Whether you’re camping in a tent, or under the open sky, or in an RV; you won’t find a better way to make coffee in the outdoors.

Some very good reasons why you should replace all other coffee making contraptions and use the Moka Pot while camping:

1. It’s completely portable, lightweight and easy to pack
2. Makes excellent Americano style coffee; strong or weak, your choice
3. Fast brew: Faster than brew or press
4. No electricity needed
5. Cleans up fast and made ready for next day

If you’re an RV camper like me, and you love coffee, like my wife, then make sure this little gem is part of your kitchen set. It comes in various sizes and makes delicious espresso style coffee. In my opinion, way better and faster than a french press and better than brewed. It doesn’t beat a true espresso but it comes very close.

One of the hard parts about making coffee while camping is that it usually requires electricity for a decent brew or espresso. Not a problem in an RV, but most people want coffee when they wake up. I wake up early and if you kick on your generator to brew some joe, you’re going to piss off your neighbors, or wake your kids, or any number of not fun things.

We figured this contraption out while traveling through Europe last fall. It’s really simple and has been around since 1933, an Italian invention. The quality of your coffee will be all about 3 different variables:

1. Grind – How fine to grind. I suggest a 50% espresso blend with a 50% med-fine blend (just under espresso)
2. Water – Quality and amount, to taste
3. Coffee – Quality and amount, to taste

Play around with these 3 variables to get it just right, and since these pots are not expensive, go for the best: Bialetti. They are the original and make good quality pots.

As for size, they come in various sizes from single espresso (demitasse) up to huge. We have a 9 cup’er and it does fine for two strong cups of coffee. Backpackers might want the single or double for the weight.

Give it a try and let me know how you like it, and what tricks you may have stumbled across to make that perfect cup of joe!