French Press vs Percolator for Camping

Many people cannot imagine their lives without coffee. The smell of coffee grounds makes them want to get up in the morning, while the taste of the coffee prepares them for the day. This is not so only when you are at home – the same thing can happen to you even on a camping trip.

But how can you make coffee while camping? Are there particular coffee makers or brewing techniques you can use?

In today’s guide, I will talk about two very convenient coffee brewing methods you can consider while camping – the French press and the Percolator. If you want to learn more about these methods to decide which is best for camping trips, I recommend sticking around for the rest of the guide.

Is a French Press or Percolator Better for Camping?

French presses and percolators are somewhat similar regarding their ease of use and convenience. Both do not need electricity to brew coffee, making them great for camping trips. Because when you think about it, you do not get power sockets on many campsites, especially not the remote ones.

The next thing that makes these coffee makers great is that they do not need extensive cleaning. You can rinse them out, and they will return to their former glory. Both have a large opening where the brewed coffee is prepared.

Another thing these two coffee brewers have in common is that you can add as much water as you want. Still, they are usually suitable for about four cups of coffee. Depending on how many people you are camping with, you can brew enough coffee for everyone at one time.

As you can see, French presses and percolators have a lot in common. It is difficult to determine which is better for camping, so the choice is individual. Try both French press coffee and percolator coffee before making the final decision. The taste and preparation method will help you decide which one is better for you!

How Does a French Press Work for Camping?

Let me tell you a few other details about the French press coffee maker!

The French press is one of the most convenient, easy-to-use coffee brewers. It has been around for a while, with many manufacturers making French presses in various sizes and materials.

The French press is made out of several parts. You get a glass carafe with a metal or plastic handle and a lid. A plunger goes through the lid into the carafe and is used to make coffee. All you need to make the coffee are coffee grounds and hot water.

Still, trying to figure out how to use a coffee press? Here is a step-by-step guide that will guide you through the process:

Step 1: Ensure you have enough water. You will need hot water to prepare hot coffee, but if you want, you can also prepare a cold brew with water or milk. To prepare hot coffee, try boiling water beforehand on a stove or campfire.

Step 2: Ensure you have the correct type of coffee. For the French press, you do not need finely ground coffee but coarse coffee grounds. The ratio between water and grounds should be 12:1. Also, ensure that the grounds are fresh so the coffee will taste better. You can use whatever type of grounds you like, even espresso grounds.

Step 3: Remove the lid and the plunger from the carafe. Use the carafe’s opening to add the coarse grounds inside. Then, add the water and leave the two to mix for about 5 minutes. This is a process called “steeping.”

Step 4: After the steeping, add the plunger and the lid to the carafe. Press the plunger down with one consistent motion. Above the plunger, you will get full-bodied coffee.

The process of making French press coffee takes about 10 minutes and is practically effortless. After that, you get a few cups of flavorful coffee that will taste great and have a strong aroma.

The only reason I do not recommend using the French press on camping trips is that it is less durable than the percolator. You can break the glass carafe with one bump or fall.

But at least French presses are cheap so that you can buy a new one for the next trip!

How Do You Use a Percolator for Camping?

The coffee percolator is also a convenient coffee brewer that you should consider using on camping trips. Some even argue that this is the best brewer for camping because it makes great coffee in no time and is durable, easy to use, clean, and cheap to buy. Depending on your favorite flavors and roasts, you can use them with various coffee types.

Apart from this, you can rely on coffee percolators for camping trips because they come in various shapes and sizes. You can get an electric percolator if camping in a spot that offers electricity, or you can go with the regular coffee percolator for spots that do not provide electricity. It is up to you to make a choice!

If you are fond of drinking coffee, I recommend you give this brewing technique a try:

Step 1: Ensure you have clean drinkable water to add to the coffee percolator. Unlike the French press, you will not need boiling water when you start. You only need to measure the amount of water you need and add it to the coffee percolator.

Step 2: Now, focus on the grounds. You can use any grounds you like, but they must be fine grounds. You will also need to know how many coffee grounds you need. A general recommendation is to use one tablespoon of grounds per cup of coffee while measuring the water using the same cup.

Step 3: Next, think about your heat source. You will need a stove, burner, or campfire to heat water and prepare the coffee. So, choose a heat source and prepare it for coffee brewing.

Step 4: You have everything you need, so it is time to start making coffee. Add the water to the coffee percolator, then add the stem. Next, put the basket and filter in the coffee percolator. You can use the available filters, so paper filters will also work. Place the grounds over the filter and put the percolator on the heat source.

Step 5: It will take a few minutes for the coffee to brew, depending on the heat available at the brewing time. Once you see bubbles forming in the coffee, please remove it from the heat and pour it into your cup.

As you can see, using a coffee percolator is also very easy and quick. The only thing about it is that the brew quality will often be worse than that of French press coffee. That could be a deal breaker for some.

French Press Vs Percolator - Summary

Brewing coffee on camping trips is relatively easy if you have the right brewer. Consider using a French press of a coffee percolator to make excellent camping coffee. There are other options, too, like the drip machine. Still, the French press and percolator are the most convenient, fast, affordable, easy to use, and clean.

Look into the guide, the brewing method, pros and cons of each brewer, and decide which one you want to use for coffee making. Do not hesitate to share your decision with me in the comments below!