Brewing the Perfect Cuppa in the Bush: The Ultimate Guide to Camping Coffee Makers
There’s nothing quite like waking up in the Australian bush. The kookaburras are laughing, the scent of eucalyptus is in the air, and you’re wrapped up in your swag, watching the sunrise over a remote beach or a mountain range. It’s pure magic. Until you reach for that sad, little jar of instant coffee. That gritty, flavourless brew can feel like a real let-down, a compromise that jolts you out of the natural bliss.
But what if you didn’t have to compromise? What if you could enjoy a rich, aromatic, and genuinely satisfying coffee that rivals your local café, right there at your campsite? That’s where a dedicated camping coffee maker comes in. This isn’t just a piece of gear; it’s a game-changer for your morning ritual in the wild. This guide will walk you through every type of brewer, the key features to look for, and our top picks to help you find your perfect portable brew companion. Say goodbye to instant and hello to your best camp coffee yet.
Why Ditch the Instant? The Case for a Dedicated Camp Coffee Maker
Let’s be real, we’ve all suffered through a cup of instant. It’s a convenient standby, but it rarely delivers on taste or experience.
The Taste Test: Flavour vs. Instant Granules: It’s no contest. A proper coffee maker for camping extracts the oils and complex flavours from freshly ground beans, giving you a smooth, robust cup. Instant coffee is simply dehydrated brew, and it tastes like it. Once you’ve had a real coffee in the outdoors, it’s hard to go back.
The Ritual: Why the Process is Part of the Adventure: Brewing coffee becomes a mindful, enjoyable part of your camp morning. The process of grinding beans, boiling the billy, and carefully pouring the water is a ritual that connects you to your surroundings. It’s a moment to slow down and savour the experience, not just gulp down a caffeine hit.
Versatility for Every Trip: Whether you’re on a solo overnight hike or a full-blown family caravan trip up the coast, there’s a portable coffee maker for camping designed for your needs. The right brewer can elevate any adventure, making it one of your non-negotiable camping essentials.
Types of Camping Coffee Makers: Find Your Brew Style
So, how do you choose? The best camping coffee maker for you depends on your travel style, group size, and how much effort you’re willing to put in. Let’s break down the most popular types.
The Classic: Camping Coffee Maker Percolator
The percolator is the iconic image of camp coffee. That sturdy, stainless steel pot bubbling away on the campfire is a scene straight out of an Aussie camping film.
How it works: You add water and coarse coffee grounds to the basket, place it on your heat source, and as the water boils, it cycles up through a tube and drips back down over the grounds, slowly building strength.
Pros: Incredibly durable, has a large capacity (great for groups), and doesn’t require paper filters. It feels authentically rugged.
Cons: It’s easy to over-brew, resulting in a bitter, burnt-tasting coffee. You need to keep a close eye on it and listen for the “perking” to know when it’s ready.
Best for: Large groups, car campers who love a campfire, and traditionalists.
Simple & Lightweight: The Pour-Over Coffee Maker for Camping
If you’re all about a clean, bright cup of coffee and are perhaps watching your pack weight, the pour-over is your best friend. This category includes brilliant devices like the AeroPress and lightweight drippers.
How it works: You place a filter and grounds in the brewer and manually pour hot water over them in a slow, controlled spiral. The coffee then drips directly into your mug.
Pros: Extremely lightweight and compact, produces a superior, sediment-free cup of coffee, and is very simple to use.
Cons: Requires a separate kettle and often paper filters. It can be a bit fiddly, especially on a windy morning.
Best for: Backpackers, cycle tourists, kayakers, and coffee purists who value quality over everything.
The Pressure Brewer: Portable Espresso Maker for Camping
For those who live for a thick crema and a strong, short black, portable espresso makers are a modern marvel. They bring the café experience to your camp kitchen.
How it works: These devices use manual pumps or levers to force hot water through finely ground coffee at high pressure, creating a genuine espresso shot.
Pros: Makes a truly excellent, strong coffee. It’s compact and surprisingly fun to use.
Cons: Has more parts to clean, can be effort-intensive (some pumping required), and requires a specific, fine grind.
Best for: Espresso aficionados, couples, and anyone who doesn’t mind a bit of manual labour for the perfect shot.
The Modern Convenience: Camping Coffee Maker Electric & 12 Volt
Who says you can’t have the push-button convenience of home while you’re on the road? If you’re camping with a power source, an electric brewer can be a luxury worth having.
How it works: Just like your machine at home, but designed for life on the move. It brings the effortless ritual of your home drip machine to the campsite. To power these compact or pod-compatible devices, you'll need a trustworthy energy source for your 12 volt camping coffee maker. This is where a camping battery like the EcoFlow DELTA 3 Plus Portable Power Station becomes your reliable energy partner. It's designed for effortless energy control, providing thorough and reliable power that meets every need, so you can enjoy your coffee moment completely undisturbed.
The EcoFlow DELTA 3 Plus Portable Power Station
Pros: Unbeatable convenience and ease of use. Perfect for making multiple cups for a family with the push of a button.
Cons: Completely reliant on a power source. The machines themselves can be bulkier and are not an option for remote, off-grid camping.
Best for: Caravanners, campervan owners, and car campers who invest in the best camping batteries for their setup.
Key Features to Consider Before You Buy
Before you click "add to cart," take a moment to think through these practical considerations. They’ll ensure your new brewer is a joy to use, not a burden.
Portability & Weight: Be honest about how you travel. Are you hiking the Overland Track where every gram counts, or are you driving to a powered site in your Jayco? A lightweight pour-over is perfect for the former, while a sturdy percolator or a 12 volt camping coffee maker suits the latter.
Durability & Build Quality: Aussie conditions can be tough. Look for robust materials like stainless steel or BPA-free plastics that can survive being knocked around in the back of the 4WD. You can find durable options at stores like Bunnings or Anaconda.
Ease of Use & Cleaning: How patient are you first thing in the morning? Some brewers, like the AeroPress, are famously easy to clean with a simple pop of the coffee puck. Others, like a percolator with multiple parts, require a bit more scrubbing. Think about your tolerance for camp chores.
Brew Capacity: Are you brewing for one, or for the whole family? A single-serving espresso maker might frustrate you if you have a partner, while a large percolator is overkill for a solo trip.
Heat Source Compatibility: This is crucial. Does your chosen brewer need a campfire, a gas stove, or just boiling water from your Kelly Kettle? Make sure it fits with your existing camp kitchen setup.
Our Top Picks for the Best Camping Coffee Maker in Australia
With so many options, it can be hard to choose. Here are our top picks for different types of Aussie campers.
Best All-Rounder for Car Camping: Stanley Classic Camp Cook Set + AeroPress Combo
This isn’t a single product, but a legendary combo. The Stanley cook set provides a bomb-proof billy to boil water, and the AeroPress delivers a consistently fantastic, smooth coffee for one or two people. It’s versatile, durable, and produces a top-tier cup. It’s the perfect balance of classic Aussie toughness and modern coffee science.
Best for the Purist & Backpacker: AeroPress Go
The AeroPress Go is a masterpiece of design. It packs into its own mug, is incredibly lightweight, and is virtually unbreakable. It makes a clean, low-acidity coffee that rivals methods costing hundreds of dollars. For anyone hitting the trails on foot, it’s the undisputed champion and a truly brilliant portable coffee maker for camping.
Best Classic Percolator: GSI Outdoors Glacier Stainless Perc
For those who camp with a crowd and love the classic method, the GSI percolator is a winner. It’s built from high-quality 18/8 stainless steel, has a generous capacity, and works perfectly on a campfire ring or a gas stove. If you’re the designated camp cook for a big group, this camping coffee maker percolator will never let you down.
Best Electric/12 Volt Option: Wacaco Minipresso NS (with Power Adapter)
While Wacaco is known for its manual pumps, the Minipresso NS can be used with an optional electric adapter, making it incredibly versatile. You can use it manually off-grid or plug it in when you have power. For the ultimate in flexibility for the espresso lover who sometimes has access to a camping battery, it’s a fantastic choice.
Conclusion
Finding the best camping coffee maker ultimately comes down to your personal style of adventure. There is no single right answer for everyone. Are you a minimalist backpacker, a family caravanner, or a campfire traditionalist? By weighing up the factors of portability, convenience, and taste, you can find the perfect brewer that will make every morning in the great outdoors a little more special. So, ditch the instant for good. Your taste buds—and your camping companions—will thank you for it. Now, get out there and brew something amazing.
We’d love to hear from you! What’s your go-to method for making coffee in the bush? Share your tips and favourite gear in the comments below.
*The brands referenced in this article are provided for informational purposes only and do not indicate any partnership with EcoFlow.
FAQs
What is the most durable type of camping coffee maker?
A stainless steel camping coffee maker percolator or a French press is typically the most durable, as they have few plastic parts and can withstand knocks and campfire soot.
Can I use a camping coffee maker on a campfire?
Most metal-based brewers like percolators and some Italian stovetop espresso makers are campfire-safe. Always check the manufacturer's instructions, and avoid placing plastic or rubber components directly in the flames.
What is the best portable coffee maker for camping if I have no electricity?
For a perfect balance of portability and quality, the AeroPress Go is hard to beat. If you’re an espresso fan, a fully manual device like the Wacaco Nanopresso is your best bet.
How do I clean my camp coffee maker in the bush?
The easiest method is to use hot water and a quick scrub immediately after use before the oils harden. For a deeper clean, a small amount of biodegradable camp soap works well. Avoid using sand, as it can scratch surfaces.
Is a 12 volt camping coffee maker powerful enough?
Yes, modern 12 volt camping coffee maker models are designed specifically for this voltage and are perfectly powerful enough to brew a good cup of coffee. Just ensure your vehicle’s engine is running or you have a sufficient standalone camping battery to avoid a flat car battery.
What's the difference between a percolator and a pour-over?
A percolator cycles boiling water through the grounds repeatedly, which can lead to over-extraction. A pour-over passes hot water through the grounds just once, resulting in a cleaner, more nuanced flavour profile.