Camping Panda
What can be best than a refreshing cup of coffee after a night spent under the stars? Brewing the popular beverage while camping could be challenging, though. To guarantee your success, you need more than high-quality coffee. You also need one of the best camping coffee percolators.
They come in different sizes and are made from a variety of materials. Check out our rundown to pick the right coffee percolator for you.
Time to Boil
Is it quick to boil water?
Handle
Is it heat resistant?
Washing
Is it easy to clean?
Control
Is it coffee strenght adjustable?
Portability
Is it easy to carry?
Usability
Is it easy to use?
Lifespan
Is it build for years to come?
Durability
Is it sturdy enough?
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Coleman is a heavyweight name in the camping industry, so it doesn’t come as a surprise that the best camping percolator comes from them. With a 12-cup capacity, it’s a perfect choice for small and big groups alike. A removable coffee grounds basket also makes it easy to use it as either percolator or kettle, depending on your needs.
The percolator is made from stainless steel; it resists rust and corrosion, and is easy to clean. Strains on top of the coffee basket and at sprout level prevent any coffee grounds from getting into your cup. It can’t be hanged over a campfire, but perfect for a camp stove or grill.
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This classic percolator by Farberware is similar to Coleman, in that it comes with a removable basket and is also made of stainless steel. The two even have similar capacity, but the Yosemite impresses with a more attractive price point.
The main difference between the two is the lack of a strainer lid on the basket. This may result in some coffee grounds ending up in the brew, but you can place a paper filter over your cup when pouring to fix the issue. If you don’t mind that and want a quality percolator at a price that won’t break the bank, than the Yosemite is perfect.
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The Glacier percolator by GSI Outdoors is the perfect choice for those who don’t mind a higher price point but want utmost quality. Like our two choices above, it’s made from heavy-duty stainless steel. What makes it special is the low weight and high capacity of 14 cups, that makes it perfect for larger gangs.
It comes with inner basket and cover for coffee grounds, preventing any residues from getting into your cup. We also like the hinged lid you can keep open to supervise the brewing process. Ideal for all camping situations, the percolator can be used on a stove or placed over a campfire.
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Another percolator from GSI Outdoors that has made it to our list is this 12-cup model. It is similar to our premium pick up to an extent, in that it comes with a removable basket and is made from heavy-duty stainless steel.
Ideal for car camping and hiking, this stove top percolator also features a hinged lid, but has a copolyester rather than glass dome on the top. The highlight is undeniably the silicone handle that stays cool to the touch. No doubt, a great alternative to the Glacier if you’re after a more affordable price.
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The Eurolux percolator caters to smaller and larger groups alike, but what makes it stand out is the affordable price tag and array of accessories. Indeed, the pot doesn’t come with only a coffee basket. The pack also includes free paper filters, so you can rest assured no coffee grounds will end up in your brew.
Designed for stove or grill top use, it is a great choice for car camping. The percolator also features volume marks for easier brewing and removable basket for easy cleaning once you’ve enjoyed the delicious beverage.Â
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If you don’t like using camp stoves, the Coletti Butte camping coffee pot could be a great choice. It comes with both a handle and a hook bail that allows you to easily hang it on a camping tripod.
Its 14-cup capacity makes it perfect for you and a bunch of friends. The percolator also impresses with its quick brewing time, that only takes 4 minutes once the water boils and the coffee starts to perk. Easy to clean and maintain, the coffee pot also attracts with its affordable price point.
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The Stanley Adventure All-in-One french press is not a camping percolator in the true sense of the word, but an excellent replacement if you want to brew delicious coffee on your outdoor adventures.
The 32-ounce capacity is perfect for couples or gangs up to 4 people. Needless to say, the French press filter is easily removable, and you can also use the coffee pot to boil water for instant noodles or a soup. Lightweight and easy to use, it’s a great choice for car camping, hiking, or even to use at the office.
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The Cook N Home stainless steel coffee percolator stands out thanks to its one-piece construction that boasts durability and prevents leaks. With an 8-cup capacity, it’s an ideal choice for small to mid-sized groups.
Designed to use on a stove top or grill, it’s perfect for car camping. Easy handling is ensured by the silicone handle that stays cool to the touch, while the transparent knob on the lid makes it easy to see when the brew’s ready to drink. Like most coffee percolators, it comes with a removable basket and is a versatile choice for campers on a tighter budget.
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The Bozeman comes as an alternative to the Butte percolator from the same brand, and appeals to those who love cooking and boiling water on a camping stove. It has a capacity of 9 cups, and is perfect for brewing coffee or heating water for tea or cooking.
Like the Cook N Home, it boasts a one-piece construction and convenient wooden handle. It’s also easy to clean, and built to last for a long time. This coffee percolator also comes with a set of paper filters that add further value.
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If you like the rustic design of enamel pots, the Stansport percolator could be the right one for you. This camping percolator comes with 4 mugs, making it perfect for camping with friends or your family.
The percolator features an aluminum coffee basket and stainless steel rim that boasts the aesthetic factor. It doesn’t come with a bail, but you can fix one on it to use over a campfire. All in all, a great choice for the money.
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Whether you want to brew a cup of cowboy coffee or boil some water for an instant cuppa, a camping percolator is essential camping gear. Not only it provides a simple way of making coffee outdoor, but a percolator can often be used instead of a kettle to sanitize water or brew tea. Indeed, percolators are so popular that they come in a wide range of styles and sizes. Check out the buying guide below before buying to make sure you pick the right camping percolator for you.
While all camping percolators have the same function and work similarly, you can choose from various types based on the materials they are made of.
When choosing cookware for camping – percolators included – you must make sure the items are small enough to fit into a backpack and that they are easy to carry. However, if you’re mostly car camping and don’t plan to walk too far from your campsite, investing in a large percolator will give you the possibility to brew more coffee at once.
In terms of capacity, camping percolators come in various sizes between four cups, such as the Stanley Adventure, and 14 cups, such as the Coletti.
Again, consider your camping style but also the number of persons you want to brew coffee at the same time. Some of the best camping percolators come with hook bails that also allow you to hang them in your backpack. In this way, they won’t take up any space inside your bag and will provide plenty of capacity for a larger gang.
Camping percolators can brew your coffee quicker or slower. It can take anywhere between 8 and 15 minutes on average, so if you’re not the type who likes waiting for too long in the morning, make sure the percolator you like can brew the coffee fast enough.
Camping percolators can have a regular handle, a hook bail, or both. Which is best for you depends on the intended purpose. Are you going to brew coffee on a stovetop or over a campfire? Will you always have the stovetop with you?
Last but not least, you should also check how easy it is to use the percolator you like. Essentially, you can pick from:
At the end of the day, despite having more parts and their slightly more complex use, traditional percolators are your best choice for camping because they don’t require you to carry separate pots. Furthermore, most traditional percolators also double as camping kettles.
The best camping percolator is undeniably the Coleman Stainless Steel Percolator. It doesn’t have a polished finish, but is more resistant to scratches. It has a well-balanced handle and a versatile capacity that allows you to brew coffee for a larger group or use the pot for making food, too.
To make the best percolator coffee, you need high-quality coarse ground coffee and a stainless steel percolator. Add around 2 teaspoons of coffee (one coffee scoop) to the basket, fill the percolator with water, then place the basket inside. Place the percolator on the stovetop and monitor the process. As soon as the coffee starts perking, turn off the heat and let it perk for around 4 minutes. Remove the basket with the coffee grounds, pour in a cup and enjoy.
Unless the aluminum is coated, it is not recommended to make coffee in aluminum pots or percolators. Not only the metal may leave residues in the beverage, but aluminum also gives a metallic taste to the brew. As an alternative, a stainless steel percolator, such as the GSI Outdoors Glacier, is a much better choice.
Yes, you can. If you don’t want finer grinds from getting into your brew, you can place a paper filer on the bottom of the coffee basket, or filter the coffee while pouring it into the cup.
The quality of your coffee will greatly influence the end result, but you don’t need special coffee for a percolator. All you need is coarse grind coffee that won’t pass through the holes in the basket.
