How to Make Camping Coffee Like a Barista
From luxury RVs to sparse backcountry getaways, everyone has their own idea of what “camping” looks like. But whatever creature comforts you choose to take with you or leave behind, just about everyone can get behind a good cup of coffee in the morning. There's nothing like starting your day with a fresh-brewed cup of coffee in the great outdoors.
So what’s the best way to make that good ol’ cup of joe? There’s certainly no shortage of ways to make coffee.
Camp Coffee Makers and Methods
There are percolators, drip makers, and reusable pouches for single-cup coffeemakers. Lately, people are even getting into a glass “vacuum” coffee maker that was invented in the 1830s. If it’ll soak coffee beans in hot water, somebody somewhere is going to swear that it’s the best way to make coffee.
That said, some ways are easier than others for camping or backpacking. Here are some of the most popular.
Instant Camp Coffee
Instant coffee is made by adding instant coffee crystals to (usually hot) water. Instant coffee dissolves in water, so you don’t have to worry about coffee grounds, temperature, or other complications.
There are even some kinds of instant coffee now that can be dissolved in cold water if you’re more of a cold brew person. However, instant coffee tends to taste weaker. It often has less caffeine and less of the antioxidant that coffee gives you.
If you need convenience, instant coffee will get you coffee with little effort and minimal weight. But if you really savor the flavor of coffee, it may not be the way to go.
Cowboy Coffee
Cowboy coffee is a straightforward and classic way to make camp coffee. But it can be a challenge.
You boil a pot of water over a campfire, camping stove, or backpacking stove. Take the water off of the heat, then give it a chance to stop boiling. Once the water settles pour in the coffee grounds. Use about one tablespoon for every 6 ounces of water.
Stir it up, then just wait for the grounds to settle. Once the grounds are at the bottom, pour the coffee into your cup very carefully, to prevent grounds from getting into your coffee mug. You can read a little more in-depth about how to make cowboy coffee here.
The downside of cowboy coffee is that you have to deal with grounds getting into your cup. It’s tricky to pour the coffee just right, and even if you do, you’re probably going to wind up with a little extra grit.
Percolator Coffee
When you think of a percolator, you may think of those silvery, electric setups that look like they escaped a 1960s diner. But not every percolator is electric. There are metal and even ceramic percolators designed to work with water you heat on a stove or a campfire. The percolator actually has a long history as a camp coffee maker.
You don’t want the water in the percolator to get too hot. Put the percolator on a grill rack, or on a camp stove where you can control the heat. Whatever you do, find some way to make sure that you don’t get overly-heated, bitter coffee.
When making camp coffee in a percolator, a good place to start is two teaspoons of ground coffee per 6oz mug. If you’re making a big pot, throw in a little extra on top of that. The water goes in the bottom, and the coffee goes in a chamber at the top. As the water heats, it will cycle up through the chamber. Watch the pot. When you see the water bubbling at the top (about 15 minutes, usually), the coffee should be about ready!
Percolators keep grounds out of your coffee better than just making a pot of cowboy coffee.
But there’s a big drawback with percolators: They boil your coffee. For most other brewing methods you take the water off the heat, wait for a second, and then add coffee grounds. Even the best cup of percolator coffee is going to taste kind of burned. This is different from tasting strong.
AeroPress Camp Coffee
Using an AeroPress is a popular method to create a nice cup of camp coffee. These simple and durable plastic coffee makers are made from 4 basic parts. A chamber, plunger, filter, and filter cap.
It only takes about 2 ½ tablespoons of ground coffee for 1 cup. Be aware that the standard size AeroPress won’t make a full cup of coffee without adding more water. The strength of your coffee depends on how much ground coffee you use.
Making AeroPress coffee is relatively easy. Screw the filter and filter cap on the chamber. Then put the chamber on top of your cup or mug. Put your desired amount of coffee grounds in the chamber and then pour hot water (around 200 degrees) into the chamber. Let it brew for a few minutes and stir the slurry a few times between. Finally insert the plunger into the chamber and slowly press down into your cup. Add more water to your cup if desired.
The plunger is hollow, so you can store some coffee when it is fully pressed in the chamber. This makes a nice compact backpacking and camping coffee kit.
Pro tip: Use a reusable metal filter instead of the disposable paper filters that come with the AeroPress.
One potential negative of the AeroPress is it may not be the best solution for a larger group or camp kitchen because it can only make a single cup at a time.
Pour-Over Camp Coffee
Pour-over coffee makers are pretty low-tech. They look like a cone-shaped second cup that sits on top of your regular cup. But the pour-over maker has a hole or a strainer in the bottom. You put a coffee filter in the pour-over maker, then set it on top of your coffee cup. Once it’s situated, you slowly pour water into the center of the filter. The water soaks the coffee grounds, and slowly drips into your cup.
Pouring the water over can take a minute, and you’ll need to pause periodically to let the water soak through before adding more. You also need to make sure that the water really soaks through the grounds, instead of finding an easy channel through them.
Pour-over devices are a great camping coffee maker, in terms of brew quality. After all, if they’re good enough for trendy cafes, they’ll probably make do at camp. Pour-over really lets the water sit and absorb the flavors and oils of the ground coffee beans.
But there are drawbacks. It takes time and effort to make a good cup of pour-over coffee. It may be a little too much for your camping coffee ritual. If you need to move quickly, or if you want to make more than one cup at a time, you may want to find another camping coffee maker.
French Press Camp Coffee
French Press is a great way to make coffee, whether you’re camping or at home. And the way you make it is actually very similar to cowboy coffee. It just gives you an easier way to get the grounds out than fishing around for them with a spoon.
Boil your water, then give it a second to stop boiling. Pour some grounds into the French press container. The ratio depends on your taste. For a 10 oz. cup of coffee, you’ll want 3 tablespoons of coffee for a lighter brew, or 5 tablespoons for strong brew.
Pour your hot water into the French press container with the grounds, and stir the grounds up into the hot water. Then set the French press plunger on top of it. That’ll keep heat and steam in while the coffee sits and brews for a few minutes. (For best results, let it brew for 4 minutes, give or take a little.)
Once it’s done brewing, press the plunger down slowly. Now you can pour your coffee without worrying about grounds getting in the way. The only difference between this and cowboy coffee is the use of the plunger. Instead of drinking grit, you let the French press strain the grounds out for you.
There are a few disadvantages to using a French press. French press containers tend to be made from fragile glass. They also take up space and are not practical for backpacking.
Jetboil French Press Camp Coffee
Just like you can make cowboy coffee in a Jetboil, you can also easily make French press coffee.
The Flash Java Kit has everything you need to make great French press coffee including a Jetboil Flash and Silicone Coffee Press.
Using a Jetboil is easier than a traditional French press. You don’t have to pour piping-hot water from a kettle into a glass container. Instead, you can boil the water in the Jetboil, let it sit for a second, pour the coffee grounds in (coarse grind recommended), and press after a few minutes.
The coffee press is made to fit, and be stored in, the Jetboil container. That means fewer steps, less gear, and no delicate glass on the trail or at camp. We like bringing along gear that can be used for multiple purposes. A Jetboil can be used for boiling water, cooking food, and making other beverages.
If you already have a Jetboil system, you can always pick up the coffee press separately. There are two different sizes, depending on the kind of Jetboil cooking system you have.
The regular size coffee press can be used with the following Jetboil systems and spare cups:
The grande size coffee press can be used with the following Jetboil systems:
If you're unsure which Jetboil to purchase for camping, backpacking, or any coffee brewing method, check out our simple stove finder tool that will help guide you through the selection process.
Choosing the Best Camping Coffee Maker and Method
There are a lot of things worth considering when you choose a coffee maker or method for your next camping or backpacking trip. You want durability. You want convenience. And you want the coffee to taste good enough to justify the effort of carting it around and the time it takes to make it.
That perfect cup of coffee is in reach, however you choose to make it. And whatever your preference is, a Jetboil stove can help you get there. Whether you use a coffee press in the Flash, heat water for pour-over in a Zip, or make a giant pot of cowboy coffee in the SUMO, we’re here to help you start your morning the right way.