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Making Coffee While Traveling

It’s happened way more than once and I had to do something about it. No coffee maker in my room, my host isn’t a coffee drinker, the only coffee related substance I can find is an espresso and I just want plain ol coffee! I thought I would share how I solved this problem here so that you’ll know about making coffee while traveling!

coffee cup making coffee while traveling

Traveling Coffee

Have you googled how to make coffee while traveling about a million times with no good results? Have you wondered how people make coffee while camping?

Do you want coffee BEFORE you leave your hotel room but there’s no coffee maker in the room?

Visiting friends who don’t drink coffee and faced with leaving in the car to go out in search of coffee?

Are you tired of second rate, zero taste, bitter and disgusting coffee at on the go places and just wish you could have the taste of your homemade coffee?

Don’t want to try Instant Coffee?

Yep, me too.

I plan to do some traveling this summer and I WILL NOT go anywhere else without my traveling coffee making set up now that I know how I am making coffee while traveling!

Just as an fyi, I’ve flown with my travel coffee making set up and it does best in the checked bag. In the carry-on, they pulled me to search my bag. What they found was my travel coffee maker. Ha.

I’ll show you what I’m doing and it works great!

And per my friend Maurice, “If you can’t do this, just get in the car and go to Starbucks but you gotta know their language” (of course, he can roll out of bed, throw on clothes and look like something while I can not).

Gentleman making coffee while traveling

Here’s How You Do It

It’s a really simple concept, but will require some practice and testing at home before you go.

  1. Boil the water in the electric travel kettle
  2. Measure your ground coffee into the travel coffee press.
  3. Pour the hot water into the press.
  4. Allow to “bloom” (soak).
  5. Press the plunger down.
  6. Enjoy your coffee!
hands making coffee while traveling

Here’s What You’ll Need

I’ve included links below so that you can purchase exactly the set up I have OR you can shop around and find your own. Just want you to have the information.

  • Electric Travel Kettle (make sure to get one that will boil enough water to fill your travel press).
  • Travel Coffee Press (If you’ve never done a coffee press, I’ll show you how, it is actually very easy to do and tastes great).
  • A travel mug (if you don’t want to drink out of the press, I tried it and didn’t like to do that).
  • Zip lock bags (to hold coffee, sugar and your travel cream, if you need sugar and cream – I do)
  • A long spoon.

Here’s some links to the ones I have, If you click this photo (or some others in this post) you can go through to Amazon to compare prices. It is an Amazon affiliate link and I am an Amazon affiliate and receive a commission if you purchase through this link (so, thank you very much! All proceeds are used in support of this website)

This Electric Kettle

There are several out there, but this is the one I use and I can tell you about the pluses and negatives of this one. I’ll go over that in the video and in the section below.

This Travel Coffee Press

I chose this Stanley brand because I have several Stanley products and they are all excellent and this one is no different. I’m happy with this purchase.

Travel Mug

I’ve had this travel mug for about 20 years and I’m as happy with it today as I was when I bought it. Buy a color you like because you’ll have it forever. You can tell that mine is much loved and well used.

Long Spoon

This is totally unnecessary but I’m a bit spoiled and bougie. This smallest spoon is the right size. It’s beautiful and when you are traveling, it’s a nice special comfort to have a delightful piece of home.

Electric Converter

If you are traveling by car and won’t have access to a power outlet, you might try something like this power converter that plugs into the cigarette lighter in the car. I have not tried this one and can’t recommend this particular model, but want you to know that this is an option.,

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

Can I Make This Coffee Without Electricity?

If you can boil water, you can make the coffee, but to use the electric kettle, you’ll need electricity.

Can I Use Whole Coffee Beans?

You’ll need to have a way to grind the beans. This set up doesn’t include a grinder, but they are not super expensive and are small enough.

Isn’t there a way to just add water and ground coffee and then plug in a device and get coffee?

There are a few small and expensive models on the market, but I haven’t sampled any of them. In my research, this was the best, easiest and most affordable way to make travel coffee.

What Kind of Coffee Do I Use in My Travel Coffee Press

Use the same grind and type of coffee you use in your coffee maker at home. You’ll be so glad to have that familiar taste while you are traveling!

It’s like having a bit of the comfort of home while away!

What Temperature Do I Heat The Water for Travel Press Coffee

If using the set up I recommend here, set at 212. This is the closest temp to perfect coffee available with this maker.

How Much Room Does This Take Up in a Suitcase

This set up takes up the size of about 2 travel mugs in your suitcase. You can store your ground coffee inside the kettle and coffee press.

Will They Allow Me Through Security With This Setup

Yes, you will be allowed through security, but like me, you might get tagged to have your bag searched.

I recommend packing this in your checked bag to avoid problems.

How to Make Coffee Without Electricity

If you don’t have access to electric but DO have access to a car with a cigarette lighter, you can make your coffee by using a power converter. You’ll find one listed above under “Here’s What You’ll Need”.

If you do not have access to any type of power, then you will want to skip the electric kettle and simply use water that is heated over a fire source. You can do this in a sauce pan or a kettle designed for camping.

The coffee press works without using any power at all (other than the power provided by your capable thumbs!)

couple making coffee while traveling

Tips and Tricks

  • Practice with your system at home until you master making coffee the way you like it!
  • The tips and the recipe I’m using here are for use with this set up specifically.
  • Be sure the lid is on the kettle just right or it tends to sputter and make a mess.
  • Be careful of the steam from the electric kettle.
  • Pack a towel to make your coffee on, because spills are a mess.
  • If you rinse the coffee press immediately after use, it isn’t a problem to clean.
  • I use zip lock bags, but you could easily put your creamer, coffee and sugar into some nice sealable containers for travel.
  • You do not HAVE to pour your coffee into a mug or travel container. It is possible to drink it right from the press pictured here. I’ve done it and don’t really enjoy the weight of the whole device or the fear that I’m going to get grinds in my mouth.
  • Pour enough hot water over the grounds to cover and then use your long handled spoon to mix the water and grounds well. Allow to settle for a few seconds and then fill the rest of the way with the hot water from the kettle. Then start your timer. This makes sure that all of the coffee grounds get in on the party.
steaming making coffee while traveling

Pros and Cons of This System

Pros

  • I get the flavor of my favorite home brewed coffee while on vacation or visiting a friends house and that is the biggest comfort I can imagine.
  • It isn’t hard to get the hang of this system and be ready to work it on your trip.
  • This system takes up the space of two insulated travel mugs in the suitcase (if you don’t include the travel mug, three if you do).
  • Fix coffee BEFORE leaving your room on vacation. Don’t be fooled into thinking that all rooms have coffee makers anymore. They don’t. The last 4 places I’ve stayed have not. One had an espresso maker, but I’m not a fan of espresso.

Cons

  • This isn’t your home coffee maker set up. It’s a bit more involved and makes less coffee.
  • Somehow 13oz of coffee never feels like enough to me when traveling. It’s a bit of a pain to rinse out the coffee press and begin again when you want a second cup.
  • This electric kettle sputters if the lid isn’t on just right.
  • If you don’t vent the kettle right, it could spew hot water on you.
  • Dealing with a coffee press is more coffee ground clean up than I’m used to dealing with. However, if you take care of it right away, the grounds simply wash down the drain. It’s a feature I really like of this Stanley system.
  • If you pack this in your carry on bag, you will probably get pulled and your bag will be gone through. Mine was. The agent rolled his eyes when I said, “I’m a coffee nerd”.

Watch Me Make Travel Coffee

Can You Give Me a Hand

Please leave a 5 STAR rating in the comment section below. That helps others to find the recipes at Loaves and Dishes

coffee cup making coffee while traveling

Making Coffee While Traveling

Make delicious fresh hot perfect coffee while traveling even if you don't have a coffee maker in. your room or if your host doesn't drink coffee. This easy set up will have you making coffee while traveling in just minutes
5 from 1 vote
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Course: beverage
Cuisine: American
Keyword: making coffee while traveling
Prep Time: 2 minutes
Cook Time: 6 minutes
Bloom Time: 6 minutes
Total Time: 14 minutes
Servings: 1 serving
Calories: 1kcal

Ingredients

  • 13 oz water
  • 4 Tbs Ground Coffee Beans

Instructions

  • Pour 13 oz of water into the electric kettle (to the fill line)(No real need to measure the water). Make sure the vent is closed and that the lid is on securely. Set the temperature for 212 and allow the kettle to heat. The water is done when the kettle beeps three times. Carefully open the vent on the kettle and then unscrew the top. The water is very hot, be careful.
  • While the water is heating, scoop 4 Tbs of ground coffee into the bottom of the Stanley Travel Coffee Press (remove the basket first) and set the basket aside.
  • After you have vented the boiling water and removed the lid, pour the hot coffee over the coffee grounds in the coffee press and when the water covers the grounds, stop and stir with your long handled spoon. Fill with the remainder of your hot water. Loosely put the lid of the coffee press onto the tank and allow to sit for 6 minutes. (I usually set a timer on my phone).
  • After 6 minutes, Place the basket plunger into the opening of the coffee press with the handle part facing up. Slowly press the plunger down until it is fully down to the bottom and squeezing the coffee grounds at the bottom.
  • Pour the coffee out into your mug and add sugar and cream or whatever you prefer adding to your coffee (or nothing at all if you like black coffee).
  • As soon as you pour the coffee out of the press, remove the plunger and rinse the coffee press in the sink to remove the coffee grounds. If you do this immediately, it's easy to remove the grounds and no trouble cleaning up. Rinse the basket and lid as well.

Notes

  • Practice with your system at home until you master making coffee the way you like it!
  • The tips and the recipe I’m using here are for use with this set up specifically.
  • Be sure the lid is on the kettle just right or it tends to sputter and make a mess.
  • Be careful of the steam from the electric kettle.
  • Pack a towel to make your coffee on, because spills are a mess.
  • Use the same grind of coffee you use in your coffee maker at home.
  • If you rinse the coffee press immediately after use, it isn’t a problem to clean.
  • I use zip lock bags, but you could easily put your creamer, coffee and sugar into some nice sealable containers for travel.
  • You do not HAVE to pour your coffee into a mug or travel container. It is possible to drink it right from the press pictured here. I’ve done it and don’t really enjoy the weight of the whole device or the fear that I’m going to get grinds in my mouth.
  • Pour enough hot water over the grounds to cover and then use your long handled spoon to mix the water and grounds well. Allow to settle for a few seconds and then fill the rest of the way with the hot water from the kettle. Then start your timer. This makes sure that all of the coffee grounds get in on the party.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Making Coffee While Traveling
Amount Per Serving (13 oz)
Calories 1
% Daily Value*
Sodium 18mg1%
Calcium 11mg1%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Tried this recipe?Mention @loavesanddishes or tag #loavesanddishes!

A Verse To Share

If we don’t hold hands and march forward, we will never get there. Instead, we will be buried in our own infighting and the wave of problems will overtake us.

John 13:34

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another

Wendi is the writer, CEO and dishwasher at Loaves and Dishes! When not in the kitchen or behind the computer, you can find Wendi serving on International Food Conference Boards, Speaking at various conferences, Leading and Cooking for the local Arts Council's "Taste of Stokes" events or donating home cooked goodies to various local non profits such as the Danbury Songwriters and Stokes Partnership for Children. Wendi is also a Registered Nurse with a Master's Degree and serves on her town's board of councilmen.

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Friday 20th of October 2023

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