Master the Art of Pour Over Camping Coffee
A camping coffee pour over is one of the simplest and fastest ways to make a delicious cup of coffee while camping. It's great for making coffee for bigger groups at camp too!
Making pour over coffee at camp is a mesmerizing, almost meditative, process and - when done correctly, as this guide will teach you - the result is an exceptional cup of camp coffee every time.
We’ll walk you through the step-by-step process of making the perfect cup of coffee with your camping pour over, including the top 7 pour over camping coffee makers, and all the accessories you’ll need to get started.
Camping Coffee Pour Over Supplies
Pour Over Coffee Dripper
A pot to boil water
#4 Cone Filters
Your choice of fine to medium ground coffee (we recommend using whole bean coffee and a hand grinder to make fresh grounds)
A camping mug or carafe
Heat Source - anything that can bring water to a near-boil (check out our post on The Best Camping Stoves, or a campfire works great too!)
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How to Make Pour Over Camping Coffee
Assemble your camping coffee pour over and place the pour over dripper onto your camping mug or camping carafe
Begin heating your water to optimal near-boil temperature (205℉ is perfect - or just-off-the-boil will be close)
While water is heating, wet the disposable filter (if your camping coffee pour over uses one) and place it into the dripper
Add 1-2 heaping tablespoons of grounds per cup of water, and tap the dripper gently to level the grounds out
Remove your water from heat and, beginning at the outside edge of the grounds, pour approximately a ¼ cup (or just enough to wet the grounds) slowly over the grounds in a spiral towards the center
Gaze contemplatively at the sun rising up just over the trees in the distance and consider the great beauty of these wilds (or wait approximately 30 seconds)
Now begin slowly pouring the remainder of the water, starting at the center spiraling outward to the edge and back again toward the center - this helps to rotate the grounds. Pause to allow the waterline to drop to just above the level of the grounds and repeat this process 2 more times - pouring approximately ⅓ of your water each time
Remove the dripper and enjoy your camping coffee in a zen like state of delicious euphoria as the morning campfire crackles and the brook bubbles softly in the background (or get ready for the kid(s) to wake up and wreak havoc on your peaceful morning 😅)
Clean Up: Remove (or clean if reusable) the filter with grounds and place in the trash, rinse and wash the dripper with biodegradable soap, repeat rinse, dry, and done!
Best Pour Over Camping Coffee Makers
A good camping pour over is compact, durable, and won’t break the bank; below you’ll find the seven best camping coffee pour overs we’ve tested so you can pick one that’s right for your needs and budget.
Coletti Nomad Pour Over Filters
These Coletti pour over filters are one of the easiest ways to make pour over coffee while camping; they combine the filter with a pop-out pour over stand that can be easily rested on top of your camping mug. Then when you’re finished you simply dispose of the filter and grounds. However, these are best suited for single serving, and wouldn't be practical for serving large group camping needs.
Kuju Disposable Camping Coffee Pour Over Kits
The Kuju camping pour over kits go one step further in simplifying your camping coffee pour over experience by including pre-ground coffee in a disposable pour over filter. Though you do pay for the convenience in the price per cup, they’re great when you’re in a hurry to hit the road or trail.
Attsky Collapsible Camping Pour Over
This collapsible camping coffee pour over uses standard #4 cone filters and takes up a minimal amount of room. These are a great budget-friendly camping coffee pour over, and make an excellent gift too. We really liked the more oval shaped filter cup that makes for a tighter fit using #4 cone filters.
Stanley Perfect Brew Pour Over for Camping
The Stanley Perfect Brew is the most rugged pour over coffee maker for camping, and includes a reusable filter that’s reminiscent of the more traditional percolator coffee makers. Plus it comes in Stanley’s classic hammertone green. It is one of the bulkier camping pour over coffee makers on the market though.
GSI JavaDrip Camping Pour Over Kit
The collapsible GSI JavaDrip camping coffee pour over is the one we’ve personally used on our camping trips for the last decade. It uses standard #4 disposable cone filters, and conveniently collapses into a compact storage case. This gourmet kit also includes an adjustable steel burr grinder so you can grind your coffee fresh each morning.
Sea-to-Summit X-Brew Camping Pour Over
The Sea-to-Summit X-Brew is another great collapsible camping coffee pour over, that shares a similar compact profile to the GSI JavaDrip. But unlike most other camping pour overs, it uses an integrated reusable mesh filter so you don’t keep disposable filters on hand.
SnowPeak Collapsible Camping Coffee Pour Over
This stainless steel SnowPeak collapsible camping pour over folds flat for easy storage in your camp kitchen box, it’s easy to set up, and it uses standard #4 cone filters. We’ve always appreciated the quality of SnowPeak’s light-weight camping gear, and their pour over does not disappoint!
Camping Coffee Pour Over Accessories
Unbleached No.4 Compostable Pour Over filters
If your camping coffee pour over uses #4 cone filters, these unbleached compostable filters are a great earth-friendly addition to keep in your pour over kit.
Porlex Mini Ceramic Burr Coffee Grinder
We’ve used this high-quality japanese-made Porlex mini ceramic burr grinder on our overland travels and camping trips for years. The ceramic grinder doesn’t risk impacting the flavor profile of your coffee and dissipates heat better than steel grinders. Plus its fine adjustment allows you to perfectly dial in your grounds.
Yeti Rambler 36oz Camping Carafe/Thermos
The Yeti Rambler 36oz Camping Carafe/Thermos uses the same vacuum insulated stainless-steel design as their camping mugs, but includes a unique two-piece lid that makes it perfect for both making and serving your pour over camping coffee.
MSR Titan Kettle
Having an easy way to heat water is essential for using your camping coffee pour over, and the ultralight titanium MSR Titan Kettle is an excellent option. We’ve used ours for over a decade to heat water on our camping stove as well as over the campfire and it’s no worse for wear! The Titan Kettle’s 0.85L volume is perfect for serving 1-2 people, or if you have a larger group (or require a few cups of coffee before facing the day) the MSR Big Titan* holds 2L of water and easily serves 2-4 people.
There you have it, everything you need to master the art of using a camping coffee pour over to make even the most weary of campers muster up the stamina for a day filled with adventure in the outdoors. And be sure to check out our post on 7 Ways to Make Incredible Camping Coffee for more methods to get your caffeine fix while camping!
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