Category: Camping

Camping, Coffee Maker, Reviews, Uncategorized

Best Coffee Makers For Camping – My Memorable Top 5

There’s no reason to skip your morning cup of coffee when camping. In fact, the smell of coffee brewing out in the wild is one of the best parts of a morning in nature.

But what’s the best way to make coffee at your campsite? There are so many options for making coffee when camping.

Let’s look at some of the best coffee makers for camping available right now.

I’ll break down some of the pros and cons of five of the top options and finish off with my recommendation.

Disclosure: Some of these links are affiliate links, and at no additional cost, I earn a commission if you buy which helps to maintain this website.

What Are The Best Coffee Makers For Camping?

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AeroPress

The AeroPress is a favorite among campers for many reasons. It’s very small, compact, and lightweight, weighing less than a pound.

This makes it a perfect option for backpacking, as well. It’s easy to use and makes delicious coffee.

So you don’t have to be an expert on how to make coffee when camping to get your morning (or afternoon or evening!) caffeine fix.

The grounds don’t sit in the water for long (as they do with a French press), so the coffee generally tastes less bitter.

Users also rave about the flavor of AeroPress coffee.

AeroPress Coffee and Espresso Maker with Tote Bag
  • Popular with coffee enthusiasts worldwide.
  • The rapid brewing AeroPress avoids bitterness and high acidity
  • Makes 1 to 3 cups of American style coffee per pressing in about a minute.
  • The AeroPress is lightweight, compact, portable and durable.
  • Easy to pack for use while traveling, camping, backpacking, boating and more!
  • Includes the AeroPress press, funnel, scoop, stirrer, 350 microfilters, a filter holder, and a zippered nylon tote bag.
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The AeroPress makes coffee by the cup, so you don’t have to worry about making too much.

And everyone can make their own custom brew to their taste and strength preferences.

It’s versatile, too, since you can also use it to make espresso-style coffee besides regular coffee.

While made out of plastic, it’s BPA free, and very durable. It stands up to dents and does not break easily, perfect for a long hike or a lot of use.

It’s easy to clean: the used grounds are compacted into a disk that you can usually discard at your site. And just need to rinse the AeroPress.

The AeroPress comes with paper filters. But there are also reusable metal filters available that are better for camping. This is because you don’t have to worry about producing waste.

You’ll need something to boil water in to use the AeroPress. But in some ways this makes it even more versatile.

This is because you can use any cooking vessel that you’re already bringing with you. And don’t have to worry about carrying heavy or bulky equipment.

Pros:

  • Lightweight, durable and compact
  • Easy to clean
  • Can use a reusable metal filter

Cons:

  • Not most suitable for large groups
  • Need to boil water separately

Hario V60

The Hario V60 is a consistent favorite camping coffee maker for many reasons.

First is the taste of the coffee it makes—many campers love the smooth flavor.

And the manufacturer describes it as “umami,”. This is that elusive element of flavor best described in English as savory.

It’s also easy to customize your cup of coffee. You can pour the water over the grounds quickly for a lighter taste, or more slowly for a deeper, stronger brew.

That way, everyone in your party can have a customized cup of coffee.

Hario V60 Pour Over Set with Ceramic Dripper, Glass Server, Scoop and Filters
  • Everything you need for a professional, pour-over cup of Coffee at home, work or even camping; just add Coffee and water!
  • Kit includes: Hario V60 Coffee dripper, Hario V60 Coffee server, Hario Coffee scoop and Hario V60 Disposable paper filters (100-Pack)
  • Heatproof borosilicate glass server with BPA-free handle, lid and measuring spoon
  • V60 Size 02 makes 1-4 cups
  • Made in Ja
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It’s also one of the most inexpensive options on this list. And it’s very lightweight, weighing less than a pound.

It’s small, although its shape is a bit awkward for carrying. Like the AeroPress, the Hario V60 requires a filter. And some users note that they have to be specially ordered.

That said, you can buy a reusable cloth filter, though that won’t be the easiest item to clean while camping.

Like the AeroPress, you need a separate contraption in which to heat the water. It’ll also need to be something that is easy to pour from.

This is because the rate at which you add water to the Hario V60 has a great deal to do with the flavor of the coffee. This makes it a bit less easy to use compared to the AeroPress.

Pros:

  • More control over the brewing process
  • One of the cheapest options
  • Small and lightweight

Cons:

  • Need to carry filters
  • Need to boil water separately
  • Need some knowledge of correct technique

Bialetti Moka Pot

Newer isn’t always better, and the Bialetti Moka Pot is testament to that fact, on and off the trail.

The Bialetti Moka Pot is a great option for campers. And it’s an especially versatile item, since you can use it every day, at home and at the campsite.

It’s available in a variety of sizes, from one cup all the way up to 12 cups, perfect if you have to supply a crowd. But the smaller model is usually better for camping since it’s easy to carry.

This is especially important if you’re camping somewhere that isn’t accessible by vehicle.

As a camping coffee maker, the ease of use is especially important. It doesn’t need any measuring, and it’s fast.

If taste is important to you, the Bialetti might be your best option. It’s great for preserving the flavor notes of the coffee beans you use.

Its simple cleaning process also makes it good for camping.

Bialetti Moka Express Stovetop Coffee Maker, 6-Cup, silver
  • Invented by Alfonso Bialetti in 1933, symbol of made in Italy all over the world
  • Product with 8 faces, with the unmistakable little man with a mustache
  • High quality: made of aluminum, with ergonomic handle
  • Maximum safety: patented safety valve, inspectable and easy to clean
  • Suitable for all hobs except induction o
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All byproducts are completely biodegradable and earth-friendly. This is something the Bialetti company prides itself on.

What’s more, it only requires water to clean. In fact, you’re not supposed to clean your Bialetti with soap.

The more you use it, the better it tastes, and that makes it a simple camp coffee maker.

You’ll need some kind of heat source for the Bialetti. But it’ll work on whatever stove or cooktop you use for anything else while camping.

While it makes espresso, you can use fewer grounds for regular coffee.

Pros:

  • Good option for small or large groups
  • Lightweight and durable
  • Easy to clean

Cons:

  • Larger models aren’t compact
  • Takes longer compared to other options

GSI Percolator

Want a classic camping coffee percolator? The GSI is a great option.

One of the best things about this product is actually the way it looks.

It’s blue with white speckles. And you might recognize it from countless movies and classic shots of campers.

It isn’t only the look that makes this a great option for campers. The GSI is hardy.

It’s made of steel and the enamel finish is kiln-fired, making it resistant to chips and scratches.

GSI Outdoors 12 Cup Enamelware Percolator Coffee Pot for Campsite, Cabin, RV, Kitchen, Groups, Backpacking
  • The Enamelware Percolator makes your caffeine needs attainable for any campsite.
  • Every piece has been kiln-hardened twice at 1000 degrees F to stand up to scratches and chipping.
  • The Percolator’s three-ply construction maximizes heat distribution for even cooking.
  • Watch your coffee brew through the unbreakable resin cap.
  • GSI Outdoors warranties all products for the original owner against manufacturing defects for the lifetime of the produ
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At the same time, it’s lightweight, weighing only about a pound. Although it’s much less compact than other models on this list.

How’s the coffee? Pretty darn good, actually. One of the best things about the GSI is the even heating, for a consistent, delicious cup of coffee.

Because of the even heating, you can use the GSI on many heating sources, from camp stoves to a grate on an open flame.

It’s also fast, so you can get your day started quickly.

Pros:

  • Iconic style and appearance
  • Chip and scratch resistant
  • Lightweight

Cons:

  • Bulky and not very compact
  • Takes longer compared to other options

Wacaco Nanopresso

The Wacaco Nanopresso is a unique little gadget used to make espresso on the go.

Don’t let its size deceive you. This camp coffee maker produces divine espresso, complete with perfect crema. Every single time.

If taste matters more to you than anything else, the Wacaco Nanopresso might be your best bet.

It’s so delicious that you may even replace your home espresso maker.

One of the best features of this product is its size and shape. It’s tiny, only about six inches long; it fits into the palm of your hand.

Unlike some of the other options on this list, its compact shape makes it easy to stick in your backpack. It weighs less than a pound, too.

Wacaco Nanopresso Portable Espresso Maker, Perfect for Camping
  • No battery/electricity need/Manual operation only!
  • Nanopresso will help you brew perfect cups with a nice and dense crema layer every time.
  • The Nanopresso requires 15% less force to pump compared to previous models (1st generation Minipresso).
  • Note: Accessories are sold separately! Nanopresso Protective Case also can be purchased from Wacaco.
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One of the neat things about this model is that it’s hand-operated, so you don’t need batteries or a power source.

It does need a little muscle, although newer models are easier to use than in the past.

One of the downsides of the Wacaco Nanopresso, though, is that it has a lot of little parts that you have to clean.

Needless to say, this is less than ideal at camping grounds, and they can be easily lost.

It’s also one of the most expensive options on this list. So you’ll want to do your research and make sure it meets your needs before purchasing.

Pros:

  • Claims to create enough pressure to make genuine espresso
  • Very compact and lightweight
  • No electricity needed

Cons:

  • Need to clean many little parts
  • Expensive compared to other options
  • Needs strength for creating pressure

What About A Coffee Grinder For Camping?

The easiest solution here is to travel with coffee that’s already ground, either in the store or at home.

But for those of us that need fresh-ground coffee, there are portable options.

There’s several on the market. But for the best hand coffee grinder for camping, look for something lightweight and durable.

You don’t want anything with a lot of little parts or that’s too bulky or large. You also may want to consider whether you have control over the grind itself.

Take a look at my post on the best hand coffee grinder for camping here.

Conclusion

So, which is the best coffee maker for camping?

In large part, that depends on your needs. Consider how often you camp, how many people you’re brewing for, and other personal factors.

All in all, though, the AeroPress is one of the most popular and is the favorite on this list.

A man in the wilderness pressing an AeroPress, one of the best coffee makers for camping.
It checks so many boxes, since it’s lightweight, compact, durable, and travels well.

You can use it to make coffee for a crowd or only for one. Most importantly, it makes a mean cup of coffee.

Whichever camp coffee maker or camping coffee percolator you choose, don’t forget the most important thing.

Enjoy your time in the great outdoors!

As always, use extreme care and caution whenever you use fire or a heat source.

Have you tried any of these camp coffee makers when you’ve gone camping? Do you have a different suggestion for the best coffee maker for camping?

Let me know in the comments below. Stay caffeinated!

Camping

How To Make Coffee When Camping – Simple And Painless

There’s nothing like a warm cup of coffee in the morning. It doesn’t matter where you are; if you’re a coffee drinker, you have to have it.

That includes when you’re on a camping trip, of course.

Coffee may even be more essential in this setting, as sleeping on the ground isn’t too comfortable.

Person lying down on the ground with mountains in the background.

So in this post, I’m going to look at how to make coffee when camping. I’ll cover:

  • how to boil water while camping,
  • how to make coffee on a camp stove,
  • how to make coffee without a campfire,
  • cowboy coffee, and
  • some products to help you make coffee while camping.

Even when roughing it in the wilderness, you don’t have to sacrifice flavor or even ease when it comes to your coffee.

There are many methods and tools to use to make a delicious cup of coffee, no matter where you’re waking up.

The most rugged, back-to-nature method of making camping coffee is cowboy coffee.

And I describe how to go about that process in this post (keep reading).

But I’ve have also included some more practical methods for the modern camper.

And recommend some tried-and-true camping tools for the perfect cup.

Who knows, you may even end up adopting your camping coffee practices at home.

Disclosure: Some of these links are affiliate links, and at no additional cost, I earn a commission if you buy which helps to maintain this website.

How To Boil Water While Camping

One essential element to coffee is hot water: there’s no way around it. Luckily, there are lots of ways to boil water while camping.

The most obvious method is the old-fashioned way. Light a good, classic campfire and boil your water over that.

A campfire burning surrounded by stones.

It’s how humans have done it for millennia. So it’s great for connecting to your distant ancestors, if that’s something you’re seeking.

Also, it reduces the amount of stuff that you need to carry to your campsite.

Almost everything you need for a good campfire can be found along the trail.

What Do You Need?

The one item you need to make sure that you bring is some kind of receptacle for your water, some kind of pot or pan.

If you have to walk to your campsite, you can use the same pot or pan that you use to cook your food. This will cut your packing list.

Before you light your fire, make sure that you have something that your pot can rest upon. You can find a few larger rocks to create a stable base.

Make sure that you have also collected plenty of fuel and kindling to keep the fire going.

Also, review important fire safety advisories before lighting a fire at your campsite. Have a method to put the fire out quickly, should the need arise.

You can even gather your water from a lake or river. You’ll need to filter it through something to remove the large sediments.

And make sure that you bring it to a rolling boil for at least three minutes. Talk about getting back to nature!

There are other methods to boil water while out in nature that don’t involve a fire, as well.

I discuss those below in the section, “How To Make Coffee Without A Campfire,” so keep reading!

How To Make Coffee When Camping – On A Camp Stove

A camp stove is a great alternative to a fire. It might even be essential.

Black and white image of a gooseneck kettle on a portable gas camping stove, which is one way how to make coffee when camping.

Sometimes, when it is very dry or windy in your region, park officials will ban campfires.

This is because of the risk that the fire will catch and become a forest fire.

Or, sometimes campers don’t want to go to the trouble of building a fire every time they need some heat.

Many regular campers swear by their camp stoves as an essential tool.

What Do You Need?

To make coffee on a camping stove, you’ll need some kind of kettle or other receptacle in which to boil your water.

Once the water is boiling, you add it to the grounds. You can use a French press to do this or try making cowboy coffee (described below).

You can also use a camping percolator, which is a specific tool for making coffee.

You could also use a percolator over an open flame, as long as it’s designed for it.

A bonus to using a percolator, you can still buy the classic blue with white speckles model that’s so iconic.

A coffee percolator that's blue with white speckles sitting on a portable camping stove.

There are many propane-powered camping stoves and cooking systems available. And some of them are quite lightweight.

Check out product reviews and talk to fellow camping enthusiasts to find the right one for you.

How To Make Coffee Without A Campfire

Any experienced camper will tell you that a campfire is no simple undertaking.

  1. It takes careful management.
  2. It’s one of the most important things you’ll do to be a good steward of the environment where you’re camping.
  3. It also takes time to build the kind of heat needed to boil water or cook food.

Taking all that into consideration, you mightn’t want to light a fire first thing when you wake up.

Especially if you don’t need it to cook and are planning to be away from your site for most of the morning.

One other simple method for how to make coffee when camping is to use a kettle on a camping stove. This was touched on above.

If you’re not planning on using the stove for anything but coffee, you can also get a propane-powered kettle.

These are smaller and more compact, making it much easier to bring to your campsite.

The Ghillie Camping Kettle

Another popular option is the Ghillie Camping Kettle. This is especially great if you don’t want to carry propane with you.

All you need to do is:

  1. add some water to the kettle,
  2. add some kindling to the base of the kettle,
  3. light a fire inside the kettle itself, and
  4. use anything you can find (leaves, twigs, paper, and other similar items) to fuel the flame.

To see exactly how the Ghillie Camping Kettle works, watch this video (it’s also got some of the best commentary heard in a YouTube video ever):

Finally, if your car can go with you to your site, you can use your car’s power. Some kettles are designed to plug into your car’s outlet.

Some people might consider this cheating. But necessity is the mother of invention, after all.

If none of the options I’ve covered so far interest you, there’s always cowboy coffee.

What Is Cowboy Coffee?

Many aspects of the rugged cowboy have become the stuff of legend. This includes their morning drink of choice.

A cowboy holding a cup of coffee.

As all coffee is made by distilling coffee beans into a liquid, what makes cowboy coffee unique?

It boils down to the method of preparation.

Cowboy coffee is made over an open flame without:

  • fancy equipment,
  • electricity, or
  • a filter.

You can also add either salt or eggshells, but these ingredients aren’t necessary.

Eggshells In Coffee?

Hang on a sec… eggshells?! Yes, you read right. Eggshells!

A close-up of several cracked and empty eggshells.

I can hear you asking right now “What on earth would adding eggshells to coffee achieve”?

Well according to cowboys, it helps neutralize the acid in coffee. This improves the taste and helps get rid of the bitterness.

Them cowboys are pretty smart fellas!

How To Make Cowboy Coffee

To make it, boil your water over your campfire. Once boiled, pour it over your coffee grounds and add either a little bit of salt or crushed eggshells.

For the best extraction, the grounds should be coarse.

You can use whatever (reasonable) water-to-grounds ratio you want. Of course, this depends on the desired strength of your coffee.

Let it sit for a couple minutes, then give it a stir. Then, let it sit for a couple more.

If the grounds aren’t settling to the bottom, pour a little cold water over them.

Then pour out the liquid slowly to cut the amount of grounds in your cup. Enjoy!

To see exactly how cowboy Kent Rollins makes cowboy coffee, watch this:

Some Helpful Tools And Products For Camping Coffee

Okay, it’s time to admit that very few of us are actual cowboys.

And as rugged as cowboy coffee may make you feel, there are also easier ways to go about getting your brew in the wild.

I discussed a couple of options above. But let’s take a look next at some of the other products available for camping coffee.

The Aeropress:

Black and white image of person showing how to make coffee when cmaping with an AeroPress coffee maker.

The Aeropress coffee maker is a great option for how to make coffee when camping.

It’s very highly rated and recommended by experienced campers and camping organizations.

It’s easy to use at all steps of the process, from preparation to clean-up.

It’s even easy to discard the coffee grounds, which can be a process while camping.

The Aeropress is very lightweight, so it’s very convenient if you have to walk to your campsite.

It’s also durable, something that all campers have to keep in mind. It’s also very affordable.

Moka Pot:

A Bialetti moka pot sitting on a portable gas burner.

The Aeropress can make espresso-style coffee. But moka pots are designed for this purpose.

Moka pots are popular products in Europe, but have become more common in other parts of the world, too.

Their small, portable nature makes them great for camping.

Many well-known and well-trusted brands, such as Bialetti, make moka pots. The GSI is made for campers, as is EuroLux.

Hario V60:

Pouring hot water from a Hario Buono kettle into a Hario V60, sitting on a coffee mug. This is another way how to make coffee when camping.

The Hario V60 is the last model that I’ll talk about in this section.

The V60 is one of the least expensive options. But nonetheless users report that the coffee is high quality and tastes great.

It’s a coffee dripper. A filter is placed over a receptacle (often the cup itself) with grounds in it, and hot water is slowly poured over it.

As the water makes its way through the grounds, it’s flavored by the coffee bean grounds.

This results in a delicious cup of coffee. While delicious, the slow pour and setup need a bit more work than other options on this list.

Conclusion

In this post, I’ve covered various ways that show you how to make coffee when camping. I hope that you’ve learnt a thing or two.

Make sure you tell your friends about the eggshells.

If you have a different way you like to make coffee or something that I could improve with my suggested methods, let me know in the comments below.

Stay caffeinated!

Camping, Coffee Grinder, Reviews

Best Coffee Grinder For Camping

There’s nothing more I enjoy doing in the warmer months than loading the car with all the necessary camping gear and driving for a few hours with the kids to one of our favourite camping destinations.

It’s great to just get away from everything and spend some quality time with the family and friends as well.

No doubt you’ll be bringing some coffee with you when you go camping.

The best option is always to grind your beans fresh, because you’ll appreciate the aroma from the fresh grind, as well as the taste, compared to pre-ground coffee beans (or instant coffee, but who drinks instant, right?).

There’s many possible options for coffee grinders, but what’s the best coffee grinder for camping? Let’s take a look.

A hand coffee grinder for camping with some coffee beans

Best cheap coffee grinder for camping

Disclosure: Some of these links are affiliate links, and at no additional cost, I earn a commission if you buy which helps to maintain this website.

World Barista Champion (2007) James Hoffman knows a thing or two about coffee and reviewed a handful of hand coffee grinders.

You can watch the full video here or below.

It’s definitely worth watching the video to get a better understanding of why each grinder received the score that it did.

Here’s the scores that he gave each grinder for price, build, portability, usability and grind quality.

At the time of writing this, the Henry Charles coffee grinder is unavailable for purchase from Amazon, so I haven’t included it on this list.

It’s worth mentioning that although the Porlex Mini got the highest score, it also has the smallest capacity.

Not a deal breaker, but worth mentioning, as you may be looking for a larger capacity coffee grinder.

The best premium coffee grinder for camping

If you enjoyed James’ video above, but would like to get a coffee grinder that’s better quality and don’t mind spending a bit extra for it, he reviewed a few more premium hand coffee grinders.

He even carried over the winning Porlex Mini from the last video to see how it compares to the more premium models.

The coffee grinders reviewed in this video are:

In the end, James’ pick was the Kinu M47, but he stresses several times that it’s very expensive.

What makes a coffee grinder suitable for camping?

Woman sitting at campsite with a cup of coffee

There’s various factors to consider when trying to find a suitable coffee grinder for camping, such as:

  • size,
  • easy to take apart and store,
  • durability,
  • electric or manual,
  • capacity,
  • brewing method and
  • consistency of grind.

We’ll quickly look at each of these points and why you should consider each of them before making a purchase.

Size

You’ll want something that is small and compact. When you’re camping, space is a big issue and any space that you can save is worth saving.

Choosing a coffee grinder that is compact will save room in your car for other belongings. There’s a variety of small coffee grinders available, but they may not all fit the category of best coffee grinder for camping.

Easy to take apart and store

It’s important to make sure that you can easily take apart your coffee grinder and store it in a way that will see that it doesn’t get damaged.

For instance, most hand coffee grinders will allow you to remove the handle, so it can be stored quite easily.

Durability

Considering you’ll be packing the coffee grinder into your car with a lot of your other gear and it may get pretty full, durability should also be looked at.

Avoid choosing a coffee grinder that has any parts that can easily be broken or seem fragile.

Electric or manual

Unless you go camping with a powered caravan or you have some solar panels to use for an electric coffee grinder, you’ll want a manual coffee grinder.

You might hear these referred to as “manual coffee grinders”, “hand coffee grinders”, or even “hand crank coffee grinders” – they’re all the same thing.

Hand coffee grinders are also likely to be more compact and easier to take apart than electric coffee grinders.

Capacity

This one’s more up to you. Coffee grinders come with various grinding capacities, so you’ll need to think about your specific needs.

Do you want to be making a large grind for a few people, or is it going to be just for yourself?

Again, thinking about the size of the coffee grinder, in my opinion, the more compact the better.

Grind size

Are you going to be using the coffee grinder for various brewing methods or just one?

If it’s for various methods, you’ll want a coffee grinder that can be easily adjusted for different grinds to suit the different brewing methods.

When I go camping, I bring my AeroPress coffee maker. Read my review to find out more about the AeroPress.

Consistency of grind

While this may not be directly applicable to camping, you should always consider choosing a coffee grinder that gives a consistent grind.

Overall, it will produce a better brew and a more enjoyable cup of coffee for you.

Conclusion

The best coffee grinder for you may not be the best coffee grinder for someone else. Everybody is going to have different needs when choosing the right coffee grinder.

Hopefully I’ve been able to show you enough options to help you make an informed decision.

Have you tried any of these coffee grinders yourself or have I left out a coffee grinder for camping that you’d like to recommend? Let me know in the comments below.

Stay caffeinated!