Coffee is life.
But, sometimes, life takes us to unexpected places. Like the middle of a forest.
That’s why we’ve put together this comprehensive guide on how to make coffee without power. Whether the grid is down or you’re just camping in the great outdoors, we’ll show you how to make your favorite caffeinated beverage without any electricity!
What You Need to Make Coffee Without Power
What do you need to make coffee without power?
You only need 3 things:
- Water
- Coffee beans (or grounds)
- A way to heat the water
Now, of course, the first two things are relatively easy to come by. It’s heating the water to make coffee that can be a bit tricky if you’re in a situation without electricity.
7 Ways to Make Coffee Without Power
There are 7 methods you can use to make coffee without power:
- Fire
- Solar ovens
- Gas stoves
- Candles
- Sterno cans
- Propane or butane
- Battery-operated coffee makers
Let’s start with the most basic and obvious.
#1: Fire
This is probably the most obvious way to heat water for coffee without power.
If you have a campfire or a wood-burning stove, you can simply boil water over the flames in a pot or kettle.
Just be careful not to let the water boil too long, as this will make your coffee taste bitter.
You can also use hot coals to heat water.
Put a pot or kettle of water on top of the hot coals, and wait for it to come to a boil. This method will take longer than boiling water over a flame, so be patient!
If you’re in a pinch, you can even heat water for coffee in an empty can.
Just place the can over the fire, and wait for the water to boil. Then, carefully pour it into your coffee pot or mug.
Make sure to let the can cool down before you try to remove it from the fire, as it will be incredibly hot!
Of course, not everyone has a campfire or wood-burning stove handy.
So, what are some alternative energy sources you can use to make coffee without power?
#2: Solar ovens
Solar ovens are a great way to heat water for coffee without using any power.
Just place your pot or kettle of water in the solar oven, and let it sit for a few hours. The water should be hot enough to make coffee by the time you’re ready to use it.
#3: Gas stoves
If you have a gas stove, you can also use this to heat water for coffee. Just turn on the burner, and wait for the water to come to a boil.
#4: Candles
This sounds wild but you can also heat water for coffee with candles.
Simply place a candle underneath a pot or kettle of water, and wait for the water to boil. This method will take longer than using a campfire or gas stove, so be patient!
#5: Sterno cans
Another option is to use Sterno cans.
Sterno cans are small, metal cans that contain a gel that burns hot.
To use one to make coffee, simply place the Sterno can underneath a pot or kettle of water, and wait for the water to boil.
As with candles, this method will take longer than using a campfire or gas stove, so hopefully, you’re not suffering from immediate caffeine withdrawals.
#6: Propane or butane
If you have a propane or butane stove, you can also use this to heat water for coffee. Just turn on the burner, and wait for the water to come to a boil.
#7: Battery-operated coffee makers
If you have a battery-operated coffee maker, you can also use this to make coffee without power.
Simply add water and coffee grounds to the coffee maker, and turn it on. The water will heat up, and your coffee will be ready in no time!
Of course, this method requires that you have a battery-powered coffee maker. If you don’t have one of these, you can always purchase one before your next camping trip!
Final Thoughts
We hope this guide has been helpful in teaching you how to make coffee without power. Coffee is life, after all, and we want everyone to be able to enjoy a good cup – even in the middle of nowhere.
Do you have any tips for making coffee without power that we didn’t mention? Let us know in the comments below!
