How to Make Coffee While Camping

Spending time in the great outdoors on a camping trip is one of the most well-celebrated pastimes. Waking up to enjoy the sunrise and serene sounds of nature is unbeatable, especially when you can sit back and enjoy your morning cup of coffee while taking in the views. 

If you’re getting ready to head out on your next camping trip, there’s no reason to miss out on your daily cup of joe. There are tons of simple solutions to make sure you stay energized and caffeinated throughout your whole trip. 

Read on to make sure you have everything you need packed and ready to go!

What Is the Best Solution for Coffee While Camping?

The great news is that you do not have to miss out on drinking coffee in the mornings just because you will be spending the majority of the next few days away from traditional power sources. While bringing a portable generator along is an option, you don’t necessarily need one to heat up your daily brew. All it takes is a little extra planning and preparation—that’s where we come in. 

Below, we’ve provided a list of some simple solutions for you to have a piping hot cup of coffee every single morning of your trip. Let’s get started.

Coffee Steeping Bag

If you have ever made tea, you’re probably familiar with the concept of steeping bags. Believe it or not, they also make these steeping bags for different types of coffee. They’re a simple and easy solution to pack for your upcoming camping trip to ensure you have enough to last for the entirety. 

Do some research to find a brew you like, and pack enough mugs for all of the coffee drinkers in your group. It will only take a couple of minutes to prepare, though please note that the longer you keep the steeping bag in the water, the stronger the coffee flavor will be.

Cowboy Coffee 

Want to drink coffee like the Cowboys did? Here’s your chance. This style of coffee is made by bringing a pot of water to a boil, removing it from the heat, pouring it into the coffee grounds, and letting it steep and settle at the bottom before enjoying. 

This process does take a little time, but make sure not to rush it. If you don’t let the coffee grounds fully settle at the bottom, you may find yourself chewing on them with each sip. The longer you let the grounds sit, the stronger and more profound the flavor profile of your coffee will be. So, settle in, enjoy your surroundings, and give it a little time to mature before you drink it.

Cold Brew

Sometimes, the conditions aren’t always in line for hot coffee to be enjoyed outside. If you still want to have your coffee every morning but can’t justify a hot beverage in the outdoor heat, consider making a batch of cold brew to bring along with you. 

You can get this started before you leave, and all it takes is some coffee filters, grounds, and a pitcher to hold it. Start by pouring some grounds into a few filters and tying them off with a food-safe rubber band. Add these filled filters to a pitcher and pour water into the top. If you enjoy a stronger brew, put this in the fridge overnight or for a few days before your trip. 

Want to keep your cold brew chilled for your entire trip? The EcoFlow Glacier Portable Refrigerator can help. This device is easy to take on the go and will keep all of your milk, creamer, and other perishable items cooled no matter what the temperature may be outside.

Campfire 

If you truly want to live off of the land while you are on your camping trip, this is the solution for you. With the right tools and conditions, you can use the heat from your campfire to make a piping cup of coffee each morning of your trip. 

This solution definitely requires a bit more work and patience than the others, but it’s a great way to really immerse yourself in the camping experience and the lifestyle of a true outdoorsman. 

To brew coffee over a campfire, you need to pack a pot that can withstand the heat from the open flame. Cast iron pots and pans are great options and will easily get the job done. Use your pot to heat up the water and then add it to instant coffee, as mentioned above, or read on to learn about the process of pour-over coffee.

Pour Over

Do you want to have full control over the strength of your coffee? The pour-over method is the best solution for you. The only required materials for this method are a heated source of water, your preferred brand of coffee grounds, a filter (metal or paper will do), and a container to strain it into. 

Place your coffee grounds inside the filter and, as the name suggests, pour the hot water over and into the container. Do this until you have enough in your cup, and enjoy.

Instant Coffee 

As the name suggests, this type of coffee takes little to no time to prepare and has a very similar flavor to a freshly brewed cup. Instant coffee comes in various brands and brews, so you will have quite a selection if this is the route you’d like to go. 

It’s recommended to pour hot water into the instant grounds as it will help them dissolve quicker, though cool water will also do the job.

Portable Espresso Machine 

Are you planning on taking your van on your camping trip? If so, consider packing a portable espresso machine for those slow mornings at your rest stop. These portable machines are easy to use but work best when they have a place to be set up.

Find some counter space in your van, and plug in this machine to enjoy freshly brewed espresso every morning of your trip. Don’t have an outlet to use in your van? Don’t fret—just make sure to pack EcoFlow Portable Power Stations like the EcoFlow RIVER 2 Series Portable Power Stations to get the job done. 

The portable power stations will come in handy and make your trip as enjoyable as it can be, so make sure they are at the top of your packing list.

Battery Powered Coffee Maker 

If you don’t want to mess with the corded espresso machine, you should purchase a battery-powered coffee maker. These machines are also portable and can be used wherever and whenever. All you need to do is make sure you have some backup batteries to replace them whenever needed. 

From there, just add the water and coffee grounds, and you will be sipping hot coffee in a moment. 

French Press 

Do you prefer a stronger brew? If you answered yes, the French Press is the camping coffee solution for you. French-pressed coffee is a darker brew due to the mesh used in the device.

All you need to enjoy this version of coffee is access to hot water and some quality coffee grounds. Power up your electric kettle with the EcoFlow RIVER 2 or EcoFlow RIVER 2 Max, pour it into the French Press and watch as your bold cup of coffee comes to life.

Coffee Concentrate

If all else fails, packing some coffee concentrate for your upcoming camping trip will help ensure everyone stays caffeinated. This liquid is highly concentrated and will need to be diluted by water, milk, or creamer, so make sure you have access to all the items needed to enjoy your morning beverage.

Please note that these concentrates tend to vary in strength, typically leaning on coffee’s darker and stronger flavor. If you are a fan of sweeter coffee beverages, consider packing some sweeteners or sugar to add to your beverage to ensure the experience is everything you hoped for.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts

Taking a camping trip to decompress in the great outdoors is always a good idea, and you don’t even need to sacrifice your morning coffee routine while you’re away from home. With the simple solutions listed above, you have plenty of options to choose from to ensure you and your crew have all of the caffeine you need while on your trip.

Looking for other additions to make your trip enjoyable? Check out the EcoFlow Wave 2 Portable AC for all of your campsite air conditioning needs.