Self declared coffee snob here. We have a cone shaped holder (I think it's made by Melita) that you place over top of any open coffee carafe. In it fits a 4cup cone coffee filter - put in the desired amount of coffee (we also like it strong, so a heaping scoop of fine grind for every 2 cups of coffee) and then pour boiling water over it, about a cup at a time to allow it to filter thru to the carafe. The carafe will keep it hot for a long time and it doesn't get a burnt flavor.

Bitter coffee is generally coffee thats perked too furious & too long. Obviously you have to try different amounts of coffee to get the ended desire in strength. Why don't you try this:

1) put the desired amount of water into the pot (with none of the pot innards or coffee) and bring the water to a boil.

2) after water has boiled, turn down the heat until just a smidgen above simmer, then add the pot's innards with the amount of coffee you want to try; let it SLOW perk for about four minutes, remove from the heat and let stand for maybe a minute and see how that tastes.

If perked coffee is not to your liking but you say you like "stronger" coffee, why not try cowboy coffee?

1) repeat the same as #1 above -

2) only this time after the water has come to a boil, remove the pot from the heat, turn the heat down, just measure the exact amount of coffee you want use and drop it straight into the pot, no filtering device, no nothing. Just as soon as the the coffee/water comes back to a boil it will want to foam and spill over the sides of the pot. Just pick up the pot and when it settles down place back onto the heat (might have to do this a couple of times until the coffee and the water get to know each other). After about four minutes of a slow boil, remove from heat and let stand for half a minute or so. Then reach into your ice cooler and take a small piece of ice and drop it into the pot and all the grounds will sink like a rock. Should you not have an ice cooler, or any ice, but you happen to have a fire going, then take a small twig, stick it into the fire until it starts to burn; then remove from fire, blow out the flame and stick the ember end of the twig into the coffee and the same thing will happen - all the coffee grounds will sink to the bottom of the pot.

Next, pour out some coffee, prop your feet up on something, pass around some chewing tobacco and swap some good ole boy stories!

Dale

We also use the Melita plastic cone with filters. Ours is the size to make one cup at a time. We picked it up in the grocery store. Only my husband likes coffee, and he likes this simple setup.

We always use a french press. Got a plastic one at REI after breaking glass one. Just pour coffee in the bottom, add hot water and voila! Always makes delicious, strong coffee.

Jenn has it right. A French Press actually makes better coffee than an electric drip machine. Anything else you can use without electricity won't measure up to the drip machine. In addition, the French Press takes up less space than a percolator. With a French Press you actually get better coffee than you have at home (unless you use the French Press at home too).

French press...I like that idea! Thanks! Me thinks I'll give that a try. Can I find them in regular retail stores? Would a Starbucks store have them?

mozy

You should be able to find them in regular retail stores. I got mine at Campmor (see link below). They're available in various sizes. I have two: a JavaPress made of Lexan that makes about one cup of coffee (it's available in larger sizes) and a Nissan Stainless made by Thermos that makes just under a quart of coffee.

The JavaPress works better because it has a better internal seal (I prefer not to have ANY grounds at the bottom of my cup), the Nissan Stainless leaks some grounds back into the coffee. On the other hand the Nissan keeps coffee hot longer if that is an issue. If you like your coffee "clean", look at the seal around the plunger of any press that you buy.

Here is a link that might be useful: French Press and JavaPress from Campmor

This has got me thinking of replacing my larger press, and I also found an insulated stainless steel JavaPress in the larger size. Before deciding between that and the Lexan model, I'd call Campmor to make sure that the plunger seal is the same: JavaPress may think that the main function of the better seal is to avoid scratching the Lexan and thus not have it on the stainless steel model.

I can't get the URL link to work here, but on the Campmor site, search on GSI stainless press and you can look at it.

I've also seen them at a few retail stores like Fred Meyers. I usually have only seen glass ones at retail stores, look to see if you can find a stainless steel like brian suggested, or you can always buy the plastic one online at rei.com. I use my french press at home too!

Here's another option. We've used this for 2 years now and are very happy with it.

Here is a link that might be useful: drip coffee maker

We use a graniteware percolator. In fact, we like it so much that w now use it in the kitchen. The trick is not to let it boil over, or let it perk too long (or too little for that matter). Boiling over releases a lot of grounds into the codffee.

I find a cooler poertion on the grill over the campfire (over some warm coals), and let it perk until desired color is achieved. At home on the stove, I turn it up until it sounds like it's going to boil over, then grab it fast and turn down the heat to med. for about 5 minutes.

French Press? I thought that was an exercise... he he
Leave it up to the clever folks at REI to make life a little more comfortable for us out there, eh?

I will have to check it out. I get REI gift cert. as gifts from friends, co-workers, etc. WE have a mini REI in VEGAS. Thanks! I usually buy Starbucks on the way out of town...ahh..

The press Jenn is referring to from REI must also be the Lexan GSI coffee press. REI and Campmor both carry mostly these presses, and at about the same prices, so it's a matter of which is more convenient. Campmor does have a greater variety of sizes, too. I'd stick with the GSI presses rather than Nissan unless you don't mind some grounds in your coffee, and before ordering the GSI stainless press I'd check to be sure that it has a plunger similar to the GSI lexan presses for the same reason.

It sounds like Jenn uses her GSI press even more than I do. I've also found it to be very durable and work great.

go french press.

here are 3 basic options for camping:
snow peak titanium press
gsi lexan press
jet boil press

of the three, i opted for the lexan press because i want to see the grounds & coffee color to gauge when it was ready. remove the handle for easier packing. the jet boil press has an aluminum pot, a metal which isn't recommended for making coffee. the snow peak is titanium, so it shouldn't impart a metallic taste.

another neat option is the gsi mini espresso maker. you'll be making one cup at a time though, but nothing beats espresso in the morning.

Here is a link that might be useful: gsi coffee gear - percolators, presses & mini espresso makers

Original poster here. I'm thrilled to my little toes. I ordered the 50oz Java press from Campmoor and I love it! WoW! Where have I been? I never thought coffee brewing could be so fast, so simple and so delicious!

I'm experimenting with the right grinding time now. I like bold coffee, and Starbucks French Roast is our favorite. I'm having a good time with this thing! Thanks for the help!

mozy

I mainly take instant coffee or the coffee that comes in the little bags...like tea bag. Packs great.

Mary

mozy1,

I'm pleased that you like the coffee press. It's the only way to make better coffee than a drip machine, and way better than a percolator.

I don't think the grinding time is all that critical. What you want is about the same grind as you would do for a drip coffee machine.

Enjoy!
Brian

You're right. That's the conclusion I came to. I can now just buy the bag of my ground Starbucks and not have to grind it all before we leave next week for our first camping trip. I am, however, still working on getting the brewing time just right.

OK, I'm an engineer. I experiment and evaluate *everything*. :)

mozy

LOL! I understand. I was a mathematical statistician for 35 years before I bacame a motorcycle bum.

Mary, i love a cup of joe in the morning and i use those little folgers bags too. its not starbucks but its not bad!

Original Poster here:

We returned from our first camp trip the other day. The coffee press was a huge hit! We had 6 coffee drinkers, and they all loved it.

Happy camper here.

mozy

The use of a French Press for making coffee while camping has always been a favorite of mine. All you need is the press, some coarsely ground coffee and some hot water. Nothing like a great cup on a chilly morning after spending the night out on the trail or at the campsite.

People usually think of a French Press if they need to make a cup or two of coffee. The GSI company makes a wonderful 'camp-style' coffee press in a 30 and a 50 ounce size - Perfect for large groups at the campsite.

Check these presses out at http://www.wedocampstoves.com/camp-coffee and for information on how to brew using a French Press and other methods for brewing camp coffee look here: http://www.wedocampstoves.com/how-to-make-camp-coffee

Thanks, Scott

Here is a link that might be useful: WeDoCampstoves Camp Coffee

I have one of the old-fashioned? Aluminum coffee pots, with the basket setting on the long tube that has the tapered round end that sits on the bottom of the pot.
Fill with enough water to reach 2/3 of the top, put six cups of coffee (Measuring cups) into the strainer basket, install top. Heat pot until water starts to percolate. Allow to perc for 6 minutes. Pour coffee into cup, add milk or sugar, or both, and drink.Will be enough to use for supper, and maybe next morning!

for the bitterness in coffee, I put a little salt (not much either) in with the coffee grounds and the cold water. Since I love my coffee strong, I never measure the grounds out. Place it on the fire or hot coals and let it boil. Take it off and let it settle. pour and enjoy. Never a bad cup of camp coffee yet

Starbucks now carries instant coffee in tiny tubes. I would never try it, but my wife got me a box. It's the best, and you don't need an assortment of presses, bags, filters and kettles to have it. Just boil water...

Yey, TPLife!! Good to see yer still around!!
Enjoying good health? and life's riches--good friends, and cars that run, etc?
Rustyj

If you're into espresso, why not try portable espresso makers. There are two that I know of; Mypressi Twist and Handpresso.

Mypressi Twist makes better espresso but you need to replace the cartridge after 8 shots.

Handpresso shots are ok but they're not as good. No cartridges required. You only need to pump it to get to a certain pressure.

Both are easy to use.

Here is a link that might be useful: Mypressi vs Handpresso

Having recently retired from Scouting (my son made Eagle), my biggest pet peeve early on was bad coffee. Didnt seem to be a bother to anyone else, but I wasnt going camping if I couldnt wake up to good coffee!
I bought us a coleman stovetop drip coffee maker. It is essentially a drip coffee maker, with a metal base. the top is plastic and made exactly like any other drip machine. swingout filler and filter cup, etc. 50 bucks at Dicks, you can probably find it cheaper. Best move ever. I went a step farther and got a single burner stove from a catering friend and kept a "dedicated" coffee burner.

I use 4 cup filter packs(Maxwell House makes them and other companies). It's the same kind that they use in hotel room coffee makers. I put one pack in a quart thermos then fill the thermos with boiling water. Close up the thermos and set it near your tent and climb into you sleeping bag. In the morn, you can grab the thermos and have a hot cup of coffee without getting out of your sleeping bag. When the thermos is empty, simply turn it upsidedown and shake the filter pack out.

Starbucks Via all the way!

I use a clever dripper if I am camping and don't have to backpack my stuff in:

http://www.amazon.com/ABID-CO-LTD-C-70888-Dripper/dp/B0047W70GY

But if I am hiking and want to keep things light, I just put grounds in these extra long tea bags and tie them in a knot and place it in boiling water in a pot:

http://www.amazon.com/Finum-100-Filters-Large-Brown/dp/B000KDW9MO/ref=sr_1_1?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1326998833&sr=1-1

French press here. Also use manual cone with filter.
Coffee presses can be had on Amazon and EBay very cheaply.

I am a coffee snob too. Nothing beats coffee from a press.

Boy, we sure have beat this thread (subject) to death ...!

After a long winter/cold spring, I'm willing to bet about ANY campfire side coffee will do!