Majority today is dependent on the hands of a coffee maker. These ‘dependent’ people, including myself have been arrested for the love of coffee and might not be able to function without it.
The taste, aroma, and all these health benefits related to the coffee we hear every now and then also won’t let you skip it. As the time demands, be a free human and get rid off the dependencies, even if it’s a coffee maker.
What’s worse than getting up and not having to taste your morning brew? I tell you what might be next; A line of curse words for everything. A bad mood to work? God forbid. What if you want a cup of coffee but don’t want to go through the regime of the coffee maker’s fancy push and high-tech control panels.
All this hassle can be saved if you know how to make coffee without a coffee maker. I’ve got all the recipes lined up for your ease which will prepare the delicious coffees if you follow all the instructions in right way. And guess what? All of them do not require you to have a fancy coffee machine.
Read below and thank me later!
Things you should know before-hand
I got to tell you something before you head over to the kitchen and get all worked about your brewing.
1. Fresh Grounds
Always use fresh grounds. I can not press on this enough. Fresh ground coffee is a whole lot of different game, I tell you. These fresh grounds make your coffee better than in the maker, if not better. Using stale grounds can make your coffee taste bitter and not so worth the effort you put it in.
2. Store Coffee Beans (Right Way)
Moisture is alarmingly important issue that needs to be tracked. The coffee beans lose their taste once they are exposed to moisture. The proper way to store coffee beans plays a very important role in its freshness. This might be the main reason you will need the best coffee container for storing fresh beans.
3. Temperature Monitoring Device
The temperature of the water you use while making your coffee is very important. If the water’s temperature is too low, then the flavor in the coffee grounds cannot be justified. And if your water is too hot, it can damage your coffee grounds and deliver a bad odor to your coffee. Different coffees vary the temperature of the water but the average is 195-205 Fahrenheit.
10+1 Best Methods/Recipes to Make Coffee Without Coffee Maker
Following these best recipes will make you master the art of experimenting different coffee taste as per their respective recipes.
1. The Cowboy Method
Timing: 5 minutes max
Remember when your grandma showed you her coffee party photos around the fire? Their wasn’t a coffee maker insight but they seemed to enjoy it to the fullest. How? The classical cowboy coffee is your answer. Getting its name from the old American cowboy stories, this coffee recipe has survived generations and many camp fires.
What will you need?
Not a cowboy hat necessary but okay if you have one.
- A saucepan, of course
- Stove heat/camp fire
- Coffee grounds
- Water
- Spoon
- Ladle
- Mug
Instruction to make it
- Pour water into a saucepan. Make sure you use slightly more than the amount you want in your coffee as you will be losing some through evaporation.
- Pour the coffee grounds in it and stir the mixture. The same amount of grounds as you pour in the coffee maker if you were to use one.
- Fidget up the burner to medium to high burn. You could humm while you stir the grounds every now and then to avoid burning.
- Continue this boiling process with a lid-less of the saucepan for two whole minutes.
- Turn off the stove while you take the pan off it.
- Wait for four minutes so that the coffee grounds settle down.
- Transfer the mixture from the pan to the mug using a ladle. If you don’t have a ladle, pour the mixture slowly. And ta-da, your coffee is ready.
2. The Strainer Method
Got coffee cravings? But don’t want to go to the grocery store? This is the time you use that strainer. Yes, a strainer but the one with double mesh and small holes. See how.
What will you need?
- Coffee grounds
- Kettle/Saucepan
- Mesh strainer (best if it’s a conical one)
- Mug
Instruction to make it
- Pour the water in your kettle or saucepan in accordance to your servings.
- Add the coffee grounds accordingly.
- Bring the water to boiling verge and let it boil for two minutes.
- Turn off the kettle/remove the saucepan from heat.
- Put your strainer above your mug and let the coffee pour over it. The strainer will catch any grounds if there.
- Unlike other methods you don’t need to wait for the settling of grounds.
3. The Coffee Bag Method
Starting this method from the 18th century in France, this method has brought the coffee enthusiast the combination of coffee and comfort.
The coffee bag method is believed to be by far one of the simplest ones. If the odds are against you and you have no coffee maker then I would suggest you to just bag this method. It is pretty much similar to the tea bag for a single serving.
What will you need?
- Saucepan
- A measuring cup
- A coffee filter
- Piece of String (without wax)
- Water
- Coffee grounds
DIY Your Coffee Bag
- Place your coffee filter onto a flat place.
- Put the desired amount of coffee grounds for the single serving onto the filter. Two and a half spoon would do, but you can always change according to your desire of the brew.
- Tie the filter using a long-tea bag looking string in such a way that the grounds won’t get out.
Instructions to make it
- Heat the water in a pan or kettle up to the accepted amount of water. Once done, let the water cool a little for 15-20 seconds.
- Place your DIY coffee bag into an empty cup.
- Pour the hot water into that cup carefully.
- Steep the coffee bag to get the coffee effect. 2-3 minutes if you prefer normal bre and 3-4 minutes if you desire a stronger cup.
- Once you reach your targeted steep, take out the coffee bag and discard it.
4. The French Press Method
Timing: 4 minutes approx
The french press method might be the least effective method to make an espresso, but it can get you very close. However, if you follow this method religiously, you will know how to ace this method.
What will you need?
- A French Press
- Finely grind coffee beans
- Grinder
- 2 clean mugs
Instructions to make it
- Heat the water using a tea kettle at 195-205 degrees.
- Finely grind your coffee in a grinder.
- Use double the amount of coffee you usually do as this coffee will be very finely ground.
- Put the grounds in the French Press.
- Put a small amount of water into the French Press, allowing the coffee grounds to bloom the aroma. (pouring all the water would also get you to the point, but in this way, you can have a better taste).
- Add the rest of the water to the pour line once the coffee is done blooming.
- Stir gently.
- Add the French Press lid but don’t press it just yet.
- Allow a time of steep according to your preferred brew level (preferably four minutes).
- Slowly take the lid of the French Press down.
- It would be ideal if you transfer this to a serving pot and then later to your cup.
5. The Turkish Coffee
As the name suggests, the Turkish Coffee is inspired by the tea of Turkey. The Turkish tea is boiled in a special pot called cezve. That is where the Turkish coffee is inspired from. The speciality about Turkish coffee is the foamy texture from the boiling of water and powdered coffee grounds.
What will you need?
- Coffee grounds (powdered)
- A Turkish pot/cezve
- Water
Instructions to make it
- Add two tablespoons of coffee into a cup of cold water in the cezve.
- Stir gently.
- Place the cezve on low heat.
- When it’s almost near boiling and the foam has risen, take off a little foam out of it and place in the coffee mug.
- Return to heat.
- Take off the boiled mixture and shift into the coffee mug.
6. The Moka Pot Method
Timing: 5 minutes approx
The moka pot method first exercised by Luigi di Ponti in 1933 is alive until date with different manufacturers. The most attractive thing about it is that it can provide the closest espresso without a coffee maker right there on the stove. Although it is not exactly the machine espresso but is something quite close to savor your cravings.
Presenting you the right combination of classical and modern, the moka pot method:
What will you need?
- Coffee grounds (2.5-3 tbsp)
- Coffee grinder
- Moka pot
- Damp towel
- Water
- Stovetop
Instructions to make it
- Fill in the pot with cold water just below the valve (over-filling will cause loss of flavor and aroma).
- Grind your beans to the fine level using a grinder (don’t grind too fine as it can block the equipment parts).
- Fill the funnel with these grounds (don’t overburden the funnel).
- Tightly screw the upper part onto the base of the pot. Make sure to keep a gentle hand to avoid breakage.
- Choose the burner which is suitable for the pot’s base size (not the one in which the flames come to the sides of the pot).
- Keep the moka pot on the stove until the water starts to boil and the coffee makes upto the centre post.
- Do not heat too high as this will give a burnt smell.
- You will see the top part of the Moka top full of coffee and hazel brown foam emerging.
- Remove from the stove.
- This foamy appearance appears seconds before the coffee is made.
- You may or may not stir slightly.
- Espresso cravings done right. Now grab the towel and clean the Moka pot. Make sure it’s dry every time you use it again.
7. The Cold Brew Method
Prep time: 5 minutes. Rest time: 12 hours.
You know the real coffee-star these days – The Cold Brew. it has made its way to every local and high-end coffee shop. It’s safe to say that it’s my personal favorite.
Plus, all this confusion about iced or cold brew is the same. This recipe will not only teach you how to make cold brew but also explain to you the difference between iced coffee. Like the recipe shared by The New York Times.
So follow below.
What will you need?
- Cold water
- A container
- Strainer
- Filter
- Coarsely ground coffee
Instructions to make it
Servings: 4 cups
- Measure the grounds according to your servings and place them in a separate container. For four cups, it will be one cup of grounds (btw it’s 1:4 coffee water ratio for cold brew).
- Gradually pour four cups of water to the container.
- Light press the grounds with the back of the spoon.
- Let it rest for 12 hours.
- Place the filter on the top of the second container.
- Gently pour the brew from the first container to the second container..
- Pour your brew into a cup and drop a few ice cubes in it.
8. The Handkerchief Method
Timing: 5 minutes max
Who needs a coffee maker when he has the opportunity to brew that cup of coffee at home. In a more rustic and less expensive, environmentally friendly way. The Handkerchief Method is your choice if you prefer all that.
What will you need?
- Coffee grounds
- Hot water
- Binder paper clips or clothespins
- Clean hanky/linen or cotton cloth
- Mug or Mason jar
Instructions to make it
- Place the piece of cloth on top of the mason jar. Then press into the center of the cloth to make a pouch that can hold the coffee grounds.
- Fasten the cloth into the right place using binder paper clips (three would be perfect).
- Take a single cup portion of coffee grounds into pouch.
- Pour some amount of hot water over the grounds and let it soak for 30 minutes.
- Pour the rest of the hot water carefully
Simple and hygienic as that. Your cup of delight+coffee is ready.
9. The Microwave Method
Got a microwave you thought was not much of a use? It will be useful once you learn this method. Avoid all the string, cloth, coffee maker blah blah and get your coffee.
What will you need?
- Microwave
- Water
- Coffee grounds
- Mug
Instructions to make it
- Fill the mug with water and mount it over in the microwave plate.
- Heat for two minutes (make sure it doesn’t boil, adjust the time according to your pot).
- Add your preferred amount of coffee grounds (it will make a sizzling sound).
- Allow four minutes of settling time to the grounds.
10. The Swedish Egg Method
The Swedish is the strongest coffee game. Apart from the usual coffee maker but an interestingly additional egg, we present you with the Swedish Egg Method.
What will you need?
- Fresh egg(s)
- Coarsely ground coffee (1 or 1½ will suffice a serving)
- Room temp water
- Iced cold water
- Saucepan
- A bowl/cup
- Filter/Cheesecloth
Instructions to make it
- Boil the room temperature water in your saucepan. (one cup a serving will suffice).
- Crack an egg in a cup along with the shell.
- Stir the egg and add the coffee grounds. Stir again.
- Add the boiling water and stir for about 3 minutes.
- When a big clump is seen, add the ice cold water (1 cup here).
- Let the water sink in.
- Slowly add the coffee through the cheesecloth into your mug.
11. The Iced Coffee Recipe
Timing: 10 minutes approx
Remember your old love? The iced coffee. Whatever new flavors come around, the iced coffee is going to be a classic for sure. So if you love it this much, why don’t you learn to make it without a coffee maker? I’ll guide you how.
What will you need?
- Filtered coffee
- Instant coffee granules
- Creamer
- A jar
- Cloth/stainer
- Milk according to your choice
- Sugar (if desired)
Instructions to make it
- Add instant coffee, sugar, and water in a closed jar.
- Shake well until it becomes foamy.
- Pour the milk.
- Add iced cubes.
- Layer it with your favourite creamer.
Final Thoughts
Let’s face it – we’ve been completely dependent on our beloved coffee machines these days, and it’s almost impossible to imagine a life without them.
But if there is:
- Power outrage at your home.
- A problem with your water supply.
- Your coffee maker isn’t working due to any reason.
- Your counter doesn’t have enough space for a bulky coffee machine.
- You’re camping or something.
- and many other reasons…
You can still enjoy a nice and delicious cup of coffee by following the above-given methods/recipes with the help of – french press, coffee filter, saucepan, strainer, etc.
AND yes, none of these methods require you to have an operational coffee machine.
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