# So we're camping this weekend... how to make coffee? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** coffee\ **Created:** [May 17, 2007, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-were-camping-this-weekend-how-to-make-coffee/404488 "2007-05-17T18:05:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![baileygrrrl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e19b73/32.png) [@baileygrrrl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/baileygrrrl)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2007, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-were-camping-this-weekend-how-to-make-coffee/404488/1 "2007-05-17T18:05:53Z")
…and I’m wondering what is the best way to make coffee in the great outdoors? There will be no electricity. We have a camp stove and of course there will be a fire. We’ve done instant in the past and well, it just don’t cut it. How do you campers satisfy your coffee needs while camping? ---
**Author:** ![ASAKMOTSD](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/919ad9/32.png) [@ASAKMOTSD](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ASAKMOTSD)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2007, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-were-camping-this-weekend-how-to-make-coffee/404488/2 "2007-05-17T18:08:30Z")
7-11 ---
**Author:** ![FordPrefect](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e99b99/32.png) [@FordPrefect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FordPrefect)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2007, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-were-camping-this-weekend-how-to-make-coffee/404488/3 "2007-05-17T18:22:37Z")
Get something like [this](http://www.canadiantire.ca/browse/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442205875&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=1408474396672292&bmUID=1179426113902) ---
**Author:** ![butler1850](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/779978/32.png) [@butler1850](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/butler1850)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2007, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-were-camping-this-weekend-how-to-make-coffee/404488/4 "2007-05-17T18:39:54Z")
If it’s car camping, a [french press](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_press) would be the easiest. If they make one with plastic sides of some sort, that would be more camper friendly though. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2007, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-were-camping-this-weekend-how-to-make-coffee/404488/5 "2007-05-17T18:45:04Z")
[These](http://www.malleries.com/images/resized/247-iID_122x120.jpg) are my favorite… just a good ol’ granitewear coffee pot. Just set a couple of rocks for it to sit on above the coals and you’re good to go. ---
**Author:** ![anu-la1979](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/47e85d/32.png) [@anu-la1979](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anu-la1979)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2007, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-were-camping-this-weekend-how-to-make-coffee/404488/6 "2007-05-17T20:03:02Z")
A Bialetti Moka Express. All of $20 to $30 and makes the BEST coffee. I bought it off Scamazon and people had expressed a preference for bringing it camping. Plus, it has a cool backstory. ---
**Author:** ![Dag\_Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@Dag\_Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dag_Otto)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2007, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-were-camping-this-weekend-how-to-make-coffee/404488/7 "2007-05-17T20:17:36Z")
[QUOTE=butler1850] If it’s car camping, a [french press](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_press) would be the easiest. [/QUOTE] Yeah, a french press is good, though I’d just use a filter holder over a thermos. The filter holder would be much easier to clean than a french press when camping. Oh, and grind the beans at home. Crushing enough beans for a pot between two rocks isn’t much fun (though you do what you have to do). ---
**Author:** ![StinkyBurrito](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b9e5f3/32.png) [@StinkyBurrito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StinkyBurrito)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2007, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-were-camping-this-weekend-how-to-make-coffee/404488/8 "2007-05-17T20:26:06Z")
I’ve shoved a bunch of coffee grounds in a sock, tied the opening in a knot and dropped it in a pot of boiling water before. To quote the previous poster… you do what you have to do. ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2007, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-were-camping-this-weekend-how-to-make-coffee/404488/9 "2007-05-17T20:40:49Z")
[off topic] Watch out for ticks! They’re especially plentiful and aggressive this time of year. [/off topic] ---
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2007, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-were-camping-this-weekend-how-to-make-coffee/404488/10 "2007-05-17T22:20:24Z")
Maybe a less cryptic thread title would be more likely to get you a relevant answer. ---
**Author:** ![buckgully](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/eb9ed0/32.png) [@buckgully](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/buckgully)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2007, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-were-camping-this-weekend-how-to-make-coffee/404488/11 "2007-05-17T23:20:20Z")
REI carries a french press that fits in a big mouth nalgene bottle: > **[Press-Bot Coffee Press | REI Co-op](https://www.rei.com/product/735818/press-bot-coffee-press)** > > Easily convert your wide-mouth water bottle to a French press with this easy-to-use system that prepares rich-tasting coffee or tea anytime! I haven’t used it, just saw it in the store the other day. ---
**Author:** ![Common\_Tater](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/common_tater/32/13846_2.png) [@Common\_Tater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Common_Tater)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2007, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-were-camping-this-weekend-how-to-make-coffee/404488/12 "2007-05-18T01:59:01Z")
You can experiment and see what you like best. “French Press” works OK and it’s quick. I managed to break one the last camping trip. But a nice big graniteware by the fire is excellent. It’s not like you’re in a hurry all day when camping, at least I hope not. I start with coffee in cold water and bring to a simmer, and then just set near the coals enough to keep “very hot” for a few hours or so. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2007, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-were-camping-this-weekend-how-to-make-coffee/404488/13 "2007-05-18T02:07:32Z")
Starbucks makes coffee pouches for drip machines. If you throw one pouch in a nalgene bottle and add boiling water, wait a couple of minutes, it makes a pretty good cup of coffee for camping. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2007, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-were-camping-this-weekend-how-to-make-coffee/404488/14 "2007-05-18T02:13:19Z")
If you are camping, you make Cowboy Coffee. Fill an enamelware coffeepot with water, heat to boiling over a campfire, throw in a few handfuls of coffee grounds and remove from the fire. Add crushed eggshells from breakfast to settle the grounds, then serve in a steel cup. French presses are for pussies. ---
**Author:** ![Annie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/858c86/32.png) [@Annie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2007, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-were-camping-this-weekend-how-to-make-coffee/404488/15 "2007-05-18T02:15:24Z")
Starbucks also has some sort of plastic french press/coffee mug combo doohickey similar to what **buckgully** linked. I bought one for a friend going to Europe, it’s very light. Boiling water, ground coffee, splork, drink. ---
**Author:** ![Annie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/858c86/32.png) [@Annie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2007, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-were-camping-this-weekend-how-to-make-coffee/404488/16 "2007-05-18T02:16:31Z")
[QUOTE=Fear Itself] If you are camping, you make Cowboy Coffee. Fill an enamelware coffeepot with water, heat to boiling over a campfire, throw in a few handfuls of coffee grounds and remove from the fire. Add crushed eggshells from breakfast to settle the grounds, then serve in a steel cup. French presses are for pussies. [/QUOTE] Yeah, I basically agree, except if you are hiking and weight is an issue. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2007, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-were-camping-this-weekend-how-to-make-coffee/404488/17 "2007-05-18T02:25:12Z")
[QUOTE=Annie] Yeah, I basically agree, except if you are hiking and weight is an issue. [/QUOTE] What do you boil water in for the french press? ---
**Author:** ![China\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/779978/32.png) [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2007, 11:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-were-camping-this-weekend-how-to-make-coffee/404488/18 "2007-05-18T11:43:00Z")
[QUOTE=anu-la1979] A Bialetti Moka Express. All of $20 to $30 and makes the BEST coffee. I bought it off Scamazon and people had expressed a preference for bringing it camping. . [/QUOTE] I used to backpack with a small moka pot. works great. Otherwise, if you’re weight concious, any of those premium coffees in a little filter pouch would be easy to just toss into boiling water and then let steep. ---
**Author:** ![C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2007, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-were-camping-this-weekend-how-to-make-coffee/404488/19 "2007-05-18T12:32:17Z")
Moderator hat on: I’ve slightly modified the thread title to be more specific. ---
**Author:** ![Grossbottom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ba8739/32.png) [@Grossbottom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grossbottom)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2007, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-were-camping-this-weekend-how-to-make-coffee/404488/20 "2007-05-18T12:58:56Z")
[QUOTE=lieu] These are my favorite… just a good ol’ granitewear coffee pot. Just set a couple of rocks for it to sit on above the coals and you’re good to go. [/QUOTE] Mmm granitewear coffee. If I had a yard I’d go build a fire out there tonight, nothing tastes quite like what comes out of those. It ain’t real coffee until you’re spitting grounds. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-were-camping-this-weekend-how-to-make-coffee/404488.md?page=2)