As the sun rises over the mountains and you crawl out of your tent, make sure you know how to make a piping hot cup of camping coffee to start your day right! While many people are used to brewing their coffee with an electric coffee maker, there are many non-electric ways to make coffee. These same methods are easily adapted to camping, and you may use them all the time.

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Camp Coffee

There are several methods to make good camp coffee, including:

• French press
• Pour-over
• Percolator
• Instant

Each of these has its pros and cons. Some require more prep work, and some are messier than others. They all have their merits which I’ll talk about below. But first, let’s talk about what kind of coffee to use.

Camping Coffee: Beans or Ground?

Other than instant coffee, which we’ll talk about, pre-ground coffee will require less work than bringing coffee beans camping. However, you can purchase a non-electric coffee grinder to grind beans while camping. This will definitely take more time and effort. So if you want your coffee relatively quickly, it’s best to grind your coffee before you go.

Ensure your storage container is non-breakable, like a tin can, plastic container, or even a Ziplock bag. That way if you accidentally drop it on the ground, it won’t break. 

How to Make Camping Coffee

Now I’ll discuss the various methods, the pros and cons, and what you’ll need. First, you’ll need to figure out how to boil water. 

Boiling Water for Camping Coffee

There are a few simple methods for boiling water that you’ll need for making french press, pour-over, or instant coffee. A propane camp stove and a pot are relatively inexpensive. Of course, you’ll need to buy propane. Another option is a backpacking stove like a Jet Boil or PocketRocket. These stove kits typically run on isobutane propane and are an efficient way to boil water. Of course, you can also get a camping coffee pot and set it on a grate over an open flame or on a wood camp stove. 

French Press Camping Coffee

French press coffee is thick and delicious. While many folks may be familiar with glass french presses, you’ll want to skip these for camping. They are breakable; nobody wants to pick glass from the dirt if you drop it. You can find a good, inexpensive camping coffee press at most outdoor stores. Typically they are made of plastic or stainless steel. The plastic ones are good for backpacking since they are lightweight. Additionally, you can buy a press to go with your Jet Boil system.

If you’re unfamiliar with this method of making coffee, it’s pretty simple. Put your coffee grounds in the french press. Then pour water over the grounds and steep them for about 5-10 minutes. At this point, the plunger should be at the top, and you’ll slowly push it down, filtering the grounds to the bottom and leaving brewed coffee above. Your coffee is ready to drink.

However, this is one of the messiest methods of making camp coffee. You’ll now have a bunch of wet coffee grounds at the bottom of your container and no good way to clean them. I typically shake as many as possible into a garbage bag (if I’m car camping), then use a paper towel to get the rest. If you’re near a stream or river, you could rinse it out with purified water and dump it in the running water. Don’t dump it in a lake or pond where there is little movement. 

Pour Over Camping Coffee

This method is easy and less messy than the french press. It’s the same idea as using an electric coffee maker, but manual. You’ll need a non-breakable pour-over carafe. Again, there are camping pour-over carafes sold on Amazon or at outdoor stores. But an inexpensive plastic one will also do the trick. 

You’ll also need filters, although some are designed with a built-in filter. I prefer disposable filters when camping because it makes cleanup much more straightforward. However, if you opt out of disposable camping coffee filters and use the built-in ones, cleanup will be the same as the french press. 

Place your coffee grounds in the carafe and set it on top of your coffee cup or pot. Next, pour boiling water slowly over the coffee grounds, and let it seep through them. The carafes have a hole in the bottom. The coffee comes out of the hole into your cup as the water runs through the grounds. It’s a quick and easy method for making camp coffee. 

Percolator Camping Coffee

As with the other methods, you can buy a camping coffee percolator designed for camping. Again, these are often found at outdoor stores or online. You’ll need a campfire with a grate or a propane or wood camping stove to make this camp coffee. 

Percolators have two chambers with a tube that runs between them. As the water heats, it’s forced up through the tube into the top chamber where the coffee grounds sit. The water percolates through the grounds and back into the bottom chamber, brewing coffee in the process. This method can take up to 10 minutes to complete, depending on how big your pot is and how strong you want your coffee.

As with the french press and pour-over, this way of making camping coffee is also messy. You’ll use the same cleanup methods as the other two. Dump the grounds in your garbage bag and wipe the remainder with a paper towel, or rinse with clean water. 

Instant Coffee

Instant camping coffee is the easiest and hassle-free of the four methods. Many coffee companies make individual packages that are lightweight and pre-measured, making them great for car camping or backpacking. Many companies also make jars of instant coffee, which is obviously more cost-effective and environmentally friendly. Look for ones in tins instead of glass jars.

Instant coffee can get a bad rap for not being as good as regular coffee; however, there are many great instant coffee options on the market. This option is the most popular among backpackers, especially those trying to save weight. The packets are lightweight, and you don’t need any additional equipment.

All you need to make this coffee is boiled water. Once your water is hot, pour it into your camping coffee cup. Next, empty a packet or measure the appropriate amount of instant coffee into the water. Stir and enjoy. 

Some instant coffee brands even come in packets with creamer mixed in. This is the ultimate simplicity and another excellent option for easy backpacking coffee. 

Coffee Cups 

Finally, you can’t drink coffee without a good camping coffee cup. These can range from lightweight tin cups to heavier Yeti’s that will keep your coffee hot for a long time. Which you choose amounts to personal preference. But again, avoid breakable glass or ceramic mugs. 

I prefer Yeti because they’re unbreakable and keep my coffee hot forever. In fact, I use these mugs every day, camping or not. 

Final Thoughts

As you can see, camping coffee doesn’t have to be hard to make. Whether you choose french press, pour-over, percolator, or instant, each method has merit. If you don’t mind a bit of extra cleanup, french press and pour-over are excellent options. Instant coffee is great if you want quick and easy coffee. And while many people like to use percolators, they’re not my favorite. Whichever way you make your camp coffee, rest assured it will be more delicious because you’re sitting next to a river or gazing at the nearby mountains!