Nothing beats a nice warm cup of coffee in the morning. While making a cup of coffee at home is pretty easy, it can be quite the challenge for unexperienced campers who are just getting the hang of camping away from the comfort of their own home.
Fortunately, there are plenty of appliances out there that will allow you to make a great cup of coffee on a camping trip without needing a complicated coffee machine or even access to electricity.
Instead, you can use portable propane coffee makers designed for camping and outdoor use and can brew consistently good coffee in less than a few minutes. This is great news both for those who are camping for short periods of time and those who plan on living in a tent for a longer period of time.
That said, I’d be lying if I said that any propane coffee maker on the market would cut it. Like any product, there are good coffee makers and bad coffee makers. But in this article, we’re only looking at the good ones – Read on to view our detailed review of our top picks!
By the way, The Camping Air Conditioner is sponsored by readers. When you buy through one of our links, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you.
Best Propane Coffee Maker for Campers - Summary Review
In a hurry? Don’t worry – these are our top-3 picks!
Each camper will have different needs, and we have prepared our reviews based on that. Even though we love Coleman QuickPot (our choice), we understand that some people might prefer a lighter option for hiking and short trips (like JetBoil Flash), whilst others are looking for budget-friendly alternatives (Go for Stanley Kit!) – so, here we go!
- Boil, Brew, and Cook
- 1-2 cups (per brew - French Press!)
- Very cheap
If you are not happy with any of these alternatives, check other alternative on the bottom of this article.
Best Propane Coffee Maker for Campers - Detailed review
If you are here, it means that you have extra time to go through our top options – That is great!
In this section, I will be diving into three of the best coffee makers in 2022. I’ll explain what makes them so good, how they work, whether or not there’s a downside to each individual coffee maker, and the qualities of a good coffee maker to make it easier to choose the best option for your needs.
Let’s start with how they work.
What Are Propane Coffee Makers (and how they work)?
As the name suggests, propane coffee makers brew coffee using propane. Well, they actually heat the water using propane and brew coffee, similar to a drip system. So, the propane stove heats the water and pushes the steam towards the coffee grounds, where it passes through and cools down into your coffee cup.
They are really easy to use. Some require you to have a propane stove with you, while others have a whole system built-in, and all you need to do is add a propane canister.
You will need a bit of practice if you’ve never used these coffee makers before. This is because people usually get the ratios wrong when using a propane coffee maker for the first time. But once you learn what temperatures and ratios work best for your taste, you can guarantee yourself a great cup of coffee on all your camping trips.
Since propane coffee makers are the most popular option for many campers, there are a lot of them on the market. And sadly, there are quite a few models that are made with sub-par materials and are far from great. On top of that, they may not even be able to brew coffee up to your standards (especially if you love as coffee as much as camping!).
That’s why you need to consider all the different features you will want your coffee maker to have when you shop for a one. When you do this, it’s easier to find coffee makers that have all the features you need to brew coffee just the way you like it.
Our Propane Coffee Brewer Picks
Okay, so now that you know what propane coffee makers are and the importance of finding a good one, you’re probably wondering which coffee makers are worth your time.
Well, I’ve done all the research so you don’t have to. Below are some of the best propane coffee makers in 2022. Any of these models are great options, but make sure to choose the model you think fits your tastes and preference the best.
Coleman QuikPot Propane Coffee Maker
The Coleman QuikPot is arguably one of the best propane coffee makers on the market. The only reason that we don’t give 10 out of 10 is that it’s only designed for brewing coffee. But if that’s all you need, then there aren’t many options that can compete with the quality of this one.
One of the reasons I enjoyed this model is because of its quickness and ease of use. Once you load propane into the coffee maker, you can start brewing coffee by pressing the “Ignite” button. This model doesn’t require a bunch of complex techniques and matches to get started. All you have to do is press a button and start brewing your morning coffee.
On top of that, this model has systems in place to brew consistently regardless of the weather conditions. This is something that not many other coffee makers do, which is why you can rely on the Coleman QuikPot regardless of whether you’re camping on the beach during the winter or are somewhere far away from civilization.
It even comes with a 10-glass carafe. And while you don’t always have to fill it to the brim, this can come in handy when camping with large groups with a lot of coffee drinkers.
- Lasts up to 4.5 hours on high on one 16.4-oz. propane cylinder (sold separately)
- Instastart ignition for push-button, matchless lighting
- A 10-cup glass carafe holds enough coffee for the whole family
- Removable filter basket is easy to fill and dishwasher-safe
JetBoil Flash - Propane Coffee Maker (and Stove)
The second option in our list ks this great propane coffee maker from Jetboil. This Java kit is an entire stove cooking system, in fact. So, not only will you be able to brew great coffee, but you’re also going to be able to cook breakfast to go with your drink.
It is extremely lightweight (less than 1kg), being ideal for hikers, small groups and short-term campers. JetBoil runs from isobutane canisters, which is a mix of propane and butane, and are extremely affordable (cost less than $20 bucks and last for days – see below).
It comes in a range of outdoors-inspired colors, so it won’t be hard to find one that fits the rest of your gear. On top of that, the technology behind this propane stove is complex.
That’s why it can boil water in under 100 seconds, which is great when you’re outdoors and can’t control the weather conditions (by the way, if you’re trying to make coffee or cook food in the rain while camping, read this article for more guidance).
At first glance, it might seem like a complicated piece of equipment, however, it’s far from complicated to use. On top of that, you can buy tons of different attachments to suit your camping needs perfectly.
- Boils water in 100 seconds
- Bottom cup doubles as a measuring cup and a bowl
- Compact and portable design
Stanley All-in-one (Boil, Brew, and Cook!)
This entry is pretty “controversial” but functions so well that I couldn’t help but include it. This Stanley model isn’t necessarily a propane coffee maker, but it works with a portable camping stove, which is why it’s such a great camping companion.
Essentially, this is a French Press that you can heat up. But if you’ve ever dealt with Stanley products before, you know that the company creates products out of the best materials. This is why you can heat the cup up using any heat source.
So, even if you don’t have propane on hand, you can heat the water up over a fire, which is super convenient. If you don’t know have it around, read the following article to learn how to heat water without a campfire.
And when you want to brew your coffee or tea, you must press the filter down to remove any grounds or loose leaves. From there, you can enjoy your drink throughout the day. This is because Stanley’s insulation technology keeps the beverages hot for a very long time, which is why this all-in-one coffee maker is many camper’s favorite.
- Compact and portable design
- It can accommodate 32 ounces of coffee
- Works with all portable camping stoves
What Makes a Good Propane Coffee Maker?
Knowing which models stand out is one thing, but understanding what features to consider when buying a propane coffee maker is something completely different. So, here are some of the key features to consider when buying a propane coffee maker.
Portability
Firstly, you want a coffee maker that’s easy to bring around. You don’t want to be weighed down by your coffee maker and have to struggle to find ways to pack it in your bag. That’s why it’s important to consider the size, weight, and shape of the coffee maker.
Ideally, the easier it is to pack, the better. For example, while the Coleman QuikPot brews great coffee, it can be fairly hard to pack compared to the Jetboil Flash or the Stanley models on this list (especially if you are planning to hike and bring foldable gear).
With that said, the larger the coffee maker, the harder it will be to bring around, which wouldn’t make it suitable if you have to trek on foot to your camping site.
Heating System
The next thing to consider is the heating system. For example, the Jetboil Flash and Coleman Quikpot have their own heating systems to boil the water. This is very convenient and worth the extra weight since you won’t have to bring a separate stove.
With that said, make sure you have all the right equipment to heat the water. Propane stoves should only use propane and butane stoves should only use butane, so make sure you know which stove and heating system you have before stocking up.
Flexibility
Another thing to consider is how flexible the coffee maker is. For example, while the Stanley doesn’t come with its own heating system, it’s compatible with other heat sources. So, regardless of whether you bring a propane stove, use a campfire, or have a butane stove, you can use it.
The more flexible the coffee maker, the better. This is because you never know what will happen when out camping, and it’s best to have gear that will work in various conditions.
Capacity
Lastly, you need to consider the capacity of the coffee maker. Ideally, you want the coffee maker to make just as much coffee as you need. So, if you have a larger group, you might need a larger coffee maker. However, if you only need to brew coffee for yourself, there’s nothing wrong with getting a smaller option.
I’d recommend getting a coffee marker that can make coffee for at least 6 people. That way, even if there is left over, you can always drink it up throughout the day.
Propane Coffee Maker - Alternative
Not happy with all the alternatives above? No worries – we are here to help you as much as we can!
Our suggestion is to use a coffee percolator. While some people think that it is old-fashioned and stuff from the last century, I still think they produce unique flavour and one of the most original ways of brewing coffee beans!
I am assuming that you will bring your camping stove; therefore, you will need a stovetop coffee percolator, such as Coleman stainless steel (model shown below).
- Camping percolator for up to 12 cups of coffee
- Stainless steel - heavy duty!
- Stove-compatible.
- Lightweight and durable!
Conclusion
Propane coffee makers are staples for coffee-drinking campers. They are the best and most convenient way to get a high-quality cup of coffee when exploring the nature. With that said, not all propane coffee makers will be able to do a good job.
That’s why I put in the time and effort into doing adequate research and prepare the best possible list of coffee markers for you. Any of these coffee makers will serve you well. So, all that’s left to do is choose the right model for your needs and order one yourself!
