Brewing the Perfect Cup of Coffee When Camping – A Guide for Coffee Lovers-Appalachian Outfitters

Brewing the Perfect Cup of Coffee When Camping – A Guide for Coffee Lovers

Publish date

Coffee when camping is a creature comfort not many of us could afford to leave behind, even when heading into the great outdoors. This article won’t just show you how to make camp coffee. Rather, we want you to feel comfortable knowing that after today, you’ll know exactly how to make the best possible cup of coffee in camping conditions – and that’s a promise! Of course, lots of that will hinge on the kind of equipment you have, including the type of coffee bean. For a deep dive into making cups of delicious camp coffee, keep reading!

Essential Gear for Making Coffee When Camping

In the whole tea versus coffee debate, we remain firmly planted in the coffee camp—and that’s a very intended pun! Jokes aside, however, making coffee when camping is a little more complicated than making tea when camping. The latter really requires only a portable stove, a pot, and a tea brewing basket. The coffee game involves a few more steps than that, or a lot of steps, depending on how particular you like your brew.


For today, when considering what falls under the “essentials” in the context of making coffee when camping, we’ll aim for a “flavorful finesse” rather than “fanatical fussiness” to strike a balance satisfying for true coffee lovers without getting bogged down in the details.


If you need to know how to make camp coffee, this is what you should bring:


  • Brewing equipment: You know what you like best. Pour-over, AeroPress, French press, instant, what have you. Pick whatever fits in your backpack that won’t cause you too much trouble.
  • Camping stove & pot or kettle: You’ll need to heat up the water somehow. If you need to, check out our blog post on the Best Outdoor Camping Stoves, which will help you make an informed purchase.
  • Accessories: For the best possible coffee, grind your beans fresh with a hand grinder. Bring some reusable filters and, of course, a great water purification system to get the best water possible.

On Coffee Storage

One other aspect we need to discuss before moving on concerns storing your coffee beans. You naturally want to reduce exposure to the elements to prevent the coffee from spoiling, so store it in a tight and secure container, removing as much air as possible. 


Another thing—moisture can mess up your beans rather quickly, and rain when camping is a common occurrence. To keep your coffee fresh, pack it in an airtight, moisture-resistant container, like a vacuum-sealed jar or a sturdy, sealable bag designed to lock out humidity. Doing so should also prevent the strong coffee aroma from seeping outside and accidentally attracting wildlife.

Camp Coffee Brewing Methods

How do you make coffee in camping conditions? You may not have asked yourself this question yet, but the truth is that it’s likely a little different than what you do at home. Below, we prepared a quick breakdown of the popular camp coffee brewing methods:

Pourover

For a pour over coffee, you’ll want to heat your water up to just around 200°F (a thermometer helps!), place your filter and grounds in the dripper, and pour slowly and evenly. Don’t go too quickly, or the coffee won’t get saturated enough, and all you’ll get is water-flavored coffee rather than a fresh, delicious cup.

French Press

For the french press method, you’ll want to add your fresh grounds and pour the coffee over them, stir gently, then—importantly—wait a few minutes before pressing down.

AeroPress

The AeroPress comes out on top in terms of compactness, making it a favorite among many campers. For the best results, flip it upside down, add your coffee grounds and hot water, stir, then attach the filter cap. Next, place your cup or mug on top of the AeroPress, hold everything in place, flip it again so the assembly is right-side up, and press all the coffee out!

Instant

Though it offers decidedly less flavor and might earn you the scorn and ire of all coffee fanatics out there, instant coffee is a valid option when camping. Quick, easy, and with virtually no cleanup other than rinsing your cup, it’s classic goodness in a cup. Just pour in your coffee and water, stir, and you’re done.

How to Add Flavor to Your Fresh Cup of Joe

While camping simplicity often rules, there's no reason to skip the extras that make your coffee special. Pack shelf-stable creamer packets, honey sticks, or even a small container of cinnamon. For a unique outdoor twist, try adding a pinch of salt to reduce bitterness—an old trick that works wonders with camp coffee.

Don’t Forget Cleanup!

Sustainable camping rule #1: pack out what you pack in. That means don’t leave piles of coffee grounds lying around everywhere. They do make for excellent compost, but nature isn’t your personal backyard or patio planter. Get a disposable bag for spent grounds and store them there until you’re ready to leave, then dispose of them outside the campground.

The Takeaway

How to make coffee when camping? You’ll need water, coffee, and your favorite coffee-making equipment to replicate at-home conditions as best you can. With the instructions left out in the article above, every camping trip will now be filled with the positively energizing aroma of freshly brewed coffee right after you emerge from the tent to take in the brisk morning air. And that’s probably as close to a practical definition of “perfect” as you can get.


You may also read: The Ultimate Guide to Glamping Gear – Elevate Your Outdoor Experience

Back to blog