All coffee lovers want fresh, perfectly brewed coffee, and our coffee makers, whatever they may be, make that easy to achieve. However, there may be instances when you don’t have a machine to hand, you’re camping, or your power is off. So, is it possible to have the coffee you crave?
Yes, you can make coffee without a coffee maker. Cowboy coffee, Turkish coffee, and the “bag it” method are some of the ways you can make a brew without a machine. Some essential tools and ingredients are required, such as ground coffee, a pot, a kettle, a canning jar, filters, and a strainer.
The methods discussed in this article work whether you’re camping, traveling, or you don’t have a coffee maker. If you are stranded without the convenience of a coffee machine, you don’t need to fear; you can have the brew you crave without any fancy equipment. You will need a way of boiling water, even if it’s an open fire.
The Coffee Bag Method
This is an excellent method for those who enjoy less bitter coffee. Ensure that you have a good supply of unbleached coffee filters at your disposal.
- Lay one filter down on the counter, and add two tablespoons of coffee grounds.
- Bring the filter ends together and tie with twine to create a “bag,” then place it in your cup
- In a small pot, boil your water
- Soak the coffee bag in enough water for thirty seconds
- Pour the 6 ounces of hot water into your cup
- Let the coffee steep for four minutes before removing the bag
- Add sugar and cream if you wish
Turkish Coffee Method
This method varies slightly from the original Turkish method, giving you a deep brew. This method creates a thick, frothy, and robust brew. The grinds should be in the cup at the end if you’re wondering.
- Pour six ounces (per serving) into a small pot over low heat.
- Add 1 tablespoon of ground coffee, per serving, to the pot. If you wish, add sugar.
- Right before the water begins to boil, remove it from the heat, take off the foam, and place it into your cup/cups.
- Bring your pot back to the heat and watch it get near to a boil again before removing it from the heat.
- Pour half the coffee into your cup.
- Return the pot to the heat once again. Boil for an extra 15 seconds, and remove it from the heat.
- Pour the entire liquid into the cup/cups and sit for two to three minutes so the coffee grounds can sink to the bottom.
The Stovetop Method
This is an old-school way of making coffee, and similar to the Turkish method, although slightly less fussy. It’s ideal if you don’t have a microwave. This method will even work without electricity once you have a gas range.
- Pour six ounces (per serving) of cold water into a small pot over medium to high heat.
- Add 1 tablespoon of ground coffee, per serving, to the pot. If you wish, add sugar.
- Boil the mixture, stirring occasionally. Allow it to boil for an extra two minutes.
- Remove the pot from the heat, letting it sit for four minutes, then pour the coffee mixture slowly, so the grounds stay in the put.
- Add sugar and cream (optional)
Cowboy Coffee Method
Cowboy coffee is essentially French Press coffee sans the filter. This is the traditional way of making coffee by cowboys on the trail. You brew it by heating coarse grounds with water before pouring the mixture into a cup once the grounds have settled. You can make this over an open flame if you’re camping and don’t have electricity.
- Bring the amount of water you need to a boil in a pan.
- Once it has boiled, remove the pan from the fire and let it sit for 30 seconds to ensure it drops to 200 degrees Fahrenheit. This is the best brewing temperature.
- Add 2 Tablespoons of ground coffee per 8 ounces of hot water, then stir.
- Allow it to sit for an extra two minutes.
- After four minutes of brewing, pour half a cup of cold water on the coffee grounds. This lets them sink to the bottom.
- Carefully pour the coffee into a cup allowing the grounds to stay at the bottom of the pan instead of your cup.
The Strainer Method
If you don’t have any filters, you can still make coffee using a strainer. However, you must use a strainer with very small holes. Consider a double-layer mesh strainer to prevent your grounds from entering your coffee cup.
- Bring the amount of water required to a boil using either a kettle or a pot.
- Add the right amount of coffee grounds you need for the number of cups you are brewing and stir.
- Boil the water for two minutes.
- Remove the pot from the heat.
- Hold your strainer above your cup and pour the coffee through it. The strainer will prevent any grounds from coming out of your pot as your brew flows into your cup.
The Hanky Method
This is quite a rustic method of brewing coffee, it takes some patience, but the results are worth it. If you follow this method correctly, you shouldn’t get any coffee grounds in your drinking vessel. Consider using a mason jar instead of a cup or mug to make this hanky method look super cool.
- Place your hanky across your cup or jar, pressing gently in the center to create a pouch large enough to hold your coffee grounds.
- Use binder clips to secure the hanky in place.
- Scoop a single-cup portion of grounds into your pouch.
- Decant a small amount of hot water over your coffee grounds and allow thirty seconds to saturate the grounds.
- Gradually and carefully pour the rest of the hot water. If the clips begin slipping, readjust them.
- Remove the cloth and grounds.
The Microwave Method
If you have power and a microwave, you are good to go with this method. Brewing coffee doesn’t get easier than the microwave method.
- Fill your coffee mug with water and place it in the microwave for two minutes.
- Stir in your coffee grounds.
- Allow the mug to sit for four minutes to allow the grounds to settle to the bottom.
- You may wish to avoid that last sip of coffee if you don’t want to drink coffee grounds.
The Cold Brew Method
This is a perfect method if you have time on your hands and you are into food prepping. You will need coarse coffee grounds for this method, wide-mouth two mason jars, and a filtration method such s a cheesecloth or strainer.
- Use a 1:5 ratio of coffee grounds to water. Put the grounds in a mason jar and saturate them for thirty seconds before adding the rest of the water.
- Stir everything together and secure the lid of the mason jar.
- Place it in your fridge and wait 14 to 24 hours.
- Put the filter over the other jar with a little slack in the center to catch the grounds. Use clips if needed.
- You can keep the filtered coffee concentrate in your fridge for up to ten days. Then, to serve, pour out a small portion and dilute with water once you have reached your preferred intensity.
Final Thoughts
There are numerous ways to make a brew when lacking the power and equipment. Whichever method you choose, hopefully, you will enjoy the process and the taste.