Camping can be awesome, but one of the downsides is that there’s no coffee! Luckily for you campers out there, we’re about to show you how to make a cup of joe while you’re car camping in your RV or tent. It might take some trial and error (and a little more time than if you weren’t roughing it), but with these easy Campfire Brew Tips your morning will start out just as gloriously it would back home.
If you’re setting up camp in nature, fire safety rules and regulations apply. Make sure there is clearance between your fire and the surrounding area, and check the weather before you start a fire. Never leave a fire unattended.
Even though this is a campfire we’re talking about, you don’t have to be roughing it to make this coffee. All you’d need is some ground coffee and a small pot. Warming your hands over a fire works just as well.
What You’ll Need

All the elements that are necessary for an ideal camping, when you make a cup of coffee:
- A small pot (for boiling water and steeping the coffee grounds).
- A large, heavy-bottomed pot (for heating milk or water for hot chocolate).
- A griddle or skillet.
- Coffee mug or thermos.
- Ground coffee.
- Eggs, bacon and other breakfast items if you’re all about eating a hearty meal in the morning!.
- Salt and pepper to season your eggs if needed!.
- Sweetener if you need it for your coffee!.
- A campfire.
- An old blanket or towel to rest on.
- A waterproof camping stove if you have one.
- A way to start a fire (A lighter, matches, a flint).
- Wool socks and wool overshoes for those who are cold.
- Extra magazines or books for sleeping.
- Also read: Essential Camping Gear List For Beginners
Making the Coffee
Start by removing your pot from the fire and using it to wash out the pot. Put a small amount of boiled water in the pot and allow it to cool before pouring in your jars of coffee grounds. Add salt, if needed. Brew for at least 8 minutes.

Once you’re done brewing pour your grounds onto a damp towel or old blanket to cool while you heat up the large pot (for making hot chocolate or hot water for tea).
You can use a griddle or skillet over the fire to cook meat and eggs (or use a stove if you have one). Find sticks from the woods to hold your coffee mug or thermos, or you could also just set it on a rock while you eat your meal.
If you have extra ground coffee, grind it up and mix with hot water. If you’re making hot chocolate or tea, put the milk or water in a separate pot. You can also use powdered milk if you’ve got it. You can add milk or sugar to the coffee as well.
The best way to eat eggs over a campfire is to remove the shells, wrap them around your stick, and then dip them in your hot coffee! Add salt and pepper if needed after sitting for a few minutes.
The following tricks will help you make a decent cup of coffee while camping:
- Collect boiling water in an aluminum-lined bowl or pot.
- Bring the water to a boil before adding the grounds or bag of coffee.
- Rinse the ground coffee thoroughly with cold tap water and fill your mug with some of the hot water from your bowl or pot before starting to brew, which will help remove any residual scents from your grinder.
- Add coffee grounds to the French press and then pour boiling water only to the top of the press.
- Let coffee brew for four minutes, take a small taste test and then, if needed, add more hot water.
- Press down on the plunger lid and pour yourself a cup of coffee.
- Don’t need your French press anymore? Just pop it back in your backpack – it’s lightweight!
- Pour the hot coffee into a thermos.
- Let it cool down before pouring into a mason jar or other container. You can add some ice cubes if you like, as is traditional in this type of drink.
- Serve your thermos of French press coffee to your car camping buddies, who will be impressed by your crazy coffee.
- If you want to add whipped cream and sugar, whip those up before pouring into a mason jar to serve with some coffee beans on top.
- Drink coffee and enjoy while your camping!
Whether you’re an experienced camper or just getting started, one thing’s for sure – coffee is a must! Making coffee while camping can be tricky, but with a little know-how, it’s easy to make a great cup of coffee anywhere.
- Also read: 8 Simple Tips To Keep Food Cold While Camping.
Here are a few tips and tricks for making coffee while camping

Choose the right coffee. If you’re used to drinking gourmet coffee at home, you may be tempted to bring your favorite beans along on your camping trip. However, it’s important to remember that not all coffee is created equal. The type of coffee you’ll want to bring camping is a dark roast, which is less likely to be affected by the elements.
Grind your coffee before you go. If you’re using pre-ground coffee, it’s important to remember that it will go stale quickly. To avoid this, grind your coffee beans before you leave for your trip. This will ensure that your coffee is fresh when you’re ready to make it.
Bring a French press. A French press is a great way to make coffee while camping. All you need is a pot of boiling water and your ground coffee. Simply add the coffee to the press, add the water, and let it steep for a few minutes. Then, press the plunger down and pour yourself a cup of fresh, delicious coffee.
Use a stovetop espresso maker. If you want to make a more traditional cup of coffee, you can use a stovetop espresso maker. These makers work by forcing hot water through a small amount of ground coffee, resulting in a strong, flavorful cup of coffee.
Make cold brew coffee. If you’re not a fan of hot coffee, you can still enjoy a great cup of coffee while camping. To make cold brew coffee, simply combine ground coffee and water in a container and let it sit overnight. In the morning, strain the coffee and enjoy it over ice.
With these tips, you’ll be able to make a great cup of coffee.
Conclusion
While it might take some time and a few more cups of coffee, making your own coffee while car camping is by far a more rewarding experience than the instant brew you buy from the store. Coffee is even better when it’s straight from the pot – there’s no need to add anything to it other than sugar or cream if you choose.
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