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How To Make Coffee Without a Coffee Maker?
Can we still enjoy a cup of coffee without a coffee maker? Yes, we definitely can!
Published August 9, 2021
Joachim Estal
Coffee experts@The Coffee Lab
People have been enjoying coffee since the 15th century. According to ancient history, monks were the first ones to experience coffee as a beverage. They pounded coffee cherries and then added boiling water to create a blend that would keep them awake during very long prayers.
It was not until nearly 400 years later that the first commercialized coffee maker was invented. Since then, we’ve been dependent on these electrical brewing apparatuses just to have our daily caffeine fix. Can we still enjoy a cup of coffee without the convenience of a coffee maker?
The answer is yes. We definitely can! And here are a few options you could try:
The Traditional Method
If you encounter a power outage in the city, you can still brew coffee without using your electric coffee maker. Try the old-school way of making your favorite cup of joe – all you need is your coffee, a pan, water, and fire!
- Boil some water. Fill in your saucepan with water and use approximately one ounce more than your usual proportion to account for evaporation and absorption. Set the pan on the stove (or a campfire if you’re trapped in the wilderness) and adjust the heat to medium.
- Add your desired amount of coffee once the water boils. Usually, it’s one tablespoon per 5 ounces of water, but add an extra scoop if you’re up for something stronger.
- Stir the mixture occasionally after every 45 seconds.
- Remove from heat right away after about 4 minutes of boiling. Wait for the grounds to settle.
- Serve and enjoy. Slowly pour the coffee into your vessel. You may use a strainer or ladle to make sure grounds don’t get in your coffee. Enjoy your coffee as it is, or you can add milk or sugar if desired.
Brew the Turkish Way
Turkish coffee is a popular method of brewing in many Arabian countries. The technique produces this thick and frothy brew with a stronger flavor but is still enjoyable. The usual serving size is small, sometimes placed in espresso cups.
- Boil some water. Begin with 6 ounces of water in a pot and place it over low heat.
- Add your coffee (and sugar). Add one heaping tablespoon of coffee. You can also opt to add sugar if you want a little sweetness to your coffee. Do not stir the contents.
- Lower the heat after 2 minutes. Stir the mixture and let it simmer for a few more seconds.
- Skim off the foam when you see it floating at the top of the coffee mixture. Remove the pot from the heat, and scoop and transfer the foam into your serving cups. Put the pot back into the heat and wait until froth forms once again. Repeat the process until you have enough foam.
- Serve and enjoy. Pour the coffee slowly into the respective vessels. Allow the coffee to sit for about 2 minutes before consuming so the grounds can sink to the bottom.
Bag It Up!
If you’re familiar with teabags (of course you are), the following method is somewhat similar. But instead of using dried herbs and flowers, we have coffee inside a well-sealed paper or cloth filter. This method may require more effort, but the result is worth it.
- Add coffee into the filter. Position your filter on a flat surface and add your coffee inside. Usually, 2 heaping tablespoons are enough, but you can add extra.
- Fasten the ends of the filter with a string or twine to seal the “coffee bag.”
- Steep the coffee bag in your mug by adding a small amount of hot water enough to saturate the entire bag. Let this sit for 30 seconds. Add more water into your coffee cup and brew for 3 to 4 minutes.
- Serve and enjoy. Remove the bag and enjoy your coffee as it is, or with sugar or cream.
If you decide to prepare more ready-to-brew coffee bags in advance, you can do so. Just make sure to keep the coffee bags in an air-tight container to preserve the coffee’s freshness.
Final Thoughts
Nowadays, coffee makers are no longer essential appliances at home or in the office, most especially since we have cafés and local shops that accommodate our daily coffee needs on the go.
In addition, with the advancements in technology and crusades for conservation for energy, we are now given an even more extensive list of brewer alternatives. The French press and manual pour-over cones do not require electricity when you need to brew a cup. Instant coffees are widely available in grocery stores.
So, if ever your favorite coffee maker suddenly stops working – or maybe you get trapped in a cabin in the middle of a freezing forest and need to keep awake for bears – don’t stress out! Coffee is still possible without a coffee maker.
About the author
Joachim Estal
8-year barista for a world-class coffee chain from the Philippines. Passionate writer and coffee champion. "Coffee has always been one of my biggest love interests in life. And I am here to share it with all of you through this platform."
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