What’s better than fresh coffee? Fresh coffee outdoors! I’m a real outdoorsy person, and I love nothing more than pitching a tent somewhere wild and off-the-beaten-track.
But, though I love being out in the fresh air of the countryside, I still enjoy my home comforts too – and that means proper coffee!
In this article, I’ll tell you all about my five favorite coffee makers for camping and why I rate them.
Our 5 Contenders for Best Camping French Press
1) Coffee Gator French Press Coffee Maker
- Premium, double-walled stainless steel insulation.
- Tough, durable, and rust-proof. Unlike glass, it won’t break when you drop it.
- Rich, full-bodied brew that will leave you grinning from ear to ear.
2) JOMO French Press Coffee Maker
- Stylish scratch-resistant color coating.
- Unbreakable double wall construction.
- 100% satisfaction guarantee.
3) Kaffe Large French Press Coffee Maker
- Universal eco-friendly design
- Balance between capacity, long-lasting usage and safety.
- Worry-free purchase: 2-year extended manufacturer’s warranty!
4) FOSKU French Press Coffee Maker Set
- Premium material rust resistant
- Stay comfy construction details
- Really care about your coffee
5) Camping French Press Travel Kit
- Be the envy of the campsite.
- Hotter for longer.
- All-in-one coffee camping kit.
Things to Bear in Mind when Brewing Coffee while Camping
Compared to when you’re in the comfort of your own home, there are a number of factors you’ll need to consider before deciding on which camping coffee maker to go for.
Here are some of the things to consider:
Heat Source
Your choice of camping coffee maker will depend largely on your heat source. Are you planning to use a portable burner or are you going to build a bonfire?
Durability
When you buy something for camping, it generally needs to be more robust than its equivalent for the home. Yes, you’ll need to leave that glass French press at home!
Simple to Clean
Things aren’t as easy or convenient when you’re camping. The garbage can or sinks might be a good walk away (if there are any), so it’s easier and more convenient to choose a coffee maker that’s easy to clean.
If you’re truly wild camping, choosing a coffee brewer that can be rinsed with water is the best option.
Size
You’ll need to consider how much coffee you and your fellow campers will likely drink in one go.
If there’s a party of four, but you only have a 2-cup coffee maker, it will get awkward!
The Best Way to Make Coffee Camping
I’m going to presume that you’re not a fan of instant coffee if you’re reading a coffee site.
Instant coffee might be a convenient way of making coffee out in the middle of nowhere, but it just isn’t great-tasting coffee. So, what are your options?
If you want real coffee when camping, you have a number of ways. These include:
- Pour-over coffee
- Moka pot
- An AeroPress coffee maker
- A camping French press
Though all have their pros and cons, it’s the French press coffee maker that’s my absolute favorite camping coffee maker. Here’s why.
Why I Love French Presses as A Camping Coffee Maker
Let me start by saying that I love all coffee (apart from instant coffee, I draw the line there!).
Yet for camping, nothing quite beats a French press. Firstly, I love that I can make a huge pot of delicious coffee really simply.
Secondly, I find a French press to have a much simpler cleaning process when out camping.
It’s a simple matter of scraping out the used coffee grounds, giving everything a rinse, and it’s good to go again.
How to Choose the Perfect Camping French Press
Now we know why you should use this type of coffee maker when camping or car camping, you’ve still got some decisions to make!
The French press you take camping needs to be much more robust than a standard one.
I’ve broken many a glass French press in my adult life – and that’s just at home. For camping, I would never recommend glass.
It’s not just the broken vessel you need to worry about but also the chance of injury or scalding when you’re miles away from civilization!
How to Make French Press Coffee when Camping
Making camp coffee relies on your access to boiling water. You’ll need some way of producing hot water before using a French press.
For some, this will be a gas stove, but others with electric hook-ups might be able to boil water in an electric kettle.
Presuming you have a way to boil water, here is how you use a camping French press:
- Measure out the ground coffee – choose a medium grind to coarse grind. You might need to be a little less precise when out camping. Use a scoop (if provided) or a tablespoon, making sure to add the right amount for the capacity of your coffee maker. If you’re grinding your own beans, ensure they’re medium to coarse coffee grounds for French presses.
- Add coffee grounds to your French press.
- Add hot water.
- Allow the coffee grounds to steep for up to 4 minutes or until your preferred time.
- After the brewing process is complete, slowly press down the plunger.
- Enjoy a tasty cup (unless you’ve got UHT milk, you’ll probably drink black coffee when camping).
Without further ado, here are my top 5 picks of French presses for camping.
Best All Round: Coffee Gator French Press Coffee Maker – Insulated – 4 Cup
If you’re worried about your coffee cooling too quickly in the fresh air, you need to try an insulated French press. In my opinion, the Coffee Gator is the best of its kind.
This French press will keep your coffee at temperature for 60 minutes – if you haven’t drunk it all by then! You don’t need to worry about your hands either – it has a cool touch handle for easy pouring.
This camp French press has double wall insulation and is made from 304 stainless steel, meaning it’s robust and will keep your brew warm!
This type of professional-grade steel is both heavier and thicker than other brands. It won’t break or rust.
The Gator has a double-screen, spring-loaded filter, which is original in design as it prevents sediment while letting the coffee oils infuse to produce a full-bodied, rich brew.
Besides the coffee pot, this also comes with a mini coffee canister to keep your beans or ground coffee fresh.
Pros
- Stainless steel
- A good size
- Double wall insulation
- Excellent filtration with zero sediment
Cons
- You might find the paint chips off quite easily if you’re using it for camping – but it’s just cosmetic.
Verdict: I just love this French press! I’m a big fan of the brand anyway, but this model is ideal as a camping coffee maker. You might chip the paint a little too easily, but camping’s always a little rough around the edges!
Runner Up: JOMO French Press Coffee Maker with Travel Bag – 1 Liter
My runner-up is the JOMO Coffee Maker. This is a durable, insulated design and stainless steel filter.
This uses 18/8 professional-grade stainless steel and is really robust. It has a double filter, so you don’t need to worry about unwanted sediment at the bottom of your cup.
With its 1-liter/34-Oz capacity, you’ve got enough coffee for you and seven friends to share around a bonfire.
What’s more, this comes with a 100% satisfaction guarantee and a lifetime warranty! It’s safe to say that JOMO are confident in their product!
The insulation means your coffee stays hot for over one hour and it also has a silicone sleeve for stability on the bottom as well – perfect for uneven or slippery surfaces when camping.
The plunger is smooth and pouring it feels great in your hand.
What’s more, the lid doesn’t move when you’re pouring it – I’ve found this to be really important when choosing a camping coffee maker as it’s much easier to spill things when you’re not relying on a kitchen work surface.
Cleaning-wise, this pot is so straightforward to clean. It’s really easy to disassemble and clean all of the components.
Pros
- It has a large capacity.
- It is easy to clean.
- It feels nice to pour.
- It’s robust and sturdy.
- It has a nice open/close feature for pouring.
Cons
- The paint might peel or chip easily if used for camping.
- If you leave the plunger in for too long, you get a metallic taste, which defeats the object of having an insulated camp coffee maker.
Verdict: A close second, we liked the JOMO for its ergonomic handle and its large capacity. I often camp with large groups so it’s nice to be able to offer someone else a cup of real coffee in the morning!
Good All-Rounder: Kaffè Large French Press Coffee Maker
The Kaffè French press has a timeless, efficient design and is made from 304 stainless steel, which means it can be used for years and won’t degrade.
This press also has a dual filter to ensure less sediment seeps through into your morning coffee.
The filter has layers of steel mesh to create a smoother coffee and allow the original brewed taste to remain for hours.
What’s more, this coffee maker will keep your coffee hot for up to four times longer than a standard glass coffee maker thanks to its insulation and double walls.
This camping pot has a 27-oz capacity, which is equivalent to six cups. It’s durable and won’t rust or chip. There’s also a 2-year warranty.
Pros
- It has a two-year warranty as standard.
- It holds 27 ounces (six cups).
- It is insulated so you can enjoy hot coffee for longer.
- It is made from food-grade steel to ensure a decent cup of camp coffee and a consistent taste.
- It is well-made.
- It comes with an extra filter.
Cons
- There is no scoop included.
- There are no indicators on the inside to let you know how much hot water you’ve added.
Verdict: A very close third place, the Kaffè camping coffee maker is ideal for any camping trip and makes delicious coffee. However, the lid is hollow and can’t be submerged in water. If water gets in while cleaning, it could potentially ruin the next brew.
Best One-Cup Travel Coffee Press: FOSKU Coffee Maker Set – 1 Cup
If you’re looking for the best camping coffee maker for one, then the FOSKU single-serve French press is great for making camp coffee.
This is a unique portable way to brew coffee in the great outdoors. It has all of the advantages of 18/8 stainless steel: it’s durable, won’t rust, and won’t get damaged.
The double-walled design keeps the coffee hot no matter the outside temperature and the French press itself is wrapped in a protective leather sleeve.
This means you can hold the pot with your hands rather than using a handle. Space-saving is always great when camping and many camping coffee makers have awkward handles that make packing them difficult!
The plunger itself has a triple layer of stainless steel filters that fit the walls of the press tightly to trap even the smallest particles of coffee grounds.
We also really like how this would make an ideal gift for a coffee lover. It’s a small French press, but it makes a delicious cup for one.
Finally, this product comes with a canister to transport your coffee and both items fit neatly into a tote bag (included) for easy storage and transportation.
Pros
- It’s an ideal gift for a coffee lover.
- It has a great handle-free design.
- It makes a perfect cup of coffee for one.
- The triple filter is great and there’s no annoying sediment.
- It comes with a coffee canister and a tote bag for easy transportation and storage.
Cons
- The coffee canister is not airtight.
Best Luxury Camping Coffee Maker: Camping French Press Travel Kit – 34 Oz
If you’re treating yourself or buying a gift for a coffee-loving loved one, this is the best camp French press set out there and it has everything you need.
This kit contains:
- The coffee press.
- A coffee grinder.
- A coffee scoop and bag clip.
- A cleaning brush.
- A vegan leather case with extra space.
This kit means you can be a barista wherever you are! It is a real luxury French press and it’s highly durable.
This coffee maker is insulated, has a locking lid mechanism, and a safety lock pouring button. There are clearly marked volume levels inside to help with knowing how much water to pour in. It’s also air-tight.
The grinder has a 40g capacity and a ceramic burr. It is made from brushed stainless steel with an acacia wood knob and a level/volume window.
Pros
- This is an excellent piece of kit with everything you need for a great cup of coffee.
- This is ideal for car camping or wild camping as it includes a grinder and travel case too.
- It is insulated.
- It has a locking lid and is airtight.
- There’s a safety lock pouring button.
- It has a durable titanium coating.
- It holds 34 ounces.
Cons
- There aren’t as many reviews of this product, which indicates it isn’t that popular.
Verdict: This is an excellent kit that has everything you need for a hot cup of coffee when camping. However, there aren’t many reviews online about this. So, although we had a great experience with it and it passed our taste test, there’s not as much evidence of it being great for everyone (though the few reviews we did find are all positive).
Final Thoughts on The Best Camping Coffee Makers
Just because you’re giving up some home comforts when you go camping, doesn’t mean you don’t still want the best-tasting coffee.
Though pour-over coffee makers work well for camping, you have the problem of dealing with paper filters and rapidly cooling water. That’s why we recommend French presses.
As in the home, different people have different needs when camping and so it’s important to know what your needs are before choosing camping coffee makers.
There’ll be a lot of different French presses that meet your needs and so the one you go for will also depend a lot on personal preference.
For us and our taste testers, the best camp French press we tried was the Coffee Gator.
This was a medium capacity that produced high coffee quality that stayed hotter longer than a lot of its competitors – and definitely longer than pour-over coffee makers.
This not only produced one of the best-tasting coffees, but it also came top in our blind taste test too – even when we waited 40 minutes before we poured the final cup. Unlike some, the travel canister was also a great addition.
We hope this article has helped you find the perfect coffee maker for your next camping trip or for all the rough and tumble of your outdoor adventures.
