Curious about how to brew great coffee on your camping trip? This guide covers everything you need to know about camping with coffee, from essential tips to various brewing methods like the french press and AeroPress. Learn how to make your outdoor coffee experience truly enjoyable.

Essential Tips for Brewing Coffee Outdoors

Brewing coffee outdoors can be a delightful ritual, but it requires some planning and the right equipment. Selecting a coffee maker that matches your brewing style and group size is essential. A larger coffee maker is better for group travel, while solo campers might opt for a compact model. Always use high-quality coffee, grinding it just before consumption to get the best flavour. This ensures that your camp coffee is always a cut above the rest, delivering that rich, aromatic experience you crave.

Freshly ground coffee is particularly important for specialty brews, as it makes a noticeable difference in flavour. Bringing a grinder along on your trip can seem like an extra hassle, but the payoff in taste is well worth it. Essential items needed for brewing coffee outdoors include a coffee maker, coffee press, and a handheld coffee grinder. These tools will form the backbone of your coffee-making setup and ensure you can create a great cup no matter where you are.

Boiling water is a necessity for all coffee brewing methods. So, having a reliable heat source, like a camping stove or portable burner, is a must. The convenience of instant coffee may tempt some campers, but for those who seek a truly fresh coffee experience, investing in proper equipment and high-quality beans is key. With these essentials, you can brew barista quality coffee right at your campsite.

French Press: Rich Flavour in the Wilderness

The French press method is a beloved favourite among coffee drinkers, and it’s also a fantastic way to brew rich and flavourful coffee while camping. This method is renowned for producing a full-bodied coffee with distinct bitterness and low acidity, making it a top choice for those who appreciate a bold cup. The correct grind size and water temperature are key for great French press results.

Relatively easy to use and requiring no electricity, the French press is perfect for camping trips. It does require a bit more clean-up effort compared to other methods. Despite this, the richness and depth of flavour it provides are well worth the extra work.

Supplies Needed

For a delicious French press coffee during your camping trip, you’ll need a French press, medium ground coffee, a camping mug, and a heat source like a camping stove.

Choose a French press made from durable materials like double-walled plastic or stainless steel to withstand outdoor use. Integrated cook systems like Jetboil or MSR with French press attachments reduce the amount of gear needed while ensuring efficient coffee brewing.

Brewing Instructions

Begin by heating your water until it is nearly boiling. It’s important to reach that high temperature for the best results. Once hot, let it cool for about 30 seconds before pouring. This cooling ensures the water is at the perfect temperature, preventing bitterness. Use a coffee-to-water ratio of 1.5 tablespoons of medium grind coffee per cup. Pour the hot water over the coffee grounds, wait for one minute, then stir and add the remaining water.

Let the coffee steep for 3-4 minutes before pressing the plunger down slowly. This process extracts the rich flavours from the coffee grounds, resulting in a robust and satisfying cup.

Pour the brewed coffee into your camping mug and enjoy the rich, full-bodied flavour unique to a French press. Remember, the French press method is all about taking your time and savouring the brewing process as much as the final product.

AeroPress: Compact and Versatile

The AeroPress is a game-changer for coffee lovers who crave versatility and convenience while camping. Known for revolutionising the coffee brewing experience, the AeroPress is considered the best travel coffee maker, producing some of the best flavours in tests. Its design allows all components to nest together, making it easy to pack and carry for car campers and backpackers.

A standout feature of the AeroPress is its ability to brew various coffee styles, including American-style coffee and espresso. This adjustability accommodates personal preferences, making it a favourite among outdoor enthusiasts.

What You Need

For a seamless AeroPress brewing experience, you’ll need the AeroPress, filters, medium-fine ground coffee, a heat source, a pot to boil water, and a sturdy camping mug. The AeroPress is lightweight, compact, affordable, and easy to clean, making it a practical option for outdoor coffee enthusiasts. Its pack includes an AeroPress, stirrer, spoon, and paper filters.

How to Use AeroPress

Add two scoops of medium-fine ground coffee to the AeroPress. Place the AeroPress on a sturdy mug for stability during brewing. If you’re using the inverted method, start by placing the plunger inside the chamber and turning the AeroPress upside down. Add the coffee grounds and pour in hot water, letting the coffee bloom for about 30 seconds.

After blooming, add more hot water, stir, and let it steep for up to 60 seconds for optimal flavour. When steeping is done, press the plunger slowly to filter the coffee into your mug. The resulting brew is smooth, strong, and free of bitterness.

Cleanup is easy—remove the filter cap, press the plunger to eject the coffee grounds, and rinse the components with warm water and dish soap for tougher stains.

Pour Over: Precision Brewing in Nature

Pour-over coffee is a favourite for those who value precision and control over their brewing process. This method offers a quick way to brew coffee while letting you tailor the flavour profile to your liking. The pour-over method emphasises control over brewing parameters, ideal for coffee aficionados who enjoy fine-tuning their brew.

Compact and easy to use, these devices are ideal for camping trips. Requiring minimal clean-up, the pour-over method is a convenient option for those on the go.

Necessary Equipment

To make pour-over coffee, you’ll need a few essential items: a pour-over dripper, filters, ground coffee, and a kettle. A pour-over kettle with a gooseneck spout ensures precise pouring, essential for controlling the brewing process.

Single-use pour-over filters are convenient for camping, offering easy clean up with minimal waste. For optimal results, use uniformly finely ground coffee and V60 paper filters.

Making Pour Over Coffee

Start by assembling your pour-over dripper and placing it onto your mug. Wet the filter and place it into the dripper to remove any paper taste and preheat the dripper. Fill the filter with your coffee grounds, using about 1-2 tablespoons per cup, and position it over your mug.

Boil water and let it cool slightly before pouring it over the coffee grounds in a spiral motion. Pour just enough water to cover the grounds and let it bloom for about 30 seconds. Continue pouring the rest of the water slowly and evenly, ensuring all the grounds are saturated.

Once the brewing is complete, remove the used filter and dispose of it properly. You’ll get a clean, flavourful cup of coffee to enjoy in the tranquillity of nature.

Moka Pot: Strong Coffee on the Go

The Moka pot, often called an espresso pot, is perfect for campers who prefer strong, bold coffee. This method brews extra-bold coffee that is rich and strong, ideal for espresso lovers. The Moka pot’s design creates robust flavours reminiscent of café-style brews, adding a touch of luxury to your camping experience.

Using a Moka pot while camping combines the joy of brewing with the reward of a powerful cup. Compact and easy to use, it’s a great choice for coffee lovers seeking strong coffee in the great outdoors.

Gear Checklist

To brew coffee with a Moka pot, you’ll need the pot, finely ground coffee, a camping stove, and a coffee mug for making coffee to make coffee.

Fill the bottom compartment of the Moka pot with hot water to ensure it gradually reaches brewing temperature. This prevents the coffee from burning and enhances the overall flavour.

Brewing Process

Boil water and fill the bottom compartment of the Moka pot. Add coffee to the filter basket, filling it loosely without packing it down for optimal extraction. Assemble the pot, place it on your camping stove, and heat it over medium heat. As the water heats up, steam pressure will push it through the coffee grounds, creating brewed coffee.

Lower the heat once boiling begins to prevent burning. Once brewing starts, the upper chamber will fill with a rich, strong brew similar to espresso.

Pour the coffee into your camping mugs and enjoy the robust flavours. Remember to handle the Moka pot carefully as it can get quite hot, especially the plastic handle.

Cold Brew: Refreshing Coffee Without Heat

In hot weather, cold brew coffee offers a refreshing and convenient option. This method requires no heat, ideal for a cool, invigorating summer beverage. Cold brew is easy to make and delivers a smooth, less acidic flavour that many appreciate.

The simplicity of cold brew coffee makes it an excellent choice for camping trips. With just a few ingredients and tools, you can prepare a delicious batch of cold brew to enjoy throughout your adventure.

Ingredients and Tools

To prepare cold brew coffee, you’ll need coarse ground coffee, cold water, and a container for steeping. A large jar or pitcher works perfectly for this purpose.

For a simple cold brew, use 16 tablespoons of coarse ground coffee and 20 ounces of cold water. Coarse coffee grounds are essential as they prevent over-extraction and result in a smoother flavour.

Cold Brew Preparation

To make cold brew, mix the coffee grounds with water in a ratio of 1:4. Stir the mixture to saturate all the grounds and let it steep for 12 to 24 hours, depending on your strength preference. Strain the cold brew using a fine mesh sieve or coffee filter to remove the grounds after steeping.

Once strained, your cold brew is ready to be enjoyed. Pour it over ice for an extra-refreshing drink or mix it with water or milk to taste. Cold brew is versatile and delicious, prepared ahead of time for a refreshing coffee fix during your camping trip.

Keeping Your Coffee Hot: Practical Tips

Keeping your coffee hot while camping can be a challenge, but with the right tools, you can enjoy a warm cup for hours. Double-walled mugs or insulated flasks are great for retaining heat. Designed to minimise heat loss, these containers ensure your coffee stays hot during outdoor activities.

Insulated mugs significantly enhance your coffee-drinking experience by maintaining the desired temperature longer. Thermal carafes are also a great option for keeping larger quantities of coffee hot, making them ideal for group camping trips.

Insulated Mugs

Insulated mugs are a camper’s best friend when it comes to keeping coffee warm. These mugs are designed to retain heat, allowing you to enjoy your coffee at the perfect temperature even in the great outdoors. They are particularly useful for preventing heat loss, ensuring your coffee stays warm during your camping adventures.

Thermal Carafes

Thermal carafes effectively keep larger quantities of coffee hot for extended periods. With double-walled vacuum insulation, these carafes can keep coffee hot for up to eight hours or more. This makes them ideal for group camping trips where multiple servings of hot coffee are needed throughout the day.

Made from durable materials like stainless steel, thermal carafes are portable and resistant to breakage, withstanding outdoor use. With these practical tools, enjoy hot coffee no matter where your adventures take you.

Cleaning Up: Leave No Trace

While camping, practice Leave No Trace principles, especially with coffee grounds. Proper disposal involves packing out or composting coffee grounds to keep the campsite clean and undisturbed. Packing out used coffee grounds best keeps the environment pristine and safe.

Burying or scattering coffee grounds can harm wildlife, so it’s best to pack them out. Sprinkling a bit of cold water on the coffee grounds at the end of brewing helps settle them to the bottom, making clean-up easier.

Cleaning Supplies

To clean your coffee-making equipment, bring along essential cleaning supplies such as a reusable cloth or sponge, and biodegradable soap. Cleaning the AeroPress is straightforward—invert it, remove the filter, press the grounds into the trash, and rinse.

For pour-over setups, rinse the equipment, wipe it down, and pack it up neatly. Disassembling and washing all parts of a percolator or French press ensures your gear is ready for the next use.

Disposal Tips

Using reusable, sealable bags to transport coffee grounds is an effective way to minimise waste and adhere to Leave No Trace principles. When using integrated cook systems, pack out used coffee grounds to ensure no trace is left behind. For instant coffee, dispose of the packets or steeping bags responsibly.

Carrying a reusable cloth or sponge for cleaning coffee equipment can minimise waste and is eco-friendly. Additionally, using biodegradable soap for cleaning helps reduce the environmental impact and ensures that nature remains undisturbed.

Summary

Brewing coffee while camping can be a delightful and rewarding experience. Whether you prefer the simplicity of a French press or the precision of a pour-over, there’s a method to suit everyone’s taste. Each brewing method has its unique charm and requires specific tools, but with the right preparation, you can enjoy a delicious cup of coffee no matter where your adventures take you.

Remember to choose high-quality coffee, grind it fresh, and use the appropriate equipment for your chosen method. From the rich flavours of a French press to the refreshing taste of cold brew, the perfect cup of camp coffee is within your reach. So, pack your coffee gear, embrace the great outdoors, and savour the joy of a well-brewed coffee in nature. Happy camping and brewing!