In my world, RV camping and coffee go together like peanut butter and jelly, so I set out to find the best coffee makers for campers I could find.
Surprisingly, there are tons of small coffee makers on the market now, so no matter how much space you have [or don’t have], you’ll be able to find the perfect coffee maker for your camper.
Here’s our take on the best coffee makers for campers you are gonna love!
Can You Use A Coffee Maker In A Camper?
Yes, while RVs tend to have limited space, you’ll still find a space in the RV kitchen to put your coffee makers. These coffee makers work by the same basic process moving water through the coffee grounds to extract all that yummy goodness and produce the perfect cup of coffee.
Types Of Coffee Makers For Campers
Whether you like your coffee brewed slowly to perfection or you prefer easy and fast, there are a wide variety of coffee makers for campers on the market that is suited for your RV camping needs.
Here are the different types of coffee makers that feature different coffee brewing processes.
Single Serve Coffee Makers
These types of coffee makers are very popular. No doubt you’ve heard of the most popular brand, Keurig.
This single-cup magic coffee maker produces a great cup of coffee from a small plastic individually served coffee “pod” and a cup full of water. These style coffee pots are perfect for camping because of their compact design.
One disadvantage is its price, it is quite expensive compared to most drip coffee makers. In addition to the cost of the coffee maker, the pods are more expensive per cup of coffee compared to standard ground coffee. However, compared to Starbucks, it’s still quite affordable.
Drip Coffee Makers
Drip coffee makers are the conventional coffee makers found in most kitchens. While these coffee makers are larger than a single-service Keurig, they are still quite compact and much more economical.
Pour Over Coffee Maker
Pour overs have a pretty simple brewing process. Put the coffee filter holder with the filter on it over your mug or carafe. Put the coffee grounds on the filter, add hot water, and allow the water to seep through to produce coffee straight to your containers.
Compared to the French press, the pour-over method is a slow process wherein you put water slowly into the coffee grounds at timed intervals.
Percolators
“Cowboy coffee” is actually my favorite way to enjoy coffee at the campground. However, it is a bit more labor-intensive. You know what they say, “The best things come to those who wait”. Honestly, it’s not that hard, and it makes a really delicious cup of coffee that sets those early morning camping mornings just right.
Percolators work by continually cycling the boiling or nearly boiling brew through the grounds using gravity until the required strength is reached. They are very durable yet very affordable, you can also use them to make tea if you want.
The coffee quality that it produces is similar to that of the drip coffee maker.
French Press
If you want your coffee to have a robust, smooth, and rich flavor, the French press is perfect for you. Coffee enthusiasts love to use the French press because of the premium coffee taste after brewing. Brewing in a French press uses immersion to brew the coffee with the absence of a filter.
One downside is that it’s not easy to maintain since you have to take it apart before you can clean it.
Things To Consider When Buying A Coffee Maker For Campers
Here are the most important things to consider before you make your final decision.
Size
Space is a luxury when it comes to RV living. So you want to choose something that can be placed in your RVs kitchen countertops that does not occupy so much space. Small coffee makers like the Mini Keurig coffee maker are perfect for tight spaces inside your RV.
Easy To Clean
Like any other appliances or tools, coffee makers should also be cleaned every now and then. Choose a coffee maker that works simply and cleaner when brewing so you won’t have to deal with so much mess after coffee brewing.
Material
Most coffee makers are made of stainless steel metals which are highly durable. But some units include a glass carafe and can break when it’s not secured in place.
Factors like these should be considered as well.
How Many People Will It Serve
Choose a convenient coffee maker that can serve the number of coffee drinkers in your campers. Single-serve coffee is not a good idea if you’re brewing for a large number of people since it can take up so much time and electricity as well.
Brewing Method
Each person likes to do their own “thing” when it comes to coffee brewing. Whether you like manual brewing or a coffee maker that does all the job for you, there are plenty of options for you to choose from. Make sure you pick what suits your taste.
How to Prevent Coffee Maker From Sliding In My Camper?
Small appliances inside your RV tend to move when you’re on the road, and that includes your coffee makers. This is perfectly normal and can be prevented using simple solutions.
- Putting non-skid cloth, silicone mats, and non-slip rubber shelf liners under your coffee maker to help prevent it from moving or sliding on your kitchen countertops.
- You can also put hooks on the wall between the coffee maker and attach a short bungee cord from end to end. This will hold your coffee pots in place.
- Velcro command strips work perfectly in holding stuff inside your RV and can be used with appliances on your countertops as well.
Keep reading to learn more about our top picks for the best coffee makers for campers.
Best Coffee Makers For Campers
As a camper, it can be pretty hard to pick the right coffee maker that suits you since there are many options on the market. Although the function of a coffee maker is pretty much straightforward, you still need to make a wise decision and look for features that work best for you and your camping needs.
To help you look for the perfect unit, we’ve listed the best coffee makers for campers on the market that can do the job efficiently.
This single-serve coffee maker by Hamilton Beach is one of the best and most capable coffee makers for campers. Designed to brew coffee in 3 easy steps 1) Scoop, 2) Place, 3) Brew. The scoop coffee maker utilizes the simplicity of ground coffee and brews a customizable cup quickly: an 8 oz. cup in less than 90 seconds or a 14 oz. travel mug in under two-and-a-half minutes.
It also doesn't need expensive coffee pods or pre-packaged K-Cup packs. Instead, it comes with a mesh scoop filter, allowing people to use whatever flavor, brand, and coffee strength they prefer.
Features
- Mesh scoop filter
- Made of stainless steel
- Each scoop filter is labeled with two measuring lines for exact serving amounts.
- L-shaped cup rest
- Drip tray
- Built-in stand for coffee mugs
- Automatic shutoff after brewing
Pros
- Quick and easy to use
- Spill-resistant drip tray
- 1-year limited warranty
- Versatile
- Made with durable stainless
- Doesn't need coffee pods or pre-packaged K-Cup packs that are quite expensive
- Users have the freedom to choose which flavor, brand, or coffee strength they want
- Proportions coffee exactly with a single-serve scoop filter
Cons
- Some people complained of their coffee smelling and tasting like plastic after using it for some time.
- Can’t do more than 2 cups at the same time.
This coffee maker works well whether inside your RV or at home. It is programmable and fully automatic with easy-to-use buttons and can produce about 12 cups of drip coffee in a single pot, perfect for large camping families or crowds who love coffee.
Features
- 24-hour programmability
- Adjustable auto-shutoff from 0 to 4 hours
- Classic design with stainless accents
- 12-cup carafe with ergonomic handle, dripless spout, and knuckle guard
- Brew Pause feature
- 60-second reset
- Charcoal water filter and gold tone filter
- Includes measuring scoop and instruction book
Pros
- Self-cleaning
- Easy to use
- Programmable and fully automatic
- Produces large amounts of coffee
- Great coffee maker for large groups or family
- Affordable
- Doesn't take up so much space
- Can be used at home or inside RVs
Cons
- The glass carafe can be prone to breakage if not secured in place, especially when traveling.
You don't have to worry about where to put this coffee maker inside your campers since the Keurig K-Mini Plus Coffee Maker is only 4.5 inches wide. It is super easy to use. Just add fresh water to the removable reservoir, pop in your favorite K-Cup pod, press the brew button and enjoy freshly brewed coffee( 6-12oz) in a few minutes.
Aside from its space-saving design, it also includes a cord storage compartment for easy transport and tidy countertops. It is energy efficient with its auto-off feature, which turns off the coffee maker 90 seconds after the last brew.
Features
- Pod storage
- Cord storage
- Removable drip tray
- Auto-off feature
- Slim body
- Strong button
- Single-cup removable reservoir
Pros
- The slim design is a great space saver
- Cord storage helps keep countertops tidy and clutter-free
- Energy efficient
- The Removable drip tray accommodates travel mugs up to 7.0” tall and holds a full accidental brew for easy cleanup.
- Portable
- Easy to use
- The strong button allows for a bolder coffee brew
Cons
- It's quite pricey
The Krups Simply Brew Compact Filter Drip Coffee Maker can make up to 5 cups of coffee in one sitting. It comes with a coffee pot with a no-drip spout, keeping the mess out of the picture. It features an easy-to-fill water tank that is conveniently located close to the brewing chamber.
It has a Pause & Serve system that allows users to pour a hot cup of coffee while brewing, without any mess. Keeping your coffee warm after brewing won't be a problem thanks to its automatic “Keep Warm” function.
Features
- Premium stainless steel finish
- Automatic “Keep Warm” function
- Coffee pot with no drip spout
- Easy On/Off button
- Includes Glass coffee pot, permanent coffee filter, and coffee spoon
- Compatible with No.2 coffee filter paper
- Pause & Serve system
- 5 cups / 25 fl. oz. / 750ml coffee brewer
Pros
- Simple and easy to use
- The permanent coffee filter is a money saver
- Easy On/Off button
- Easy-to-fill water tank
- Pause & Serve system that allows users to pour a hot cup of coffee while brewing without the mess
- Modern and sleek design
- Included accessories are all dishwasher safe
- Easy to clean
- The keep-warm function is excellent for keeping your coffee warm after brewing
Cons
- No automatic shut-off feature
The Black+Decker CM2035B 12-Cup Thermal Coffeemaker can make 12 cups of coffee in one sitting and is perfect for larger camping families and groups. It comes with a vacuum-sealed stainless steel thermal carafe to ensure that your coffee stays hot and drinkable for hours after brewing. It has a brew strength selector and the option for small-batch (1-4 cup*) brewing that allows users to customize their brewing process.
Also, what's great about it is that it includes an LCD display with a fresh brew timer that indicates how much time has passed since the coffee was brewed, up to 120 minutes.
Features
- 12-Cup thermal carafe
- Brew strength selector
- Evenstream showerhead
- No-drip perfect pour spout
- Wide-mouth carafe opening
- Easy-to-use digital controls
- LCD display-fresh brew timer
- Sneak-a-cup feature
- Auto brew and auto-shutoff
Pros
- Easy to use
- It has easy-to-find, large, and clearly marked buttons for quick programming
- The Perfect Pour spout does away with spills and drips
- The Evenstream showerhead sprays water evenly over the coffee for maximum flavor and less waste
- The sneak-a-cup feature temporarily stops the flow of coffee, so you can pour coffee before brewing ends without the mess
- The thermal carafe is excellent for keeping your coffee warm for hours
- Produce a large amount of coffee
- Ideal for larger camping families or groups
- The auto-shutoff feature is convenient and offers safety
Cons
- Some customer reviews pointed out the thermal pot not working enough to keep coffee warm after some time.
Fast and easy to use, this Muller Coffee Machine will make you the perfect cup of coffee any time of the day, whether you are in your campers or at home. Compactly designed to fit even in tight spaces and is great in whatever style your countertop comes in.
If you want super quick and easy brewing, this coffee maker is perfect for you. It only takes 3 minutes to brew your coffee, so you don't have to wait longer to get a sip of your favorite coffee while camping. It is designed to fit all 1.0 & 2.0 single coffee capsules and can fill it up with one touch of a button.
Features
- 10oz water tank
- Removable drip tray
- One-touch button operation
- Auto shutoff feature
- 3-minute brew cycle
- Developed from BPA-free plastic
Pros
- Easy to use even for beginners or first-time users
- Quick coffee brewing
- Start brewing with a single touch of a button
- Auto shutoff features work great
- Can fill a standard-sized or large-size coffee mug (up to 4.1" tall)
- Portable
- Doesn't include any glass accessories that might easily break
- BPA free construction
- Durable
Cons
- Produces a small amount of coffee( 10 oz.)
- Not ideal for larger groups or families
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If you’re not in the mood to make coffee, you can always drop by one of the best coffee shops in Gatlinburg and enjoy a cup for yourself!
Oh, and while you’re there, you should know that there are restaurants around the area that make a mean steak. Here are my top picks for the best steakhouses in Gatlinburg that would make your tummy really happy!