Brewing the perfect cup of coffee on the road
Wherever you find yourself, never compromise on your brew.
One of the many beauties of vanlife (and camping in general) is the sense of freedom that comes from accessing beautiful places with the people you care about. The truth is, sometimes the walking, cycling, surfing, exploring and adventuring can be tiring work - and it’s great to know you are fully equipped to prepare a restoring cup of coffee when you get back to base!
We’ve put together a short wishlist of highly portable coffee gadgets and gizmos that make sure your morning brew isn’t compromised by wherever the road takes you.
Pour-over: pure coffee
£19.99
Brewing coffee using the pour-over method is the easiest, most economical, and most rewarding way of stepping up your barista game! The method is beautifully simple, and creates a pure, unfussy cup that really lets the flavours of the bean come through.
More importantly, pour-over coffee can be prepared in a small space with minimal fuss, waste or mess. Simply place a single filter paper (always choose an unbleached, biodegradable option) in your dripper (which sits on top of your coffee mug), add 20g of freshly ground coffee and pour hot (let the kettle boil and then leave it a minute) water evenly over the grounds.
Some pour-over rigs, like the Clever Coffee Dripper, even moderate the speed of your filtration, so you don’t need to worry about the speed of your pour – the valve will take care of everything and you just need to get the biscuits out!
Simple is best - equip yourself with a basic pour-over rig
AeroPress: believe the hype
£27.99
The AeroPress has garnered something of a cult following since it launched more than a decade ago. The AeroPress offers another easy method of brewing a great cup of coffee, is minimal on space, and can be the perfect companion when you’re on the move.
AeroPress claim to have ‘hacked’ the coffee brewing process to speed up the time it takes to make your cup: using an inverted pressing method you get the all the flavour and aroma of a cafetière in about 45 seconds!
To use the AeroPress first insert the plunger just enough into AeroPress so it doesn't fall out, then flip it over and pour ground coffee into the chamber. Add hot water and stir, wait for 30 seconds, top up with more hot water and stir again, and wait 30 seconds, Screw the cap on with the filter paper, flip the AeroPress over onto your mug and press the plunger.
The AeroPress has taken the coffee world by storm
Hand grinder: take it to the next level
Comandante C40 Mk3 Nitro Blade
£199.99
If you are already a coffee connoisseur you are probably no stranger to grinding your own beans. Nothing beats the unmistakeable taste of freshly ground coffee, and there are a range of fantastic grinders out there to suit a range of needs.
The Comandante C40 Nitro Blade turns coffee grinding into a precision science. The German-engineered burrs are constructed from an advanced alloy from a single block of steel. This grinder is durable, sharp, and ready for serious use.
The C40 can be adjusted to give different levels of coarseness to your grind, and is a space saving and gorgeous addition to any coffee-from-scratch setup. The all-black stealth design, oak knob and cool steel body give this grinder an ultra-premium feel!
Grind you own for maximum freshness
Gooseneck kettle: make the perfect cup every time
Brewista Artisan Variable Temperature Kettle
£159.00
A gooseneck kettle allows an accurate and moderated pour when preparing a truly special brew. The best pour-over coffee is produced with a carefully directed flow of hot water over the grounds, and a gooseneck kettle is the surest way to achieve great results.
The ergonomic and functional design of the Brewista Artisan features a custom spout for accurate pour control, comfortable handle and beautiful woodgrain aesthetic touches. This kettle features a thermometer in its base to help you make the perfect brew every time, it also has an auto-start function so it can be ready and waiting for your morning coffee!
A gooseneck kettle is a functional, hardy addition to any camping kitchen setup
Stylish, delicious, portable
The huge number of independent, innovative coffee shops worldwide are testament to the creativity and mysteries that can be experimented with from the comfort of your campfire, van, or kitchen. However you brew, there’s no excuse not to enjoy every cup when you’re on the move.
Gather your tools and let the coffee inspiration bloom!