Boondocking Coffee in the 400

Michigan_Mike

I’ve got an insulated coffee pot with a timer.  I’m sure the inverter will handle it fine but was wondering how other full time 400 owners and those boondocking have made out making their morning coffee?  We can always boil water and make it the old way but were curious how others are fairing out in the remote areas and for extended stays off the grid.  We’re heading out on Tuesday and will give the trailer and solar hookup a test up in the UP of Michigan.  I’d appreciate some feedback.....  Thanks! 

Haloo

Hario pour over. Mmmmmmm.....

N7SHG_Ham

I use an aero press at home and also take it camping.

Dcarlton

I’m using a Coleman coffee maker. It’s just like a Mr. Coffee but it runs on those small propane canisters. 

Note: it can only be used outside.

pthomas745

I'm an Aeropress fan, also.  Have a Javapresse grinder that I use my power drill to grind the coffee.  Used to use a moka pot, then a french press.  But, the Aeropress won out since it is so easy to clean.  

Michigan_Mike

So are there any folks using the inverter in the 400 and using an electric percolator?  How is the battery or batteries doing during and after the process?  

Haloo

pthomas745 said:

I'm an Aeropress fan, also.  Have a Javapresse grinder that I use my power drill to grind the coffee.  Used to use a moka pot, then a french press.  But, the Aeropress won out since it is so easy to clean.  

That’s a great idea with the Javapresse!

DougH

We HAVE to have our morning espresso!  Hence the monster battery bank and 3000/6000W inverter in the back.

ScottG

Seriously? It doesn't get much easier than a percolator and a propane burner. When camping gets so complicated I need an inverter to drink coffee I think I'll just pack it in and stay home.  ;-)

(Ok, I'm just teasing. To each their own. I enjoy coffee and actually do like hearing all the different approaches!)

A few years back we camped next to three buddies with a pop-up and a whole array of vehicles and equipment. The guy who owned the pop-up had never camped without his wife or shore power, and had only a Kurig on hand for the morning brew. VROOOM goes the 5000W commercial generator, probably burning more gasoline than coffee produced. I guess when it comes to morning joe you do what you gotta' do!  :-)

Sharon_is_SAM

I have learned to like the process of measuring the water from our thermos to the kettle which we set up the night before.  Then preparing our pour over.  We set ours up to go directly into the thermos and it keeps it nice and hot.  Just the right amount to drink, too.

shawnevansagency

Pour over with a "gator" stainless steel filter, right in the carafe (for 2 people) or directly in the cup (for one).  If you get a really good kettle, you'll be whistling in 2 minutes tops.  After the kettle whistles, remove from the fire, rest one minute then pour slowly....     I have an aero press as well, which is good.  I just like the pour over better.  

N7SHG_Ham

I forgot to mention the Moka pot, I have one of those too, and very fast, but prefer the Aero press. I have a small grinder that should run off just about any inverter (I know my 600w works fine) and sometimes for camping I just take Pre ground.

Marceline

Another vote for pour over. 

DougH

@ScottG : Yup I love coffee in all forms, but DW only likes lattes.  We did get a Flair portable manual lever espresso maker which makes tolerable tasting espresso when I don't want to bring a 200lb 5kW machine that needs dual 50A service.  

Michigan_Mike

ScottG said:

Seriously? It doesn't get much easier than a percolator and a propane burner. When camping gets so complicated I need an inverter to drink coffee I think I'll just pack it in and stay home.  ;-)

(Ok, I'm just teasing. To each their own. I enjoy coffee and actually do like hearing all the different approaches!)

A few years back we camped next to three buddies with a pop-up and a whole array of vehicles and equipment. The guy who owned the pop-up had never camped without his wife or shore power, and had only a Kurig on hand for the morning brew. VROOOM goes the 5000W commercial generator, probably burning more gasoline than coffee produced. I guess when it comes to morning joe you do what you gotta' do!  :-)

That’s why I paid the big $$$ for the 400!  

If I can use the inverter in the early AM to have my daily fix of java and Linda’s happy the rest is easy!  You know the old saying, “Happy Life....  yada yada yada!!!”   

I’ve done the pour overs for many years and nows the time to utilize the technology and amenities.  Besides, the 2000W inverter-charger down in AZ spoiled me last year!  But I won’t risk any battery loss as we’re in a site surrounded by trees so will see how the solar performs overhead and at high noon.  

Photomom

Aeropress. If you can boil water you can have excellent coffee. 

WilliamA

I carry and use either: a Zanzibar Turkish espresso maker, stainless insulated French Press, Stanley insulated thermos with built in French Press or, in emergencies, cowboy coffee.  The Zanzibar is my favorite.  For those "crisis before coffee" moments, I just put a pinch of Bustello between cheek and gum.  
I have a backup 1 burner stove that screws onto a 1lb cylinder.
I carry 3 kinds of coffee.  If there's any room left, I'll bring some food...
https://www.hsn.com/products/wolfgang-puck-6-cup-insulated-stainless-steel-french-pr/8593212?sz=5&sf=QC0374&ac=&utm_source=google&utm_medium=shopping engine&utm_term=&utm_campaign=GShopping|M|Generic|Kitchen+Food&utm_content=57165777793_486794391267_8593212&gclid=CjwKCAjw54fdBRBbEiwAW28S9sUcQMbGDaWeGU-amnVp2P0sBpzXpxmtAbdV2JyEnGdsCR2GcCpZFhoCKHIQAvD_BwE

https://www.amazon.com/ETHDA-Stovetop-Espresso-Cappuccino-Aluminum/dp/B07B2CQC21/ref=asc_df_B07B2CQC21/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=242004952234&hvpos=1o14&hvnetw=g&hvrand=1660121575438855830&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=t&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9019309&hvtargid=pla-438151581335&psc=1
WilliamA 

Michigan_Mike

We will do the French press this morning up here at Monocle Lake just off Lake Suoerior.  Coffee water is on the stove now!  

Sharon_is_SAM

Mike, We beat you here at Findley State Park!

Jo3

If we have power (checking volt meter) we can use a drip coffee maker using invertor plug just after refridge has run it’s cycle.  

DenisP

Keurig off inverter. Solar catches up pretty quick if boondocking. 

ChanW

I'm with @Photomom. The Aeropress makes absolutely perfect (& easy) coffee.

But I've learned something this morning about the Aeropress. Went to use some of the leftover drip grind that I have sitting in the cupboard, using the standard pour-over funnel.

Using the same amount of coffee as for the Aeropress, we ended up with three cups of pretty darn good coffee, instead of just two!

It seems the Aeropress uses a lot of coffee!

I might have to start refining my pour-over coffee!

And all them new-fangled electric gadgets don't make real coffee, no-how!

Photomom said:

Aeropress. If you can boil water you can have excellent coffee. 

N7SHG_Ham

There is definitely a learning curve to good coffee with the AeroPress, I have it down to an 18 second grind, followed by a 105 second brew in the AeroPress before pressing the plunger. Makes a just right 16 oz cup for one

ChanW

Heh. I don't know about grind time, just 28 grams of fine grind coffee, 30secs brew time. Top off with whole milk to make 16oz... Perfect coffee every time!

N7SHG_Ham said:

There is definitely a learning curve to good coffee with the AeroPress, I have it down to an 18 second grind, followed by a 105 second brew in the AeroPress before pressing the plunger. Makes a just right 16 oz cup for one

JanandDave

@Michigan_Mike

Good question.

Since we normally have shore power when camping, the electric coffee maker and bean grinder work for us. But, this summer we had to boondock for a day when a thunderstorm knocked out power to the SP campground.

We improvised that morning by boiling water and slowly pouring it over the grounds in the basket to make do.
Fortunately the better half had already ground the beans the night before.

We have a two propane tank setup, one for the [email protected] and one for the grill outside, so I'm looking at one of these.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004E4IAEQ/?coliid=I29BONAIGPBJ5S&colid=2VX18UV9BJ66G&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

And you can get it here for $52.25 with coupon and free shipping. Seems to have decent ratings

http://https//lademart.com/products/coleman-10-cup-portable-propane-coffee-maker?variant=14871836491846&gclid=Cj0KCQjw08XeBRC0ARIsAP_gaQCkz4hr3cMZC-OvBIIqjesGyFrM-JhEn0SlA9bmIZ9nE85VSF65yvcaAkYcEALw_wcB

We won't even need the 1 pound tank, as it can be connected to the 12 foot gas hose we use for the grill.

Most importantly though, it matches the [email protected] color scheme. 

JanandDave

Maybe this link works

https://lademart.com/products/coleman-10-cup-portable-propane-coffee-maker

Michigan_Mike

Prior to an inverter in the AZ trailer we boiled water, poured in the little instant tube style French vanilla coffee packets and that worked for a while but does get old.  Pretty hard to beat a good hot cup of coffee in the morning from s pot, kick back, sip some coffee and watch the sun come up....  Aaaaah!  

treefrog

We use one like this.

iGnite-Single-Serve-K-Cup-Pods

Dcarlton

I’ve been using the Coleman that JanandDave posted the link to above. It makes good coffee but has a few idiosyncrasies.  It gets really, really hot.  It melted a plastic folding table I had it sitting on.  You have to be careful about where you set it.  I use an old cutting board.  It also only makes half a pot. The water tank doesn’t hold enough for a full pot. You have to refill the tank mid-brew.  Even with all of that, coffee is really important, and it’s nice to be able to have a pot of real coffee when dry camping.  You can set it all up before bed and start it going in the morning with just a click.

TerryV6

If you don’t mind boiling the water, this works fine...  And this one is $9.88

jgram2

Ha! @TerryV6 Looks just like our 35 year old Melitta drip pot. It travels safely under the sink in it’s original box and affords us great coffee every morning while camping. Patented in 1908 by a Dresden housewife! Interesting history. https://shoponline.melitta.com/page/melittahistory