Are you in need of a camping percolator to make good coffee no matter where you are?
We are delighted that you have found us and are happy to offer this resource.
Percolators use an old, yet innovative design to brew up a strong, quality cuppa. Making coffee for more than two people is easiest to do with a camping percolator.
Before you buy, you should check the :
- Percolator capacity. How many servings do you need? Standard sizes brew 6-12 cups of coffee containing around 8fl. oz.
- Percolator materials. These coffee makers are most commonly made from stainless steel, enameled steel, or aluminum. Look out for glass knobs.
- Stovetop or electric. How the percolator works can change the capacity in which you use it.
Read More : 3 Things to Know Before Buying Camping Percolators
If you are ready to find the best percolator for your next camping trip, you’re at the right page.
Our top picks
Here’s a quick round-up of the best camping percolators. If you want to know what we think of them, read on.
Best Budget Option : Coleman Coffee Percolator
“An affordable, easy to use, classic design coffee percolator for camping.”
Value for Money : Stanley Adventure Percolator
“Made from durable stainless-steel, giving you a sturdy coffee maker that is ready whenever you are.”
Large Capacity : Texsport Stainless Percolator
“Brews 28 cups of coffee simultaneously, making it the percolator with one of the largest coffee percolators around.”
Coleman Coffee Percolator
- Material : Aluminum
- Capacity : 9 cups
Coleman’s version of a coffee percolator is straightforward. It has a classic design made with aluminum. It is easy to use and runs as a standard percolator does. To pick it up or pour it, use the handles at the top and back with a cloth or an oven mitt.
Aluminum is easier to dent than some of the other metals that are standard in percolators. However, it is rust-resistant and maintains its overall shape and functionality for a long time.
The knob at the top of the Coleman Coffee Percolator is made with strong glass and is only a layer over a piece of domed aluminum. Glass knobs are easy to break, so less glass is better. They are commonly used since they do not conduct heat well.
What we like
- The classic design gives it a vintage feel.
- Convenient use from the dual-handled design.
- Reinforced glass means less chance of breakage.
What we don't like
- Dents easily due to aluminum material.
Stanley Adventure Percolator
- Material : Stainless steel
- Capacity : 6 cups
Stanley is well-known for being a quality make for all things camping and drinkware. Their camping percolator might be a bit on the expensive side, but it does its job well. Its stainless-steel construction is robust, providing you with a sturdy coffee maker that is ready whenever you are.
Although most of the percolator is 18/8 stainless steel, its handle is cleverly crafted with a silicone grip. That way, when you are finished you can safely take it away from the flames and serve up the brew. Be careful with it since it can fall off. If the silicone grip is not in place, then the entire handle heats up with the rest of the pot.
The entire Stanley Adventure Percolator is made with BPA-free materials, and it is safe to clean in the dishwasher. Each of the six cups receives a serving of approximately five fl. oz.
What we like
- BPA-free design means it is safe for everyone.
- 18/8 stainless steel construction is robust and long-lasting.
- Silicone grip on the handle provides safe movement.
What we don't like
- More expensive than similar products.
Texsport Stainless Percolator
- Material : Stainless steel
- Capacity : 28 cups
If you have a large group to brew for consistently, then the Texsport Stainless Percolator could be the right product for you. It brews 28 cups of coffee at a time, making it the percolator with one of the largest capacities on this list.
Stainless steel makes up the majority of the product, although the handle has wooden grips that do not conduct the heat as well. Protect your hands during a pour with this handle or lift the lid with the glass knob on top. They also supply you with an extra just if the first one breaks, which it is prone to do.
An easy pour spout helps to limit the spillage when serving the liquid inside. Most of the Texsport Stainless Percolator is dishwasher safe, expecting the siphon spring on the inside and the lid.
What we like
- Large capacity makes it a great fit for big groups.
- Wooden grip keeps it safe on hands when pouring.
- Mostly dishwasher safe for easy cleaning.
What we don't like
- Glass knob breaks very easily.
Farberware Classic Yosemite Percolator
- Material : Stainless steel
- Capacity : 8 cups
Farberware crafts its Classic Yosemite Percolator to make a consistently delicious cup of coffee. It is made from heavy-duty stainless steel. It comes polished to a beautiful mirror finish, but it can corrode and tarnish if you use it over open flames.
Like most percolators, a plus of using one of these products is that they come with a permanent filter basket. You don’t have to use messy filters, and it ends up being better for the environment. The lid is stainless steel with a glass knob. It is the only piece of the percolator, along with the pump tube spring is not dishwasher-safe.
Farberware believes in its products, including the Classic Yosemite Percolator. It comes with a lifetime guarantee typical to all of their other products.
What we like
- Polished finish gives an appealing look.
- A permanent filter basket has a beneficial impact on the environment.
- Lifetime warranty instills greater trust in the product.
What we don't like
- Some parts are not dishwasher safe.
Cook N Home Stovetop Coffee Percolator
- Material : Stainless steel
- Capacity : 8 cups
Another percolator crafted with mirror-polished stainless steel, this product from Cook N Home retains heat and warms up evenly. Each part is made with steel except for the handle, which has a silicone grip coating, and the knob on the lid, made from plastic, which can melt if it gets too hot.
Inside, the stainless steel filter basket is removable, making it easy to clean and better for the environment. You don’t have to use paper filters over again to get the coffee kick that you need in the morning, and you won’t have to dispose of them either.
Most models currently come with multiple pieces that connect to the bottom. Cook N Home Stovetop Coffee Percolator is steadier and leaks less by only using one piece at the bottom with the filter easily being taken in and out. The lid seals tightly on top to lock in the heat. It is fairly small in its overall design at 5” x 8” x 8”.
What we like
- Silicone grip on the handle protects the user.
- Less leaking with less movable parts on the bottom.
- The small size helps increase packability.
What we don't like
- The plastic knob melts when it is too hot.
Presto Coffee Percolator
- Material : Stainless steel
- Capacity : 6 cups
The most important aspect to note about this percolator is that it is electric. It runs on a 500-watt system and can quickly brew two to six cups of coffee. If you do not have a method of connecting the machine to an outlet at a campsite or RV, it won’t work well as a part of your system.
Presto’s Coffee Percolator functions by circulating hot water through the grounds, making that satisfying percolator sound. Since it is electric, it is equipped with a light on the front, letting you know when your coffee is ready to be served, and a detachable cord increases packability.
Keep your coffee warmer for longer with the percolator’s keep-warm mode. Both the handle and the lid’s knob is made from a cool-touch plastic material that makes it safe to handle even after heating up. The Presto Coffee Percolator comes with a 1-year limited warranty to protect your purchase.
What we like
- Ready-to-serve light gets rid of the guesswork.
- Stay-cool plastic means it is safe to handle when hot.
- A detachable cord increases packability.
What we don't like
- Electric connection limits camping uses.
Cuisinart Classic Percolator
- Material : Stainless steel
- Capacity : 12 cups
Cuisinart brings percolators into more of the modern scene with their traditional coffee technique. The percolator is large enough to make 12 cups of coffee, but its design is overall slim and curved to give it an elegant appeal.
Most of the material is stainless steel. However, the transparent knob is a durable plastic that demonstrates the progress in the brew cycle. The handle presents a firm grip for safe pouring without pinching the fingers or hand.
Cuisinart Classic Percolator is also electric and runs with an indicator light to show when the coffee is ready to be served. It also comes with a detachable cord that makes it easier to pack up. A stay-cool hard plastic bottom sits safely on any surface to keep it from causing any damage. It comes with a limited 3-year warranty.
What we like
- A 3-year warranty is long and protects your purchase.
- Stay-cool hard bottom inhibits damages to any surface.
- The elegant design makes it an attractive unit.
What we don't like
- Electric capacity limits overall camping usages.
GSI Outdoors Glacier Percolator
- Material : Stainless steel
- Capacity : 36 cups
Another option for a great big group brew, the GSI Outdoors Glacier Percolator, is made entirely from 18/8 stainless steel except for a glass knob on top of the lid. It comes in multiple size options, from 8 cups to 36 cups.
You need to use an oven mitt or cloth when serving liquid or otherwise handing the little machine. It has no wooden or silicone grip to make it safer. The pour spout helps you to minimize dripping.
The GSI Outdoors Glacier Percolator is made to work well over a campfire. To accomplish this, it is rugged in design and comes with easy-to-use pieces that also make it easier to clean.
What we like
- 18/8 stainless steel construction is rugged and durable
- Two handles make it easy to pour out with control
What we don't like
- No safe grip on either handle on either handle
Camping Percolators Buying Guide
Looking for a camping percolator is a great way to set up your camping coffee system. They allow you to scoop in grounds, fill it with water, and away you go, no matter your heating source.
They are relatively straightforward as well, but there are still a couple of aspects to consider.
These are 3 things to think about before purchasing a camping percolator.
Percolator capacity
Percolators can come in a variety of interior capacities. This is what determines how many cups of coffee you can brew with each batch. It is better to get a coffee maker that you want to brew to capacity each time since brewing with a percolator and only using part of the interior cup doesn’t always end up producing the best coffee qualities.
Although you can find very small sizes that work for a couple of people maximum, it is more common to find sizes that brew between 6 to 12 cups of coffee. Examples of these sizes include the Stanley Adventure Percolator and the Farberware Classic Yosemite Percolator.
If you need a coffee maker for larger groups, there are plenty of percolators with bigger interior capacities. Percolators like the Texsport Stainless Percolator and the GSI Outdoors Glacier Percolator brew batches of 28 to 36 cups.
Percolator materials
There are three primary materials that make up the body of a percolator, including stainless steel, enameled steel, and aluminum.
- Stainless steel. An 18/8 stainless steel is the most common material for a percolator’s body since it is very durable and resistant to rust and corrosion. It does not scratch or dent easily, either. The Cook N Home Stovetop Coffee Percolator is a good example of classic stainless steel design.
- Enameled steel. Enameled steel is not exemplified on the list, but it is a popular way to craft a percolator. The enamel is typically kiln-hardened multiple times and provides insulation to keep the outside cooler while the interior heats up. They are not as popular to use while camping since they are still not quite as durable as a through and through stainless steel version.
- Aluminum. It is not as common to make a percolator from aluminum since it is not as durable as stainless steel. They can be fortified, but they still show wear faster. An excellent example of a quality product made with aluminum is the Coleman Coffee Percolator.
These can be augmented with silicone or wooden grips on their handles and plastic or glass knobs on the top lid. These features make them easier to handle when hot and desirable if you don’t have a mitt or thick cloth.
Stovetop vs. electric percolators
Two primary methods of using a percolator include on the stove and plugged into an electrical socket. Like Cuisinart Classic Percolator and Presto Coffee Percolator, the electric versions are best used in an RV setup or with electric outlets at a campsite. It limits its versatility, but it also brews faster and indicates when it is finished.
Stovetop percolators function better over a campfire or on a camping stove. Be aware that placing a metal object over an exposed flame can discolor the material, although it shouldn’t ruin it.
Amanda Williams
Amanda Williams is a writer, plant-nerd, and outdoor enthusiast. She has traveled extensively, around the U.S., throughout Asia, Europe, and Latin America. Everywhere she treks, she takes time to enjoy the outdoors. John Muir is her hero. She aspires to inspire people to live better as he did.
