The Best Camp Coffee

How do you make your favorite coffee in the Backcountry ? I’ve tried a perkulator , Press, MSR screen filter in my mug, instant packets, aeropress and a drip filter thing and never seem to get it perfect. What works for you while on the go?

 

A tiny Keurig plugged into the bed outlet! BAM! DONE!

 

French press. There are a couple of tricks though and I think it would apply to whatever system you use. First, make sure the coffee is ground to the right size. Second, don't wait til you go camping to figure it out. I do french press every day at home, which means that I'm not trying to figure out what I'm doing when camping.

 

I’m trying to learn the art of the percolator now, but I prefer the French press.

 

I work in the coffee industry and stand behind aeropress or simple pour overs. Yes there is some drawbacks, you only get one cup at a time. But, as far are dissolved solids and flavor; its by far the best. Proper grind and 30 second off boil water is ideal. Coffee is 98% water so if you can get filtered water its ideal, unless you live a place that has amazing water ( PNW). Grind is very important for extraction as well.

A

$12 Hario V60 Plastic Coffee Dripper, Size 02, White

Hario V60 with some unbleached filters are what I keep in my camp pack. They even make ones that collapse flat. nothing better than an epic cup of coffee after sleeping outside on a cold morning. Hit me up if you want and recs or have questions.

 

I used a press for about 25 years but in recent years have seen the light regarding percolators. I find the more important thing is burr grinding immediately before brewing.

 

I’ve mostly been using the MSR filter. These are generic Google images, but you get the point. How long do you guys think it should sit?

 

French press ftw!
That it can go anywhere is a big plus. (maybe not actual backpacking tho- pour over/paper filter rig then)
I only buy whole bean, so the grind is right.
I decant it to a klean canteen when brewed and enjoy all day!

Actually I do this for home/work now too.

 

Theres a place fairly local to me that makes decent instant. Thats my go to for a quick overnight trip, but its expensive.

I also have one of those GSI coffee rockets. Works good for longer trips and packs up real small. No paper filters either. Buddy of mine has an old school percolator that also works good. But Im not too picky about my coffee, I mean its camping after all haha

 

I like my coffee in the morning regardless of where I am. But I'm not a coffee snob. Good old fashion cowboy coffee. Water and grounds in pot and bring to boil. Let sit for a couple of minutes (have to anyway cuz it's too hot to drink). Pour slowly. When you start to get too many grounds add more water and coffee boil. Repeat as needed. Oh, and laugh your backside off when the rookie tilts the pot for the last cup (usually because he doesn't want to be the one to make more) then takes a healthy swig.

 

https://www.blackriflecoffee.com/collections/coffee/products/coffee-steep-bags

 

Inverted aeropress method!!
Pour overs come along to came, too.

 

I think I've tried most options except for the hand pump espresso makers. Primarily for convenience sake, I mostly use a GSI folding pour over cone with #2 or #4 Melitta filters. Hand grind with a GSI hand grinder, unless I'm backpacking. I've had camping companions rave about my camp coffee. Its just a matter of getting the brew temperature right, and the freshly ground beans helps.

 

This is what made the biggest difference to me too. Once I stopped boiling it, it didn't really matter what kind of apparatus I used.

I like the MSR filter and the Aeropress. Or sometimes I just pour grounds in a mug and add hot water.



Now I really want to go camping...

 

1] pour a gallon of water into large 13qt Dutch oven

2] add bag of favorite coffee grounds to water in Dutch oven

3] place Dutch oven onto grate over the camp fire and boil contents

4] when contents have been thoroughly cooked use a ladle or spare cup and use a Bandana over your cup as a filter . Fill your cup and enjoy some good coffee

 

I've tried a few options. One of the GSI Javadrips (https://gsioutdoors.com/collapsible-javadrip-blue.html) and some filters live in the back of my truck as does a French press thing for the Jetboil. Occasionally I carry a Moka pot. If weight is a concern and when flying I carry some of the Starbucks Via Italian packs; not a fan of Starbucks in general but they're good enough when weight and space are a factor. If you're having to filter your water then add a charcoal final filter but it's still not the same as using better quality water.

 

I use this one
Come pretty good when i remember the coffee grind to water ratio

 

GSI Java Press.

Got it on clearance years ago for $5.00 at Fleet Farm of all places. REI was getting $35.00 for them.

Or sometimes I will just boil grinds and water, take it off the heat after a rolling boil, let it set after tapping the sides with something to settle it out and pour slow.
Never any grinds in the coffee.

 

You could try cold brewing it in a french press over night

 

I just got these, I made a few cups when I was camping two weekends ago. The taste is good but there is definitely some very fine coffee grinds/dust that gets through the filter. I could definitely feel the grit as I’m finishing my cup of coffee.

I mainly use an aero press or the black rifle coffee folding pour over. I have a cheap manual burr grinder from Amazon that works pretty well. Hot water comes from my jetboil.

I used the black rifle folding pour over at home for a while until I got a kalita wave for home and the folding pour over stays in my coffee to go kit. My kit is a small REI packing cube, the manual grinder, cheap scale, filters and the folding pour over with how ever much whole beans I need.