Like many people, you probably count on your drip coffee machine to help you brew hot, fresh coffee every morning. Some of you may have time to brew a daily Chemex pick-me-up with freshly ground, home-roasted beans. Well, the rest of us wake up in the morning, run to the coffee maker, press the button and silently pray that the coffee will be prepared quickly.
But what happens if, after pressing the button, suddenly nothing happens? What if the water doesn't heat up? What if the power goes out? Or even worse - because of someone you had to stay in a hotel or in a camp where there is no coffee maker in sight? In the latter case, it is worth thinking about who you spend time with.
Until such a situation occurs, you need to find a way to brew coffee. Depending on what you have on hand, there are several ways to make the drink without a machine.
While none of these techniques compare to coffee made with freshly ground beans and hot, filtered water, you can at least get a temporary solution to the problem. This is an alternative that should be used until you replace your drip coffee maker or choose other places to stop while traveling.
Saucepan method
If you only have a limited amount of supplies with you, this option will likely work for you. Using basic kitchen tools, you can brew a mug or an entire pitcher of coffee right on a regular stove.
You will need:
- ground coffee;
- water;
- small saucepan;
- spoon;
- scoop;
- mug.
How to make coffee
- Pour water into your pan. Use slightly more liquid than needed for the drink. Some water will evaporate during boiling or be absorbed into the grounds.
- Pour the ground coffee directly into the water. Use the same amount of product that you would put in a coffee machine with the same volume of water.
- Turn the burner on to medium-high until the coffee and water mixture begins to boil. Stir it occasionally to prevent coffee particles from burning to the bottom of the pan.
- Remove the lid from the pan and boil the coffee for two minutes.
- Remove the pan from the heat and let the drink steep for four minutes. Thanks to this, undissolved coffee will settle to the bottom. Don't forget to turn off the stove.
- Using a ladle, pour the finished coffee into a cup, without taking away any undissolved residue. A small scoop is especially suitable here. If you don't have any at all, you can very slowly pour the coffee out of the pan. Undissolved ground product is heavy, so the grains will mostly remain at the bottom.
Set of 4 stainless steel scoops from CucinaPrime – 60 ml, 120 ml, 180 ml, 240 ml
Approximate cost: $16.49
Coffee bag method
Are you the type of person who wakes up with a brain that's in full swing, ready to get through the day? If so, you can prepare ground coffee in bags for yourself, similar to tea. The French did this back in the 18th century.
You will need:
- ground coffee;
- hot water;
- coffee filter;
- thread (any thread will do, the main thing is that it is not covered with wax);
- mug.
How to make coffee
- Measure out one portion of ground coffee, then pour it into the filter.
- Close the filter tightly. You will end up with something like a bag of ground coffee.
- Tie a thread to the filter. Its long end should hang out of the mug, like a tea bag.
- Heat the water in the way that is available to you - in a kettle, in a kettle or in a saucepan, you can even just put the mug in the microwave.
- Place the coffee bag you created into an empty cup.
- Slowly add hot water to the mug, but be careful not to overfill it.
- The coffee should brew for about four minutes. The time can be increased or decreased as needed to adjust the strength of the drink.
- Remove the filter and empty it before drinking.
Norpro stainless steel tank with 6.7m cotton kitchen string
Approximate cost: $13.98
Pourover and Chemex
A pour over is a ribbed funnel with a paper filter, into which hot water is poured from above (“pour over” - literally “pouring from above”) from a special kettle. The coffee tastes very clean, quite invigorating, and the funnel takes little time - it takes about three minutes to prepare one cup.
A Chemex is similar to a pour-over - hot water is poured into the funnel-shaped neck of the device, passing through a paper filter with ground coffee, but in the lower container the coffee is aerated (saturated with oxygen) by rotating the entire flask. Like in a decanter for cognac and expensive wines! That is why this coffee has an unusually sweet and mild taste.
Strainer method
If your coffee machine is out of order and you don’t have filters with you, then you’re very out of luck; it’s better to go to the store. If at the same time you suddenly have a strainer, then the situation may turn for the better.
But any ordinary strainer will not work. Be sure to use a product with small intervals (for example, a double mesh filter) so that particles of ground coffee do not get into the mug.
You will need:
- ground coffee;
- water;
- kettle or saucepan;
- strainer (ideally small, conical);
- mug.
How to make coffee
- Take the required volume of water for the number of cups of drink you are going to prepare and pour it into the kettle or saucepan.
- Add the required amount of ground coffee. Stir.
- The water should start to boil. It should be kept on the stove for two minutes.
- Remove the pan from the heat.
- Hold the strainer over the mug and pour the coffee into it. The undissolved grounds from the pan will fall into the strainer, and the drink will pour directly into the mug. Unlike the method that uses a saucepan, you don't have to wait a while for the particles to settle to the bottom, because you use a strainer.
HUJI Stainless Steel Conical Strainer - 7 cm
Approximate cost: $7.49
Filter method
If your coffee maker is kaput and you don't have any filters, then you probably need to head to the grocery store. However, if you have a strainer, everything can work out fine.
But not any old setter. Be sure to use a strainer with very small holes, such as a double layer strainer, which will prevent your coffee grounds from getting into your cup.
You will need:
- Ground coffee
- Water
- Kettle or saucepan
- Strainer (small, conical, ideal)
How to do it
- Measure out the required amount of water for the number of cups you want to make and pour into the kettle or saucepan.
- Add the correct amount of coffee for the number of cups you are brewing. Paste it.
- Bring the water to a boil and keep it simmering for two minutes.
- Remove pan from heat.
- Hold the strainer above the mug and pour the coffee through it. The filter will catch all the grounds that come out of the pot as the coffee flows into your mug. Unlike the pot method, you don't have to wait extra time for the coffee grounds to settle because you're using a filter.
Handkerchief method
Why have a Keurig coffee machine when you can make one cup of coffee using simpler, less expensive materials that are better for the environment?
This method requires a little patience, but you will likely not end up with a drink with ground coffee particles in it. You can use a glass Mason jar to make the scarf method look extra cool. Well, if you like that.
You will need:
- ground coffee;
- hot water;
- paper clips or clothespins;
- a clean handkerchief or other cotton or linen cloth;
- mug or Mason jar.
How to make coffee
- Place the handkerchief on the mug, then gently press it in the center so that a portion of ground coffee can be poured into the indentation.
- To prevent the fabric from moving, secure it with paper clips or clothespins. Use at least three fasteners to prevent the scarf from falling into the liquid.
- Place one portion of ground coffee on a cloth.
- Pour in a small amount of hot water. Over the next 30 seconds it should be completely absorbed into the coffee.
- Slowly and carefully pour in the remaining hot water. Keep an eye on the clothespins and adjust them if they start to move.
- Put away the scarf and ground coffee and enjoy your drink.
Transparent Ball jar with wide neck and lid - 470 ml - set of 2 pcs.
Approximate cost: $9.44
Making cappuccino at home
This beautiful, sophisticated drink is actually quite simple to prepare. And if you get the hang of it, it’s also quick. Here are affordable recipes for cappuccino coffee at home without a coffee machine.
Classic in Turkish
The first task is to brew espresso. To do this, pour 1.5 teaspoons of ground coffee into the Turk and pour 100 ml of cold filtered water. The contents are heated over low heat, almost bringing to a boil. After letting the foam sink, you need to warm up the Turk again. The procedure is carried out 4-5 times.
High-quality coffee is a prerequisite for making espresso. It is good to use home-roasted and ground beans.
Next you have to make the foam. The correct proportions of coffee and milk for cappuccino are 1:3. A third is the air cap. For one serving you will need 50 ml of cold milk. It must be pasteurized or homemade unboiled. The liquid needs to be heated slowly in a bowl or saucepan.
Artificial French Press
One of the most popular methods of making coffee can be replicated using a minimum of equipment. This method is so simple that it can be repeated in the kitchen and even over a fire. If your French press is broken, try this method.
You will need:
- ground coffee, preferably coarsely ground;
- hot water;
- tablespoon;
- deep bowl;
- mug.
How to make coffee
- Place ground coffee (one tablespoon per mug) in a bowl.
- Pour in some boiling water until it completely saturates the ground product.
- Add the required amount of hot liquid for the selected number of servings to the bowl. Let the mixture sit for four minutes.
- Once the ground coffee has settled, use a tablespoon to gently press the particles to the bottom of the bowl. Be careful not to get yourself dirty.
- Slowly pour the coffee into the cup, using a spoon to hold the compressed ground coffee at the bottom of the bowl and not allow any particles to end up in the mug.
White porcelain bowls BIA Cordon Bleu Café au Lait – 470 ml – set of 6 pcs.
Approximate cost: $36.99
Cowboy method
Do not worry. To make coffee using this method, you don't need a horse or a huge hat. But such a drink can be prepared in almost any conditions - if you don’t mind that there will be undissolved particles in your coffee mug.
You will need:
- ground coffee;
- water;
- kettle or saucepan;
- spoon or any other mixing device;
- mug.
How to make coffee
- Place ground coffee in the kettle (one tablespoon per serving).
- Add water to it (approximately 240 ml per serving). Mix well.
- Place the kettle over the flame (or on the stove) and bring the contents to a boil.
- After the liquid has simmered for two minutes, remove the kettle from the heat.
- Leave it alone for four minutes to allow the coffee particles to settle to the bottom.
- Slowly pour the coffee into the mug, avoiding any coffee particles. But, after all, this is a cowboy drink, so some grounds won't hurt.
Overmont aluminum kettle with silicone handle – 1.2 l
Approximate cost: $15.98
Microwave method
Don't have a drip coffee maker, floss, or time? As long as there is electricity and a microwave, you can enjoy your coffee. This is the simplest method of preparing the drink possible.
You will need:
- ground coffee;
- water;
- microwave;
- mug.
How to make coffee
- Fill the mug with water and microwave it for about two minutes. The liquid should be very hot, but not boiling.
- Add a tablespoon of ground coffee. There will be a hissing sound when you do this.
- Do not touch the mug for four minutes. The ground coffee should settle to the bottom of the cup.
- Enjoy your drink, but avoid the last sip. It will only contain ground coffee.
Toshiba Microwave with Smart Sensor – 0.03 cu. m – 1100 V
Approximate cost: $91.15
Microwave method
As long as you have power and a microwave, you can also make your own coffee. This is also a simple method that you can do.
You will need:
- Coffee
- Water
- Microwave
How to do it
- Fill your mug with water and place it in the microwave for two minutes. The water should be very hot, but not boiling.
- Add a tablespoon of coffee. It makes a sizzling sound when you first add it.
- Allow your mug to sit for about four minutes to allow the bases to sink to the bottom of the mug
- Enjoy your coffee, just make sure you avoid the last sip filled with coffee grounds.
In an emergency, break your coffee mug
Okay, just kidding. But if the mere thought of spending the morning without coffee makes you want to break your favorite mug, then it’s better to stock up on various devices for emergencies.
Instant coffee
This product is known for its bitter taste and bad reputation among coffee connoisseurs. Nevertheless, it has existed for almost a century. And there is a simple reason for this – convenience.
Keeping a supply of instant coffee in your pantry can literally save your life in a pinch. It may not be the most delicious drink you've ever tasted in your life, but at least you'll get rid of the headaches you'll get if you forget about drinking coffee altogether.
Italian premium quality instant coffee Lavazza Prontissimo Intenso – 95 g – set of 2 pcs.
Approximate cost: $14.99
