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No power required: 4 experts share their favorite way to brew coffee on the go

Pabio October 29, 2024

When you are on the move, without electricity or do not have access to one of the best coffee makersbrewing coffee becomes a confusing task. Essentially, if you have access to great coffee beans, water, and alternative equipment, you can get a great cup of coffee without your usual conveniences. Of course, heating your water is an imperative step, so buy a portable gas stove, if you don’t have access to electricity, or a portable induction cooktopif you do, this is the first step.

We spoke to four coffee experts who shared their favorite ways to brew coffee on the go, including helpful tips on how to get the best flavor while doing it. There is ways to make coffee without a coffee makerbut there are also three proven methods our experts recommend if you find yourself away from home or facing a power outage.

Do you need a coffee maker to make coffee?

Tim Medley, Coffee Quality Specialist and Q Grader at Taylor of Harrogate says: “The short answer is no, you don’t need a coffee maker to make coffee – and, in fact, you can make some of the best coffee with the simplest equipment available. »

“Electric coffee makers, such as espresso machines and bean-to-cup machines, tend to be more suited to espresso-based coffees. So if you’re looking for a cappuccino or latte, you’ll probably use a machine for the espresso base. But it can be quite difficult to find a machine that will give you a truly decent espresso and, even with the finest ones, it takes some expertise to get the most out of it. For your espresso needs, consult our guide to best espresso machines.

He adds: “It all depends on your ability to control the brewing process; and the good news is that with the simplest equipment you will still have plenty of control. To prepare excellent filter coffee, I would opt for simple equipment every time.

3 methods of making coffee without electricity

If you’re far from the usual kitchen utensils, and especially using a coffee maker, there are ways to brew delicious coffee with just hot water and a small travel kit. Maybe you’re camping or traveling with an RV, that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a good cup of coffee. With the help of coffee experts, we have three techniques you can use: French Press, Aeropress and Chemex. Here’s how.

1. French press

French press coffee maker

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

A French press, also known as a coffee maker, is a hand-brewed device that steeps coffee in hot water before using a plunger to press the hot water through the coffee grounds. This is a popular piece of equipment on the go because it is relatively small and affordable.

Medley from Taylors of Harrogate explains that for the French press technique, using “a heat-resistant glass jug with a plunger attached to the lid is absolutely the simplest piece of equipment for making good coffee.” It’s not expensive, it’s reasonably convenient, and it’s a forgiving piece of kit, so it’s hard to go wrong, as long as you’re careful with your coffee-to-water ratio.

He adds that by using the French press, “the coffee is extracted evenly, so you’ll get a pleasantly balanced flavor and heavy body.”

To create French press coffee, Mike Healy, head roaster at Lost sheep coffeeexplains: “Pour your medium ground coffee into your coffee maker and pour in your boiling water, you won’t burn the beans with boiling water, just extract more flavors quickly. Pour just below the spout and stir everything well. Let steep for at least 3 minutes to ensure you extract all those tasty flavors, then stir again on the plunger and press slowly, the coffee is then ready to pour.

For more advice, we have a guide on how to make french press coffee to accompany the advice of experts.

2. AeroPress

a premium AeroPress glass with aluminum flourishes

(Image credit: Future)

Kirsty Pavely, Marketing Controller at Ueshima Coffee Companysays: “The AeroPress is fast becoming one of the most popular ways to brew coffee and is ideal for individual brews in particular, thanks to the simplicity of its design and its ability to deliver a coffee of Consistent high quality in every cup. »

The AeroPress works similarly to the French press in that it uses a plunger to brew coffee, but it is much smaller, making it incredibly portable and inexpensive. It brews a single serving of coffee through a fine paper filter directly into your cup. It can be a little complicated to use, but once you get the hang of it, it’s perfect for delivering coffee on the go. As such, this makes the perfect last minute coffee gift.

For this method, Healy explains, “Aeropress is a very sturdy plastic plunger, ideal for traveling. It’s best to brew delicious filter-style coffee rather than ‘espresso’ style coffee. Place a circular filter in the cap top and rinse under hot water. Screw the cap onto the chamber. Pour 12 to 16 g of medium ground coffee. Place this chamber on your cup and fill it with just boiling water. ml) and stir the coffee with the paddle provided. Quickly place it on the upper chamber, this creates a vacuum for the coffee to brew. After 2 minutes, slowly immerse it, then place it on a surface. stable.

Evan Dohrmann, executive vice president of sales at Brewed coffee adds to the flavor profile by saying, “This method can extract a variety of flavors from coffee beans, ranging from bright, fruity to rich, chocolatey tones.”

3. Chemex

Image of a Chemex pour over coffee maker, sitting on a coffee table between a colorful mug and a metal kettle

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

Finally, a Chemex is a manual pour-over coffee maker that uses a glass bottle and filter to manually create your coffee. As for flavor, Dohrmann explains: “The Chemex brewing method involves pouring hot water over coffee grounds in a special glass container, allowing the coffee to drip through a paper filter . This process results in a clean, crisp coffee with strong aromas and distinct flavors. Chemex is known for highlighting the subtle nuances of different coffee beans, providing a refined and balanced coffee experience.

For this method, Healy explains: “My standard recipe is 6g per 100ml, so 15g of medium ground coffee will make 250ml of coffee (a good sized cup!). Pour the coffee into the center of the filter. Pour in boiling water (or close to it). boiling) over the coffee until the grounds are covered. Let sit for 30 seconds to a minute. This is called a bloom and releases unwanted CO2 from the coffee. Then slowly pour in water 100ml at a time until you get the desired weight. When pouring, you want the brew time to be about 3 minutes for 1 cup and 4 minutes for 2 cups. If you feel like it, swirl the slurry during the final pour, this will ensure even extraction and more flavorful coffee. “

Pavely recommends: “For two coffees you will need 30g but if you prefer your coffee to be strong, increase the serving to 17g per person. »

What should I do if I can’t get hot water?

Cold Brew in a Mason Jar

(Image credit: Pexels)

Not having access to hot water doesn’t mean your coffee drinking dreams are over. The simple answer to this question is cold brew. Creating a cold brew basically involves steeping ground coffee in cold water for several hours. The beautiful thing is that you can make it without any fancy equipment and, more importantly, without hot water.

To create a cold brew, follow these steps:

Measure ground coffee and cold water in a 1:4 ratio, such as 8 ounces of coffee to 36 ounces of water.
Add both to a large pitcher or container, stir gently and cover.
Let steep at room temperature for 12 to 24 hours
Filter the mixture through a fine mesh strainer or coffee filter paper
Fill a glass with ice
Pour your coffee mixture
Dilute with water or milk to taste

For more details on the process, check out our guide on how to make cold brew coffee.

What is the cheapest option for coffee without electricity?

The easiest and cheapest way to brew coffee is to use instant coffee grounds. Unfortunately, you won’t get the best tasting brew, but if you don’t have access to electricity or even hot water, this is the best way to get coffee quickly.

It’s generally cheaper because of the type of grain, how it’s made, and cheaper packaging. And it’s easy, because you only need to add a teaspoon or two to a cup with hot or even cold water to prepare it.

Want better coffee at home? Next, you’ll want to use fresh coffee grounds in the French press, as our experts explained above. It’s portable, lightweight, quite cost-effective, and almost impossible to go wrong.