So if you enjoy taking your friends and family on the road for vacation, especially in a family van or RV/camper, then you might want to consider a mobile, efficient, easy-to-operate coffee maker. We’ve made a list of some of the best coffee makers for you to consider taking on your next adventure.
Read on to find which RV coffee maker is the most compatible for you.
Why Should You Want an RV Coffee Maker?
If you’re a dedicated traveler, it can be hard to get your coffee fix when you’re constantly on the road. For those who enjoy quality coffee, relying on poorly made gas station coffee or hotel coffee can be dull and gross over time. Not only that, but drinking cruddy coffee throughout the entirety of your travel just sounds like a miserable way to get your caffeine fix.
On the other hand, finding delicious coffee from a drive-thru establishment like Starbucks can get expensive, especially if you’re traveling with multiple people. Not to mention, detouring every time you need a coffee can get pretty annoying pretty quickly. In addition, if you’re in an area you don’t know well or in a place that’s not heavily populated, you could have a hard time finding a place that serves coffee at all.
That’s why if you’re a coffee fanatic like we are, it’s crucial to be prepared. Most RVs and campers have a kitchen area, or at least a small countertop or shelf to place a small-sized coffee maker of some kind.
So, pick your designated countertop spot and get ready to explore all of the possible RV coffee makers to take with you on the road.
Differences in Mobile Coffee Makers
Before we dive into our list of the best RV coffee makers, it’s important to know the differences between them. When it comes to the variety of ways that you can brew coffee on the road, the options can be somewhat overwhelming. From automatic coffee machines to the more “do-it-yourself” manual brewing options, there are a variety of choices to utilize for all of your adventures.
Automatic Brewing Machines
When most people think of automatic brewing machines, they usually think of espresso machines, drip coffee makers, etc. Though there are many options to choosing which machine is best for you, it’s important to keep in mind that the sturdier the machine is, the less portable it will be. Because let’s face it: if you decide to take a break from the RV and you decide to go hiking or kayaking, it’s going to be difficult to find an electrical outlet to plug your $50 stainless steel drip coffee maker into.
Single-Serve Coffee Makers
One of the more popular electric coffee brewing options, single-serve coffee makers are an ideal option for the coffee lovers who enjoy a quick, single serving of coffee to get them through the morning.
Since they only make one cup of coffee at a time, single-serve coffee makers take up the least amount of countertop space, not to mention they’re the most portable. So if you’re looking for a simple, smaller coffee machine, single-serve coffee makers can make for some of the most delicious RV coffee you can get your hands on.
Many single-serve coffee makers use coffee pods or K-cups to brew coffee. If you don’t have pods of K-cups, some of the single-serve coffee makers come with a permanent filter that allows brewing with regular coffee grounds, giving you the option to stick to your favorite blends and roasts of coffee.
Multiple Serving Coffee Makers
For those looking for a permanent option to keep both in their RV and also in their kitchen at home, a coffee machine that’s a little larger in size and is able to produce larger amounts of coffee at once is a better option. If you’re traveling with your family or friends, then having a machine that can hold a larger amount of water than the standard single-serve machine may be the most efficient method of brewing coffee.
Manual Methods
Another side of RV coffee makers that many people utilize for travel is manual brewing. Many travelers enjoy manual methods of brewing because the equipment is often smaller in size, easier to pack, and easy to clean. Furthermore, some manual methods of brewing also allow you to take them from the RV and into campsites, mountain slopes, or anywhere you decide to take a break from camping inside of the RV itself.
The French Press
The French press utilizes the process of immersion when brewing. Rich, smooth, and robust in flavor, many adventurers enjoy the French press due to it’s simple to brew process that yields robust and savory results. There are a few reasons why some coffee fanatics believe the French press is the best manual brewing method. One primary reason is that since you’re soaking and steeping the grounds in water with the French press, the inner notes of flavor are coaxed out easier.
The primary reason that some individuals believe French press coffee is better than most other kinds of coffee is that paper filters tend to filter out some of the fats and oils in the grounds that add to the flavor of the coffee overall. However, since you’re soaking and steeping your coffee grounds in water with the French press, all of those hidden notes of flavors can be coaxed out easier.
Though the French press is simple to use, there are more working parts to the French press that require a little bit more cleaning to fully rinse out all of the leftover coffee grounds. Likewise, most French presses are made out of glass, which can shatter easily, but there are stainless steel French presses that are easier to carry.
The Pour-Over
Like the French press, many RV travelers also enjoy the pour-over method because the water filtration also helps to highlight the flavors within the coffee. However, unlike the French press, the pour-over involves the manual process of slowly pouring hot water over the coffee grounds at timed intervals, giving you full control over how much flavor is extracted from the coffee grounds. As a result, many fans of the pour-over method agree that it’s one of the most rewarding ways to make the most robust cup of coffee possible, especially while traveling.
And when it comes to portability, the pour-over itself is only a single piece of equipment. This makes it super simple to requires one solid piece of equipment, making it even faster and easier to clean. One thing to keep in mind is that even though the pour-over piece itself can be smaller and simple to transport, you’ll also have to pack extra equipment with you in order to brew on the go. This can include paper filters, a timer, and a small goose-neck kettle to boil your water with, as well as pouring it easily onto the grounds.
The Aeropress
If you’re looking for a brewing method that’s a quicker process and is easier to clean, an Aeropress might become your new traveling companion. Similar to the brewing method of the French press, the Aeropress uses the process of immersion and pressure to plunge the water through the grounds, resulting in a rich, delectable brew of black coffee.
Though it makes for a smaller volume of coffee, it’s specifically designed to be carried in traveling. Compact in size, the Aeropress is also made of plastic, ensuring that the chances of it breaking or cracking are slim. Even though its not the sturdiest RV coffee machine out there, many travelers enjoy the Aeropress because its one of the best coffee makers, and makes a satisfying cup of coffee every time. Furthermore, it’s not only easy to use but it’s also dishwasher safe as long as it’s placed on the top shelf.
The Best RV Coffee Makers
As we begin to dive into our list of some of the best RV coffee makers out there today, you should know that since there are so many different kinds out there to choose from, we decided to break them down into different categories. So, whether you’re more concerned about saving counter space or saving as much energy as possible when it comes to making coffee, we’ve got at least one recommendation on here for you.
The Most Efficient Options
If you’re looking for just a well-rounded machine to get your coffee brewing done, you’ll be wanting something that’s affordable, dependable, and made well. Here are some of the best, most efficient, easy to use machine options to take with you on the long haul.
BLACK+DECKER Single-Serve Coffeemaker
With its small size and price tag, the Black + Decker Single-Serve Coffeemaker can easily become your favorite traveling companion. There are several features on this machine that make it compatible for life on the move, including automatic shut off, a tall space to brew with a variety of different sized mugs, as well as a permanent coffee filter. In addition, you also receive a complimentary travel mug to brew your coffee into to sip on during travel. All of these features give you peace of mind, more change in your pocket, and a savory cup of coffee.
The Black + Decker isn’t only simple to operate, its also easy to clean. The brew basket is mesh material and is dishwasher safe, allowing you to rinse it easily in between brew cycles. Furthermore, it’s made with BPA free stainless-steel and plastic, making it completely safe to use.
Hamilton Beach Single Serve Coffee Maker
Similar to the Black + Decker, the Hamilton Beach Single Serve Coffee Maker is one of the most capable and dynamic coffee makers produced by Hamilton Beach. Though there is an option for a 12-cup carafe built into the single-serve coffee brewer, the single-serve option eliminates the need for brewing with coffee pods. So, you can save extra money and just brew with regular coffee grounds, making an 8 oz cup of coffee in under 2 minutes.
And if anything ever happens, don’t worry. The Hamilton comes with a one-year limited warranty, making it a safe option to invest your money into. Some of the accessories included with this machine are a single-serve scoop (which also serves as a filter), and a spill-resistant tray. There have been some reports of the Hamilton overflowing when brewing coffee, but this is a relatively easy problem to avoid as long as the ground size of your coffee isn’t too fine, and you don’t overfill the already small water reservoir.
Cuisinart Programmable Coffee Maker
One feature about the Cuisinart Programmable Coffee Maker that many consumers enjoy is that not only does it double as the perfect indoor RV coffee maker, but it also doubles as a permanent coffee maker for the home as well. The easy to use, simple to work buttons and display screen, the Cuisinart can efficiently produce about 12 cups of drip coffee in one sitting. However, it also comes with 4 cup size settings, letting you brew a smaller amount of coffee without wasting an entire carafe each time you have a caffeine craving.
Another feature we love is the permanent mesh filter, allowing you to save money from buying disposable paper filters. One thing to keep in mind though is that since the carafe is made of glass, it does pose the risk of breaking during the rough-and-tumble of traveling. Due to this, it may not be the best option for those who are constantly on the move, but it will be a great fit for those who are traveling on the road in the RV most of the time.
Coleman Camping RV Coffee Maker
One of the most efficient options on our list, the Coleman Camping Coffee Maker doesn’t look like much at first glance. However, despite its smaller size, this machine is quite versatile when it comes to brewing good coffee. Making about 10 cups of coffee, not only is able to make a large amount at once, but it’s also compatible with your stovetop in your RV’s kitchen.
Weighing about 6.5 pounds, the Coleman is able to be placed on 2 or 3 ringed stovetops, allowing you to brew easily even if there’s not an outlet plug nearby. It also comes with a pause and serve feature, allowing you to sneak a sip before brewing has completed. The brew basket also swings outward, allowing you easy access to quickly change and replace the filters and coffee grounds.
However, one thing to keep in mind about the Coleman is that it does have a glass carafe, so even though it’s efficient with its stove compatibility, the carafe does have a higher risk of breaking and shattering.
The Space-Savers
For a camper coffee maker, size DOES matter. If you are most concerned about saving countertop space, or maybe if you’re just a single traveler on the road, you may want a more compact machine. Though they can’t make large batches of coffee in one sitting, where they lack in coffee production they make up for in size.
Keurig Plus Single Serve K-Mini Coffee Maker
One of the more popular coffee machine brands, Keurig has been in the business of designing sleek and simple coffee makers since 1990. With a brewing time of only 1-2 minutes, the Mini has several beneficial features, such as a removable drip tray, seamless button control, and two brewing settings. The regular brew setting provides you with a smooth, silky cup of black coffee, while the strong brew setting is concentrated and packs more of a punch with each sip.
To complement its efficiency and power, the Keurig is less than 5 inches in width, and this size includes the pod storage container built into the machine. The Single Serve K-Mini Coffee Maker can brew about 6oz-12oz of coffee at a time, which makes brewing a breeze. However, due to the smaller size of the reservoir, you’ll need to refill it before every brew cycle.
Chulux Single Serve Coffee Maker
Another single-serve coffee brewing machine, the Chulux Single Serve Coffee Maker is designed for quality brewing performance and portability. Ranking in at only about 9 inches in height, 7.5 inches in length, and 4.5 inches in width, the Chulux is built to fit anywhere. The Chulux comes with its own permanent mesh filter to brew coffee grounds with, but if you have leftover K-cups lying around it accepts those as well.
The most notable feature on the Chulux is its one-touch operation, allowing you to brew with only the push of a single button. Another feature we enjoy is the removable drip tray, allowing you to place a range of mugs of different sizes to brew into, whether it’s a small mug or a larger travel thermos. With a total brewing time of about 3-5 minutes, the Chulux can brew about 12oz of coffee, making it a perfect grab-and-go option while you’re living the RV life.
Presto 6-Cup Percolator
If you’re looking for a more simplistic way of brewing but still want an electric device, try a percolator! A classic approach to making coffee, percolators are often compared to drip coffee makers because they use the same water filtration process. However, the main difference is that the percolator will cycle through and repeat the filtration process in order to extract more flavor out of the grounds. Though it may not be super easy to use, the percolator is still considered one of the most reliable RV coffee makers on the market today.
Many travelers enjoy it because it creates a more robust, stronger, more bitter coffee. Due to this, some choose the percolator to brew with because it not only packs a punch of flavor and caffeine, but it can also produce a larger amount of coffee than the pour-over or the French press methods. In addition, a percolator is sturdy in build, making it easy to toss into your RV to take with you on the road.
One thing to keep in mind is that a percolator might be a little more complicated and time-consuming to thoroughly clean. An effective way to clean your percolator is by filtering hot water through the pot and adding about three teaspoons of baking soda to clean it out.
Wolecok Silicone Collapsible Coffee Brewer
if you’re looking for a more manual, minimalistic, simple way of brewing coffee in your RV, the Wolecok Silicone Collapsible Coffee Brewer is one you don’t want to overlook. Utilizing the pour-over method, the Wolecok is smaller in size and convenient to clean. Not to mention, it’s extremely portable, durable, and able to last throughout all of your travels. All it requires are hot water, paper filters, and your favorite coffee grounds (and maybe a grinder, too).
However, since it is more of a manual process, the Wolecok can only make one cup of coffee at a time. But where it lacks in quantity, it makes up for in quality. Since the Wolecok gives you complete control over the brewing process, you can extract the richest, deepest notes of flavor within your coffee of choice–and voila! A delicious cup of coffee for you to enjoy whether you’re making a morning trek up a mountain, or relaxing by a campfire in the evening.
[aamzon box=”B01E5G1L66″]GSI Outdoors 1-Cup Stainless Steel Mini Espresso Maker
Need an espresso fix? Made of stainless steel, the GSI is able to make a double shot of espresso in about 90 seconds. Though it definitely isn’t a heavy-duty coffee machine, it’s small and portable enough for you to take with on the road. Not to mention its impressively small size makes it easy to tuck into a kitchen cabinet or drawer when you aren’t using it. In fact, it actually only weighs an impressive 7 ounces.
Constructed with double walls, the GSI functions through the use of pressure and heat. Placing the espresso grounds in the bottom of the gadget, adding a little water, and heating it up, can give you a delicious shot of espresso. However, even though this is most likely one of the smallest espresso makers on the market today, not only will you need your coffee mug, but you’ll also need a grinder than can produce a fine grind to brew with.
The Life of Luxury
Whether you’re just coffee crazy or you’ll be traveling with a group of fellow coffee drinkers, you may want to consider more higher-end, more permanent options for your RV. If the size and price don’t matter that much to you, you may want to look into some more luxurious, even under the counter coffee makers.
Nespresso Vertuo Coffee and Espresso Machine
A more permanent option for your RV camper, the Nespresso Vertuo Coffee and Espresso Machine has a variety of brewing settings to satisfy and coffee craving you may have on the road. With its 40oz removable water reservoir, the Nespresso is capable of making many different drinks with a warm-up time of only 20 seconds. Some of these drinks include espresso, double espresso, gran lungo, a coffee, an alto, as well as iced coffee and iced latte drinks.
Furthermore, the Nespresso Vertuo uses smart technology in order to properly brew the different drinks. It does this through reading barcodes that are printed on the pods themselves. In doing this, the machine can understand the requirements for water volume and temperature to brew each beverage. With the amount of efficiency it provides, it makes it a perfect machine to take with you on the road with its versatility, reliability, and relatively small size.
Behmor Brazen Plus Temperature Control Coffee Maker
Sleek in design, the Behmor Brazen Plus Temperature Control Coffee Maker makes an excellent decoration to any RV kitchen countertop. Some great characteristics that we enjoy bout the Behmor’s design are the clear, easy-to-press buttons on the face of the machine, as well as the lighted screen display for you to easily see and program it. Allowing you to program hours in advance, it can also brew up to 1.2 liters (40 oz) of coffee at once.
Made from stainless steel and built with an oversized filter head, the Behmor thoroughly saturates the grounds before brewing and even comes with a pre-soak option too. Likewise, the Behmor also has a built-in temperature control setting, allowing you to brew at a temperature from 190 degrees F to 210 degrees F. This temperature flexibility makes it easy to adjust to changes in altitude when traveling, ensuring your coffee tastes the same no matter where you go. Though it isn’t built for single-serve sized coffee and is a bit more of an investment, the Behmor will definitely kick your camping experience up a notch.
Black + Decker SpaceMaker Coffee Maker
One of the fanciest options on our list, the Black + Decker SpaceMaker Coffee Maker is known for its cutting-edge design and stunning performance. If you have little to no counter space in your RV, then the SpaceMaker may just be the best option for you. Made of stainless steel, it blends in perfectly in your kitchen and will stay out of sight, primarily because it is installed underneath your countertop.
Though the unit can be stored almost completely out of sight, it can be somewhat large, coming in around 17′” X 12″ X 13″. However, the bulk of the machine can be tucked away with only the slim, sleek spout revealed for easy access. Making about 8 cups of coffee at once, the carafe of the SpaceMaker is double insulated, allowing your coffee to stay warm for up to a couple of hours. Furthermore, if you want to sneak a sip of coffee before brewing is completed, it also comes with a “brewing pause” feature.
One of the priciest machines on our list, it does require some installation. Though the set-up stage can be a little bit of a hassle for some, the amount of efficiency, compatibility, and quality of coffee almost can’t be matched. That being said, the SpaceMaker is one of our top recommendations to anybody looking for a high-quality brewing machine to permanently reside in their RV or camper.
Factors To Consider Before Purchasing
Not only is the coffee maker itself important to consider before purchasing, but the RV space you’ll place it in is also important. So before you begin shopping around, make sure to ask yourself these questions before deciding which works best for you.
How big is your RV?
Counter space in an RV is already limited enough, so making sure you have adequate space to store your equipment is crucial. Though a larger, standard home coffee maker from home may fit on the smaller counter space, having it take up a large area of your RV kitchen will eventually drive you nuts. This is why it’s necessary to make sure your coffee maker is made for mobility. The more portable it is, the less space it will consume.
How many people will be using your machine?
If you’re traveling in an RV, odds are you won’t be traveling alone. Though it’s easy to just randomly choose a coffee maker and call it a day, you’ll need to consider how often you’ll be brewing coffee, as well as how many other people will be using it. The main factors that will influence how much coffee you’re able to make are the size of the water tank and the size of the carafe. Of course, the larger the water tank and carafe, the more coffee you and your fellow travelers can enjoy.
What is it made of?
If your RV coffee maker is made with solid, heavy-duty material, the longer it’s going to last you. If it’s constructed out of glass or plastic, the chances of your machine breaking are much higher. On the other hand, if your coffee maker is made out of sturdy material like stainless steel, it will be much more solid and reliable.
Is it worth the investment?
When choosing between a handful of machines, sometimes the price will be the ultimate factor in deciding which one you’ll purchase. Often, the smaller the RV coffee maker, the cheaper it may be, and vice versa.
When shopping for a coffee maker for your permanent home, you may pay more because the machine will be higher quality and less transportable. However, most choices for RV coffee makers, are efficient, compact, and simple, and hopefully less expensive. If you’re paying hundreds of dollars for a coffee maker that you’ll only use for traveling short distances, you may want to reevaluate your options.
How convenient is it?
One of the most essential benefits of an RV coffee maker is convenience. If your coffee maker isn’t simple to work, use, clean, and carry around with you on the road, it isn’t worth your investment. The most convenient coffee makers should have no hassle when it comes to using them during travel. If you plan on being on the road a lot of the time, it’ll be nice to brew coffee knowing that the overall experience of it is as easy as possible for your coffee needs.
Do you like the brewing method?
Another factor to consider when choosing your RV coffee maker is your preferred brewing method. If you aren’t sure what brewing method you prefer, the first question you can ask yourself is: do I want a machine to brew my coffee for me, or do I want to manually brew my coffee?
If you enjoy brewing coffee manually, there are several options out there for you to choose from. If you already have experience with manual brewing methods, then this shouldn’t be too much of a change for you. However, if you like to have the machine do all of the work for you, then you should consider purchasing a drip coffee maker, single-serve coffee maker, or even an electric percolator. That way, all you’ll have to do is prep the coffee grounds, pour the water, and let your machine do all the rest.
In Conclusion
At the end of the day, your perfect RV coffee maker should be one that fits all of your traveling needs. Nobody should have to hit the road without a satisfying coffee to sip on at the same time, and we believe that you should keep your coffee addiction as mobile as your traveling lifestyle.
So choose your coffee maker, pack up the RV, and get ready for your next adventure!
Happy caffeinating!
