What’s the Best Camping Coffee Maker? Brew Your Best Tasting Cup of Java in the Great Outdoors

coffee maker camping

Sharing a cup of coffee after a meal is as much a part of the camping experience as the campfire itself. There is a wide variety of ways to produce this satisfying and companionable beverage ranging from instant packets from Starbucks to traditional percolators. Here are five different styles of camping coffee makers that will satisfy your coffee craving needs as well as meet the time and effort requirements you have for making coffee.

How a Percolator Works

Fill the percolator with water to the level indicated. Put the coffee basket inside the percolator and add an amount of coffee that produces the strength coffee you prefer. Put the lid on the basket and the top on the percolator. Set the percolator on a camp stove or campfire and bring the water to a boil. The perking coffee will be visible in the clear glass or plastic knob on the top of the percolator. Hot water flows up through basket tube and over the ground coffee. Lower the heat on your camp stove or arrange the percolator on your campfire so that the water is just simmering. After you can see the coffee beginning to turn an amber color in the clear knob, continue to simmer for five to seven minutes.

How a French Press Works

Put your ground coffee in the bottom of the French Press.  Pour about half the water over the ground coffee. After about 30 seconds stir the coffee gently for about 5 seconds. Pour the rest of the water over the coffee. Place the lid on the French Press with the plunger pulled all the way up. After the coffee seeps for 4 minutes slowly press the plunger down to filter the grounds from the coffee. Serve immediately.

primula camping coffee maker cup

Primula Single Serve Coffee Brew Buddy

The Primula Single Serve Brew Buddy is small, simple, and portable. It allows you to have a single serving of home-brewed cup of coffee camping or travelling. Place the Brew Buddy on top of your mug. Add a scoop of coffee to the coffee maker’s mesh filter. Pour hot water over the ground coffee.


camping coffee maker farberware yosemite

Farberware Classic Stainless Steel 8-Cup Yosemite Stovetop Percolator

This percolator is a stainless steel pot with a nice finish and a good feel to it. It has a plastic chamber on the lid so you can see the coffee when it’s percolating. Inside the pot is a filter basket with a lid,  pump tube and a spring. The lid fits securely. The pot is calibrated for water levels and holds up to eight eight-ounce cups. This Farberware classic coffee pot consistently ranks as an Amazon Best Seller.


thermos vacuum coffee press

Thermos NCI Vacuum Insulated Coffee French Press

The Thermos coffee press‘ stainless steel design keeps pressed coffee at a drinkable temperature three times longer than glass coffee presses. It’s durability – including a black plastic top and non-slip bottom – means that it’s perfectly suited for any rough and tumble use it may get on a camping trip. All parts are easy to clean and are dishwasher safe.


hario V60 pour over coffee

Hario V60 Plastic Dripper

With this lightweight plastic dripper allows you to choose strength of the coffee and brewing time. To use the Hario V60 you pour boiling water directly over the ground coffee. The coffee brews and flows right into your cup.


paperless pour over coffee maker

Hanlomele Paperless Pour Over

The Hanlomele Paperless pour over filter uses a fine stainless steel mesh to filter the coffee. It makes 1-to-2 cups of coffee at a time. It is efficient and economical. It’s convenient, compact and lightweight making it a good coffee companion for camping and other travel.