My Favorite Camping Gadget: The Portable Coleman Propane Coffee Maker
I Will Never Go Camping Again Without My Coleman!
My husband and I love tent camping together at the Federal and State Parks throughout Wisconsin and Minnesota. However, temperatures can be a bit chilly in the mornings and we both really enjoy waking up early and having a nice, hot cup of coffee to greet the day with.
After experiencing a few trials and tribulations with camp coffee and wet firewood, we decided to splurge on a portable coffee maker. However, before making a decision, we did quite a bit of research beforehand to make sure we got the best "bang for our buck." Some features we looked for were quality, a product that would last us for years, and a low brew time.
In the end, we chose the Coleman Portable Propane Coffee Maker. Read on for my review on this product, I think you just might consider my favorite camping gadget for yourself or as a gift for your favorite camper!
Unless otherwise noted, the photos of the Coleman Coffee Maker were taken by me and belong to me. Please ask permission before using.
The Back Story
Why We Started Shopping for a Portable Coffee Maker
When my husband and I first started tent camping together 3 years ago, we didn't have much in the way of camping gadgets.
Our first attempt at camp coffee was boiling water over the fire and adding a scoop of instant coffee. Lets just say that the taste of that brew left a lot to be desired in the flavor department!
Then we acquired a traditional, metal percolator to brew coffee directly over the fire. I know this is going to sound completely silly, but we could rarely get the thing to percolate!
The few times we did manage to brew a pot of coffee, we really didn't like the flavor at all. (I'm sure we failed at this task that comes so easy to many people because we didn't know what we were doing, but it was still frustrating!)
There were also a few camping trips in which we purchased firewood that was either damp inside or green, unbeknownst to us. To avoid invasive species, most campgrounds ask that you buy the firewood within a 25 mile radius, so we can't always buy from a trusted source.
Needless to say, we had a very hard time getting campfires started on these trips and had to wait a considerable amount of time before we were able to boil water or use our percolator to brew coffee. On these occasions, we were both pretty cranky before we were even able to enjoy our first cup of Joe in the morning!
Why We Chose the Coleman Propane Coffee Maker
We ordered our Coleman Propane Coffee Maker last August from Amazon and have been using this fabulous contraption on our camping trips ever since!
As I mentioned above in my introduction, my husband and I were looking for a portable coffee maker that would be a quality product, last us for years, and have a low brew time.
We researched many different types of coffee makers to find something that would meet all of our criterion before making our decision. We analyzed Amazon reviews, looked at product features, and considered price.
Our choices narrowed down to the RoadPro 12 Volt Coffee Maker and the Coleman Propane Coffee Maker.
- Our first consideration was the RoadPro brand, which is powered by plugging into a vehicle's power outlet. We really liked the portable size and also the price was very inexpensive. However, we saw so many mixed reviews from other Amazon customers. Many said this product didn't work well, only worked a few times, and/or took a long time to brew. Although this style was a lot less expensive, it wasn't likely that it would meet our expectations.
- Even though the Coleman brand was significantly more expensive and the coffee maker is a bit bulkier in size, we decided we would treat this purchase as an investment. Amazon reviewers gave very positive feedback: 53 customers left an average rating of 4.5 stars out of 5. Also, Coleman offers a 3 year limited warranty against defects, which gave us a lot of confidence in the product and added justification for spending more. We loved that the carafe holds 10 cups of coffee, the brew time only takes 15 minutes, and this device is completely cordless.
Image Above Appears Courtesy of...Myself!
This Product Has Definitely Improved Our Camping Trips
My husband and I have been using this coffee maker on our camping trips for almost a year now and we absolutely love it! We are so glad we spent the extra money; it was well worth it and we feel that we got the best "bang for our buck." All of the features truly do work as advertised: it really does only take 15 minutes to brew a pot of great tasting coffee, it's easy to use, and the coffee maker is sturdy and well built.
Now, in the mornings when we go camping, my husband brews a pot of coffee right on the picnic table while I start a campfire. By the time I have the fire going, we are able to sit down and relax with a lovely, hot cup of coffee while we plan out our day. I do find that our mornings out in the wilderness are a lot more relaxing and enjoyable with our new routine!
Watch this Coffee Maker in Action!
Which Do You Prefer?
How Do You Prefer to Make Your Camp Coffee? Why?