How to Make Coffee While Camping

Nick J-Pepe

04/09/2021

Last Updated on June 27, 2024 by Kaira

Camping with family or friends can be an exciting and enjoyable outdoor adventure. From the fresh smell of the air and exquisite beauty of nature to the beautiful stars overhead at night and a fantastic company around a warm bonfire, these are some of the best parts of an entire camping experience. 

However, if you’re looking for the perfect way to welcome and greet the cold morning in the wilderness, then drinking a hot cup of your favorite coffee can be an excellent option. But how to make coffee while camping?

Also, while there are plenty of options to choose from, you should remember that preparing for it is something you shouldn’t take lightly. Typically, good coffee while enjoying the wild requires some preparation as well as essential tools and equipment. 

Thus, whether you’re a first-time camper or a seasoned one who loves heading to the woods anytime, below are a few ways for making coffee while camping.

Morning coffee while camping

Make an Instant Coffee

Typically, instant coffee refers to a coffee powder that is made from the beans of brewed coffee. While it may not have a good reputation in terms of taste, bringing an instant coffee during camping can be a great idea because it is lightweight, packable, and suitable in a small amount of space.

If you consider using it during camping, here’s how you can prepare an instant coffee from the get-go:

  • Place the instant coffee grounds in the cup.
  • Add boiling water. 
  • Wait a few seconds or minutes for the powder to be dissolved entirely. 
  • Once it’s done, you can now enjoy your instant coffee in a cup.

As you can see, making instant coffee during the camp is much easier and faster. And just like camping, you can also make use of this method for various undertakings, including moving.

For instance, if you need a quick sip of coffee before the professional movers near Manhattan or wherever you may be, arrive, this instant coffee-making method can be a great solution. 

Try the Cowboy Coffee Method

Another way to make coffee while camping is the cowboy coffee method. Just like the making of instant coffee, this method is also ideal for light packers. If you’re the kind of person who doesn’t want to bring a lot of things for the camp, then using the cowboy coffee method is what you need.

The reason for this is that it allows the brewing of coffee within a small amount of time and using limited resources, including coffee grounds, kettle, and water. 

To get started with this method, the following are the steps to keep in mind:

  • Boil a sufficient amount of water in the kettle first. 
  • Allow water to cool for a few minutes. 
  • Place the coffee grounds into the kettle and stir properly. When the coffee interacts with the water, you’ll hear a sizzling sound. 
  • Wait for a minute or two for the coffee to sit. 
  • Stir the kettle again and let it rest for 60 seconds. 
  • Pour the coffee in a cup once the coffee grounds settle at the kettle’s bottom. 

Making coffee while camping

Use a Single-Serving Pour-Overs

For campers who want to save some space in their backpacks, using a single serving pour-over can be one of the best ways of making coffee while camping.

In terms of use, this coffee-making method remains to be a good option as the clean-up is much easier. Thanks to the fact that the coffee grounds are separated from the water throughout the process.

Also, although this method involves the packing out of both the wet grounds and the paper filter, the finished coffee product will taste like a typical pour-over. So, if you’re searching for an alternative to instant coffee, you can certainly consider a pour-over as a good choice. 

The following are the steps when using a single serving pour-over for coffee-making:

  • Fill in the paper frame and pouch with coffee grounds. 
  • Expand and place the frame over the top of the cup. 
  • Pour boiling water through the pour-over. 
  • Remove the frame and enjoy your delicious cup of coffee. 

Bring a Coffee Steeping Bag

To get your caffeine fixed during camping, using a coffee steeping bag can be one of the best options for your needs.

Generally, a coffee bag can be a convenient way of making coffee available even in the outdoors without consuming a lot of space in your bag. Also, you can either purchase it from a grocery store and create your own bag if you want. 

In case you’re making your own bag, you can start by using a basket coffee filter and lay it flat. Put some coffee grounds into the filter and tie it with twine.

Make sure to leave some twine to have a tail to hold when you start brewing. For the brewing process, you can follow the steps below:

  • Boil some water over the fire. 
  • Put the coffee bag in the boiling water. 
  • Allow the bag to steep for a few minutes. 
  • After a few minutes, get the bag and drink your coffee from your cup. 

Camping and coffee

As mentioned, a coffee bag can be an excellent addition to your camping essentials. Aside from having a delicious taste, it can be a convenient morning partner not just during camping but for any activity that requires less time and effort.

This means that if you’re also moving with the help of one of the best long-distance moving companies in your area, you can expect this coffee steeping bag to fix your caffeine content every morning until the relocation day. 

Use a Percolator

Another go-to coffee-making option for camping coffee drinkers is the use of a percolator. It uses a metal tube that runs up through a metal basket full of coffee grounds.

Once the water boils, the coffee becomes percolated into the basket. In most cases, using a percolator can be ideal for campers who like to drink strong coffee over a campfire. 

So, to get the most out of percolator to make coffee while camping, keep the following steps in mind:

  • Fill your kettle with water. 
  • Put a paper filter in the basket and fill it with coffee grounds.
  • Boil the kettle until it becomes ready to drink. 

Make a Coffee out of AeroPress

Another excellent camping coffee maker is AeroPress. This method is known for being a combination of a French press and a pour-over.

With only at least three minutes, you can produce an American-style coffee using an AeroPress. Just make sure to use a sturdy coffee mug to avoid the possibility of tipping when you begin the process. 

How to make coffee while camping

To take advantage of this coffee-making method, below are the steps that you should follow: 

  • Fill in two scoops of coffee to the tube attached to your AeroPress container. 
  • Make sure to soak the coffee grounds and bloom for 30 seconds. 
  • Check if the chamber is full and add hot water if it does. 
  • Use a paddle to stir the grounds. 
  • Put the plunger to the chamber so you can press it down slowly. 
  • To achieve a more flavorful taste, you can add water before drinking it. 

Wrapping Up

Indeed, there are several ways of making coffee when you’re camping.

If you don’t want to bring a lot of equipment, you can follow the tips mentioned above to ensure you can still brew hot, fresh coffee throughout your camping journey. 


Written by Nick J-Pepe

Nick is the founder of planculde.com. He's been nuts about sports since kindergarten. He practices the 80/20 rule of eating, and being the cool guy is just his DNA.


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