Portable coffee brewer options?

I have a an attachment for my jetboil that turns it into a french press. Very minimal. Just the screen and plunger.

Neighboring campsite coffee-snob-in-training eager to show off/explain their swanky coffee system offers you a cup of their espresso. 

Neighboring camper or campmate - non snob - offers cup of their go-to coffee.

[^ The above two are the most portable and efficient as the only device or resource needed is a mouth. Dirtbag variation: campground pass through with empty coffee mug in hand; an experienced and discerning dirtbag can be choosy as to the quality/type of coffee brew and quality of drinking companion(s).]

Default: Cheap plastic pour over cone (Melitta) with disposable paper filter into any insulated mug/bottle. (Note: dirtbagging for several months on foot one will have an insulated cup/bottle as part of their kit anyway, useful for months long winter desert living).

French Press ('Montana xxx' something in the 90s used to make an early version of integrated French Press/plastic mug {the mug sans press was marketed by lots of places. for ex. Crossroads in JT used to sell a version}). Lots of options for device. Sometimes a device can be scavenged, inherited, or scored from a 'free box'.

Dirtbag pour over: cut off top of plastic Pepsi bottle lined with paper towel 'filter' finished with a few single serving Half & Halfs acquired from the last pass through gas station, deli, or restaurant into preferably insulated mug (or whatever leak proof receiver is on hand, in a pinch cut off bottom of Pepsi bottle wrapped in bandana).

When none of the above is an option: cowboy coffee.

When every form of coffee/bean are unavailible: tea bag.

Desperate Backup: NoDoz

I just do a briny little pocket brew.

Another vote for the Aeropress in the front country and instant in the backcountry!

I do agree the AeroPress is one of the best, lightest and packable options around. However when my buddy brought his Bialetti Moka (Breva) up to camp, I was pretty psyched for the morning brew!

Thanks for your responses. I've organised an Aeropress. They're not very common over here.
I like the idea of making coffee using tea bags so will experiment with that too. 

I have an aeropress but I don't love it. My wife and I use a Stanley all-in-one French press and vacuum bottle for our camp coffee but I don't think they make it anymore. They do still have the boil and brew french press that is fairly portable, just a bit on the large side. Great for multiple people but makes a ton of coffee for just one.

Noel Zwrote:

I've gone from being just a tea drinker to being a coffee drinker too. 

With what are you brewing your coffee in the back country, while travelling in general? Or even at home, as long as your brewer is portable?

This is what I'm using on the go. Bought it from REI IIRC. I'll boil the water in my TI cup then pour it into my nalgene to pour over with, that way I only have to bring the one metal cup. Makes pretty good coffee if you grind the beans right before your trip   garagegrowngear.com/product…

Matthew Bellwrote:

This is what I'm using on the go. Bought it from REI IIRC. I'll boil the water in my TI cup then pour it into my nalgene to pour over with, that way I only have to bring the one metal cup. Makes pretty good coffee if you grind the beans right before your trip   garagegrowngear.com/product…

BPA free or not, I wouldn’t pour boiling water into a plastic container.

I used to have a Nalgene coffee cup, that the insulating outer layer was a measuring cup. It was great, I drank from it for a long time, probably years. This was before BPA got noticed.

I wouldn’t do that again.

under 10 dollars and no filter needed. I swear by the GSI pour over https://www.rei.com/product/784659/gsi-outdoors-ultralight-java-drip-coffee-maker?sku=7846590011&store=38

Mine is going on several years strong. The clamps are high quality too despite looking like cheap plastic. I have been on the highway without realizing I left one arm clamped to my radio antenna to dry.

If I ever lose mine and if they ever stop making these I think the little spark in my eyes will forever fade away.

I have an aeropress but i have been reaching for this more, you do have to pack in and pack out filters.

SOTO Compact Helix Coffee Maker

James Dwrote:

I have an aeropress but i have been reaching for this more, you do have to pack in and pack out filters.

SOTO Compact Helix Coffee Maker

This is the same as Matthew posted above, but his link doesn’t support monopolist Amazon! :-)

https://www.garagegrowngear.com/products/copy-of-micro-lifter-by-soto-outdoors

I’m probably going to buy a couple to give as Xmas presents.

Terry Ewrote:

This is the same as Matthew posted above, but his link doesn’t support monopolist Amazon! :-)

https://www.garagegrowngear.com/products/copy-of-micro-lifter-by-soto-outdoors

I’m probably going to buy a couple to give as Xmas presents.

ha whoops missed that! my bad for the dup, and the amazon link

Someone recommended a Hario Zebrang, a foldable dripper. 

Also, the Hario Mugen can seperate, but the cone isn't collapsible.   

I have typically used an insulated french press at home and camping.  But since my bad cholesterol level is not great anymore,

I read that coarse filters like a french press let all the cholesterol pass through, but standard paper filters will block it.

Not sure if devices like Aeropress are similar.

Coffee is not the biggest source of cholesterol, but it is enough that a paper filter seems worthwhile.  

highaltitudeflatulentexpulsionwrote:

BPA free or not, I wouldn’t pour boiling water into a plastic container.

I used to have a Nalgene coffee cup, that the insulating outer layer was a measuring cup. It was great, I drank from it for a long time, probably years. This was before BPA got noticed.

I wouldn’t do that again.

I've been pouring boiling water in nalgenes since before they knew about BPA. The new tritan stuff is ultra safe and they're making and sterilizing baby bottles out of it. I'm not worried about the mythical unidentified chemical with how often I'm making coffee in the backcountry. 

Aeropress is nice because it self-cleans and is easy.

For being ultralight on 1-2 night trips, I think the best is just to bring a chemex paper filter and user whatever cup or pot you have. works perfectly.

I clean out last night's mountain house bag and use that as container number 2. I find I prefer to put the hot water in it and pour into my Ti pot to use as a cup. 

tom donnellywrote:

I have typically used an insulated french press at home and camping.  But since my bad cholesterol level is not great anymore,

I read that coarse filters like a french press let all the cholesterol pass through, but standard paper filters will block it.

Not sure if devices like Aeropress are similar.

Coffee is not the biggest source of cholesterol, but it is enough that a paper filter seems worthwhile.  

Tom,
Coffee has no cholesterol in it, it has two oils which contain cafestol and kahweol which can raise it. Paper filters soak up these two little guys as they are oils, better than other brewing methods.