Do you PERC?

[CajunCamper]

Our Perc also overflows. Pain in the butt. We have figured out how to make it work. Just as the coffee starts to Perc, we have to lower the fire. Even the smallest fire will keep it percolating and overflowing is no longer a problem. Of course, we have to be there when that moment hits. It's easy to miss it and have it put the fire out.

So are there better units that don't overflow? Please enlighten me.  :book:

That's exactly what we do, but you're right, you have to be on guard waiting for that first little perc and then shut it way down. Once we do that, there's no problem of overflow.

CajunCamper

[ForestCreature]

So are there better units that don't overflow? Please enlighten me.  :book:

We have one just like  this and it hasn't boiled over or ever had the top blow off. It's my favorite coffee pot (it stays home). We use another old classic for camping that does blow out the spout if you fill it to full or don't turn it down.

[campdaddy]

When camping with electric we use a Mr.Coffee 12 cup drip. Up until recently when we dry camped we perked with an enameled percolator coffee maker with all the overflowing and brewing it just long enough to get it just right, or for that matter anywhere near right. We have just recently purchased Coleman drip coffee maker -on sale at Wally World-  that sits on top of a propane burner. Don't know how it works yet. Well, we did test it out on our gas range and it seems to have worked well, coffee tasted good and it didn't take too long- but we haven't really had it out yet. Anybody else have or use one of these?

[lattet]

What camping trip would be complete without the smell of coffee in the morning air. My wife and I use an old percolator that belonged to my grandmother. It percs a great cup of coffee. Down here in south Louisiana we have a local brand of coffee called Community Coffee and it is rich and strong like we like it.

What is your method of preparing a cup of joe while camping and what brand do you use.

CajunCamper

Tea drinker here....depending on weather, either heating the water over the fire or on the coleman stove....either way, I have to be patient in letting the tea 'steep' so its nice & strong, then love sitting back and listening to morning sounds while I enjoy my cup.

[flyfisherman]

Whatever happened to an old timey, honest pot of cowboy coffee ...?

Has EVERYONE gone the wimpy route ...?

Hot water heaters ... inside showers ... cassette porta-potties (ughhh) ... going over to the hardside (God forbid!) ... and, now, all these dainty coffee making apparatus ...!

What would Tom Mix say ...
or, Roy Rogers ...
and, most of all ... John Wayne ...?

Back to basics, I say ...!


Fly

[CajunCamper]

Whatever happened to an old timey, honest pot of cowboy coffee ...?

Has EVERYONE gone the wimpy route ...?

Hot water heaters ... inside showers ... cassette porta-potties (ughhh) ... going over to the hardside (God forbid!) ... and, now, all these dainty coffee making apparatus ...!

What would Tom Mix say ...
or, Roy Rogers ...
and, most of all ... John Wayne ...?

Back to basics, I say ...!


Fly

I think the fact that we sleep in manufactured portable sleeping quarters pulled by luxury TV's that requires no real effort to move from one place to another proves the fact we have gone wimpy.

But I'm with you Fly, the whole outdoors experience has become very soft, even the way we take our morning coffee. But hey, I'm guilty of going soft in many areas myself.

[AustinBoston]

But I'm with you Fly, the whole outdoors experience has become very soft, even the way we take our morning coffee.

As I read this thread, close to half make their coffee the same way Tom Mix, Roy Rogers, and John Wayne would have in the movies.

Oh, and they had no choice.  We don't know if they would have used a drip coffee maker or French press if they had one.  Heck, we don't even know if maybe they drank instant when off the set. :yikes:

Austin

[Old Goat]

I think the fact that we sleep in manufactured portable sleeping quarters pulled by luxury TV's that requires no real effort to move from one place to another proves the fact we have gone wimpy.

But I'm with you Fly, the whole outdoors experience has become very soft, even the way we take our morning coffee. But hey, I'm guilty of going soft in many areas myself.

I have often heard the statement "I can't go camping because my air conditioner does'nt work"  This pretty much sez it all.........
Fact is we have become too dependant on the everyday thing that we all take for granted. Electric power. What will happen if we have a wide spread and extended power outage due to a natural disaster or terrorist act. What will you do? What can you do with out electric power? Not much. Are you prepared? Think about it...it's a very scarey thought to say the least... This would make a very interesting and informative thread......One thing for certain, campers will survive much better than those who are not familiar with the outdoors....

[flyfisherman]

O.K. ... since the subject was making perc coffee and I did get carried away with my cowboy coffee and Tom Mix tangent, I now feel compelled to explain how to make "perfect" perc coffee ...

Start with just the pot and the desired amount of water, with the innards of the coffee pot removed, and bring the water to a rapid boil under full heat. After coming to a boil, reduce the heat to very low, insert the coffee pot innards with the desired amount of coffee grounds therein, and very gently perc for at least 5 minutes. The results will be as good as percolated coffee as can be had.

Now, ask yourself this ... "would a fisherman lie" ...?  Ehhhh, never mind ...




Fly

[Old Goat]

Fly, you being an old time camper like me, here's another method that I'm sure you know about....If you don't have a coffee pot, you can  heat water to a boil in a regular pan and then turn the heat down or move the pan to the edge of the fire. Pour in the measured coffee grounds and boil for five minutes. When done, very carefully pour a little bit of cold water on top of the brew to make the grounds settle rapidly. If you like stronger coffee that will float a silver dollar, just boil a little longer. It works every time......

[JimQPublic]

I sit here typing this message while sipping a cup of $150 per pound coffee brewed in an $11,000 machine.  

The topic of camp coffee has come up a few times in conversations with my barista as we discussed the ideal extraction temperature for various beans and roasts.  Generally it ranges from 198 F for darker roasts  to 203 F for milder ones.

Boiled cowboy coffee, stovetop percolators, or Italian moka pots (aka stovetop espresso makers) don't allow you to control the extraction temperature.  Boiled coffee is... boiled.  At sea level that's 212 F.  Way too hot to avoid bruising the delicate flavors.

But wait- cowboys don't spend too much time at the beach!  High Plains Drifter was filmed at 6500 feet near the shore of Mono Lake.  What's the boiling point at that altitude? 200.2 degrees Farenheight!  Why lordy lordy that's the perfect temperature to make coffee!  Even a lowly mile-high is still good at 202.5 F.  Up in the real mountains- not just foothills- at 10,000 feet the boiling point is down to 194 F so you had better boil it as a press pot or cone filter will let the temperature drop even lower unless well insulated.

My conclusion?  Use the Mr. Coffee if you must at sea level, but camping in the mountains I'm going to start boiling that brew!

[AustinBoston]

I have often heard the statement "I can't go camping because my air conditioner does'nt work"  This pretty much sez it all...

It comes down to "I'm right and everyone else is wrong."  Even though that statement is rediculous, that is how many of us think at times (including me).

My brother used to say "Anybody going faster than me is a maniac, anybody going slower is a menace."  I'm right, and everyone else is wrong.

I have said "Anybody camping in a hybrid (or TT or 5th wheel or Class A) isn't really camping.  Anybody using a tent is into extreme sports."  I'm right, and everybody else is wrong.

I don't drink coffee, but I see the same thing here.  "Anybody who has to have fancy gizmos to make coffee is a wimp.  Anybody using more primitive means than I is a survivalist."  I know it's an exaggeration, but it illustrates the point...I'm right and everybody else is wrong. :eyecrazy:

Austin

[wavery]

We just boil our water....put it in a cup....take a teaspoon and get a spoonful of Folgers Instant and stir.

Now that's roughin' it.  :morning:

[ForestCreature]

I'm right and everybody else is wrong. :eyecrazy:
 
  Austin

Well it's about time you stated that publicly    :sombraro: :Z

[JimQPublic]

We just boil our water....put it in a cup....take a teaspoon and get a spoonful of Folgers Instant and stir.

Now that's roughin' it.  :morning:

Honestly I often stoop to the same.  It isn't gourmet- more like the addict going to the methadone clinic for his fix.