Making coffee at the campsite: 5 ways to brew a great cup

How do you choose the best way to brew coffee when camping?

Which method suits you best depends mainly on how you travel, how much space you have, and your personal taste. Consider the following points when making your choice:

• Gas or electricity: Do you always have mains electricity (230 volts) at your campsite, or do you prefer cooking on a gas stove?
• Weight and dimensions: How much space do you have in your car, caravan, or campervan?
• Effort and time: Do you want coffee at the touch of a button, or do you actually enjoy the ritual of boiling water?

Everyone at the Campingtrend editorial team has their own personal preference. While Jos swears by the convenience of his Nespresso pod machine in the campervan, Marije and Martine always pack their trusty percolator on the road.

1. The percolator: for that true camping feel

The stovetop espresso maker or percolator (also known as a Moka pot) is a true camping classic. You fill the lower chamber with water and the basket filter with ground coffee. Then you place the pot on a gas stove. As the water boils, it gets forced up through the coffee grounds into the top chamber.

• Pros: Works entirely without electricity, is extremely durable, and takes up very little space.
• Keep in mind: The metal pot gets very hot. Let it cool down properly after use before cleaning it.

Percolators come in many shapes and sizes, but we truly swear by the Bialetti.

2. The French press: easy fresh coffee

With a French press (also known as a cafetière), you mix coarsely ground coffee directly with hot water in the jug. After waiting a few minutes, you slowly press the built-in metal filter down. This pushes the coffee grounds to the bottom, allowing you to pour straight away.

• Pros: You can easily brew several cups at once without needing paper filter papers.
• Keep in mind: Glass jugs can break easily on the road. For camping, opt for a stainless steel version or durable plastic.

3. Pour-over drip filter: light and compact

Heading out with a backpack, a small tent, or compact camping gear? Then a single-cup drip filter is a handy solution. You place the cone over your mug, add ground coffee, and slowly pour hot water over it. The coffee drips straight into your cup.

• Pros: A collapsible silicone filter holder weighs next to nothing.
• Keep in mind: You always need to pack paper filter papers, and pouring the water takes a bit of patience.

4. OutIn Nano: portable espresso machine

Want a genuine espresso with a rich crema layer while on the go, even out in the wild? The OutIn Nano is a compact, portable espresso machine powered by a built-in rechargeable battery. This device can heat cold water on its own and then forces it through the coffee under high pressure.

• Pros: Works with both ground coffee and Nespresso pods. You don’t need mains power or a kettle.
• Keep in mind: Heating cold water uses a lot of battery power. Tip: use hot water from a thermos flask so the battery lasts much longer.

5. The pod machine: luxury for those with space and power

Traveling with a caravan or a larger motorhome and always hooked up to electric hookup? Then many campers simply bring a compact pod machine from home. At the touch of a button, you have a hot cup of coffee in under half a minute.

• Pros: Very quick, minimal cleanup, and consistent quality every time.
• Keep in mind: Requires 230V mains power. Also keep an eye on the power rating (wattage) of the appliance to avoid tripping the campsite fuse.

5 ways to brew coffee while camping compared

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