Cafes can be few and far between when you’re on the road and far from your coffee machine, so here are some alternatives to ensure you can always enjoy a good brew.
I love coffee. I’m addicted to the stuff. It’s the first thing I drink when I wake up and the last thing I drink before I go to sleep. I know it’s bad. Don’t judge.
Also, I’m from Melbourne — a coffee town. Think Pellegrini’s in Bourke Street. Brunetti in Lygon Street. There are independent roasters popping up in just about every suburb. We are spoilt for choice.
Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for remote outback Australia, so when we set out on our latest caravanning adventure to the Kimberley in WA, including the Gibb River Road, I didn’t take lightly the decision to leave the coffee machine at home.
Here’s why.
Space: Space in an 18ft 5in caravan is limited. When we are free camping and the stove top lid is up so we can boil the kettle, I have virtually no bench space to fit a coffee machine. And even if we did have the coffee machine, it has to be stored safely somewhere during travel. There is a space under the bed, but the Thermomix won that battle.
Power: Our coffee machine requires 240V power — so, power for the machine and for the separate milk frother. Yes, we have an inverter to run 240V appliances but there are easier ways to make coffee.
Milk: Fresh milk is pretty much non-existent in remote areas of Australia. Long-life (UHT) is everywhere but doesn’t taste quite the same. And it doesn’t quite froth as well as the fresh stuff, in my humble opinion.
Rubbish: Millions of aluminium coffee pods end up in landfill every year. There are recycling schemes and multi-use pods, but I reckon the vast majority go in the bin. In remote areas of Australia, bins are rare so you will be carting your rubbish around with you until you arrive in the next big town.
So, after weighing up (weight was also considered) the pros and cons, the Nespresso machine stayed at home. But there are many other ways to make a great coffee on the road.
Plunger
Also known as the French press, the plunger was patented by Italian designer Attilio Calimani in 1929 and believed to be brought to Australia in the late 1970s. This simple brewing method involves steeping coarsely ground coffee in a jug/pot of hot water and then pressing down a plunger to extract the essential oils and flavours. It’s quick and easy and the coffee tastes pretty good. Many are made of glass so need a safe place to travel on rough roads (P.S. mine didn’t survive the Gibb River Road).
The coffee plunger set from MSA 4x4 Accessories
Caravan World Editor John Ford uses a plunger from MSA 4x4 Accessories which is powder coated stainless steel and comes in a kit with cups and storage canisters. His did survive the Gibb River Road.
Stovetop espresso pot
John and I are both fans of the good old fashioned stovetop espresso pot which has been around for decades.
You simply fill the bottom chamber with water, add finely ground coffee to the filter basket, screw the top and the bottom parts of the pot together and put it on the stove. As the water heats up, it’s forced through the coffee grounds, creating a concentrated espresso-like brew.
Stovetop espresso pot makes a good strong brew
If you don’t want your coffee short and strong, just add some boiling water to make it long. The aroma of brewing coffee in your van in the morning is divine. This is also my go-to when we want to have a sneaky affogato for dessert.
Dripper/pour-over
I was first introduced to a coffee dripper when travelling in Europe many years ago. There was one in the motorhome we hired to travel through France and, quite honestly, I didn’t know what to do with it.
There are plenty of dripper/pour-over iterations available. Many are shaped like a funnel, to which you add a paper filter and finely ground coffee. Sit it on top of your cup and slowly add boiling water. The coffee will drip into the cup below.
Creative Director Tim van Duyl is a big fan of a gold-plated filter from EZICAF Solutions which works the same way but without the need for a paper filter, therefore less waste.
There are many el cheapo versions around. I have a stainless-steel dripper from Ikea and I reckon it’s the best $15 I’ve ever spent.
Tim’s other coffee tip is to start with good coffee beans and grind them yourself. Storing beans is important (yes, freezing them is OK but at least keep them dry and cool).
AeroPress
Tim reckons hands down that AeroPress makes the best coffee on the go. AeroPress is kind of a hybrid of the French press and pour over methods. Put your grounds in the press over your cup, add boiling water, wait for a half a minute or so and then press the water through the coffee into the cup. AeroPress now has a Prismo adaptor that allows some pressure to build and gives a better crema.
Aeropress coffee maker
When they were first released, I had to have a Wacaco Nanopresso (in red because that’s my favourite colour). However, I found the multiple parts a bit fiddly, and you need quite a bit of hand strength to force the boiling water through the coffee. There are other iterations on the market now, including a version that takes pods.
Bellman espresso and steamer machine
During the Camper Trailer of the Year 2024 event earlier this year, the crew from Ultimate Off-Road Campers were whipping up lattes and cappuccinos in their Bellman CX25P Espresso and Steamer — a portable coffee maker ideal for camping which allows you to make your espresso coffee and steam your milk at the same time.
Bellman espresso and steamer machine
This gadget brews espresso that’s akin to the coffee you could get from a traditional espresso pot so it can be drunk on its own or paired with milk. A pressure gauge lets you know exactly when enough pressure is built up to brew a balanced shot and also tells you just the right moment to stop brewing. This espresso maker and steamer works with induction, gas and electric stovetops and on an open fire as well.
Cans
Tim’s other go-to when his first two options have failed — and the one he does the most — is canned coffee, namely Japanese coffees. In Japan, during winter, most convenience stores have pie-warmers on the counter full of fun canned-coffee. Here you can get BOSS coffee in a can easily and others from specially shops.
If you want to heat them, you have to find cans with thicker walls and must not heat up carbonated cans.
Instant
When all else fails, there nothing wrong with good old NESCAFÉ Blend 43. If you’re a coffee snob it’s easy to turn your nose up at instant coffee, but it has its place and there’s always a tin in my caravan for an easy, convenient cuppa on the go.
All in all, there’s plenty of options to make a great coffee on the road. Of course, if you love your coffee machine as much as I love my Thermomix, then you will find a way to take it with you on your travels.
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