You can never go wrong with a superb cup of coffee. Whether it's the boost you need for the day or it's the extra warmth needed on that chilly night, good coffee can go a long way, especially when you're away from home.
The best camping coffee percolator can help ensure that you're able to brew your coffee just the way you like it. Whether you like it strong or you don't mind a few coffee grounds. You can steep it just the way you like it.
We reviewed the best camping coffee percolators and outlined factors to consider when buying them.
Contents
- What Is A Camping Coffee Percolator?
- Best Camping Coffee Percolators
- 1. Farberware 12-Cup Coffee Percolator
- 2. COLETTI Bozeman Camping Coffee Pot
- 3. Coleman Coffee Pot
- 4. Stanley French Press
- 5. GSI Outdoors Glacier Stainless Steel Percolator
- Factors To Consider When Buying Best Camping Coffee Percolator
What Is A Camping Coffee Percolator?
A camping coffee percolator is a brewing device that resembles a kettle. It's portable, and most are designed to be used over a camp stove or an open fire. Some are also electric. Inside, water close to its boiling point is continually cycled through the coffee grounds, resulting in a more potent brew the longer the cycling continues.
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We've reviewed the best camping coffee percolators that assure you delicious and hot morning cup of coffee.
Best Camping Coffee Percolators
1. Farberware 12-Cup Coffee Percolator
- Note: 1)Too coarse a grind, too little coffee, or insufficiently...
- DURABLE AND CONVENIENT: Heavy-duty stainless steel coffee maker is...
- NO MESS: Features a permanent filter basket, so there’s no need to...
- DISHWASHER SAFE: Fully immersible and dishwasher safe, the percolator...
- QUALITY ASSURANCE GUARANTEE
The Faberware coffee maker features a permanent percolator filter basket hence making easing the process of brewing coffee. You don't have to struggle with a messy paper filter.
The coffee percolator is made of stainless steel and comes available in an 8 or 12 cup size. It's fully immersible and dishwasher safe which is great for returning home from your camping trip.
Lastly, the coffee percolator features a comfortable handle with a good grip.
PROS
CONS
2. COLETTI Bozeman Camping Coffee Pot
- NO ALUMINUM OR PLASTIC. Our stainless steel camping coffee makers are...
- BONUS - FILTERS INCLUDED. We include a pack of medical grade filters....
- COMBAT TOUGH - VETERAN OWNED. This rugged camp coffee pot is...
- EASIEST WAY TO MAKE CAMP COFFEE. A camp coffee pot is simple,...
- LIFETIME REPLACEMENT GUARANTEE. Top materials & workmanship enable a...
The Coletti Bozeman Camping Coffee Percolator is ideal if planning an outdoor trip with a large group of coffee lovers. It's designed to handle the outdoors and features a hardwood handle. In addition, the coffee percolator is made of stainless steel with a heat-tempered glass top. This makes for safe and easy handling.
The camping coffee pot is available in a 9 or 12 cup capacity. In addition, the pot comes with filters that you can use to ground up your coffee to your desired liking.
PROS
CONS
3. Coleman Coffee Pot
- Made of the highest quality materials
- Camping cooking supplies cookware
- Another quality Coleman product
The Coleman coffee maker features a classic and operates like a standard percolator.
Its aluminum construction is designed to be rust-resistant, and during the brewing process, it maintains its overall shape while ensuring your coffee is fresh and hot.
The Coleman coffee maker features a glass lid and has a bail handle for an easy handle. The only challenge is that it does run hot when placed over a camping stove or campfire. You'll require mittens or cloth to pick it up or pour it.
PROS
CONS
4. Stanley French Press
- MAKE NOW, DRINK LATER: Designed with double vacuum insulation, this...
- TOUGH AND DURABLE: We designed this with two layers of naturally...
- EASY TO CLEAN: The last thing you want to do is spend your time...
- HOW TO USE: Place your favorite coffee grounds in the French Press,...
- LIFETIME WARRANTY: ‘BUILT FOR LIFE’. Since 1913 we’ve promised...
This is possibly the best french press for huge coffee lovers. If planning your next outdoor adventure or going camping, this is a must-have in your camping gear.
The Stanley French press has a 48-ounce capacity, allowing to brew a ton of coffee at once. It also has double vacuum insulation that can keep your cup of coffee hot for up to 4 hours. At the same time, cold drinks can be kept cold for up to 9 hours.
The Stanley French Press is made of stainless steel that's incredibly durable and offers unparalleled insulation. In addition, each part of the french press is dishwasher safe makes it easy to clean after your trips.
PROS
CONS
5. GSI Outdoors Glacier Stainless Steel Percolator
- STAY CAFFEINATED: Coffee? Always! The Glacier stainless percolator...
- A SIGHT TO SEE: Watch your coffee brew for precision cook-time through...
- STURDY STRUCTURE: Built from Glacier Stainless steel, this 3 Ibs 7 oz...
- BETTER-TASTING COFFEE: No cowboy coffee here! This percolator’s...
- LIFETIME PROMISE: GSI Outdoors spent over 30 years building quality,...
The GSI Glacier coffee maker is made of heavy-duty stainless steel material, ideal for camping trips and outdoor adventures. In addition, it has a mirror-like polished appearance that makes it look elegant and stylish.
The coffee maker is great for use on the camping stove and camping fires. In addition, you can watch your coffee brew for precision cook time through the percolator's PercView glass dome. This elevates the camp coffee brewing experience.
The percolator features an inner filter basket; hence there's no need for paper filters that must be thrown away after use. Lastly, the coffee maker brews a capacity of 36 cups.
PROS
CONS
Factors To Consider When Buying Best Camping Coffee Percolator
a) Size
Ideally, when making camping coffee, you need to be thinking about your gear and convenience. The larger the coffee pot or percolator, the more difficult it will be to carry it along on adventures where space is limited. This is especially key if going on hikes or mountaineering activities. If camping with a large group, you're looking for a coffee pot that can brew around 12 to 16 cups. If you're four or fewer people, then a coffee percolator that brews lesser cups can work. For one person, a single brew percolator can work and will save you a lot of space.
b) Material
Durability is vital when it comes to camping coffee makers. Many camping coffee percolators are likely to be made of stainless steel or aluminum. Aluminum tends to be less durable compared to stainless steel. Some coffee makers are also made of cast iron. They are all break-resistant and heat evenly. It's key to ensure that your camping coffee maker is durable, especially if planning to use it over a camp stove or open fire. Camping coffee makers also tend to feature plastics and rubber handles and often have glass lids that can be breakable.
c) Portability
Portability is essential when considering the best camping coffee makers. Whether you're looking for the best french press for your RV camping or want a stainless steel percolator that you can assure you delicious coffee during your backpacking adventure, the convenience of portability is vital.
It's worth remembering that most camping coffee makers are designed to have you heat your water elsewhere, so you'll want to ensure that you have a separate kettle or pot that you can use to boil water. If available, you can use electricity from a car or RV and opt to use an electric kettle, hence making your coffee routine much quicker.
Portable coffee makers shouldn't be a problem. The most practical models are streamlined and are fitted with a carrying bag. We also like our camper gear, which means going from backpack to stovetop in a few minutes to be as easy to use as possible. If your morning routine includes drinking coffee, you'll want to look for small-scale coffee makers, as they are easier to set up.
Consider what the unit also needs to be cleaned. For example, if staying in a campground, you have access to running water, but you may want a coffee percolator that requires minimal cleaning.
d) Price
This largely depends on how well you like your coffee and your budget. Camping coffee pots range from $10 to $100, so it's worth considering how often you'll use the pot. Various percolators and French-presses can get the job done and will cost you less than $40, but big coffee drinkers may want something with a few more features or durability. Hence, investing in a more expensive pot (maybe one that offers insulation) could be great for your future camping adventures.
e) Weight
Packing light is vital when going on a hike or any backpacking trip. This is because any excess weight can weigh you down and tire your body. Hence when considering camping coffee makers, you ideally want one that's no more than 5 oz.
f) Strength and Brewing Style
What's your version of the perfect cup of coffee? It could be a slim grind or a strong coffee. Whatever the case, it's essential to think about how you enjoy brewing coffee and the strength you prefer. This can help determine when choosing a camping percolator. A delicious cup of coffee is different for various people; hence it's vital to clear on this before settling on a percolator. It's also crucial to know the different types of coffee makers before arriving at your decision.
g) Percolator Vs Moka Pot
Both a percolator and Moka pot ( or Italian coffee maker) work in the same way. A percolator makes weaker standard coffee because the coffee to water ratio is smaller, while a Moka pot makes more robust and more potent espressos.
If you desire more control over the strength of your camp coffee, then a Moka pot would be ideal. You can add as much water to your espresso as you'd like and can make more coffee overall in a smaller pot.
The downside is that you have to boil water separately.
h) Stove Vs. Electric
Stovetop percolators are better suited for camping and easier to navigate. However, if going glamping or to a campsite with electric facilities, you can opt for electric percolators.
If using a stovetop percolator, you can also make your coffee over an open fire. First, however, ensure your coffee maker doesn't have any components that can melt under the heat. If in doubt, check with the manufacturer.
Frequently Asked Questions About Best Camping Coffee Percolator
i) What grind size should I use?
All coffee makers have an ideal grind size that leads to better-tasting coffee. With percolators, they brew best with coarse-ground beans. Moka pots use finely ground coffee beans, as they are designed to produce a more decadent, almost espresso-like beverage. If you carry a French press on camping trips, ensure to have coarse-ground beans to get the best coffee taste. For pour-overs, a medium or the medium-fine coffee grind is advisable. Lastly, the AeroPress is a unique device that can use medium grounds for a drink close to drip coffee or fine grounds to make camp coffee similar to espresso.
ii) What Is The Percolating Process?
Start by filling the percolator coffee pot with water. There's usually a fill line, so you'll know where to stop. The coffee grounds' coarseness or fineness and the size of the holes in your basket will determine if you need to use a filter or not. Secondly, add the grounds to your basket and secure the lid, placing the entire basket in the pot. Third, place the pot over a hot fire or stove until it starts to boil. Then, reduce heat or move it to a cooler spot of the open fire and allow it to percolate for 10 to 15 minutes. Finally, you'll notice that the water color starts to darken. Pour out the coffee grounds and enjoy it hot.
iii) What is coffee blooming?
This is when you pour a tiny amount of water over coffee grounds and let it sit for a short time before carrying on with the brewing process. It's an easy and quick step that can make your coffee more pleasant. For camping coffee makers, it mainly applies to French presses and pour-overs. All you do is lightly and evenly dampen the grounds and allow them to bubble and rise for around 30 seconds while they release carbon dioxide, then pour in the rest of the water.
The carbon dioxide gives coffee a sour taste and acts as a barrier between coffee grounds and water. Thus purging the pent-up CO2 lets, you extract coffee grounds more thoroughly and avoid the sourness to boot.
