French Press VS Percolator For Camping: One Is Better

French Press VS Percolator For Camping

Coffee lovers know that their favorite beverage is something they need to have every day — if you’re a coffee drinker you can’t really go without it. While you might not be able to take your French press camping, thankfully you can take a single cup percolator with you.

That said, it’s important to take some considerations into account when deciding between these two types of percolators. They both have their strengths and weaknesses, but with a little bit of work, you’ll be able to maximize the potential of either percolator when you go in different camping type.

While there are many ways to make coffee camping or on the road, these two particular devices are pretty much a must-have in that regard. Without water, we can’t make coffee, and there is no simpler way to get that water hot than via a campfire or another jetboil or camping stove.

Camp Coffee Brew Methods

Before beginning your coffee-brewing process, you have to decide just what kind of camping coffee maker you’re going to make use of. That decision should be made after considering several different items, such as the number of people drinking the brew.

French Press:

The French press is a very popular choice for coffee lovers. It’s been in use for many years as this device makes a good cup of coffee fast, easy, and with little fuss. Campers and backpackers find this type of coffee maker convenient because it lets them make a fresh cup of coffee right from the source.

The French press has essentially been around forever, but that doesn’t mean that it’s properly perfected. Some parts of the device are fussy and can result in burned coffee grounds or none at all if not used properly.

Percolator:

The percolator probably ranks as one of the most popular and versatile camping coffee makers. Like the French press, it’s simple to use, and very effective at making a cup of coffee if that’s what you’re after. It’s effortless to use and doesn’t require much in the way of cleaning or having to re-boil water, which makes it perfect for RV and tent camping to get the most out of their experience.

The percolator has been around for a very long time, and it’s been perfected over the years. As coffee equipment goes, this is about as simple and easy to operate as it gets. You can even get a small coffee percolator for your home, and if you take good care of it (which you should) you can use it for years to come.

Factors To Consider When Brewing Coffee Outdoors

Have you made a decision yet as to which type of coffee maker you’re going to use for your camping or glamping coffee brew method? If so, then it’s time to start considering some factors that could play a role.

*Heat Source:The heat source you’re going to use for the brewing process is very important, and it should actually be one of the first things you consider when choosing a coffee maker. The most important reason for this is that you want to make sure that your coffee tastes good after it’s been brewed.

*Durability:Since you’re going to be using this coffee maker outdoors, it must be able to stand up against the elements. Camp percolators and French presses are made of tough materials, but they can still break under the right circumstances.

*Easy To Clean:Neither of these devices is easy to clean, but you want to make sure that you get the most out of your investment. After all, clean coffee tastes better than dirty coffee, and it’s easier to use a coffee maker that doesn’t have grounds stuck in it.

*Size: The size of your coffee maker is vital to your comfort level, and the number of coffee grounds you use. Depending on how many people will be using your coffee maker, you’ll have to make a decision here, and there are a lot of factors to consider.

*Extraction:This is probably the most critical factor when choosing between these two devices but it’s actually very simple. The French press is a lot easier because you can press down on the plunger to extract a portion of the grounds. The percolator has to be stirred, which means that it requires more work but produces better results.

How Does A Percolator Work?

The percolator is usually made of chrome-plated steel, though it can be found in plastic as well. It’s an incredibly simple device, which is what makes it so popular. You can find percolators at any home supply store, and the bottom is designed to fit in on top of a heat stove or campfire. The coffee just sits in a reservoir and is heated with boiling water. As this is happening, the coffee grounds are being extracted.

Brew Quality:

The percolator is a simple device that produces a clean cup of coffee, and if there’s one thing to be said about it, it’s that the process is easy. It takes less time to make a cup of coffee with a percolator than with any other method.

Durability:

Percolators are fairly durable, though that doesn’t mean that they’re indestructible. The normal problem with this device is that the valve can stick, which means that it doesn’t work quite as well as it should.

How Does A French Press Work?

If you’re a true coffee lover, then you know that the French press is probably one of the best ways to extract the flavor from your grounds. It also takes longer than other methods like drip brewers, but it’s probably the cheapest way to make a good strong cup of coffee.

Brew Quality:

The French press makes a flavorful cup of coffee, and you can control the amount of flavor that goes to your cup by how long you let the grounds steep. You should also use the best grounds you can find, and try to avoid blends.

Durability:

French presses are considered to be the most durable coffee makers on the market, and while they can break if you drop them, it’s rare for them to break from normal use.

What Are The Main Reasons Why People Love French Press? 

The French press is a popular device because it helps people make the best coffee possible. You don’t get grounds in your cup, and you can experiment with how long you let the coffee steep. Here are a few:

A French Press Coffee Retains Its Flavor And Aroma: 

This is a fact that will bother lovers of drip brewing, but it’s an undisputed fact. The French press is the only brewer that uses a mesh to separate the grounds from the water.

Generally, French Presses Allow Steeping: 

French press users have more control over the flavor of their coffee. It’s possible to steep the coffee for more than a couple of minutes, which means that it’s possible to make a strong brew.

You’ll Always Get A Full Cup If You Use French Press: 

The best French press coffee always comes in a full cup. There are few compromises in taste and aroma that get made with any other type of brewer.

French Presses Are Extremely Durable: 

It’s amazingly hard to break a French press, and it will last for the better part of your life. It also costs less than drip and other brewing methods, which makes it even better.

All The Coffee Grounds Get Saturated By The French Press: 

French press users generally want their coffee to be full of flavor and to get all of the subtle tones, and a French press will ensure this. The mesh prevents the grounds from getting into the cup as well.

 A French Press Can Help You Make Espresso: 

It’s possible to use a French press to get a delicious shot of espresso. The idea is simple: you put your espresso grounds into the press and fill it with hot water.

Difference Between French Press And Percolator

For a very long time, coffee lovers were content with the traditional drip coffee makers. The main problem is there are not many advantages when compared to the French press coffee maker.

Differences In Taste: 

The taste is different and cannot be compared to one another since each brewing method has its own advantages. However, many coffee lovers argue that the French press brews a more flavorful cup of coffee. The trick is to grind your beans properly and keep the coffee grounds to a minimum.

Differences In Brew Time: 

The French press coffee maker will take a lot longer to make the cups of coffee than the Percolator. With this, you will need to pour boiling water over the grounds without disturbing it for even a second.

Differences In Ease Of Use:

The French press is easier to use than the percolator. It is easier to clean, which is an advantage over the percolator.

Differences In Flavor:

The French press coffee maker will produce a bolder coffee flavor than that of the percolator.

Differences In Portability:

The French press coffee maker is easier to move from one location to another than the percolator.

Differences In Efficiency:

The French press coffee maker will produce more concentrated brews because the coffee grounds are immersed in water.

Types Of Camping Coffee Makers

Ever since its rise in popularity back in the seventies, the French press has been an important piece of coffee gear, and it’s a great choice for any camp, specially with tarp camping or tent camping.

Press:

This is the simplest coffee press you can buy. It’s made by pressing the filter through the mesh and into your cup. It’s as easy as it gets, which means that it’s far easier to use than most of the other options.

Percolator:

The percolator is essentially a coffee pot that’s designed to use boiling water. It’s a little bit of work, but it’s very easy to make a cup of coffee with one.

Pour Over:

This is similar to the French press, but instead of using a mesh filter, the pour-over uses a metal mesh. It’s much simpler and much less complicated than the percolator or press, but it’s just as good at extracting all of the flavors you want.

Cardinal Rules To Brewing Camp Coffee

If you’re a coffee-lover, then there’s no question that you’re going to want a nice cup of coffee every morning. Camping is supposed to be about experiencing new things, and if you want to do that, then learning how the brew is made is an important part of doing so.

1. Use High-quality Coffee: 

High-quality coffee is always worth the money. If you spend a little extra on high-quality beans, then you’ll have amazing coffee that can be enjoyed in the great outdoors. If you don’t invest in good coffee, then your trip will be ruined by a bad brew.

2. Ideally Use Whole Beans And Grind Immediately Before Consumption: 

The longer that you allow coffee beans to sit, the less powerful they become. This is why the best way to brew a great cup of this is to use it right when you’ve bought it. Whole beans will produce a richer, better-flavored cup of coffee that’s great for both you and your fellow campers.

3. Measure Coffee Grounds: 

It’s important to use the right amount of grounds to get a good cup of coffee when you’re camping. The general rule with coffee is that you don’t want to use too much. It’ll make your cup taste weak and will put you in a bad mood.

4. Never Boil Your Camping Coffee: 

Pros Cons Boiling coffee will destroy many of the good flavors that can be extracted from it. Boiling water and coffee is a bad idea, and you’re essentially taking away all of the flavors that are there.

Make Incredible Coffee: Camping Style

When you’re camping in a trailer, then it’s important to make sure that you’re getting a quality cup of coffee every morning and every night. Some people love cold brew, but if this is the style that you prefer, then there are a few different ways to make it.

French Press Camping Coffee:

The most traditional way to make French press camping coffee is with the French press pot. This is just a normal French press that you use at home. You just fill it with coffee and water and let it steep for a few minutes before pouring the rest of the water over the top.

Supplies Needed:

  • French Press
  • French Press Camping Equipment Or Cup
  • Coffee Measuring Cups
  • Coffee
  • Coffee Grinder
  • Hot Water
  • Kettle For Boiling Water 

How To Make French Press Coffee:

1) Start by putting in a little coffee in the French press pot. You want to do this so that it doesn’t overflow when you add the water. The amount that you add will change depending on how strong or weak that you like your coffee.

2) Now grab your measuring cups and pour some boiling water into them. Add enough water to fill your French press up about halfway. 

3) Pour the boiling water into the French press pot. Stir well, then let it steep for five to ten minutes.

4) After that let it cool for a few minutes. Then remove the filter and stir it well.

5) Pour the coffee into your cup or mug.

6) Serve in the French press glass with a spoon.

Now that you know how to make French press camping coffee and how to French press it as well, you can also make it with a coffee maker. The filters on most of these camp coffee machines are removable so that you can let the soak grains in hot water for at least an hour before they brew.

Percolator Camping Coffee:

A percolator is another way to have coffee while camping. It’s basically a metal tube with little holes or perforations in the bottom of it. The percolator coffee maker is one of the most common ways people make their coffee while camping on a tent or pop up camper.

Supplies Needed:

  • Coffee Percolator
  • Coffee Measuring Cups
  • Coffee Grinder
  • Kettle For Boiling Water
  • Hot Water
  • Cup Or Mug

How To Make Coffee Using A Percolator:

1) First, you need to put the coffee in the percolator. You want to do this so that it doesn’t overflow when you add the water. The amount that you add will change depending on how strong or weak that you like your coffee.

2) Now grab your measuring cups and pour some boiling water into them. Add enough water to fill your coffee percolator about halfway. 

3) Pour the boiling water into the percolator pot. Stir well, then let it steep for five to ten minutes.

4) After that let it cool for a few minutes. Then remove the filter and stir it well.

5) Pour the coffee into your cup or mug. 

6) Serve in the coffee percolator glass with a spoon.

If you’re really in the mood, then you can make some espresso while you’re camping using an Italian percolator. This is basically a regular percolator that has an attachment for making espresso or espresso-like drinks.

Cowboy Camping Coffee:

To make cowboy coffee, you’ll need a camping stove and some coffee beans. You can usually find a camp stove that will fit most trucks and campers with the gas tanks in the rear of them. You’ll need to get close enough to it to be able to pressurize the tank with air so that it can work as an espresso machine.

Supplies Needed:

  • Camp Stove
  • Camp Coffee Beans
  • Coffee Measuring Cups
  • Kettle For Boiling Water

How To Make Cowboy Camping Coffee:

1) First, you need to put the coffee on the camp stove. You want to do this so that it doesn’t overflow when you add the water. The amount that you add will change depending on how strong or weak that you like your coffee.

2) Now grab your measuring cups and pour some boiling water into them. Add enough water to fill your camp stove up to about halfway.

3) Pour all the boiling water into the camp stove.

4) Put the end of the steamer wand through one of the holes and push it down so that it can work as a pump. Then you can just turn on your gas and let it fill with air all at once to create a nice strong shot of espresso-type coffee.

5) Serve in the camp stove glass with a spoon. You can even add some sugar or honey if you want to.

Espresso Pot Camping Coffee:

You’ll need a camp stove, an espresso machine, and some coffee beans to make espresso pot coffee. You can usually find an espresso machine that will fit most trucks and campers with the gas tanks in the rear of them. You’ll need to get close enough to it to be able to pressurize the tank with air so that it can work as an espresso machine.

Supplies Needed:

  • Camp Stove
  • Coffee Beans
  • Espresso Machine
  • Kettle For Boiling Water

How To Make Espresso Pot Camping Coffee:

1) First, you need to put the coffee on the espresso machine. You want to do this so that it doesn’t overflow when you add the water. The amount that you add will change depending on how strong or weak that you like your coffee. 

2) Now grab your measuring cups and pour some boiling water into them. Add enough water to fill your espresso machine up to about halfway.

3) Pour the boiling water into the espresso machine. On most machines, you have to be careful when doing this because it can start spurting out hot steam and water if you don’t do it right away so just make sure that you’re paying attention if you do this.

4) Put the end of the steamer wand through one of the holes and push it down so that it can work as a pump. Then you can just turn on your gas and let it fill with air all at once to create a nice strong shot of espresso-type coffee.

5) Serve in the camp stove glass with a spoon. You can even add some sugar or honey if you want to.

Potable Water Camping Coffee:

To make potable water coffee, you’ll need a camp stove, an espresso machine, and some coffee beans. You can usually find an espresso machine that will fit most trucks and campers with the gas tanks in the rear of them. You’ll need to get close enough to it to be able to pressurize the tank with air so that it can work as an espresso machine.

Supplies Needed:

  • Camp Stove
  • Coffee Beans
  • Espresso Machine
  • Kettle For Boiling Water

How To Make Potable Water Coffee:

1) Pour water into the kettle and boil it up on the camp stove. Usually, I add about three-quarters of a cup of water to fill up my espresso machine all the way. Some people like their coffee stronger so you might need to add more or less depending on how much you personally like your coffee. You could also just add boiling water to a separate container on the camp stove if you don’t have room for it in your espresso machine.

2) Grind up the coffee beans into a fine powder and dump them in the filter of your espresso machine. There might be a space specifically marked for this, or you might have to put the coffee in one of the other holes.

3) Put some of this boiling hot water through the espresso machine and let it fill up completely. If the water doesn’t fill up completely, that’s fine. Just pour some of the water out and it will be ready to go.

4) Pour the rest of the water through your machine and then you can top it off if you want (not a bad idea).

5) I usually put a little hot water into my coffee cup before I go to bed so that I can enjoy a nice piping hot cup in the morning. You can leave it like that overnight if you like.

Aeropress Camping Coffee

The Aeropress could be your best friend when it comes to camping. It’s a very portable coffee-making device that allows you to brew delicious coffee at high altitude, filter out sediment, and even use a paper filter if you like (I know some people who prefer this).

Supplies Needed:

  • Aeropress Coffee Maker
  • Coffee Measuring Cups
  • Coffee Grinder
  • Kettle For Boiling Water
  • Cup Or Mug

How To Make Aeropress Camping Coffee:

1) First, you need to put the coffee in the Aeropress. You want to do this so that it doesn’t overflow when you add the water. The amount that you add will change depending on how strong or weak that you like your coffee.

2) Now grab your measuring cups and pour some boiling water into them. Add enough water to fill your Aeropress up about halfway.

3) Pour the remaining boiling water into the Aeropress.

4) Gently squeeze it all together so that it’s filled and you’re ready to go.

5) Serve in the Aeropress glass with a spoon.

Instant Camping Coffee

There are many instant coffee brands that you can use while camping. You can find some of these at a camping store, or they’re pretty easy to get ahold of online. They make it so that you don’t have to carry around a bunch of hot water and coffee with you.

Supplies Needed:

  • Hot Water
  • Cup Or Mug

How To Make Instant Camping Coffee:

1) If you’re using a bottle of hot water that you got from your camp stove, then just get the coffee and pour it in. If you’re using a cup with hot water, then just get that ready and add the coffee when it’s nice and hot.

2) Serve in the cup with a spoon.

Pour Over Camping Coffee

The pour-over method of making coffee is a perfect way to make your coffee while camping. The pour-over method uses a cone-shaped filter that allows you to control the strength and flavor of your coffee with just a few simple steps.

Supplies Needed:

  • Coffee Bean
  • Kettle For Boiling Water
  • Cup Or Mug

How To Make Pour Over Camping Coffee:

1) Grind your beans and put them in the cone-shaped filter. You can use a regular cone-shaped coffee filter or what is called “pizza cutters”.

2) Pour boiling water into the cup or mug so that it’s nice and hot.

3) Pour the water slowly into the coffee cone filter until it’s filled.

4) Grab your mug by the handle and gently place it over the cup so that the top of the cone is just under where your mug top would be on a regular coffee maker. Then push down to let all of the hot water drip out.

5) Grab your mug again and check to ensure that none of it is still left in the cone-shaped filter.

Top 10 Best Camping And Backpacking Coffee Makers 21st Century

This is a nice little coffee maker that comes with everything you need to make a good cup of coffee. 

  • Coleman Camping Coffee Maker
  • Aeropress Coffee Maker
  • Gsi Outdoors Ultralight Java Drip
  • Primula Coffee Brew Buddy
  • Planetary Design Table Top French Press
  • Gsi Outdoors Collapsible Javadrip
  • Espro Travel Press
  • Farberware Classic Stainless Steel Yosemite 8-cup Percolator
  • Gsi Outdoors Javapress
  • Hario V60 Plastic Dripper
  • Bialetti Moka Express, 9-cup

Why Is Coffee So Popular With Campers

Coffee has been a staple of the camp culture for many years. As we’ve seen from the list above, there are several different ways to enjoy coffee while out in nature. 

When it comes to drinking coffee at camp, there are so many different kinds of flavors and types that you can enjoy. This includes everything from cowboy coffee to espresso machine camping coffee. That’s why it’s such a huge part of the outdoor community because there is something for everyone when it comes to drinking this great beverage on your journey into nature.

Summary

The choice between a French press and a percolator is an important one. So which one should you choose? When it comes to camping, you may decide that a percolator is the right choice for you. You can get a percolator that is easy to put together, doesn’t take up much room, and works well in nature. Percolators can be very effective on your adventure in the wild.

So what’s better? The choice between a French Press or Percolator really depends on what you are looking for. If you want something quick and easy that can be prepared anywhere then perhaps the percolator is what you need to get.