Great coffee, wherever the road takes you.
There’s just something about that first cup of coffee in the morning when you’re camping. Maybe it’s the crisp mountain air, the sound of a nearby river, or that you have a whole day of nature ahead of you. Whatever it is, coffee just tastes better outside. Fact.
After years of camping and eventually transitioning to full-time van life, we’ve learned that having a good coffee setup is part of our daily routine we look forward to each day.
And while we’ve tried different ways of making coffee over the years, there’s one that keeps earning its spot in our camper: AeroPress.
If you’ve been considering AeroPress, read on and take advantage of our code ADVENTUREOUTTHERE20, to save 20% this holiday season.
We’ve been using AeroPress coffee makers for years, and recently upgraded our setup with the AeroPress Manual Coffee Grinder, AeroPress Clear XL, and Flow Control Filter Cap. Just when we thought we had our coffee routine down, it has gotten that much better.
If you’re looking for the best coffee maker for camping, van life, or RV travel, here’s why we think AeroPress is pretty hard to beat.
Why We Love AeroPress for Life on the Road
When you live in a van, every single item needs to earn its space. In 60 square feet, we don’t have endless storage, so we’re pretty selective about what comes along for the ride.
Our coffee setup is no exception.
With AeroPress you don’t need a bulky coffee machine or a complicated brewing process to make a really good cup of coffee. No hate to anyone who does travel with one of those pod coffee machines, but that’s just something we don’t have room for in our van.
All we need is hot water, ground coffee, and our AeroPress.
That’s it!
Whether we’re boondocking in the middle of nowhere, camping in the mountains, or spending a rainy morning inside the van, we can make that perfect cup of joe before we hit the road.
And for anyone traveling in a camper van, RV, truck camper, or even a tent, making that quick and easy cup of coffee in the morning is a pretty big deal.
1. Compact, Lightweight, and Easy to Store
Space is precious when you travel in a camper van. One of the main reasons we’ve stuck with AeroPress is how little room it takes up compared to traditional coffee makers.
It’s lightweight, compact, and easy to tuck away in our overhead cabinets. We also love that it’s super durable so we don’t have to worry about it breaking while bouncing down a rough dirt road, and no bulky machine taking up valuable counter space.
For us, that’s a huge win.
2. Really Good Coffee Without the Fuss
Let’s be honest. Convenience is great, but if the coffee doesn’t taste good, what’s the point?
One of the things we love most about AeroPress is how consistently good the coffee tastes. The brewing process gives us a smooth, rich cup of coffee without the bitterness and because we can adjust the amount of coffee, water, and brewing time, it’s easy to make our coffee exactly how we like it.
Whether you prefer a strong, concentrated brew or a more traditional cup of coffee, AeroPress gives you plenty of flexibility.
3. Cleanup Is Ridiculously Easy
If you’ve ever washed dishes in a camper van with limited water, you know why this matters!
One of our least favorite parts of cooking or making coffee on the road is cleanup. We try to conserve water whenever possible, especially when we’re camping off-grid for several days.
With AeroPress, cleanup takes just seconds. Pop out the used coffee grounds, give everything a quick rinse, and you’re done.
No messy coffee pot, no complicated parts, and very little water required.
Our Upgraded AeroPress Coffee Setup
While we’ve loved our AeroPress Go for years, we recently added a few new pieces to our coffee collection. And we’re pretty excited about them! Here’s what we’re currently using and why each one has earned a place in our van.
AeroPress Clear XL: More Coffee, Same Great Simplicity
Living in a van as a couple, we love being able to make two cups of coffee at once. That’s where the AeroPress Clear XL comes in.
The XL offers a larger brewing capacity, allowing us to make enough coffee for both of us in one batch instead of brewing separately. We also love the clear design. Not only does it look great, but it’s fun being able to see the water and coffee grounds mix together.
AeroPress Manual Coffee Grinder: Fresh Coffee Anywhere
If there’s one thing that can make a good cup of coffee even better, it’s freshly ground beans.
We recently added the AeroPress Manual Coffee Grinder to our setup, and it’s quickly become one of our favorite upgrades. Seriously, where has this been our whole life?!
The grinding mechanism is buttery smooth and there are a bunch of different settings to get the grind that is perfect for you.
It’s compact, easy to pack, and produces such a great cup of coffee with freshly ground beans.
AeroPress Flow Control Filter Cap: More Control Over Every Cup
Another addition to our setup is the AeroPress Flow Control Filter Cap.
This little accessory gives us more control over the brewing process by helping prevent coffee from dripping through before we’re ready to press. That means we can experiment with brewing times and create a stronger, more customized cup of coffee.
It’s a simple upgrade, but one that makes a big difference in dialing in your perfect cup.
Just be sure to check compatibility with your specific AeroPress model, since accessories aren’t necessarily interchangeable across every size.
The Perfect Coffee Setup for Camping, Van Life, and RV Travel
What makes AeroPress such a great travel coffee maker isn’t just one feature. It’s the combination of everything. It’s portable, doesn’t require electricity, makes fantastic coffee, and is incredibly easy to clean.
And unlike some camping gear that only gets used when we’re out exploring, our AeroPress gets used every. single. day. Whether we’re parked beside an alpine lake in the Sierra, tucked into a quiet forest campsite, or simply enjoying a slow morning in the van, our coffee routine is one of our favorite parts of the day.
There’s something comforting about having those familiar little rituals when your backyard changes every few days.
AeroPress Makes a Great Holiday Gift for Outdoor Lovers
With the holidays right around the corner, we’ve also been thinking about gifts that people will actually use. We certainly don’t want to promote over-consumption and mass consumerism, but we strongly believe everyone loves (and let’s be honest, sometimes needs) a good cup of coffee.
If you have a coffee lover, camper, van lifer, or RVer on your shopping list, AeroPress is a pretty easy recommendation. PLUS, with our code ADVENTUREOUTTHERE20, you can save 20% this holiday season.
A classic AeroPress makes an excellent gift for someone just getting into camping or looking to simplify their coffee routine.
For someone who already owns one, accessories like the Manual Coffee Grinder or a compatible Flow Control Filter Cap are great ways to upgrade their setup. They also make pretty incredible stocking stuffers.
And for couples or anyone who likes brewing more coffee at once, the Clear XL is worth checking out.
You could even put together a little camping coffee gift bundle with an AeroPress, a bag of their favorite coffee beans, and a fun camp mug. It’s practical, thoughtful, and something they’ll enjoy long after the holidays are over.
Our Final Thoughts: Is AeroPress Worth It for Van Life?
After years of using AeroPress on our adventures, we can confidently say it’s one of our favorite pieces of gear in the van. It’s not flashy or complicated. It just does exactly what we need it to do, day after day.
Now that we’ve added the Clear XL, Manual Coffee Grinder, and Flow Control Filter Cap to our collection, we’re enjoying our morning coffee routine even more.
For us, that’s what great camping gear is all about. It makes life on the road a little easier, a little more enjoyable, and gives us more time to focus on the adventures that brought us out here in the first place. Because at the end of the day, sometimes the best moments aren’t the big hikes or epic mountain views. Sometimes they’re just the two of us, sitting outside the van with a fresh cup of coffee, watching the world wake up.
Here’s to great coffee and even better adventures!
Want to upgrade your camping coffee setup or find the perfect gift for the coffee lover in your life? Check out the AeroPress collection and find your new favorite way to brew on the road.
AFFILIATE DISCLAIMER: Some of the links above are affiliate links. If you choose to use them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products we use ourselves and love. This helps keep us on the road and making content. We appreciate your support!
Leave a Reply