If you're a frequent camper then you've no doubt had this moment: You've hauled your gear in, prepped your site, and spent a night under the stars. Now it's the first morning of the trip and you're missing one thing - a great cup of coffee. You might think that there's no way to brew decent coffee at the campground, but we're here to squash that notion. Not only can you make a great cup over the campfire, but you can do it easier and for less than you might think.
In this post we'll cover how to store coffee while camping so that it stays fresh, the best ways to grind on the go (and why it's worth it), great ways to heat your water for brewing, and several options to help you pick the best portable coffee brewer for your needs.
Grinding on the go? A portable hand grinder like the Hario Mini Mill Plus or the Bru Trek Hand Grinder makes fresh grinding at the campsite easy and lightweight.
The Best Portable Coffee Brewers for Camping
French Press
A classic portable coffee brewer for easy camping coffee is the good ol' fashioned French press. Press brewers make a great fit for campers looking for a bold cup without too much fuss. It's also a great choice for car camping with a group as the volume scales easier than some of the brew methods we've included here. The filter on a French press is built into the brewer too, so it's one less thing to remember to pack with the rest of your gear. Where this brew method struggles (along with others on the list) is that it does weigh enough (and take up enough room) to be a tough sell for a backpacking trip, or any camping trip with a long hike attached. You'll also want to ensure that your grind method goes coarse enough, otherwise you'll end up with quite a bit of grit in your cup.
Simple, forgiving, and scales up easily for group camping. Just make sure you grind coarse.
Looking for a French press? Check out the Fellow Clara French Press for an insulated, durable option — or the Bodum Brazil French Press for a classic at a great price.
Moka Pot
The moka pot is another classic coffee brew method, and also another great fit for a car camping setup. You'll want a camping stove to make this method work, as it is sensitive to fluctuating heat since you need to heat the water inside of the brewer. The best part about the moka pot is that it gets close to an espresso shot without lots of extra equipment. This alone will make it a favorite for many campers. We also like the durability for camping as this style of brewer is generally made of metal. That type of durable construction can be a bit safer at the campground than a glass brewer like a french press.
Bold, stovetop espresso-style brew that's tough enough for the outdoors. Pair it with a camp stove for best results.
Want a stainless steel option? The Bialetti Venus is a great all-metal moka pot built to handle the campsite.
AeroPress
You might not find a stronger contender for best portable coffee brewer than the AeroPress. This little wonder combines mechanics of press brewing with a micro-filter similar to a drip brewer. Made of strong, food safe plastic, the AeroPress is nearly indestructible while still being lightweight. This makes it the most hiking/backpacking friendly brew method on our list (though you do need to pack some filters). Another nice feature of the AeroPress is its versatility. If you're brewing at a campground with a hand grinder available you can make everything from an espresso-style concentrate to a smoother cup closer to drip. On the other hand, if you're out on a backpacking trail and just have pre-ground coffee available you can definitely make do with this brewer thanks to how flexible it is. A great pick for your next camping or backpacking trip!
Lightweight, nearly indestructible, and incredibly versatile — the top pick for camping and backpacking alike.
Packing light? The AeroPress Go is specifically designed for travel — it packs into its own mug for an ultra-compact setup.
Flair Espresso
The Flair Espresso Machine is one of the only options out there for true espresso on the go. This is a manual machine, which means that you use the lever to generate the pressure for brewing. By doing this you do get a real shot of espresso at the proper pressure, all you need is to add the hot water and ground coffee. While this machine might be a bit heavy and big for a backpack, it's still manageable for a campground. With that in mind, you'll definitely want to make sure you're grinding fresh with a hand grinder, and you'll also want to be ready for a bit of extra prep and process (such as tamping and puck prep). This is the one for the espresso-obsessed camper!
Real espresso at a campsite — more setup involved, but the payoff is genuinely impressive.
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Gear Up for Your Next Camping Trip
From AeroPress to moka pots, we've got the portable brewers and hand grinders to keep your coffee game strong outdoors.
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