Great way to make cowboy coffee. We also use toe part of ladies stocking to strain out the coffee during the pour. You can rinse it out and reuse multiple times.
The higher heat of boiling will also cause the acids to break down, effectively ruining many/all of the lighter roast coffees. Coffees that are "bright and fruity" are not good choices for the cowboy method. However, low acidity coffees brewed cowboy style can work exceptionally well. IMHO, Sumatra coffee brewed cowboy style is absolutely wonderful. The cowboy method is also well-suited for brewing LARGE amounts of coffee. I brew cowboy coffee 3 gallons at a time. It is a great way to make a LOT of coffee when out car camping with a large group. It is not a method I will ever use when backpacking.
As long as you do it the way that I showed in the video, there is no boiling of the grounds. I was using a light to medium with a decent sweetness and fruity profile, all intact the way I did it.
Yes, your "modified cowboy method" greatly minimizes the loss of the sweet & fruity elements found in many of the light & medium roasts. "Cowboy coffee" purists will argue that if you are not boiling it, it isn't cowboy coffee...it's just french press without a press. And "Coffee by the rules" purists will vehemently object to the boiling of coffee period. Of course, those same rules also rule out cold brewing. Yet cold brewing has allowed coffee to be enjoyed by people who otherwise would have to abstain from it. Truth be told, the dynamics change drastically when the size of the pot increases. Yes, it is dang near impossible to boil coffee in a small pot without burning/scalding it...which is why it is pretty much impossible to make good cowboy coffee for 1 (be honest...you didn't make cowboy coffee, you made french press without the press). But in a 21.5 quart Granite Ware canning pot, it becomes a whole lot easier to keep the coffee grounds in proper suspension & agitation within the water with a good rolling boil in effect. But it will only create an enjoyable cup of coffee if it is paired with a coffee/roast that is complimented by the brewing method.
Good points, and you're absolutely right, what I made is essentially the same as what I would do in an aeropress or french press, without the plunger. But for the purposes of hitting the trail and being able to brew without getting grounds in your cup and not requiring any special equipment, that's exactly what I was able to do! I have no problem with people brewing their coffee the way they enjoy it, as long as I can do my own thing! I enjoy a good cup of coffee, and I have really enjoyed all the brewing I've had to do to make this series a reality! I'm not lacking caffeine!!! Thanks for the input and conversation!
I love the crema- that was actually very hard to watch- coffee in the woods is vital. I was taught to bring the water to a boil, take it off the coals, add the grounds, stir once, and then- wait, for the grounds to drop. Of course, tapping the side of the pot or adding water thru the spout are frowned on, unless I'm the one doing it 🙄
Thanks for watching! This is not a method I use of would really recommend using, but I know many do which is why I showed it. The other methods in the series are much more to my liking! Aeropress Go and Cuppamoka being my preferred.
Great video. I almost came in yelling at you for how you did it, and that it wasn’t how I did it 😂... but you did end up explaining the other ways of doing it and stated that you tried the other ways. You picked what worked for you and no one can blame you for that ;) I appreciate your work and thank you for keeping it going!
You stated it, but I get the water to almost boiling or even half way to it, add my grounds on top, sometimes I stir, but you really don’t have to, then once it starts to boil, raise or remove from heat. At this point you have to be careful not to let it boil over. After a minute or two, add the cold water. To be honest, I haven’t use my new HG titanium mug to do this. I typically use a camp percolator minus the insides. I pour water through the spout which cleans it and settles the grinds. I typically use a drip grind. Works perfect for me, but I may try your way soon ;) Anyway, thanks for asking and looking forward to your next video.
As I commented to the intro to this series, I boil the coffee for up to a minute then pour cold water. But I use much coarser ground coffee, coarser than french press. And that's the best way, for me, not to get it bitter.
Hmm, I hadn't heard that. I am not a fan of boiling coffee, it creates a very bitter cup (overextracted), and really doesn't let the flavor profile of the bean shine through. But like I said, if you enjoy it that way and it keeps you from getting acid reflux or indigestion while out on the trail, go for it! I appreciate the feedback! Thanks!
Thanks for the video! I will try that out for sure. I will generally rough it with the instant stuff, but this seems like a great technique for backpacking.
Another point to consider when it comes to temp: Coffee extraction is effected by temp. Higher temps; more flavor is sucked out of the grounds faster. You're can't actually burn the grounds with water. So if you have a dark roast, keep your temps lower and time shorter, light roasts can handle more. Grind size is very similar; smaller the grind, the more extraction.
Have you ever considered using your GSI Outdoors pour over to filter your cowboy coffee? This works well for me. No floaters or grounds at all, possibly a little easier cleanup... Keep up the good work!
This is about the 20th video I've watched on making cowboy coffee and everybody seems to do it differently. And, each persons is positive that their way produces good results. The Mors Kohanski video boils the coffee for 1 minute and the lets it rest. He adds cold water, but at a height of maybe 3 feet. He says this is important. He also uses the cheapest coffee he can find. Cowboy Kent uses Folgers coffee and boils his water for 4 minutes; then adds the cold water down then spout of the coffee pot and then pours the rest around the the pot. Interestingly, he only uses a 1/4 cup of coffee for each quart of water. This is about 1/2 the coffee that Kohanski uses. Mors Kohanski uses 1 tbsp of coffee per cup of water. So, 8 cups of water would require 8 tbsp of cheap coffee. Both methods require boiling the coffee grounds. Your method is slightly different than theirs. Amazingly, all of the methods (including yours) seem to produce a smooth cup of delicious coffee according to the person making it. So, what do I learn from all of the slightly different methods of making cowboy coffee? It seems to me that making a good cup of coffee is very forgiving: you can boil it, percolate it, press it, drip it, or cold soak it and it seems to come out pretty good. You can use cheap/ordinary ground coffee, or you can roast green beans and grind it yourself. You will still get a good cup of coffee. You can make it mild or dark, or somewhere in between and you will still get a good cup of coffee that is right for you. And, so it is...ain't life great?
It's all about finding what works best for you! So many different ways, and so many different tastes. My suggestion, try different methods and see what is most effective for you!
Roland, I've tried MANY approaches to "cowboy coffee," including how Mark shows in this video. Mors technique is OK, but as you pointed out, he used a LOT of coffee. I was never satisfied with cowboy coffee until discovering Kent Rollins' first video five years ago. Kent absolutely has it dialed in. Simple directions to follow, and guaranteed success if you follow his instructions. I quite literally have an entire closet full of coffee gear, and the ONLY equipment I pull out anymore are the coffee boilers depending on the size I think I'll need. I brew cowboy coffee at least twice a day, every day, and sip on in constantly. Zero acidity problems, and a smoooth, rich, flavor. I watch every one of Mark's videos and love his channel, but Kent is the guru for cowboy coffee.....................he's a real deal chuckwagon cookie, and has perfected his art.
It wasn't a bad cup at all. Good beans make ALL the difference. And modifying the "cowboy coffee" recipe and not boiling away the goodness was a big part. I have a couple of really good cups coming up!
interesting use of the term 'cowboy coffee' never seen it done this way.. the method you show is similar to an aeroPress prep without the pump action at the end, no? just a warning about discarding the crema and the grounds: as coffee is highly acidic you can easily imbalance delicate alkaline environments if you dump/bury it.. so be aware of your location & sometimes you just have to pack it out.. but remember even spent grounds when burnt serve as a great mosquito/bug deterrent :)
Thanks! Yeah it is similar to something like an aeropress method, or even French Press without the plunger! I gotcha with the cream discarding, you're right! I tried cowboy coffee the way many others said to do it and it wasn't good (in my opinion), this created a cup I still wanted to drink!
Hey man, love your content. Just wanted to say that as a non coffee drinker these videos obviously aren't for me. That's totally fine and what you choose to make is 100% your choice. At the same time there has been a lot of these coffee videos seemly taking over the channel. I'd love if you dropped one of the beginner backpacking videos or gear videos in. Also, I would love a beginner backpacking video on how you find your hiking and backpacking destinations as well as general trip logistics and/or route planning. Keep up the great stuff.
Two more weeks of coffee videos to finish this series, then it's back to the backpacking stuff. This was a convenient time while I recovered from surgery and really couldn't be out on the trail.
I waited too long to buy a carbon fiber lid and now I can't find anyone that sells them. Ruta Lacura no longer makes them. Any suggestions? At this point, I might make my own.
Hope you do a vid on the Stanley adventure all in one boil and brew. I don’t have one but two of my best buds swear by theirs. They say it leaves no floaters.
Great way to make cowboy coffee. We also use toe part of ladies stocking to strain out the coffee during the pour. You can rinse it out and reuse multiple times.
Yeah, I have heard of that being done. That was not something I tried, but another good tip, thanks!
The higher heat of boiling will also cause the acids to break down, effectively ruining many/all of the lighter roast coffees. Coffees that are "bright and fruity" are not good choices for the cowboy method. However, low acidity coffees brewed cowboy style can work exceptionally well. IMHO, Sumatra coffee brewed cowboy style is absolutely wonderful. The cowboy method is also well-suited for brewing LARGE amounts of coffee. I brew cowboy coffee 3 gallons at a time. It is a great way to make a LOT of coffee when out car camping with a large group. It is not a method I will ever use when backpacking.
As long as you do it the way that I showed in the video, there is no boiling of the grounds. I was using a light to medium with a decent sweetness and fruity profile, all intact the way I did it.
Coffee should never be boiled!!
Yes, your "modified cowboy method" greatly minimizes the loss of the sweet & fruity elements found in many of the light & medium roasts. "Cowboy coffee" purists will argue that if you are not boiling it, it isn't cowboy coffee...it's just french press without a press. And "Coffee by the rules" purists will vehemently object to the boiling of coffee period. Of course, those same rules also rule out cold brewing. Yet cold brewing has allowed coffee to be enjoyed by people who otherwise would have to abstain from it. Truth be told, the dynamics change drastically when the size of the pot increases. Yes, it is dang near impossible to boil coffee in a small pot without burning/scalding it...which is why it is pretty much impossible to make good cowboy coffee for 1 (be honest...you didn't make cowboy coffee, you made french press without the press). But in a 21.5 quart Granite Ware canning pot, it becomes a whole lot easier to keep the coffee grounds in proper suspension & agitation within the water with a good rolling boil in effect. But it will only create an enjoyable cup of coffee if it is paired with a coffee/roast that is complimented by the brewing method.
Good points, and you're absolutely right, what I made is essentially the same as what I would do in an aeropress or french press, without the plunger. But for the purposes of hitting the trail and being able to brew without getting grounds in your cup and not requiring any special equipment, that's exactly what I was able to do! I have no problem with people brewing their coffee the way they enjoy it, as long as I can do my own thing! I enjoy a good cup of coffee, and I have really enjoyed all the brewing I've had to do to make this series a reality! I'm not lacking caffeine!!! Thanks for the input and conversation!
Everyone has their thing (or multiple) that they look forward to while they’re out there. For me it all starts here, with a great cup of coffee.
Right on! How do you do your coffee?
I love the crema- that was actually very hard to watch- coffee in the woods is vital.
I was taught to bring the water to a boil, take it off the coals, add the grounds, stir once, and then- wait, for the grounds to drop. Of course, tapping the side of the pot or adding water thru the spout are frowned on, unless I'm the one doing it 🙄
Thanks for watching! This is not a method I use of would really recommend using, but I know many do which is why I showed it. The other methods in the series are much more to my liking! Aeropress Go and Cuppamoka being my preferred.
@@SpiguyverBackpacking1 Thank you!
Great video. I almost came in yelling at you for how you did it, and that it wasn’t how I did it 😂... but you did end up explaining the other ways of doing it and stated that you tried the other ways. You picked what worked for you and no one can blame you for that ;) I appreciate your work and thank you for keeping it going!
What do you do differently? Thanks!
You stated it, but I get the water to almost boiling or even half way to it, add my grounds on top, sometimes I stir, but you really don’t have to, then once it starts to boil, raise or remove from heat. At this point you have to be careful not to let it boil over. After a minute or two, add the cold water. To be honest, I haven’t use my new HG titanium mug to do this. I typically use a camp percolator minus the insides. I pour water through the spout which cleans it and settles the grinds. I typically use a drip grind. Works perfect for me, but I may try your way soon ;) Anyway, thanks for asking and looking forward to your next video.
Got it! As long as you have a method that works for you, and you enjoy, do it! Thanks for sharing your method!
As I commented to the intro to this series, I boil the coffee for up to a minute then pour cold water. But I use much coarser ground coffee, coarser than french press. And that's the best way, for me, not to get it bitter.
Right on, keep doing what works! Thanks!
I have never tried to make cowboy coffee maybe I will try making it myself
give it a try, might be something you like!
Boiling it for several minutes takes the acidity out of the coffee and makes it so you don't get acid reflux or indigestion while out on trail.
Hmm, I hadn't heard that. I am not a fan of boiling coffee, it creates a very bitter cup (overextracted), and really doesn't let the flavor profile of the bean shine through. But like I said, if you enjoy it that way and it keeps you from getting acid reflux or indigestion while out on the trail, go for it! I appreciate the feedback! Thanks!
Thank you for this series, this is one I am going to try.
Easy enough, give it a try and see what you think! Thanks!
Thanks for the video! I will try that out for sure. I will generally rough it with the instant stuff, but this seems like a great technique for backpacking.
Clean up is a little more involved than instant, but no special equipment necessary!
Where did you get a carbon fiber lid?
Ruta Locura, but they no longer make them. Sorry!
Another point to consider when it comes to temp: Coffee extraction is effected by temp. Higher temps; more flavor is sucked out of the grounds faster. You're can't actually burn the grounds with water. So if you have a dark roast, keep your temps lower and time shorter, light roasts can handle more. Grind size is very similar; smaller the grind, the more extraction.
If the water is too hot, it does negatively affect the flavor of the coffee. At least for my taste. I prefer light roasts. Thanks!
Have you ever considered using your GSI Outdoors pour over to filter your cowboy coffee? This works well for me. No floaters or grounds at all, possibly a little easier cleanup... Keep up the good work!
I actually did think about that as a viable option. If that's something you're doing, keep doing it! Thanks!
This is about the 20th video I've watched on making cowboy coffee and everybody seems to do it differently. And, each persons is positive that their way produces good results. The Mors Kohanski video boils the coffee for 1 minute and the lets it rest. He adds cold water, but at a height of maybe 3 feet. He says this is important. He also uses the cheapest coffee he can find. Cowboy Kent uses Folgers coffee and boils his water for 4 minutes; then adds the cold water down then spout of the coffee pot and then pours the rest around the the pot. Interestingly, he only uses a 1/4 cup of coffee for each quart of water. This is about 1/2 the coffee that Kohanski uses. Mors Kohanski uses 1 tbsp of coffee per cup of water. So, 8 cups of water would require 8 tbsp of cheap coffee. Both methods require boiling the coffee grounds. Your method is slightly different than theirs. Amazingly, all of the methods (including yours) seem to produce a smooth cup of delicious coffee according to the person making it. So, what do I learn from all of the slightly different methods of making cowboy coffee? It seems to me that making a good cup of coffee is very forgiving: you can boil it, percolate it, press it, drip it, or cold soak it and it seems to come out pretty good. You can use cheap/ordinary ground coffee, or you can roast green beans and grind it yourself. You will still get a good cup of coffee. You can make it mild or dark, or somewhere in between and you will still get a good cup of coffee that is right for you. And, so it is...ain't life great?
It's all about finding what works best for you! So many different ways, and so many different tastes. My suggestion, try different methods and see what is most effective for you!
Roland, I've tried MANY approaches to "cowboy coffee," including how Mark shows in this video. Mors technique is OK, but as you pointed out, he used a LOT of coffee. I was never satisfied with cowboy coffee until discovering Kent Rollins' first video five years ago. Kent absolutely has it dialed in. Simple directions to follow, and guaranteed success if you follow his instructions. I quite literally have an entire closet full of coffee gear, and the ONLY equipment I pull out anymore are the coffee boilers depending on the size I think I'll need. I brew cowboy coffee at least twice a day, every day, and sip on in constantly. Zero acidity problems, and a smoooth, rich, flavor. I watch every one of Mark's videos and love his channel, but Kent is the guru for cowboy coffee.....................he's a real deal chuckwagon cookie, and has perfected his art.
Looks like a delicious cup of coffee 👍🏻👍🏻
It wasn't a bad cup at all. Good beans make ALL the difference. And modifying the "cowboy coffee" recipe and not boiling away the goodness was a big part. I have a couple of really good cups coming up!
Now that looks like some good coffee
It is pretty good! Thanks!
interesting use of the term 'cowboy coffee' never seen it done this way.. the method you show is similar to an aeroPress prep without the pump action at the end, no? just a warning about discarding the crema and the grounds: as coffee is highly acidic you can easily imbalance delicate alkaline environments if you dump/bury it.. so be aware of your location & sometimes you just have to pack it out.. but remember even spent grounds when burnt serve as a great mosquito/bug deterrent :)
Thanks! Yeah it is similar to something like an aeropress method, or even French Press without the plunger! I gotcha with the cream discarding, you're right! I tried cowboy coffee the way many others said to do it and it wasn't good (in my opinion), this created a cup I still wanted to drink!
Hey man, love your content. Just wanted to say that as a non coffee drinker these videos obviously aren't for me. That's totally fine and what you choose to make is 100% your choice. At the same time there has been a lot of these coffee videos seemly taking over the channel. I'd love if you dropped one of the beginner backpacking videos or gear videos in. Also, I would love a beginner backpacking video on how you find your hiking and backpacking destinations as well as general trip logistics and/or route planning. Keep up the great stuff.
Now that it's starting to cool off I'll be back to doing, and finishing, the beginner backpacking series. One of which will be trip planning.
Two more weeks of coffee videos to finish this series, then it's back to the backpacking stuff. This was a convenient time while I recovered from surgery and really couldn't be out on the trail.
@@SpiguyverBackpacking1 I totally get that. No worries, just figured I'd chime in and share my thoughts. Hope the recovery is going well.
I'm doing great! I appreciate it, and thanks!
I waited too long to buy a carbon fiber lid and now I can't find anyone that sells them. Ruta Lacura no longer makes them. Any suggestions? At this point, I might make my own.
yeah, it sucks they decided to stop doing them. I don't know of any other sources right now.
Hope you do a vid on the Stanley adventure all in one boil and brew. I don’t have one but two of my best buds swear by theirs. They say it leaves no floaters.
Unfortunately that's not part of this series, but maybe in a future one!
French press without the press. Cool!
More or less.
ok.. going to give it a try...right now..
Do it!
no one likes floaters! great vid!
haha, no they don't!
It’s a little annoying that you dedicate a series to coffee yet you don’t really know that much about coffee😳🤪😂😉
wyld_at_heartt I’m sorry, I’ll try harder!
Wow, that's some Bob Ross level of zen coffee making entertainment right there! Have a likey -
Thanks! I appreciate the comment!