CAMP COFFEE

Coleman aluminum percolator

Making coffee from scratch at camp is not as difficult as it seems. The hardest part is getting water to boil, so I use a white gas Coleman pump stove (I found one through Craigslist in someone’s basement for $40). I also use a Coleman aluminum percolator that you can get at any department store. Here’s how I do it:

1.    Water-fill the percolator to the full line or desired amount. I use bottled water instead of the campground spigot.

2.    Place a coffee paper filter into the basket by poking a hole in the center with the percolator stem.

3.    Fill the basket with coffee—the more the stronger. I fill it approximately ¾ full and it’s plenty black and strong.

4.    Place the basket on the stem and set the basket lid on top.

5.    Place the apparatus into the percolator and set the percolator lid on top.

Lighting a white gas Coleman pump stove is tricky but is a good way to boil water quickly outdoors. The first time I started up a Coleman stove, I was really unsure about it; so, here’s what I learned:

Coleman Stove

1.    Remove the red tank and generator assembly from storage position underneath the grill; do this by pulling up the right side and turning it towards you.

2.    Fill the red tank with white gas. Just about any sporting goods department sells white gas by the gallon. There’s a twist-off cap at opposite end the generator. Be sure replace it tightly as it will be place under pressure.

3.    Unlock the plunger by turning it counterclockwise a half turn, place your thumb over the hole on the knob, and pump the tank 35 to 50 times.

4.    Lock the plunger by turning it clockwise a half turn.

5.    Place the red tank and generator into the green stove: there are two hooks on the red tank that hang it from two slots in the front of the green stove; a hole in the stove leads the generator stem to the silver manifold.

6.    Turn the instant light stem up. Hold a struck match to the master burner while turning open its black-knobbed valve—it should light immediately; if not, turn off the valve and inspect the condition of the generator and its parts.

7.    Once lit, burn the oxygen out of the tank by turning the master burner high until all orange flame has evaporated into blue flame. Blue heat is desired.

8.    After long use, pressure in the red tank may go down. You can pump more pressure during operation. Be sure to hold the tank steady in your left hand while pumping with your right.

Once the water begins to boil in the peculator, the stem will begin to spout coffee in the glass knob on top. About 1 to 1½ minutes of spouting or brewing should be enough. Remove the peculator or turn off the stove. Caution: boiled coffee is much hotter than coffeemaker coffee. Once cooled to drinkability, camp-brewed coffee is very enjoyable outdoors.