I’ve been on a lifelong journey to find the best way to make coffee at camp. And like all things in life, it’s the art of balancing comprises to find the thing that’s best for you.
I love Moka Pot coffee. There are three downsides to this style coffee in a camping environment though.
First – this pot does only one thing. And it’s kind of big and heavy, so not for backpacking.
Second – it doesn’t make enough coffee for my wife and I so I need to make at least two pots, unless she stayed home this trip. There are much larger models available, but see point one.
Third – you have to wait for it to cool down a bit before you can disassemble it for that second pot.
All that being said, the coffee itself is AMAZEBALLS. Deep, dark, naturally sweet. The Moka Pot doesn’t care how you heat it (though the plastic handle & knob aren’t super fans of fire). I’ve set the pot on coals, camp stove, and gas and electric ranges at home.
The process is simple. Water in the bottom section is heated. As the water starts to boil, pressure forces the water through the grounds in the middle section and then up to the top of the carafe.
Moka pot is coffee, not espresso. (Espresso is made with steam at higher pressure and temperature).
The chirping birds, the chugging burner, this is the best way to start the day.
Modern Anachronist 