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Updated: 7/10/2023
This site is about getting people ready for all of life’s emergencies. By being prepared for what life throws at you, you will be prepared for almost anything. Getting people to this ready condition has been important to me.
Today will be a bit different, and I started thinking about the “Fun” parts of prepping, camping, being outside, and just being ready for life. That’s when it hit me, COFFEE!
I’m not going to lie, and I REALLY love coffee.
I decided to stop by my local coffee shop today to get motivated to write a blog on something. Let’s face it, for a lot of us out there. This is a must! So let’s get into different ways to make coffee “on the go” and, best of all, how I make coffee with the AeroPress!
Different Ways to Make Coffee
The way I started to make coffee was with the simple use of a French Press. This, to me, is an excellent and straightforward way to make coffee.
You take your ground-up beans, put them inside the press, add hot water, let it sit there for a few minutes, and press away. This is nice because it can make a good amount of coffee (good enough for two, depending on your press’s size).
Drip Coffee: Easy but not the best
Then there is the token drip coffee. Everyone knows about this guy.
He’s in every coffee shop, gas station, and restaurant. I don’t think this will need an explanation, and it’s very straightforward.
The benefit I find is that you can set it all up and set a timer when you want your coffee. This is a great advantage that takes the least amount of time.
Pour Over Coffee
Pour over is something that I have recently been getting into. It is fascinating, and there are a few different ways to make it. The basic principle has a few steps, so I will break them up here:
- Place the pour-over device over your coffee cup.
- Add a filter
- Then pour some hot water into the empty filter to wet it, then dump out the water (because who wants plain water? This is not about tea). I have also heard this is a way that helps warm up your mug (I guess this is important if you are using glass, but not totally sure)
- Now add your coffee grounds.
- Then slowly and in a circular motion, add hot water over the grounds.
The coffee and water mixtures will bubble a bit and slowly drip into your cup.
You must keep adding water until you get enough coffee in your cup.
This is a very impressive way to make a great cup of coffee. Even some devices out there are super lightweight (such as the Ultralight Java Drip), and another GSI Outdoors Java Drip Collapsible Pourover Coffee
These options are awesome to take while hiking, camping, or putting in your emergency BOB.
Turkish Coffee: Surprisingly Good Stuff
Turkish coffee is probably the best ever! Well, I’ve only had this once, but it was amazing.
It is a slow process and made in a unique device made of copper and had a long handle, from what I remember.
The coffee grounds that were used were super finely ground. And it was served in a small cup.
I would highly recommend trying it if you have a chance. Just remember to leave the last little bit in the bottom of the cup (at least mine had many small grounds).
Cold Brew: Easy and taste
Cold Brew. There is a lot of information about this one, and you can always buy the concentrated at the store. I enjoy a cold brew, but I make it in a french press mainly in the summertime.
A Fast Coffee Option: Instant Coffee
Another option, and I keep a few always on hand, is instant coffee.
I was recently on a road trip, in the middle of nowhere, when I realized I didn’t have enough beans to make a cup of coffee.
I then went to my glove box and had an “Emergency” Alpine instant coffee packet.
It’s important to note, there are TONS of instant coffees on the market. I have tried a lot of different ones and found two that I like the best. They are the Alpine (listed above) and Black Rifle Coffee Company.
Having a hot beverage when it’s cold outside is a game-changer.
For some, it is hot cocoa or tea, don’t get me wrong, I do love these beverages too. But if I’m honest, there is something about coffee.
Have I mentioned that it’s incredible?
With that said, for the last five years or so, I have used my trusty AeroPress and think it is fantastic. Let’s get to it!
The AeroPress!
To me, it is a combination of a French press, pour-over, and drip coffee.
I purchased mine about five years ago and have used it daily since. I haven’t had a bad cup of coffee with it, and it takes little to no time.
I also like that I spent about twenty bucks on it, have used it in multiple locations, and it has performed flawlessly.
This is one device that I personally will always recommend and have to many of my friends over the years. And now you all too!
How to use the AeroPress:
- Separate all the pieces
- Add a filter
- Twist the bottom piece, with the filter, onto the bottom
- Add ground beans
- Add hot water
- Stir for at least 10 seconds (add more water if you want, then stir again)
- If you have some spare water, wet the end of the plunger
- Next, use the plunger to press water through.
- Lift the AeroPress and see the amazing coffee below!
I have found this is the best way to enjoy a cup of coffee.
The added benefit is that it is super light and compact. I bring it with me traveling, camping, and sometimes hiking (if I don’t want to bring instant).
Pair the AeroPress with the GSI Outdoors Java Mill, and you have the best combination.
Update! – You Have To Try This!
To be honest, I have heard rumors about a different way of making coffee using the best coffee maker available, AeroPress. But I never gave it much thought. I like the way I make it using the method described above.
But, thanks to one of my co-workers and explaining why it’s awesome, I gave it a try.
Now, this is my new go-to method of making coffee! I know it’s crazy. I’ve been using my AeroPress for years and have never done this.
You have been waiting patiently, and here it is. Use the AeroPress upside down!
That’s it. Super easy, still amazing coffee, and I really like it.
Check out the picture below to see how I do it (click the photo to get your AeroPress TODAY!).
Take a look at the image above and follow along if you need an explanation. You will notice the steps are pretty much the same, with just one slight change. It’s upside down!
- Get your items ready. Notice that I have the AeroPress already flipped upside down.
- Get the beans that you want to use. You will have to grind them up. I suggest a fine grind, but that’s just me. After you have them, you will put them in the AeroPress. I do this as my water is coming to a boil.
- Slowly add your hot water. I generally fill it up almost all the way to the top, leaving about a half-inch. I then use the stirring to ensure all the grounds are wet, mixing for about ten seconds or so. I will then fill the AeroPress to the top, without overfilling!
- Wait about two minutes or so, and place the top onto the AeroPress. Be careful as you are dealing with hot water. As you can see from the first photo, I use paper filters.
- Carefully and quickly, flip the AeroPress over and on top of your mug.
- WORD OF CAUTION, because I feel like I need to say this. The first few times I used this upside-down method, it went smoothly.
Once, I didn’t flip the AeroPress over fast enough, and the hot coffee got on my hand and counter. There was no injury, but I thought I would at least throw this out there. If you decide to use this method, please be careful.
- WORD OF CAUTION, because I feel like I need to say this. The first few times I used this upside-down method, it went smoothly.
- Press the plunger down. You will find that it’s actually much easier to press down than the original (or traditional) way. Now you are ready for an excellent cup of coffee, ENJOY!
Once you try this upside-down method, let me know what you think in the comments below!
The Beans: You Choose
Unlike the different ways to make coffee, beans are a personal choice. It all depends on what your tastes are.
Some like mild, and others are into the bold crazy. There are even flavored beans that you can buy.
You can go pretty much anywhere to buy your beans, from coffee stores, grocery stores, and I have even gotten some online.
I like to try different types.
Recently, I’ve decided to join a “Coffee Club.” Yeah, you read that right.
Black Rifle Coffee has its own club where you can try all sorts of different coffee. Click here to read my full review and why I think you should try them.
How do you Make Coffee?
There are many ways to make coffee. It all depends on your preference and what you have available.
Hopefully, this article has given you a few ideas on making coffee, and you will be able to enjoy a cup of coffee that is perfect for you.
For me, it has been and probably always will be the AeroPress. Mainly due to its price, it is lightweight and super easy to use.
But now it’s your turn.
I want to hear how you make your coffee. Better yet, do you have any special tips?
Leave a comment below so we can all possibly learn something new!
If you feel so inclined and want to keep the coffee party going…
Feel free to buy me a cup!
Click Here.
The aeropress is not a bad method to make coffee – by not leaving the coffee to stew you are not getting any of the bitter taste from the beans.
For me a couple of points need to be added to the method you use for the Aeropress.
One is to wash the filter before putting it into the lid -this removes any paper dust and swells the paper -making the filtering action longer – so while stirring the coffee you don’t have as much leak through the paper filter.
make sure the plunger rubber piece is wet before insertion – this will make the plunger last a lot longer as the wetness will lubricate hte rubber reducing the chances of tearing the seal.
The other way i use the aeropress is to insert the plunger about quarter inch and turn it upside down – add the ground coffee and water -stir for about 10 seconds ad then you can leave it for up to 3 mins for the flavor to develop – after this time, having washed the filter and inserted it into the top – screw the top on – invert a mug over top and turn the whole thing upside down – so the plunger is now at the top – press down on the plunger – emptying the aeropress over 10 seconds and apparently you have the perfect cup of coffee.
I am always amazed at the taste difference with the different methods – the fast plunger action brings the easily dissolved flavors and the longer stew allow more of the deeper flavors to come out.
I really enjoy using the Aeropress and as you do tend to take it everywhere i can, with preground coffee – so just add water.
Thanks for the article and i hope you try the other method for the Aeropress.
Thanks and you are totally right, I forgot that I wet the plunger first (when you do it everyday it’s tough to get the small stuff I guess). I like your suggestions and will give them a try.