Difference between revisions of "Make Coffee Using a Percolating Coffee Pot over a Campfire"

#Arrange your firewood. Gather the wood you’ll be using for the fire and stack or bundle it together. The simplest way to build a campfire is to use the "teepee" method, standing multiple smaller sticks upright and leaning them together so that they meet at the top. Scatter your tinder (fire-starting materials that are easily ignited, such as dry grass, bark or cotton balls) in the center of the teepee around the base. Leave a small space in the center for oxygen to flow through. <ref name="rf1">http://gearpatrol.com/2015/05/05/how-to-build-a-campfire/</ref>

#Light the fire. Ignite the tinder at the base of the wood. Blow gently on the flame from the burning tinder until the larger sticks catch. Keep the flames stoked by adding bits of kindling (smaller twigs, leaves and other dry brush) periodically. As the fire grows hotter, you can begin piling on more wood.<ref name="rf2">http://www.artofmanliness.com/2008/09/04/how-to-build-a-roaring-campfire/</ref>

#*Construct your fire somewhere with adequate coverage, protected from wind and precipitation. It may help to dig a shallow pit in which to place the firewood.<ref name="rf1" />

#Let the wood burn down to coals. Allow the fire to die down until it’s reduced to glowing wood coals. Brewing coffee with a percolator will be easiest when the fire has died down a bit and the percolator can rest directly on the hot coals.<ref name="rf3">http://blog.eurekatent.com/make-coffee-campfire/</ref>

#*Coals put off a lot of heat without flames, and are therefore easier to cook with than an open fire.<ref name="rf4">http://www.designmom.com/2013/08/living-well-23-secrets-to-cooking-on-a-campfire/</ref>

#*If you don’t feel like waiting, you can use a fresh fire. Just set the percolator down low next to the base, or hang it directly over the flames if you’re able.<ref name="rf5">https://toquetips.fantes.com/percolators/</ref>

#Start a coal fire. You can also build a small coal fire, which will provide constant, controlled heat to boil the water in the percolator. Dig a shallow pit, ring it with large stones and scatter a couple handfuls of coal inside. Light the coals and let the temperature build until they’re glowing.<ref name="rf6">http://www.coalproducts.co.uk/how-light-coal-fire</ref>

#*Cooking with bagged charcoal can be made easier with the use of a campfire cooking stove, dutch oven or similar implement.<ref name="rf7">http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/cooking-tips-techniques/campfire-cooking/page2</ref>

#Leave room on the fire. Make some space near the center of the coals to place the percolator as it brews. You can also set the percolator off to one side of the heat source if the flames are still raging or you’ve got other items cooking, though it may take a while for the percolator to get hot enough to brew the coffee with indirect heat. Rotating it partway through the heating process can help speed things along.<ref name="rf4" />

#Fill the percolator with water. Open the percolator and remove the brewing basket. Fill the inner chamber with water. Use around 6-8 ounces for every cup of coffee you plan to make. If you’re brewing a full pot, stop filling the percolator just below the upper portion where the basket goes. On newer percolator models, this will usually be indicated inside with a line.<ref name="rf8">http://www.howtobrewcoffee.com/percolator.htm</ref>

#Add the coffee to the basket. Scoop your coffee of choice into the brewing basket. Add about one heaping tablespoon per cup if you like it strong; use slightly less for milder coffee. If the basket of the percolator you’re using has a separate cover, put it on once have the desired amount of coffee inside.<ref name="rf9">http://nwtripfinder.com/2013/05/16/camp-coffee-six-ways/</ref>

#*The best consistency for coffee made over a campfire is a coarse grind (the bigger, rougher pieces makes it less likely that acids and other unappetizing compounds in the beans will begin to seep out once the temperature nears boiling). A finely ground coffee will also work, as long as you monitor its progress closely.<ref name="rf10">http://percolatorcoffeepot.org/what-is-the-best-coffee-grind-for-percolators/</ref>

#Place the basket on top of the percolator. Insert the basket into the upper area of the percolator. Make sure it fits properly in place. The brewing basket should slide in around the inner tube construction of the percolator which circulates the heated water.<ref name="rf8" />

#Allow the water to heat up. Leave the percolator to absorb the heat of the fire. As the temperature inside rises, the water will be pulled up through the center tube, splashing over the coffee in the brew basket and filtering back down into the lower chamber. Through this process, the water will extract the natural essences of the grounds and the result will be fresh, delicious coffee.<ref name="rf8" />

#*Don’t let the water in the percolator come to a boil, if you can help it. Most connoisseurs agree that boiling coffee strips it of its subtle tones and leaves it bitter and burnt-tasting.<ref name="rf11">http://campingwithgus.com/2011/10/16/cowboy-coffee/</ref>

#*Making coffee over the campfire can take anywhere from 5-10 minutes, depending on the temperature of the heat source and the quantity of coffee being brewed.<ref name="rf12">http://percolatorcoffeepot.org/how-long-does-it-take-for-coffee-to-percolate/</ref>

#Keep an eye on the brewing process. Watch the percolator closely as it heats. Most percolators have a transparent dome window in the lid that will help you judge when the coffee is sufficiently brewed. The secret to making good campfire coffee is to keep the temperature steady and take the percolator off the fire when it’s reached its peak flavor.<ref name="rf9" />

#*For best results, remove the percolator from the heat source and let the coffee simmer for 5 minutes before pronouncing it done.<ref name="rf9" />

#Remove the percolator from the fire and serve. When the coffee turns a rich dark color and begins to bubble against the dome, it’s ready to serve. Take the percolator off the fire very carefully using tongs or heat-resistant gloves. Let the coffee cool slightly before pouring. Fill your mug, stir in some cream or sugar (if you have it) and savor to the last drop!<ref name="rf5" />