For coffee drinkers, we know that coffee is much more than just a morning routine. The magic stuff gets you through your day (us, too). But when you’re living on the road, the type of coffee maker you use can be as personal as your choice of campsite.
Some RVers swear by the simplicity of a drip coffee maker. Easy to use and capable of brewing multiple cups at once, it’s a reliable option for those with hookups or a generator. Others lean toward single-serve machines, like a Keurig, for their convenience and minimal cleanup. When counter space is limited, the compact design of these machines is a lifesaver.
For boondockers and off-grid explorers, a French press or pour-over system is often the go-to. These manual methods require no electricity, just hot water, maybe brought to a boil over a camp stove outside, and deliver a rich, flavorful brew. A Moka pot is another favorite, especially among espresso lovers craving that strong, bold kick without the need for a full-blown espresso machine.
Similarly, for those who like a touch of tradition, a percolator bubbling away on a campfire can turn coffee-making into an experience.
The beauty of RV life is its adaptability—whether you’re in a fifth wheel with a full kitchen or a compact camper van, there’s a coffee maker that fits your lifestyle.
So, what’s brewing in your RV? Share what coffee maker you have in the poll below. If it’s not listed, select “other” and then leave a comment. Thanks!
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RVDT2817
Stainless steel electric percolator.
I use a percolator to brew my coffee.
I use a $20 Dollar General drip coffee maker. It was cheaper than buying a replacement carafe but it works just fine. No clock, no touchscreen display, no rows of buttons. Just a simple On/Off rocker switch.
I probably bought the same one when our coffee maker stopped working. Eventually I bought the same one that stopped working because I thought the flavor of the coffee was better with the brew options it had. That is when I realized I am a coffee snob.
I use a regular (old fashioned) percolator.
AeroPress forever. I drink one cup of coffee a day. It takes about 3 minutes to make a cup. They make smooth, rich coffee, and all you need is hot water. I store mine inside my coffee cup when it is not in use. I have one at home, one in the travel trailer and one in my camper van.
I use a percolator.
I love the sound of a Percolator
I grew up with that.
Aeropress
Black & Decker one cup drip
Only coffee drinker in family. Use a WalMark, Chinese made K-Cup coffee maker. For $20, tough to pay Keurig price.
Use an old stove top percolator. That also helps put some heat in the trailer in the morning.
Yuck. Who put “instant coffee” as a choice?
It must have been a connoisseur who drinks Nescafe Columbia as I do. I used to drink boiled coffee and drip coffee and in 1979 my sister served me Nescafe. I switched then and never went back. When I open the jar it smells like real coffee. My wife drinks Maxwell House. When I smell that it reminds me of petroleum. To each their own.
I use a drip coffee maker because I drink A LOT of coffee.
I assume it’s what we use in the RV while on the road, we use an old stove top percolator. I had one I used since the 70’s but a few years ago it was damaged during a storm and we had to replace it. We don’t always camp where utilities are available and don’t want to carry two coffee makers.
In the trailer we use an inexpensive drip. It does take a while to fill the pot though. But we only make one pot a day in the morning. The rest gets reheated in the microwave.
At home we use a Bunn. Since it has a reservoir that keeps the water hot, it only takes 3 minutes for a full pot.
When I tent camped, it was 6 cup percolator.
Technivorm Moccamaster
We had one and my husband hated it. Wish I never sold it.
I only drink caffeinated coffee in the morning. My insulated mug is 20 ounces. Drip baby drip. Perc pots are 2nd best. Cowboy is THE best but takes more effort. Those that drink a petite single cup love the Keurig machines. For me the machine and the K-cups are too expensive. Didn’t like the French Press, don’t drink espresso. Have yet to find an instant coffee that tasted right to me. I do have a collapsible silicon funnel for making a pour over cup of coffee when traveling in parts of the world that doesn’t seem to know how to brew coffee.
Drip coffee maker at the brick and stick… 20 cup stainless stovetop percolator when we’re camping… best tasting coffee..
I grind our own blend of beans…
At home the Keurig is on constant use. In the camper the old style on the burner percolator. Nothing like the smell of fresh coffee brewing throughout the camper especially on a crisp fall morning on a hunting trip.
I do not drink coffee.
Never liked the taste or a hot drink.
My 99 year old mother LOVES coffee.
She uses a Black and Decker percolator coffee 500 times a day!!!
We use a Black & Decker Grind & Brew 12-Cup Coffee Maker. We love fresh ground coffee every morning. Mix our own brew from 2 different coffee beans.
Kirkland Signature whole bean French Roast & Kirkland Signature organic whole bean medium dark roast coffee. The smell is intoxicating… perfection!!
Drip for the bricks-and-sticks, Keurig for the RV.
I answered “regular drip coffee maker” because we use a Mr. Coffee at home. But in the motorhome, we use a single-serve because it is smaller, has no glass carafe, and is much easier to clean up. We carried a pour-over (Melitta) in the travel trailer and fifth wheel for dry camping and boondocking. But we don’t now because we have solar, Li, and an inverter, so the “Keurig” rip-off works everywhere!
Although I grew up with the sound and smell of coffee percolating in the morning, I’ve heard that percolators actually make terrible-tasting coffee compared to other methods. My girlfriend uses a French press that’s the size of a coffee mug, which is very convenient in our small motorhome. Me? I don’t drink the stuff!
stainless steel percolator on stovetop or Coleman stove
In the RV, when set up, we use a cheap drip style. But, we also have a $20 off-brand single cup “Keurig type” for travel days.
Keep perking, percolator. Old fashioned percolator for me.
We use an Aeropress; similar to a French Press.
I use a drip machine in the sticks and bricks home but in the camper it’s always an old fashioned stainless steel stove top percolator.
How is percolator not on the list of choices??
I love my Keurig, but have recently been enjoying the instant mushroom coffee.
Like many responses here, we use an old fashion electric percolator. In fact, we bought several new units (storage) when they went on sale years ago, in case they stop making them.
I don’t drink coffee.
I make cold brew coffee. It’s a concentrate stored in the refrigerator. I add water and heat it up in the microwave. It’s not bitter, has less caffeine, and is so inexpensive. A liter lasts over a week for me.
I dream of a machine that grinds the beans then brews the coffee right in the cup. Starbucks at home 🙂
In our brick & mortar home, we use a regular drip coffee maker. When in the RV, we use a poor over, which doesn’t care if we have 120v.
I only make coffee for my wife. I am a tea drinker. Never got past the “burned” taste of coffee.
I don’t drink coffee. But I do drink hot chocolate and I do use a keurig.. Single cup..
I don’t like coffee so don’t have any of these. I do like to smell coffee.
If we have campsite electricity we use an electric drip coffeemaker. Otherwise it’s a stovetop percolator.
No pot just throw the grounds in my cereal
I could not live without my Moka Pot.
We have THREE coffee makers in our camper: a single-cup pod type coffee maker, which we use most often; a drip maker, for in case we run out of pods (my wife and I love our coffee…), and a stovetop percolator for in case we don’t have electricity (hey, it can happen…). Mmmm…coffee…
Starbucks!
We cut down a Melitta cone to fit the top of the thermos airpot, so use that with Melitta-type filters.
Clever Dripper. Combination of French press and pour over. Super easy way to make coffee and easy to clean up.
We most often use instant, but do have an old Cuisinart drip coffee maker for when we want more than one cup.
Aero press or Pour over with freshly ground beans using a hand grinder
Waitress: What would you like to drink this
fine morning, sir?”
Me: “Black coffee, thanks”