There could be many reasons why you would want to know how to make coffee without electricity. Maybe you’re camping, maybe your power grid has gone down, or you want to be self-sufficient.
Whatever the reason, in this short guide, we’re going to show you how it works.
You’re Going to Need Heat
Every coffee-brewing method (except one) requires heat.
Whether that is in the form of boiling water, heating over a fire, or using hot sand – you’re going to need some way to get it!
1. Make a campfire – Best if it’s raining, as you won’t need to use any dry fuel (and it will be easier to put out), but best for making coffee by far! Longer burning fuel such as coals or ashes is the best, though you might still be able to make do with wood and leaves.
2. Use solar power – This is an option if you have a good quality camping stove (such as the Biolite), and something is covering your pot to prevent the sunlight from reaching the water directly. The Sun generates the heat for you, which boils your water.
3. Use hot sand or rocks – If there’s no other option around, you can heat sand or rocks over a campfire and then transfer them to your pot. Make sure that you have a tight-fitting lid, as this will further speed up the process!
4. Use a fire pit – Place your open pot into a fire pit with burning wood. Be careful with this method, as you should never leave a fire unattended, and it’s very easy to burn something or yourself if you’re not focused!
Now that you have some methods to create heat for your coffee, here are seven ways you can make coffee without electricity.
French Press 
The french press may be the easiest way to make coffee without electricity. All you need is some hot water, ground coffee, and a french press.
- Boil some water on a camp stove or solar cooker. If you’re using gas, this might even be easier than heating the water on an electric stove!
- Put the appropriate amount of coffee in the press.
- Pour hot water into the press and leave it for a minute or so. Then stir, push down the plunger and pour yourself a cup of delicious homemade French presse coffee!
Percolator 
Percolators work great for camping or just making coffee at home.
A percolator is a pot with a tube in the middle that leads down to a smaller pot.
The small pot sits inside the big one, and you fill it with water, and when you heat the big one, the water is forced up through the tube and filters back down into the original pot.
- To start, fill up the bottom pot with water. Make sure it’s enough to last you for a few cups of coffee because if it runs out, you’ll have to start over!
- Next, pour some ground coffee into the second pot – again, make sure you have enough! Then put it in the top part of your percolator and close it.
- Now place the whole thing carefully on your stove and heat it!
- When you hear the water bubbling, that means that your coffee is almost done brewing. Quickly take off the stove and pour yourself a delicious cup of homemade percolated coffee!
Instant Coffee 
Although instant coffee certainly can’t compare to the taste of freshly brewed, it’s great to keep some in your emergency kit.
As long as you can heat the water in any way, you can have a cup of instant coffee. All you have to do is mix some water with the correct amount of instant coffee and enjoy!
AeroPress 
The AeroPress is a versatile coffee maker that you can use to make some quick, tasty coffee. It employs the principles of pressure and immersion to brew your coffee, which makes it very unique.
- To start, place the plunger on top of an open cup with the narrow end facing downwards. Slide the black filter up to the narrow end if it’s not already on there.
- Pour some water into your mug until it’s about half full. If you are using a portable stove, turn it on to heat the water.
- Put either one scoop or two scoops of coffee inside the AeroPress chamber. Then place the chamber over top of your mug and carefully flip it over so that the water now falls into the chamber.
- Next, wait about 10 seconds and flip it back over to its original position so you can press down on your coffee. After 20-30 seconds, carefully remove the AeroPress from the cup and pour yourself a delicious cup of delicious coffee!
Using Creative Filters and Methods
There are many other creative and simple ways to make coffee without electricity. All you need is a few household items and some hot water!
Putting some coffee grounds into these filters and just pouring hot water over them is an easy and tasty way to make coffee without electricity.
Some things you can use for filters if you are in a bind are:
● T-Shirts
● Socks
● Paper Towels
● Medical Gauze
The tougher the fabric, the better it will work. You could also stock up on lots of extra coffee filters if needed.
Cowboy Style
If you don’t have a pot or stove, you can make coffee “Cowboy style.” Get yourself some ground coffee beans, put them in the bottom of your cup, and pour boiled water over it until it’s thoroughly soaked. Let it sit for about 10 minutes before gently removing the solid grounds at the top with a wooden stick or spoon.
This might be the worst-case scenario just because you might miss some beans with your spoon and end up drinking them. But if you are desperate, this is a good trick to know!
Cold Brewed Coffee
Our last method is the only method on this list that doesn’t require heat – Cold Brew. This method is straightforward and doesn’t require any special equipment.
You start by filling your cup about halfway with ground beans and then adding water until the cup is full. Stir all of the ingredients together and pop a lid on top. Then just leave it at room temperature for about 12 to 18 hours.
Finally, strain the coffee through a strainer or cheesecloth into another container. You can keep it in your fridge or drink it right away!
This is the only method that uses water to extract flavor instead of hot air, making it unique and tasty. Cold Brewed Coffee tastes great over ice!
Seven Ways to Make Coffee without Electricity
When you’re making your coffee, just be creative and use one of these methods if you have no electricity in the future.
Don’t get down on yourself if you find yourself surviving without power or modern conveniences. You’ll make it through with these easy ways to make coffee without electricity.
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