In this world of convenience, where almost everything we could possibly need is available at the touch of a button, it’s not surprising that the coffee maker has become one of the most popular appliances in homes across the globe.
But what happens when you find yourself without a coffee maker?
What are your options for making that morning cup of Joe?
Here are four ways how to make coffee without a coffee maker.
1. Cowboy Coffee
Cowboy coffee is a fast and easy way to prepare a hot cup of jo if you don’t have access to a coffee maker.
The term “cowboy coffee” stems from a well-known and simple technique for cowboys to make their brew while on the move.
All you need are grounds, a pot, and some heat.
How To Make Cowboy Coffee:
Brewing coffee directly in the pot is a time-honored technique for campers.
There are two ways to make cowboy coffee while camping (or if you don’t have a coffee maker): the scoop top method and the sink down method.
Here is how you can make cowboy coffee using either of these two methods.
Scoop Top Method
Fill a kettle with water and boil it with your preferred heat source.
Remove the kettle from the heat and carefully spoon coffee grounds into it.
Place the kettle back on to low heat and let it simmer.
Then, scoop the coffee grounds off of the water’s surface and enjoy your coffee.
Sink Down Method
Boil a kettle filled with water on your preferred heat source.
Then, remove the kettle from the heat and add coffee grounds into the kettle.
Place the kettle back on to low heat and let it simmer. Some of the coffee grounds will sink to the bottom after a few minutes.
Put a small amount of cold water on top to allow the grounds to sink to the bottom.
Then, pour the coffee into your mug carefully, so as not to let the coffee grounds rise from the bottom of the kettle.
2. Turkish Coffee
Turkish coffee is another way to brew a cup of coffee without a coffee maker.
To make Turkish coffee, you need to use very finely ground coffee beans and a special coffee pot also known as a cezve or ibrik.
These pots are often small and made of copper with a long handle, although some are ceramic, stainless steel, or glass.
How To Make Turkish Coffee
Making Turkish coffee can be done in a few simple steps.
- Pour one small cup of water into the Turkish coffee pot. If you’re making coffee for two, use two small cups of water.
- Measure out your coffee grounds. The best ratio for a delicious cup of coffee is 1 cup of water and 2 teaspoons of ground coffee.
- Put the coffee grounds into the Turkish coffee pot.
- Using a spoon, stir the water and coffee grounds gently until mixed well. You can add sugar if you would like your coffee to be sweeter.
- Then, place the coffee pot onto low heat and let it cook.
- Stir the mixture two to three times as the coffee cooks.
- Once the coffee is about to boil and foam begins to rise, remove the coffee pot from the heat.
- Scoop the foam into your coffee mug and place the coffee pot back onto medium heat.
- Let it rise, and remove it once it starts to boil again. Pour the coffee into the mug and enjoy!
3. Pour Over Coffee
Pour-over coffee is a simple way to make coffee without a coffee maker or any special equipment.
All you need to make pour-over coffee is a kettle, coffee grounds, and paper pour-over filters.
How To Make Pour-Over Coffee
To make pour-over coffee, place the paper frame filter over the top of your mug.
Then, add 1 or 2 tablespoons of coffee into the paper filter.
Boil your kettle or water over your heat source and once boiled, slowly pour the boiling water over the pour-over pouch.
Then, enjoy your fresh cup of coffee.
4. Coffee in a bag
Coffee in a bag is another simple way to make coffee that doesn’t require any special equipment.
Coffee in a bag is ground coffee that’s put into a coffee filter and tied up with string or twist ties.
When making coffee in a bag, you’ll be making your coffee similar to how you make tea for an easy, delicious cup of coffee.
How To Make Coffee In A Bag
Fill a paper coffee filter up with about 2 ounces of freshly ground coffee and twist it closed.
You can use twist ties or strings to tie the filter shut.
Boil hot water in a kettle or pot and pour it into your mug.
Then, put the coffee bag into the mug and let it steep for 5 minutes and enjoy your fresh brew.
4 Best coffee filter substitutes
There’s nothing worse than getting ready to brew yourself a fresh cup of coffee, only to realize you’ve run out of coffee filters.
The good news is, there are plenty of coffee filter substitutes you can find in your home.
Here are 4 of the best coffee filter substitutes you can use.
1. Paper Towels or Napkins
The most common coffee filter substitute is a paper towel or napkin.
Simply place the paper towel or napkin where the coffee filter would normally go and add the grounds inside.
Paper towels can contain chemicals that can seep into your coffee, so it’s best to use brown, unbleached towels.
2. A Clean Dish Towel Or Cloth Napkin
If you have a dish towel or cloth napkin handy, you can easily make yourself a cup of coffee.
Set the dish towel or cloth over the compartment where the filter would go and put in your coffee grounds.
Let the water run through as you normally would, and enjoy your coffee.
3. A Fine Mesh Sieve
A fine-mesh sieve can work as an excellent coffee filter substitute.
Put 2 tablespoons of coffee in the bottom of a glass cup.
Pour a cup of hot but not boiling water over the grounds.
Stir them once and wait about 5 minutes.
Set the fine-mesh sieve over a mug and pour the coffee through it and there you have it – a delicious cup of coffee.
4. Reusable Tea Bags
If you have reusable tea bags at home, you can use them to make a quick, tasty cup of coffee.
Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of finely ground coffee into the reusable tea bag.
Seal up the tea bag with string or a twist tie and add it to a mug with hot but not boiling water.
Let the coffee steep for a few minutes.
Then, remove the tea bag and enjoy your fresh cup of coffee.
Can you drink ground coffee without filtering?
You may be wondering whether it’s possible to drink ground coffee without filtering it at all. The good news is that yes, you can.
If you make coffee from grounds without filtering, there will be grounds at the bottom of your cup.
You’ll most likely get a few mouthfuls of some coffee grounds unless you slowly pour the coffee into another mug.
Are you supposed to drink the coffee grounds in Turkish coffee?
Since Turkish coffee is served unfiltered, there will be coffee grounds at the bottom of your cup.
When you’re drinking Turkish coffee, you want to leave the coffee grounds at the bottom of the cup and avoid swallowing them.
It’s important to drink the coffee slowly until you get to the bottom, where the grounds are too thick to be drunk.
Final thoughts on making coffee without a coffee maker
So, there you have it – plenty of ways to make coffee without a coffee maker.
Whether you’re in a bind and don’t have your coffee maker handy, or you want to try something new, these methods will help you brew yourself a delicious cup of joe.
