and easier to carry while some are bulkier and better for more people. Let’s take a look at some of them and see how to make coffee while camping.

Camping Coffee Maker	Weight	Type	Capacity
ESPRO French Press	12.3oz	Press	12oz.
Aeropress Coffee and Espresso Maker	9.5oz.	Press	10oz.
Stanley French Press	2.5lbs.	Press	48oz.
GSI Outdoor Ultralite	0.32oz.	Dripper	12oz.
Primula Brew Buddy Coffee Dripper	1.1oz.	Dripper	13.5oz.
MiiR Pourigami	5oz.	Dripper	12oz.
Bialetti Moka	1.96lbs.	Espresso Maker	18.5oz.
Coletti Bozeman Coffee Pot	26oz.	Percolator	9 Cups
GSI Outdoors Percolator	1.3lbs.	Percolator	48oz.

Coffee Mugs	Weight	Size	Capacity
Stanley Legendary Camping Mug	1.43lbs.	4.7 x 4.7 x 4.3 inches	12oz
JURO Tumbler Travel Mug	10.8oz.	8.5 x 3.5 x 3.5 inches	20oz.

Coffee Grinder	Weight	Size	Grind Settings
VSSL JAVA Manual Coffee Grinder	12oz.	2 x 2 x 6 inches	30 Grind Settings
JavaPresse Manual Coffee Grinder	9.4oz.	1.8 x 1.8 x 7.5 inches	18 Grind Settings

How To Make The Best Coffee When Camping?

 There are many ways you can make your coffee while on a camping trip and that depends on the equipment you will use to make it. Luckily you don’t need to be a rocket scientist to use them as they are very simple and straight to the point.

 

How To Use A French Press

Let’s talk about the French press first. There are many different types and shapes of French presses out there, but they all work the same way. Some necessary things you would want to have is your coffee, obviously, and boiling water. 

If you are making one cup of coffee, you should put two scoops of your desired coffee into the French press and pour the boiling water that is equal to one cup on top of it. Give it a stir and then put the lid on and press down so you can extract all the flavors from the coffee and pour it out.

 

How To Use A Percolator

For a percolator, you would want to have a source of heat on which you will place the said percolator. That can be an electric stove or gas stove, or if you are out camping you can even put it on top of the fire. Just make sure that the fire is well controlled. 

Ideally, you would ground your coffee beans and be careful not to end up with a fine grind because the coffee basket has holes in them and if your mix is really small it will go into your water and the coffee will not taste as good. You can also use filter paper if you do not have a coarse grind. 

Once you placed your grind into the coffee basket you would fill the percolator with the amount of water you want to make your cup or cups of coffee. Place the stem and the basket inside and let it boil on the stove. After it is done boiling give it a few more minutes and your coffee is good to go.

 

How To Use A Dripper

This might be one of the easiest camping coffee makers to use. A dripper is a piece of equipment that you would place on top of your cup, and you would fill up with your grind. After that, you will pour boiling water into it and just sit back and let it drip down into your cup. 

For this, you will need to have a camping coffee pot which will basically be any pot where you will put your water in and put on top of a stove or fire and let the water boil. For a fine grind, it is recommended that you use a paper filter so that your camping coffee will be smoother.

 

What Items Do You Need To Make The Best Coffee When Camping? 

Well, the most important thing is a coffee maker, obviously. That can be either a French press, percolator, or dripper. The second thing would be a portable coffee grinder and something in which you will carry your coffee. 

And last you will of course need some good camping coffee mugs. Because well, you will need something to drink out of. And of course, don’t forget your main ingredient. That’s right. Your coffee.

There are many good high-quality coffee beans out there so do your research and taste test them and find one that you enjoy the most.

 

Reviews Of The Best Camping Coffee Maker

 

ESPRO French Press

This is an excellent and easy-to-use camping coffee maker that is built into a self-contained mug. However, it is not suitable for many people as it can only make one to two cups of coffee at a time.

It is recommended that you have a cup in which you can pour out the coffee from the press because if you drink directly from it will taste bitter. 

Pros:  

• Easy to operate 
• Doesn’t take up much space 

Cons: 

• Will need multiple batches for big groups 

So, as you can see this is a neat little camping coffee maker to have as part of your camping equipment. However, if you plan to go with bigger groups of people, you should consider some other ones that have bigger capacity.

 

Aeropress Coffee Maker

This is another type of press coffee maker. Unlike the previous one, you cannot drink directly from it. It is, however, very easy to use. All you need to do is add your coffee, fill it with boiling water and stir, and just press it with a plunger that comes with it.  

You will have to put this press over a cup or a mug and just let it drip down into it. After that, you can dilute your mix by adding some extra water to your cup or mug. It can make 1 to 3 cups of coffee at a time. It is very lightweight, compact, and durable which makes it perfect for your camping trips. 

Pros: 

• Easy to carry and operate 
• Rich flavor quality 

Cons: 

• Best suitable for one person or smaller groups 
• Cannot carry liquid in it 

This is a great compact coffee maker that you can take on your backpacking trips but at the same time use at home to make coffee. The only thing that can be annoying is the number of parts it has. However, it can all be put away neatly in the case it comes with, and you can also use the case as a mug.

 

Stanley French Press 

The Stanley French press is designed with double vacuum insulation and allows you to not only make a good cup of joe but also carry it with you and keep it warm for up to 4 hours. You can also keep cold drinks cool for up to 9 hours. 

It is very durable as it is made out of stainless steel and is also very easy to clean. All of the parts are dishwasher-safe. It works the same way as a traditional French press would. A great thing about is its capacity. This is a great camping coffee maker to have for big groups of people. 

Pros: 

• Great for bigger groups  
• Keep your drink hot or cold for many hours 

Cons: 

• Takes up more space 

So, as you can see this is a great camping coffee maker for bigger groups of people as it can store 1.4L of liquid inside it. It can also keep your coffee hot if you can’t drink it all at once. However, it is much bigger than many models out there so it will take up more space in your camping gear.

 

GSI Outdoor Ultralite

This is a type of coffee maker that is called a dripper. It is the simplest type of all to use. It has little legs that can attach to pretty much every camping mug or cup out there. It is also one of the lightest camping coffee makers, weighing less than half an ounce. 

You will of course need a mug to use it and after clipping the dripper onto it put your coffee in it and pour boiling water over it and let it drip into your cup or mug. It has a quality net that will result in high-quality mud-free coffee. 

Pros: 

• Super Lightweight 
• Easy to use and pack 

Cons: 

• Can only make one cup at a time 

This is a neat little camping coffee maker as you can see. It is very easy to pack and doesn’t take up a lot of space. You can even carry it in your pocket. However, it can be a problem if one of the legs breaks as it will not be able to stand properly over a cup. It is also not recommended for bigger groups of people.

 

Primula Brew Buddy Coffee Dripper

This is yet another coffee dripper. It is really cheap and also very easy to carry. Unlike the previous one, you don’t have to worry about the legs breaking as it doesn’t have any. Just place it over the cup, put your coffee inside the mesh, and pour boiling water on top of it. 

You can agree that it is very simple to use, and it is also very easy to clean. You can even put it in the dishwasher. This is another perfect coffee maker for your backpacking or camping trips however you will only be able to make one cup at a time. 

Pros: 

• Cheap 
• Easy to pack and use 
• Saves money as it doesn’t use paper filters 

Cons: 

• Makes one cup of coffee at a time 
• Filter is delicate 

Another easy-to-use and easy-to-pack coffee maker. It is lightweight and it can be cleaned easily. You don’t even need filters for it. Sounds great and it is, however, it is not meant for bigger groups of people.

MiiR Pourigami

This is a very interesting design when it comes to the camping coffee dripper. It looks like you made origami hence the name “Pourigami”. However, it is made from stainless steel. And for this dripper, you will need to use a paper filter. 

It is heavier than previously mentioned drippers, however, it is still very easy to use and carry as it can be dismantled and put away in your camping backpack or even your pocket. It is a very stylish piece of equipment however it can only make one cup of coffee at a time. 

Pros: 

• Stylish design 
• Easy to clean and carry 
• Stainless steel construction 

Cons: 

• Requires paper filters 
• Not good for big groups 

This stylish, stainless steel coffee dripper is a great addition to any coffee lovers out there who are going on their camping trip. It’s compact, and easy to use, however, if you are going with a group of people, it will take you some time to make coffee for everyone.

Bialetti Moka Express

This is the original Moka stovetop espresso maker that is made in Italy. It is a simple piece of equipment to use. Simply fill the boiler with water just below the valve, take your ground coffee, and put it in the filter without pressing. Put everything back together and place it on the stove on medium heat. 

After some time, the coffee will come out in the top part of the coffee maker and you’re good to go. Bialetti Moka Express can be used in your household but it can also be a great addition to your next camping trip. Just be sure to bring a camping stove. 

Pros: 

• Classic design, flavorful coffee 
• Steel construction 

Cons: 

• Bulky 
• If not removed from the stove at the right time it can have a bitter taste 

It is a great item to have either in your household for everyday use or even when traveling. It does take up more space than let’s say the dripper coffee maker and is also heavier, but it does make some great coffee.

Coletti Bozeman Coffee Pot

This is called a percolator coffee maker. And it is a great camping coffee pot to have in your arsenal. It’s made out of stainless steel and is toxin free. With it, you can make coffee at home or in the wilderness as it is very durable. 

You can even put it on top of a fire. Just pour some water in it, place the paper filter in the coffee basket, put your ground coffee in the basket as well, and wait for the water to boil. You’ll know when it’s ready when you see the coffee percolating through the see-through knob on top of the pot. 

Pros: 

• Very durable 
• Great for groups of people 
• Easy to use 

Cons: 

• Can be a hassle to clean 
• Bulky 

A great camping coffee maker to have. It is very durable and great for bigger groups of people. It can take up more space, but it is really simple to use.

 

GSI Outdoors Percolator Coffee Pot

This is yet another percolator coffee maker. It is built out of heavy-gauge steel which is resistant to scratches and chipping. It can be used on a stovetop, gas stove, or even on top of a fire. It is perfect for bigger groups of people.  

It can be a hassle to pack it as you cannot fold it or disassemble but it is still a great piece of equipment to have. As the aforementioned Coletti percolator, you will also see your coffee brew through the unbreakable resin cap, and you will know when it’s ready. 

Pros: 

• Very sturdy construction 
• Great for bigger groups 

Cons: 

• Not easy to store in your camping backpack 

Pretty much all the percolator coffee makers are the same. They’re great for big groups of people, sturdy, but also not very easy to store. However, they are very easy to use and will always be a great addition to your next camping trip.

 

Stanley Coffee Mug

This is a camping coffee mug that has double wall vacuum insulation which can keep hot drinks hot for more than an hour and cold drinks cool for around three. It is built from Tritan which is free of estrogenic and androgenic activity. 

Pros: 

• High-quality plastic construction 
• Dishwasher safe 

Cons: 

• A bit expensive 

A great camping coffee mug to have. It is a high-quality one as well however its price may be a problem for some.

 

JURO Tumbler Travel Mug

This travel mug is made out of stainless steel and has double insulated walls that will guarantee that your drinks stay hot or cold for long periods of time. It is very lightweight and has a pretty elegant design. It is also dishwasher safe. Comes with a flip-up, and a sliding lid. 

Pros: 

• Sturdy stainless-steel construction 
• Insulated walls 
• Easy to clean 

Cons: 

• The sliding lid can leak 

For its price, it is a pretty good travel mug. It is not, however, leak-proof. At least the slide lid. So be careful how you carry it and where you put it.

 

VSSL JAVA Manual Coffee Grinder

This is a grinder that is made out of aircraft-grade aluminum and cuts the beans instead of pulverizing them. It comes with 30 unique grind settings and a clip and flip carabiner that lets you attach the grinder to your gear. It is an amazing camping coffee grinder to have, however, it can be expensive. 

Pros: 

• 30 unique grind settings 
• Sturdy build 

Cons: 

• Expensive 

This is an amazing piece of equipment to have alongside your portable camping coffee maker that allows you to grind up your coffee wherever you go. And while you can say that it is a perfect grinder to have it is expensive as all good things are.

 

JavaPresse Manual Coffee Grinder

This portable coffee grinder that is made from stainless steel gives you 18 different grind settings. It is very lightweight, easy to use, and easy to clean. It is a perfect coffee grinder to have when going on any outdoor trips and it is reasonably priced. 

Pros: 

• Stainless steel body 
• 18 grind settings 
• Reasonably priced 

Cons: 

• Grinding can be time consuming 

While this grinder is not as expensive as the previous one it does offer fewer grind settings. However, it is still a great piece to have for your camping or Overlanding trip.

 

Let’s Wrap It Up

We’ve talked about many different ways of making coffee while camping and mentioned a variety of types of portable camping coffee makers. But alongside a reliable coffee maker goes a high-quality grinder and a camping coffee mug you can drink out of. 

If you are going alone or with a friend or two don’t waste the valuable space in your camping backpack by picking out a massive coffee maker for big groups of people. Instead, go for a more compact one. Pick out your favorite coffee beans and enjoy your next outdoor adventure.