The Happiness Function

Camping is one of the best ways to enjoy all that life has to offer. It provides a way for us to be one with nature and tune into the most important things in life, like family, fresh air, adventure … and caffeine. We’re sharing how to make delicious and easy camp coffee with a French press.

Making Camp Coffee

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There are many methods for preparing coffee on a camping trip. Some folks like to make percolator coffee, some just boil water and mix in an instant coffee packet, and some even bring along a small coffee maker.

These aren’t bad ways of making your morning cup of joe while at camp, but we’re going to share with you our favorite method. And it is so easy.

What You’ll Need for Making Coffee at Camp

You know we like to keep things simple if you’ve been following us for a while. We are big on going with the flow, and starting the morning off with an easy-to-prepare cup of coffee is just our style.

All you need are ten basic items to make the perfect camping coffee:

1.    Propane gas camp stove

2.    Gas for the camp stove

3.    Lighter

4.    Hot water kettle

5.    Water

6.    Camp french press

7.    Pre-ground coffee (we like course ground coffee)

8.    Mugs

9.    Creamer (or sugar) if you desire

10.  Spoon

Watch How To Make Camp Coffee

How To Make Delicious & Easy Camp Coffee

Ready for the instructions? Let’s make fresh coffee.

Step 1: Measure Out Coffee Grounds

Use whatever coffee you prefer. Just make sure it is already ground.

We typically use coarsely ground coffee, so the grinds filter well through the French press (unless you want coffee grinds in your teeth).

To get the best flavors out of your coffee, you want to use between 1-2 tablespoons of coffee grounds for every 8 ounces of water you plan on using in your french press. In our experience, using a french press to steep the coffee grounds tends to yield more robust coffee, so we air on the side of less is more here.

Everyone has a different palette when it comes to flavor and strength. So start off with one tablespoon per 8 ounces, and if you need more flavor, you’ll know to add a little more next time.

Note: We aren’t huge measurement or follow-the-recipe people. Honestly, we kind of eyeball this measurement because we are camping.

Step 2: Pour Coffee Grounds Into the Bottom of Camp French Press

Once you decide how much ground coffee you want to use, dump it into the bottom of the French press.

Step 3: Bring Water To a Boil

Pour roughly four cups of potable water into a hot water kettle and bring water to a rolling boil on your camp stove.

This is one of the essential steps in making camp coffee. If you do not bring the water to boiling temperature, then there isn’t any steam for brewing, which means no delicious flavors will be extracted from your coffee grounds.

We have underheated the water before, and it just doesn’t do the coffee justice. Plus, the water gets colder faster, and nobody likes cold coffee on a cold morning. Make sure you have boiling water.

Step 4: Brewing Method

Slowly pour hot water into the camp french press on top of the ground coffee sitting in the bottom.

At this point, stir around all those delicious flavors with your spoon so they can start mixing. The top should even be a little foamy!

Need to buy a camp french press? The camp french press in our pictures is over ten (10) years old and still going strong! It is one of the best camp coffee makers. We got it at REI. You can buy a similar version at REI here.

Step 5: Let It Sit

Don’t press the french press down – let the mixture sit for about two minutes! Now we are talking coffee brewing.

Then, press down halfway after a few minutes.

Step 6: Press French Press Plunger the Rest of the Way

After another minute, slowly push down on the plunger so all of those flavors can mix together and merge to form one delicious beverage. The longer you wait, the stronger your coffee will be. So let this one brew away.

Step 7: Pour, Drink Coffee & Enjoy!

Hooray, freshly brewed coffee is ready! Pour the contents into your coffee mug, stir in any desired sweeteners or cream for personal taste, and enjoy. Easy right?

Do you need a coffee thermos? We love our coffee mugs from Yeti. They are super study and keep beverages nice and hot while camping. Plus, they are multifunctional and can be used as bowls.

Final Thoughts

Now you know how to make coffee while camping that tastes great and is easy to prepare. This method creates a French press full of smooth flavor that will rival most home-brewed pots of joe.

Give it a try on one of your next camping trips. If you’re a coffee drinker, we guarantee you’ll love your morning cup. Make enough coffee for seconds. It is fun to sit around camp and enjoy a sunrise over coffee.

Thanks for reading.

Ashlee & Pablo

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