Do you crave a hot cup of Java in the morning? Do you want to catch the sunrise with a little caffeine, but hate bringing all the bulky equipment the coffee making process needs? Are you looking for a more portable way? The best camping coffee maker might be the solution to your cravings!
When you wake up in the morning, nothing else gets your day started than a hot cup of coffee. For most people, their morning cup of coffee is their meditation time. It’s the time where you get to enjoy the moment just before you rush into your hectic day. Whether you’re at home or in the great outdoors, you want your morning cup. But, if you’re camping or mountaineering, odds are there aren’t many cafes around you. So, what do you do? Well, fear not, because you can have your morning coffee anywhere you want.
Welcome to the world of coffee makers. If you were worried about the caffeine withdrawals, don’t be, because we’re going to give you the ins and outs of the best camping coffee maker. First, we will start with the best features that you should know and then give you some reviews to peruse while you consider which camping coffee maker works for you!
Coffee makers aren’t all made the same, so it’s important to consider what you should be looking for. You may have to sacrifice a few of the functions that you’re familiar with in order to have the convenience of hot coffee on your camping mornings.
Ease of Use
This really depends on your level of attention and enjoyment of having gadgets in your coffee maker. Some people want one that’s really easy to use and just gets the job done.
If you’re using it for activities other than camping, such as hiking or mountaineering, you want a coffee maker that’ll be easy to use and especially easy to clean. This will factor hugely on the type of coffee maker you choose, as some designs are more complex than others.
For example, a Java press is one of the easiest coffee makers to use, with their cones being easy to clean as well, as opposed to a french press which will require you to rinse it out after every use. However, because they’re designed for camping, no camping coffee maker is going to be overly complex in design and use.
Portability
You want a coffee maker that’ll be able to easily transport and will fit nice and snug in your backpack. Though weight is important, your ability to fit it into your backpack is even more important.
Some of the cones used are hard to pack in your backpack, so most come with a clipping device, allowing your coffee maker to hang off of your backpack. Other coffee makers can be taken apart into various pieces, however, if you’re not organized you can lose one, destroying your hopes for a morning coffee.
Weight
If you’re hiking through the woods and climbing mountains, you don’t want to be weighed down. Especially with your coffee maker. Your coffee maker is supposed to give you a pick-me-up, not bring you down.
Coffee makers can weigh up to 11 oz / 300 grams, which may not look like a lot, but add that to your already full backpack and you’re probably wishing you opted for something a little lighter. Like all camping gear and equipment, the golden rule is “the lighter the better.”
Group Camping
If you’re going on a camping or hiking trip with other people, you’ll want to think about getting a coffee maker that’ll be able to brew more than one cup. This will mean that your coffee maker will end up weighing more, but it may be well worth it.
Also, you need to know the volume of coffee the model you want to buy is capable of delivering in one round. Some are capable of preparing up to 10 coffees in just one round, but their size and weight might not be suitable for backpacking. Try to find the suitable volume to size and weight ratio.
Types of Camping Coffee Makers
If you’re old school, then you totally know what a percolator is. It’s basically a metal pot with a net inside, which you fill with the grinds. Once the water boils, the water will bubble up to the grinds and make coffee.
It takes a couple minutes to brew and always provides a strong flavor. This is definitely a classic way to brew your coffee while camping.
Gas Grill Coffee Makers
These are basically pots, similar to the ones in your kitchen, except in order to work them, they can only be powered via gas grill or fuel canisters. So, when you brew coffee, you’ll end up with a pot of coffee. These are definitely bulky and pricey.
However, if you’re going hiking or camping with a group of people, then this is the way to go. They’re the closest thing you’ll get to your at-home coffee machine. Bottom line: not ideal if you’re hiking solo.
French Presses
They are so simple to use, however, you’ll need to be able to clean them. You can even have a french press at home, so it’s extremely versatile. Though it looks complicated, it’s not. You simply fill the grinds in the bottom of the press, add water and then leave it to sit.
After you wait a couple minutes, you simply pour it out and ta-da! Coffee! But that being said, make sure you’re able to clean it thoroughly.
Espresso Makers
These are tiny metal brewers. If you’re not a big coffee drinker, but want a small shot of caffeine, this is a great option. It’ll give you the highest concentration of caffeine and the brewer itself is highly portable and lightweight, though it’s slightly more complex than an instant or regular brewer.
You’ll get the flavor of your coffee without having to put in too much time and effort making it with pour-over style drip coffee. This style is ideal for people who don’t really fuss around with their coffee, yet it is also ideal for individuals who are known as coffee snobs.
It’s great because you can develop your own method of making your coffee with the pour-over style drip. It will require a cone and filter, both of which are easily portable. Plus, if you forget to bring a filter, just use a paper towel – it’ll work just as well.
Instant Coffee Makers
Are the worst option if you want a flavorful cup of coffee. However, if you want something that’s super lightweight, well then you’ll have to forfeit the taste. You don’t actually need a coffee maker for instant coffee, as it comes in individual packets. If you’re hiking, this is probably the best option when considering weight and portability.
Now that you know about the features and types of coffee makers, it’s time to take action and see the best coffee makers that are currently on the market.
Best Products on Today’s Market
Here, you are going to find several reviews of various styled camping coffee makers. We hope that you can find a coffee maker from this list! Read on for some informative reviews.
Jetboil Flash Java Kit
Price: Approx. $100
Weight: 1.6 lb
Dimensions: 10 x 9 x 8 in
Specific features: Drink through lid, push button ignition, adjustable burner
Best use:Outdoor activities
Description:The Jetboil Flash Java Kit is a great option if you’re looking for an all-in-one coffee maker. It comes not only with a coffee maker but also an adjustable stainless steel burner, 1-liter cooking cup and an insulating drink-through cup.
Basically, everything you need for a hot cup of coffee. The cooking cup is made of FluxRing and is also insulated, ensuring that your coffee stays warm.
The stainless steel burner has a tripod base for extra stability while cooking and also a push-button ignition. Another great feature is the color-change heat indicator that’ll tell you when your coffee is at its perfect temperature.
Though it’s not a french press, it does have the French press plunger, that’ll make your coffee more intense with flavor. An overall ideal option if you want a coffee maker that is no-fuss and comes with everything you need.
PROS:
Insulated, stays hot
French press plunger
Tripod base for stability
CONS:
Ignition troubles
Pricey
Not for back country use
Related: The Jetboil Stainless Steel Pot Support is great because it offers support for the pot which means it’s less likely to tip over. Under $15, this is for use with a 1.5 liter pot.
Specific features: Made of aluminum, ESE adapter, easy to clean
Best use:Camping, hiking
Description:Not everyone can drink a full cup of coffee. Some just want to shoot back an espresso and get the show on the road. Can you really blame them though? The Wild Hybrid Espresso Maker is a great option for those espresso lovers out there.
First of all, the design is great. It’s compact and made of aluminum so it’ll be able to take some rough treatment. It’s so easy to maintain and basically, there’s no clean up. It’s able to brew with 16 bar pressure and will be able to securely fit into any backpack.
This model also works with both loose espresso grounds and E.S.E. pods, so you have options. You’ll get a strong, clean shot of espresso with this little guy and you’ll be able to take it everywhere with you.
PROS:
Simple maintenance
Brews with 16 bar pressure
Light but durable
CONS:
Pricey
Only one color choice: yellow
Related: When you need propane, look for the Jetboil Jetpower 4-Season Fuel Blend, 100 Gram which is great for all seasons. It is a high performance gadget and gives a high pressure for colder weather.
Specific features: 3 color choices, silicone lid, drip cone included
Best use:Outdoor activities
Description:The GSI Outdoor Coffee Maker is able to hold 30 ounces of your favorite coffee, so it’s great if you’re hiking with people. It’s a drip coffee system that’s really easy to use and easily portable.
It comes with a silicone drip cone that’ll lock onto the lid while your coffee is brewing. The silicone drip cone sits upright and prevents as spills from occurring.
Many people complain about this type of coffee maker because it’s somewhat bulky and awkward, however the silicone lid collapses and fits into any backpack, making it ideal for those needing extra space.
The cup is double-walled, coming with an insulated lid and an insulated EVA sleeve that’ll keep your drinks at room temperature. The drip cone also comes with an easy-to-clean, reusable cloth filter and it also fits with any standard paper coffee filter.
So, if you’re a fan of this type of coffee maker, but don’t want the added bulk, this is a great option.
PROS:
Double wall insulated
Light
Shatter resistant
CONS:
Might have some grounds at the bottom of the cup
Bulky
Lid fits too tight
Related: The Jetboil Jetset Utensil Set is a great set to have while camping. You can even use the spoon to stir your coffee as you add in cream and sugar. It comes in one size and costs under $12.
Specific features: Brews 8 cups, stainless steel, permanent filter basket
Best use:Hiking, backpacking
Description:If you are old school and want to make your coffee the old fashion way, well, you’ll need a percolator.
Just like this one! It’s a heavy-duty stainless steel percolator with a mirror finish, giving it a modern touch to a classic camping piece.
It’s sturdy and highly durable. The plastic knob will alert you when it starts brewing. The Farberware Classic Percolator is easy to clean since it comes with a permanent filter basket, so you won’t need to use paper filters.
It has a non-reactive interior, so your coffee won’t absorb any unpleasant tastes. What’s great about this coffee maker is that you’ll be able to put it in the dishwasher without having to worry about destroying it. Percolators are fairly popular because they’re known for brewing strong and rich coffee, which is exactly what you want to start your morning.
It’ll be able to brew 8 cups of coffee, so this is ideal for group hikers or campers. In addition, it comes with a quality assurance guarantee.
PROS:
Brews 8 cups, great for groups
Dishwasher safe
Non reactive interior
CONS:
Glass part can shatter
Seems cheap
The knob can come off
Related: You might need a coffee mug while you are camping. The Coleman 12 oz. Enamel Mug is affordable, 12 oz and has an enamel finish.
Specific features: Brews coffee and espresso, brews in about 30 seconds, made in USA
Best use:Camping
Description:The Aeropress Coffee and Espresso Makeris considered as one of the best coffee makers on the market. Well, we’re not disagreeing with that.
The Aeropress coffee and espresso maker is able to brew the smoothest coffee and espresso by using gentle air pressure bring out the flavors from the grinds while lowering the acidity.
The micro filter will prevent any grinds from getting into your cup of coffee, which is what will create the smooth and rich taste. In addition, it’s also extremely quick.
So, this is ideal if you’re looking for a machine that won’t waste your morning. Actually, you’ll be able to press your coffee in 30 seconds. Pretty impressive.
Overall, this is a great machine and it works quickly. We love that it is easy to use, easy to clean and made in the USA. We can confirm there is no grit left in the cup and we find it affordable enough to buy that extra expensive coffee for those beautiful sunrises in the morning.
PROS:
Affordable
Brews quickly
Comes with tote bag
CONS:
Silicone parts can deteriorate
Can’t put too much pressure on the plunger
Appears cheap
Related: If you want to keep your coffee fresh, you can store it in the CoffeeVac which is vacuum sealed and weighs only 1 lb. You can also choose your color, and it’s FDA approved.
Description:The GSI Mini Espresso Maker is so unique in design, compared to other standard coffee makers. Its glacier stainless steel build, makes it extremely durable and reliable for brewing. It’s very easy to use, with it being able to brew one double espresso shot in 90 seconds.
By being able to brew an espresso at this speed, this isn’t bad for groups. You simply add your water and grind into the mini, and place your cup under the spout. It’s also very lightweight, so you’ll be able to pack it easily in your backpack and take it along with you on your journey.
There is a lot to love about this mini espresso machine, especially the price, but the features are what gets you. It’s rugged, makes your espresso quickly, and it comes with a recipe booklet for you to peruse. Overall, we love this mini machine and hope you do too!
PROS:
Made of stainless steel
Affordable
Works quickly
CONS:
Very small
Needs to be watched in high winds
Related: If you plan on doing laundry while camping, you can hang up your clothes to dry with the Coghlans Laundry Reel which is only a few dollars and has a sturdy reel that retracts and can extend up to 21 feet long.
Description:Let’s get this out of the way, it weighs 14 lb, so, the Oxx Coffeeboxx Coffee Maker is definitely not ideal if you’re looking for something lightweight or solo trips. However, if you’re camping with a group of people, this is a life saver.
It’s modern yet tough in design, coming with a rubberized handle and a 3ft retractable cord.
You’ll be able to put this coffee maker anywhere, and it’ll be able to brew you a strong cup of joe. It comes with 2 4L spill proof, water tanks and a separate on-demand hot water line.
Basically, all you have to do is stick your cup under the spout and let it do the rest. Again, not great if you’ll be hiking and want something lightweight, however, if you have the space to put it and have electricity, then why not use the Coffeeboxx?
PROS:
Heavy duty
Weather resistant
Works with K-cup pods
CONS:
Breaks easily
Pump can stop working
Expensive
Related: The Coghlans Cooler Light is a light that sticks inside of your cooler so you can see at night while camping. It shines bright, and can also be put in your tackle box for some night fishing.
Description:The Hario V60 Coffee Dripper is a drip system coffee maker that’s made of heatproof glassware with high heat retention. It’s eloquent and simplistic in design and manufactured from natural components. You’ll be able to brew coffee without having to worry about grinds getting into your cup.
It needs a paper filter and you simply place the grind inside the filter and slowly pour the hot water on top. The drip system will bring out the flavors of the grinds and leave you with a strong cup of coffee.
Though, if you’re looking for something that will be easily compacted, you may have some problems with the glass filter. However, it’s lightweight, so you won’t have to worry about it weighing you down.
For the price, it is a great dripper that gives you 2 servings per use. It’s simple to use and easy to clean as well.
PROS:
Affordable
You can control the flow
Temperature controlled
CONS:
Too big of a hole for drip
Can break, rust
Must use special filter
Related: The Pack-N-Wipe Compact Towels are little towels that come in a 25 pack that will absorb messes such as a coffee spill. They are small, can be put in your backpack and can be reused many times.
Now that you know all about the types of camping coffee makers, the features to look out for and the top eight camping coffee makers, you should have no problem finding the right one for you. Check out the coffee makers, we reviewed above, and see which one suits you the best.
We know it may be hard to choose which one is right, but once you know which style of camping coffee maker you want, you can then find the coffee maker that fits your style, thus making it a big win! Don’t miss out on that sun rise and your nice cup of hot coffee to get your day started!
Make sure to remember what features you need and that way you’ll be able to narrow down your search. And if you’ve had a good experience with any of these coffee makers or others we haven’t included in this list, please feel free to leave your comments with us in the section down below.
Mark Foster loves to push his limits when it comes to survival in the wilderness. He might go for a 30-days adventure without any food or equipment except for a survival kit and a knife. We should mention that his survival kit has 122 items in it, so he know what he is doing. Mark is working on his book to share with the world all his experience gained during those brave adventures.
