I’m no dietician, but I’m certain I drink too much coffee. That doesn’t change when I’m camping. For me camping without it isn’t fun, but what about the hassle of brewing a pot of coffee in the wilderness? Fumbling around with sub-par equipment just to get a cup of coffee, while half asleep is no fun. It doesn’t have to be difficult; we cover the simplicity and other issues in this short article.
Simplicity is the Key
When I first roll out of bed, I don’t want to fumble around trying to coordinate my hands and some complicated piece of equipment to get a cup of hot coffee. I need simplicity when I first wake up. Pour-over style coffee makers can be the best option for simplicity. The principle is simple, pour hot water over the grounds and it’s filtered and drained into a pot or cup. Done. Stanley makes a rugged simply designed pour-over style coffee maker that is light and easy to pack into the campsite. Check it out here: Stanley The Camp Pour-Over Set. There are, of course, numerous other pour-over style coffee-making devices, but Stanley makes a sturdy product. This one comes with an insulated coffee cup and a lifetime warranty.
Let’s Get Percolatin’ While We’re Waitin’
Percolators have been in use for at least 200 years according to History Cooperative. Percolators, normally have a very simple design and some are fairly rugged. As long as you have a heat source, clean water and coffee percolators are relatively easy. Coleman makes a good quality percolator to bring to your campsite. Check it out here: Coleman 9-Cup Coffee Enamelware Percolator. I prefer the enameled steel over the stainless steel. I drink coffee straight black, and I can taste a slight difference when brewing coffee in a stainless steel pot. The enameled material, at least to my tastebuds, will leave less of an impression on the flavor. The great thing about the stainless steel percolators is their durability. Enameled steel if dented will chip and potentially rust or contaminate the coffee. GSI makes a great stainless steel percolator. Check it out here: GSI Outdoors Stainless Percolator
Now it Gets More Complicated
The drip-style coffee makers are easily the most popular style of coffee maker in the US, even with the popularity of the pod-style makers. A drip-style coffee maker is sitting on my counter at home, and I love the coffee it makes. When camping, however, it’s not always the easiest solution to a nice hot cup of coffee unless you are prepared. Coleman makes a great drip-style coffee maker to use while camping. Check it out here: Coleman Camping Coffee Maker. This maker looks awfully similar to coffee makers for the home and uses similar principles to brew your coffee. The maker sits over a propane burner as a heat source and the coffee uses heat to raise the water over the coffee grounds almost identical to the makers in most homes. While this seems easy enough lugging around a propane stove just for coffee may be more hassle than it’s worth. Although if you aren’t hiking into a campsite and can afford the space for the maker and the propane stove, these are a great option. There is a learning curve to be aware of with regards to the level of heat required. The safest way to learn at which level the burner should be held is to start at the lowest setting and slowly continue to raise the heat until the coffee begins to brew.
There is Always a Catch
There is always a catch and campsite coffee is no different. The simplicity of getting a hot cup of coffee in the mornings while camping can be problematic even with the simplest coffee maker.
Common issues:
· Hot clean water
· Sanitation
· Cups
· Coffee storage
Clean, potable water should be used. If you are going deep into the wilderness always keep this in mind. I rarely hike deep into the forest or mountains without a cart of supplies, including enough water. If you are camping near a park or designated campsite, chances are you will have easy access to a clean water supply. Be certain you always keep water in mind when camping. Getting that water hot can be another issue when you are first waking up in the morning. I prefer to use the small Coleman propane bottles and a single burner over trying to get a campfire started and in the proper state for a kettle or other pot to heat the water. That’s just a lot to do when I’m barely awake. Sanitation is another issue that can pose complications when making coffee. Again, clean water can solve this issue. Always ensure you are using clean equipment when dealing with food and drinks. Even a mild case of gastrointestinal issues can ruin a camping trip. The more complicated and the more parts the coffee maker, the more difficult it will be to clean. Cups can be an issue as well. Steer clear of glass or ceramic if possible. I like ceramic-coated or enamel-coated metal cups due to their lightweight. A simple solution can be had for coffee storage, but I would be certain that is addressed. The last thing I want when likely getting little, uncomfortable sleep in the wilderness, is to wake up to ruin coffee grounds. Be sure you are using a container of some sort that seals the coffee and, of course, keeps it dry. Preparing for these issues can make your campsite coffee a great experience and improve your time spent camping
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