Camping is often associated with a lack of amenities — which, by nature (no pun intended), is mostly true. However, as an avid coffee drinker, I refuse to travel anywhere that requires me to give up the morning cup of joe that motivates me to get up out of bed. While you may need to compromise on a few of your favorite luxuries, enjoying a delicious cup of coffee isn’t one of them.
Making pour over coffee while camping is pretty simple if you come prepared with the right gear and technique. Pour over coffee offers the best method to make real, fresh coffee without a coffee maker that requires electricity. While instant coffee is a great option, pour over coffee is the best way to get a cup that most closely resembles what you enjoy at home. Below, our guide will dive into all things “pour over coffee for camping” — from brewing techniques to equipment recommendations from a coffee and camping expert.
Why choose pour over coffee for camping
When it comes to camping and coffee, REI merchandising manager Nicole Ryan has learned a thing or two about bringing the comforts of home with her when she goes
Beyond the portability and versatility benefits of pour-over coffee for camping, Ryan also notes that the flavor precision and clarity of pour-over coffee are perfect for
What you’ll need
Let’s start with the basics. As you pack for your camping trip, you’ll want to make sure everything you need to brew pour over coffee. First, you’ll need to pack coffee, of course, either in medium-coarse (pre-ground form) or whole bean coffee, and a portable, manual coffee grinder. If you’re looking to keep things simple, packing pre-ground coffee is likely a safer bet. Just be sure to store it in an airtight, portable container to maintain as much of the freshness as possible. Some brands, such as Copper Cow Coffee, offer single-serving pour-over coffee pouches, which are especially useful for traveling or
Yet, there’s nothing quite like the freshness of just-ground coffee. You’ll also need to pack your preferred pour-over coffee brewer, paper filters (unless using a reusable filter method), a camping mug or thermos, a kettle for heating water, and a heat source. Of course, you can also pack your favorite extras (like creamer packets or sweetener packets) to dress up your coffee the same way you enjoy it at home. When it comes to brewing pour-over coffee for
How to make pour over coffee while camping
Making pour-over coffee when camping isn’t too much different from making it at home—with the exception of the lack of electricity. First, you’ll need to start by boiling your water using a gas stove or
As usual, don’t forget to allow the grounds to “bloom” starting by wetting the grounds, waiting 30 seconds, and then pouring water slowly in circles. For optimal brewing, Ryan recommends using a 1:16 water to coffee ratio. The entire pour over coffee brewing process will take between three and five minutes to complete. If you’re not already used to brewing pour-over coffee at home, however, the process could be a bit frustrating to perfect. I’d recommend trying this method of brewing coffee at home before attempting it while camping.
Tips for brewing pour over coffee when camping
When it comes to brewing pour-over coffee when camping, Ryan recommends using a medium-coarse grind size for most setups. She also recommends using water at around 200 degrees (just after reaching the boiling point). Her favorite pour over
