I'm a French press kinda guy, and use them for most of my trips.

What are you guys using with groups of 4 people or less?

I've come to the conclusion that pour-over is the center of the venn map for cheap/light/tasty.

I've used plastic pour over cones with a filter, and they are cheap and light, but a gladware container that fits my cup with a few holes and a filter in it is cheaper and lighter and the coffee is just as good.

I have an Aeropress coffee maker, a GSI coffee press and a GSI coffee filter that fits onto the top of a Nalgene bottle. I usually bring one or the other, plus a baggie full of Via coffee packages. I usually drink a cup of Via while waiting for the good stuff to brew.

It somewhat depends on the trip. If my gear weight is limited (such as on a float plane trip, or a route with extremely difficult portages) I use Starbucks Via instant coffee. Otherwise, I go with a french press. The weight difference is significant, but a good cup of coffee is a guilty pleasure of mine. The Via packets are acceptable, but there's no doubt that the french press is better.

I'm frequently the only coffee drinker on trips, so I'm preparing a single cup. Of course my cup is either a 12 or 16 oz insulated mug with a snap-on lid. (Did I say I like my coffee in the morning.) After trying, and moving on, from a variety of methods to brew a single cup of coffee (each a large one), for the past dozen plus years, I've used the T-Sac (size #2) in my preparation. I put water on to boil and while I'm waiting, I add two heaping tablespoons of coffee grounds to the T-Sac, roll down the top and secure it with a stainless steel alligator clip. (The weight of the clip helps to hold the loaded T-Sac down in the water.) I pop the T-Sac in my insulated cup (I add just a touch of sweeter) and then fill the cup with boiling water. I snap on the lid, wait a couple of minutes and start enjoying a fresh brew. Since I don't take the T-Sac out of the cup until I'm done, the brew continues to improve as I drink.

If I'm packing up to move on, I dispose of the grounds and place the T-Sac in a plastic bag for transport with me to my next stop. I then take it out of the plastic bag and let it dry on the rocks of the fire ring. It is a nice piece of tinder when dried. If I doing a layover, I just lay the bag with grounds on the fire ring and let it all dry while I'm out fishing. The grounds fall out easily when dry.

Bottom line ... by steeping the grounds, much like you'd do with a french press, you wind up with a very good cup of coffee. If a larger group was drinking coffee, I'd say just use a larger T-Sac (maybe a size #4) and just drop the bag into the boiling water when it is ready. But the advantage of an insulated cup is that your coffee is hot for an extended period of time, plus you don't have any extra "apparatus" to deal with (and the T-Sacs weigh nothing).

dd

Going light Finum Filter

Mid-weight
Aeropress Get the reusable filter

Going Heavy (but wonderful coffee)

Not a chance I'm taking instant.

Starbucks VIA

Yep, Starbucks Via.

I've tried several methods, and currently have been using an MSR filter. Light, cleans and stores pretty easy, and makes pretty good pour over/ steep coffee. I've tried Via a couple times lately. Certainly easy, light, and small, but the taste of instant leaves me wanting more.

I have a single serving coffee press. It’s the only way to go. Though I may try pour over again. I didn’t have great luck in the past. But maybe I was doing it wrong.

Jaywalker: "I've tried several methods, and currently have been using an MSR filter. Light, cleans and stores pretty easy, and makes pretty good pour over/ steep coffee. I've tried Via a couple times lately. Certainly easy, light, and small, but the taste of instant leaves me wanting more.
"

The Finum filter is the same (identical except for the logo) as the MSR filter. I usually just make cowboy coffee in the pan and then pour it through the filter into my mug.

Starbucks ViA. I hate dealing with coffee grounds.

Starbucks VIA

awbrown: "Starbucks ViA. I hate dealing with coffee grounds."

+1

We use an old Comet percolator coffee pot. It works really good and you can choose to use a filter or not.

Banksiana: "

Jaywalker: "I've tried several methods, and currently have been using an MSR filter. Light, cleans and stores pretty easy, and makes pretty good pour over/ steep coffee. I've tried Via a couple times lately. Certainly easy, light, and small, but the taste of instant leaves me wanting more.
"

The Finum filter is the same (identical except for the logo) as the MSR filter. I usually just make cowboy coffee in the pan and then pour it through the filter into my mug."

I did Cowboy Coffee for years. I didn't mind dealing with the grounds, but did not like the coffee oily sides of the pot. By switching to pour over, I can use the same pot for water for other oat meal, boil in bag, other food items or clean up.

I've never brought a press along, but honestly would like to give that a try on some lesser demanding trip.

I either use Starbucks Via or a pour-over. Usually depends on the particular crew....if we are up-and-out-the-tent-door people, it's Via. If we lounge about in the a.m., I'll pour over.

Single serve Folgers coffee “tea bags”... MSR reactor and I have coffee in 3 minutes. Might not be as exotic as other methods mentioned above but sure tastes great to me..

Percolater with a filter, We like good coffee with no grounds mixed in. We have used the same pot for over 20 years and have no intention of changing.

Just an old fashioned 4 cup percolator, folding handle. Sometimes the old ways are best.

coffee press, enough for 2 cups each for 2 people, perhaps slightly more.

coffee press, enough for 2 cups each for 2 people, perhaps slightly more.

via or similar; I'm a KISS guy

love brewed coffee. Hate the mess when I’m camping. Via are good , but expensive. This is better IMO. Thanks Shug!

Starbucks Via - Pikes Peak

I’m 100% French press at home but the bwca makes instant coffee taste like Kopi Luwak. My group usually paddles 1 to 1 1/2 days in to base camp. If we weren’t doing 10+ portages, we might splurge on the French press or espresso maker weight. I guess it just depends on your priorities. Weigh your options...pun intended.

French press, whether I'm the only coffee drinker or not. I've tried pour-over to save pack space, but I keep going back to the French press.

trailcheif: " love brewed coffee. Hate the mess when I’m camping. Via are good , but expensive. This is better IMO. Thanks Shug!"

that's my brand, thanks shug! i roast coffee at home, but this instant is so good i will drink it some mornings. got 3 new jars on the way from amazon now!

My press takes up very little space. I won’t go without it. I can’t stand the taste of Via or Folgers.

I always struggle with this decision. I really, really prefer the coffee from a French press vs other convenient or semi-convenient back country methods, but don't like packing out coffee grounds and begrudge the extra space and weight of the French press. Because of this I almost always leave the French press at home and end up taking Via or some other instant coffee. Not nearly as tasty, but sacrifices have to be made if I want a light, compact pack.

Now the above primarily applies to solo trips. If going with my wife then the French press almost always comes.

Someone on the Backpacking Light site recommends Swift Cup as the absolute best instant coffee they have tried. Sounded good to me, so I thought I'd try them out ... until I saw what the per cup price was. Ouch! I'm usually not very price conscious when planning food for a paddling or hiking trip, particularly if it saves a few ounces and really does taste better, but this was outside of my comfort zone.

Swift Cup

Starbucks instant coffee, pikes place, at home or in the bwca.

mutz: "Percolater with a filter, We like good coffee with no grounds mixed in. We have used the same pot for over 20 years and have no intention of changing."

Same here. I buy and grind some good beans beforehand, then use my percolator style brewer. I can set it right on the fire grate and heat it that way if needed.

I usually do a 14-16 oz tumbler filled with 1 Starbucks italian roast via and 1 Starbucks decaf italian roast via. If I don't mix them 50/50 the caffeine can be overwhelming. Also, the via roasts all taste totally different from one another and also taste different than their regular ground coffee counterparts, so don't be afraid to try different roasts. The decaf stuff can be hard to find, just get it online or at an actual starbucks location.

Drip coffee. All you need is an extra lid and a drip cone.

HappyHuskies: "I always struggle with this decision. I really, really prefer the coffee from a French press vs other convenient or semi-convenient back country methods, but don't like packing out coffee grounds...
"

I know I'll start a big debate but... hauling out coffee grounds is crazy. Just scatter them in the woods behind the campsite. No one will ever see them. It wont hurt the environment or hurt any one's experience.

Folgers' crystals are just fine by me, and I don't believe you can get lighter or less bulky - I pack it in a ziplock bag.

Via certainly wins for convenience and speed, but if you ever wonder what the opposite of Via is....

Camp Coffee Masterclass Video

...where roughing it means no coffee ground scale or thermometer to ensure the water is at precisely 205ºF. Note in the comment section someone asked "what episode of Portlandia was this from?"

Rats...double post....

French Press. Extremely easy, no mess, super quick, doesn't take up too much room. The GSI setup I have the link below. Its perfect for solo or duo trips but with my 6 person group it is absolutely not big enough. It does make it quick enough to where you can keep it flowing at a decent rate. Its an abolute luxury to have good coffee in the BWCA and one im not willing to sacrifice.

https://www.austinkayak.com/products/2341/GSI-Outdoors-Personal-Java-Press-Coffee-System-20-oz.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Shopping:%2520ACK%2520PLA&adpos=1o5&scid=scplp2341_13698_1&sc_intid=2341_13698_1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIks__z_a83AIVjshkCh1dWQJvEAQYBSABEgKtCPD_BwE

Stanley makes a great 16 oz. insulated thermos/coffee press. May be a bit heavy for some but it's what I've come to prefer over the instant coffee options that I've tried.

walllee: "Single serve Folgers coffee “tea bags”... MSR reactor and I have coffee in 3 minutes. Might not be as exotic as other methods mentioned above but sure tastes great to me.."

This is what I do as well. Throw he bag in even before you start the burner. I stop when the color looks how I want it. So cheap and easy.

5 cup aluminum percolator for 2-3. A 9 cup for four coffee drinkers.

schweady: "Starbucks VIA
"

+1

It's a toss-up between french press and packets. I have made cowboy coffee from time to time so that I don't have to mess with either of the first two options.

Starbucks Via, Mount Hagen, or Nescafe instant packets if I want to go light.

Percolator with coarse grounds for more car\base camping.

French press at home.

You can get this in Tanzania or on Amazon. Superior product. Lovely.

Coffee is nasty. I drink tea. Just boil water and add the tea bag. No need to do anything special. Your choice of sugar, maple syrup works great if you have it for the oatmeal or pancakes.

I often like to spice mine up with a little brandy if it is a midday cup or later in the afternoon. I tried that one year when I was a little jealous of others having Irish coffee and loved it. Got my buddy drinking brandy tea a lot now too.

A1t2o: "Coffee is nasty. I drink tea. Just boil water and add the tea bag. No need to do anything special. Your choice of sugar, maple syrup works great if you have it for the oatmeal or pancakes.


I often like to spice mine up with a little brandy if it is a midday cup or later in the afternoon. I tried that one year when I was a little jealous of others having Irish coffee and loved it. Got my buddy drinking brandy tea a lot now too."

I feel like this is the equivalent of trying to convince meat eaters that a vegan life is the way to go...

Pour over is better than french press. Easier cleanup. Better coffee.

GSI Javadrip

I like coffee and I like it hot. I put the coffee grounds in a quart thermos and pour in boiling water and set aside for 5 minutes. While waiting for the good stuff I sip a via. Tap the thermos on a rock to settle the grounds. Sometime during the day slosh out the thermos. If there are more coffee drinkers we have a pot for cowboy coffee and use the thermos to keep the remaining coffee hot.

trailcheif: " love brewed coffee. Hate the mess when I’m camping. Via are good , but expensive. This is better IMO. Thanks Shug!"

Gonna have to try that. Their regular (not instant) espresso is certainly passable.

dentondoc: "I'm frequently the only coffee drinker on trips, so I'm preparing a single cup. Of course my cup is either a 12 or 16 oz insulated mug with a snap-on lid. (Did I say I like my coffee in the morning.) After trying, and moving on, from a variety of methods to brew a single cup of coffee (each a large one), for the past dozen plus years, I've used the T-Sac (size #2) in my preparation. I put water on to boil and while I'm waiting, I add two heaping tablespoons of coffee grounds to the T-Sac, roll down the top and secure it with a stainless steel alligator clip. (The weight of the clip helps to hold the loaded T-Sac down in the water.) I pop the T-Sac in my insulated cup (I add just a touch of sweeter) and then fill the cup with boiling water. I snap on the lid, wait a couple of minutes and start enjoying a fresh brew. Since I don't take the T-Sac out of the cup until I'm done, the brew continues to improve as I drink.


If I'm packing up to move on, I dispose of the grounds and place the T-Sac in a plastic bag for transport with me to my next stop. I then take it out of the plastic bag and let it dry on the rocks of the fire ring. It is a nice piece of tinder when dried. If I doing a layover, I just lay the bag with grounds on the fire ring and let it all dry while I'm out fishing. The grounds fall out easily when dry.


Bottom line ... by steeping the grounds, much like you'd do with a french press, you wind up with a very good cup of coffee. If a larger group was drinking coffee, I'd say just use a larger T-Sac (maybe a size #4) and just drop the bag into the boiling water when it is ready. But the advantage of an insulated cup is that your coffee is hot for an extended period of time, plus you don't have any extra "apparatus" to deal with (and the T-Sacs weigh nothing).


dd"

I was going to reply with VIA or GSI filter, but I think I’m going to do this next time.

Meijer carries it if you have one nearby. I know it's a MI based company, but I'm not sure how far they're branching out now.

Depends on the trip. I prefer pour over, but I have found the Colombian Via to be decent. I really didn’t like the Italian Via, and it took a thread like this to get me to try Via again. My opinion is that any half decent coffee is wonderful in when you’re 10+ miles from a road. And Via gets me fishing faster. Although my next trip with minimal portages will include a hand grinder and an Aeropress. Coffee style is dependent on the trip and what other luxuries made the cut that time.

While I like my french press at home, I don't like carrying the extra weight. I used to bring Starbucks VIA but have found Trader Joe's has individual packets of instant coffee at a much more reasonable cost (10/$1.99 vs. VIA $1+ each). Trader Joe's is not black coffee, has cream and sugar mixed in :)

+1 for Starbucks Via, picked some up for our August trip on-sale at Costco a few weeks back.

I'm not picky. I love my coffee, but to me any kind, precolated, pressed, instant, etc., tastes great on a nice cool, quiet morning before everybody gets up.

Sitting on shore, watching the slip bobber and drinking coffee in the morning silence is heaven.

freeze dried tasters choice

never at home - but for some reason it's heavenly in the B-dub....wonder why.......

Marten: "I like coffee and I like it hot. I put the coffee grounds in a quart thermos and pour in boiling water and set aside for 5 minutes. While waiting for the good stuff I sip a via. Tap the thermos on a rock to settle the grounds. Sometime during the day slosh out the thermos. If there are more coffee drinkers we have a pot for cowboy coffee and use the thermos to keep the remaining coffee hot."

Good system, Marten. I hadn't thought of the thermos option.

Started out peculator, then french press, now it's nothing but instant.

For me coffee is coffee so I go the simplest, lightest, no mess route.

I have come to the conclusion that just about any coffee tastes good in canoe country and have settled on two packets of Starbucks via blonde roast in my stainless steel cup. Great, fine and dandy without all the paraphernalia.

In a pinch I do the Folgers bags, but will usually do a small perc. It's just better!!

Mad_Angler: "I know I'll start a big debate but... hauling out coffee grounds is crazy. Just scatter them in the woods behind the campsite. No one will ever see them. It wont hurt the environment or hurt any one's experience."

And I totally agree with this. They turn into dirt real soon...

Another Starbucks Via user. Why make life more difficult for a slightly better cup of joe on a six day trip? Over thinking?

AndySG: "Another Starbucks Via user. Why make life more difficult for a slightly better cup of joe on a six day trip? Over thinking?"

I would say the difference between Via and drip/french press/aeropress/moka pot with decent beans is more than "slight". Given the choice between instant coffee and a headache.... I'll take the headache.

French press for two, 8 cup perculator for four, 12 cup perculator for four plus.
Via for afternoon or evening. I can handle but don't love via.

Folgers bags? That does cross a line. I'm totally with banks and a few others. Why go through all the hassle for only a slightly better cup? My guess is the Via detractors are thinking old fashioned instant and probably haven't even tried the Via.

I detest Starbucks regular coffee unless it is used in a latte (then it has no equal).........the exception is Starbucks blonde roast.

I'm going in without coffee once again. It's highly acidic and not particularly good for you in excessive quantities. Going to break its grip.

The best large pour over coffee maker I have ever found for making the perfect coffee while camping with a group. Of in my case one more then me

Another Via fan here. Couldn't stand instant coffee when I tried the Folgers but instantly changed my mind when I was introduced to Via.

i went from via to the primula Brew Buddy.
super simple, compact, inexpensive, cost effective, and a big quality improvement
(these show up at tj max from time to time for about $3/ea)
Primula Brew Buddy

Coffee is a MUST for me in the BW. I went years trying to find the perfect solution. From bringing in a kettle, to Starbucks instant, to making "tea bags" of coffee. I finally found this in REI one day.

Nalgene bottle Coffee filter

The coffee is a little cowboy, but it is the best thing I have found so far. I use it because I don't have to carry a bunch of extra stuff just to make coffee.

Last couple trips we took Starbucks Via. This year we're taking the perc and a pound of coffee.

Anyone used the cold brew method? It makes excellent coffee, and in concentrated quantities... add a shot to a cup of hot water and you have coffee. Seems like that'd be pretty easy to make in the wilds, provided you cold brew the coffee prior to your trip and pack it in a flask or bottle. But for maximum weight and space consideration, I'd probably use freeze dried instant coffee crystals like Folger's.

Personally, I prefer my french press for home or office. I don't drink coffee on hiking trips. I'd probably go with tea if I needed a hot beverage. Easier and I like it just as much. You can also use a teabag four a poultice for insect bites.

I love my coffee and will not substitute.

For my trip, 10 days from now, I am utilizing a French Press Coffee Mug.
It is a double walled tumbler style cup. Holds about 16-18 oz. The press is built right into the lid which screws down on to the cup. Very simple and fuel efficient.
Simply put a TBS or two of coarse ground coffee right in your cup, pour in hot water and screw the top back on. After a few minutes, push the plunger down, which forces the grounds to the bottom of your cup and voila, a nice easy cuppa. You can either drink right from this cup or pour into a different one.

I am really digging this because I would be doing percolator otherwise which would cause me to burn a lot of fuel while boiling a pot of coffee long enough to get it to perc for awhile. We plan on moving almost every day so a fire in the morning for coffee will not be happening. Stove only. I purchased 2 of them. One for the boy and one for me.

mastertangler: "I have come to the conclusion that just about any coffee tastes good in canoe country and have settled on two packets of Starbucks via blonde roast in my stainless steel cup. Great, fine and dandy without all the paraphernalia. "

Not true. Bad coffee is still bad coffee. I have had instant, Folgers bags, via, cheap grounds....nothing beats good ground coffee beans. Will I drink the other stuff if necessary? Yes, but I don't enjoy it.

I can't stand drinking coffee out of metal cups. It is like a finger nails on a chalk board kind of thing.

I usually bring a percolator or french press. Just bought one of these to downsize a bit since I am the only one drinking coffee on our trips. GSI Ultralight Java Drip

My go to coffee is Caribou Obsidian since I can't get it at home. Thanks thlipsis29 for picking it up for me every year!

Banksiana: "

AndySG: "Another Starbucks Via user. Why make life more difficult for a slightly better cup of joe on a six day trip? Over thinking?"

I would say the difference between Via and drip/french press/aeropress/moka pot with decent beans is more than "slight". Given the choice between instant coffee and a headache.... I'll take the headache."

I agree. I used instant on a trip in 2012 and it just wasn't the same as my GSI French Press. That said, I'm going with a pour over for the first time this fall. I will save some bulk and a bit of weight this way.

"Breakfast is the most optimistic meal of the day" - Patriot (Amazon series) So, it's hard to be optimistic if my coffee is not very enjoyable.

I've done a few things over the years. French press, pour over and Via. I've settled into Via the past few years though. Decent cup of coffee that's super light,
packable and fast. I'm sure it's not the "best" option for some, but I like to get out fishing as fast as possible and Via gives me the best option for that and it's a very acceptable coffee option.

I've found the most important factor for good flavor is the material of your brewing device and cup. Hot water plus plastics equals off flavor every time. Glass is best (not in BW!) but stainless is a close second with the obvious durability advantage.

Find a travel mug, thermos or press that doesn't allow your hot beverage to mingle with plastic parts and even the cheap stuff will taste better.

A1t2o: "Coffee is nasty. I drink tea. Just boil water and add the tea bag. No need to do anything special. Your choice of sugar, maple syrup works great if you have it for the oatmeal or pancakes.


I often like to spice mine up with a little brandy if it is a midday cup or later in the afternoon. I tried that one year when I was a little jealous of others having Irish coffee and loved it. Got my buddy drinking brandy tea a lot now too."

Not giving up my coffee but I like tea as well. The thought of a fresh loose leaf tea out there sounds intriguing. Bringing some with next time.

A1t2o: "Coffee is nasty. I drink tea. Just boil water and add the tea bag. No need to do anything special. Your choice of sugar, maple syrup works great if you have it for the oatmeal or pancakes.


I often like to spice mine up with a little brandy if it is a midday cup or later in the afternoon. I tried that one year when I was a little jealous of others having Irish coffee and loved it. Got my buddy drinking brandy tea a lot now too."

Not giving up my coffee, but I like tea as well. The thought of a fresh loose leaf tea out there is intriguing. Bringing some with next time.

I agree with fadersup's insight. Non-plastic = best cups-o-coffee I've ever had.
Bring water to a full boil produces best results.
Have used Starbucks VIA as it's so convenient and packs small. However, I am going back to the old favorite method which takes a bit more time & fuel. Nothing beats freshly dripped chocolate-dusted coffee beans.
Note: New style of canoe camping is entry lake(s) camping or adjacent lake(s).

I have tried them all; cowboy coffee, press, Italian Espresso Pot, etc. But, my coffee of choice is now VIA. It is light, easy and people can make a cup as they get up. Is it the best? No. But it does taste good in the wilderness.

Fox416: "While I like my french press at home, I don't like carrying the extra weight. I used to bring Starbucks VIA but have found Trader Joe's has individual packets of instant coffee at a much more reasonable cost (10/$1.99 vs. VIA $1+ each). Trader Joe's is not black coffee, has cream and sugar mixed in :)"

+1

Normally I like my coffee black, husband likes his w/cream and sugar, so for the ease and convenience I'm a big fan of Trader Joes All Dressed Up.

Folder bags work just fine for me. I still use my old plastic Stanley mug with a snap-on lid, which keeps my coffee hot for a nice slow cup early in the morning.

JetBoil French Press at 5AM prior to the morning fish run. Nothing better.

I'll have to look for the Trader Joe's packets mentioned above. They sound like an interesting and more economical choice especially if they come in decaf packets as well.

I used to have a french press that fit a nalgene.
But since I started to go lighter, I just switched to tea bags for my caffeine.

Fox416: "While I like my french press at home, I don't like carrying the extra weight. I used to bring Starbucks VIA but have found Trader Joe's has individual packets of instant coffee at a much more reasonable cost (10/$1.99 vs. VIA $1+ each). Trader Joe's is not black coffee, has cream and sugar mixed in :)"

I'm going to have to try the Trader Joe's coffee with the works, thanks for this. I have tried something similar from Starbucks, but it was too sweet & cloying..and expensive. TJ has lots of great stuff for camping trips. One stop shopping.

Jetboil press, mirro, pour over, Via, Instant, coffee bags...I've tried it all I was going to do Via for my next trip, but so far in 2 local stores it has been taken off the shelves in favor of the expanding pod wall.

We use to do instant. But MN_Lindsey introduced us to a french press and we have never gone back

How much does an average French press weigh?

BAWaters: "How much does an average French press weigh?"

This is the one we use, it is around 15oz

mutz: "Percolater with a filter, We like good coffee with no grounds mixed in. We have used the same pot for over 20 years and have no intention of changing."

+1. Im the same way. If i was going light i would do the pour over.

This is an old aluminum coffe pot. It used to heat water and make coffee.

Happy paddling

I love French press but I’ve switched to Starbucks via. I wait until after Christmas and search Starbucks stores for the Christmas Blend via. It’s usually 50-75% off.

scramble4a5: "Yep, Starbucks Via."

Yup. Tried it for the first time this trip and will not go back to what we were using. It's a little pricey for what you get, but IMHO well worth it.

Old 9 cup percolator for us my grand parents got it for wedding present in 1948!

schweady: "Starbucks VIA
"

+1. Maybe I'm not descerning enough to know better, but the Starbucks and other high end coffee brand insta packets all seem to have really good flavor to me. Saves some weight in the pack and preps so easy.

mirth: "Last couple trips we took Starbucks Via. This year we're taking the perc and a pound of coffee."

Maybe the last trip for the perc unless it's specifically requested. Instant coffee is just easier to do especially when you already have a pot that sits on the fire to heat water... Less competition for grate space when you're trying to cook pancakes on a griddle and hash browns in a cast iron skillet.

We've been using Coghlan's single-cup filters (https://www.coghlans.com/products/coffee-filters-9570) for over 30 years, usually for a party of two. They're 'pour-over', super lightweight, and let us select any ground coffee we desire. We've tried presses but don't like the extra weight. We've tried Via and a couple other high-end instants, but missed the flavor of our favorite grinds. When we hit Quetico next Saturday (August 25th), we'll have 10 days of ground coffee and Coghlan's filters with us! Like many previous posters, we keep looking, but just haven't found a better option yet.
TZ

For you French press users, look into taking it apart for storage. Mine (an old GSI Lexan press) comes apart in four pieces--pot, top, plunger rod, and filter. If you take it apart (just unscrew the rod from the filter), you can stuff things (socks especially!) in the pot to save volume, and you just have the rod/filter/top as extra.

TrailZen: "We've been using Coghlan's single-cup filters (https://www.coghlans.com/products/coffee-filters-9570) for over 30 years, usually for a party of two. They're 'pour-over', super lightweight, and let us select any ground coffee we desire. We've tried presses but don't like the extra weight. We've tried Via and a couple other high-end instants, but missed the flavor of our favorite grinds. When we hit Quetico next Saturday (August 25th), we'll have 10 days of ground coffee and Coghlan's filters with us! Like many previous posters, we keep looking, but just haven't found a better option yet.
TZ"

these are similar & we prefer this brew method for all the reasons that TZ mentions
Primula Brew Buddy

zski: "
these are similar & we prefer this brew method for all the reasons that TZ mentions
Primula Brew Buddy "

If you like the brew buddy consider This . A little easier to pour into and able to hold a lot more coffee (for those who prefer STRONG brew).

mutz: "Percolater with a filter, We like good coffee with no grounds mixed in. We have used the same pot for over 20 years and have no intention of changing."

+1

zski: these are similar & we prefer this brew method for all the reasons that TZ mentions
Primula Brew Buddy "

Just curious, zski--is the mesh in the Brew Buddy fine enough to prevent a big accumulation of silt in the bottom of my coffee cup? We've tried several re-usable filters, but all let a lot of fine grounds through, something we don't get with the paper filters...
Thanks!
TZ

I use the Collapsible coffee drip by Snowpeak. At the office I don't really care what coffee tastes like and feel the same way in the backcountry. So whether it makes a great cup or a good cup... I'm not really sure. Cleanup is also really easy as everything is contained in a paper filter. French press and percolator seem to be too involved with cleanup. With a jetboil, I can heat water for coffee and oatmeal at the same time, without having to clean the grounds out.

BobDobbs: "freeze dried tasters choice


never at home - but for some reason it's heavenly in the B-dub....wonder why......."

u have to try the medaglia doro. Instant espresso. So good.

I prefer the individual-serving packaging to a container or ziplock, but can't stand the Starbucks price. Cafe Bustelo is my new solution. 72 sleeves for $12.

Cafe Bustelo

How does the Cafe Bustelo compare to Via? I'm not a big coffee drinker regardless, pretty much when I'm driving long stretches or canoe camping. The price is attractive, 3x the amount of coffee for the same cost as Via sleeves.

I started getting the Café Bustelo a couple of years ago after someone here mentioned it and I'm still using it. I think it's pretty good - much better than the other less expensive alternatives like Folger's and Maxwell House. I'm not a coffee connoisseur and never cared that much for Starbucks coffee, but VIA was better than the other options. It's about a buck to get 6 to see how you like it.

I think Via is better than the Bustelo, but Bustelo also is heads and shoulders above Folgers and its ilk. Two sleeves in a 10-12 oz cup (same amount I'd use with Starbucks French Roast) may not really be espresso or anything close to it, but it's a good strong jolt with decent body.

TrailZen: "

zski: these are similar & we prefer this brew method for all the reasons that TZ mentions
Primula Brew Buddy "

Just curious, zski--is the mesh in the Brew Buddy fine enough to prevent a big accumulation of silt in the bottom of my coffee cup? We've tried several re-usable filters, but all let a lot of fine grounds through, something we don't get with the paper filters...
Thanks!
TZ"

you're right TZ. there is a very fine accumulation of silt, not much though. It is a compromise, but all things considered, for me the best trade off between taste and convenience / pack-ability. i get some silt from the press we have at home too. come to think of it, i like to grind very fine. perhaps a grind adjustment would help. nah i'll keep it as is. :^)

trailcheif: " love brewed coffee. Hate the mess when I’m camping. Via are good , but expensive. This is better IMO. Thanks Shug!"

Makes very decent coffee. A glass jar so transfer to plastic container or ziplock bag.

I have been shopping for a percolator to replace the aluminum pot I have used for years to make cowboy coffee, but cannot find one without a protruding handle. I like the ease of packing my current pot with folding handles. Unless I find one I probably will continue with my cowboy coffee, but intend to bring some cone filters to strain out the grounds. I am tired of chewing the last of the last cup. I make about four cups, pour most into a small thermos and drink the rest in camp. It is pretty nice to stop mid morning for a snack break and enjoy a hot coffee.
Most commercial coffee I have tried is too acid and oily and I tried Via and a couple other instant coffees and personally did not enjoy them at all. I buy a mix of beans and grind just before the trip.
Another factor important in good coffee is good water, yuck comes from chlorine in the water. I think this may be a factor in how come the coffee tastes better in the BWCA.

Starbucks VIA. It packs small, can be prepared using pots I've already packed for cooking (over stove or fire) and is ready pretty quickly. It also doesn't create any significant amount of garbage. I like coffee, but VIA is pretty hard to beat for being compact. After I get more experienced in tripping, I'll be ready to figure out how to upgrade my coffee experience :) Keeping is simple for the time being.