How do I Make Coffee When the Power Goes Out?

Coffee is one of those things that can be tough to live without. When the power goes out, it's one thing to skip the hot shower but another thing entirely to leave the house without that first cup of joe. Luckily, many people have gas ranges on the stove. Keeping a lighter accessible will give you a shot at heating up some water for a french press, or consider keeping a stove top percolator around for emergency use. Who knows, you might end up liking one of these methods better than the drip.

The French Press

The French press is a worthy addition to your cupboard and an excellent choice for making coffee when an electric coffee pot is not an option. It's efficient and easy, and any standard grind coffee will due. To make French press coffee, remove the top and press piece, fill with a few spoon fulls of coffee grinds and pour hot water to fill. Put the top back on the pot but leave the plunger up while the coffee steeps. After a few minutes, slowly plunge down the filter to separate the grinds before pouring into your mug.

A simple French press is functional and easy to use.

The Stove-top Coffee Maker

Stove-top espresso makers have been around since the 1930s. This handy invention is still easy to find today and can make a fabulous espresso drink, or water it down for a classic Americano. Water is added to the bottom, grinds are placed in a basket above the water and the whole contraption is placed on the stove to simmer. The hot water rises through the center, forcing its way through the grinds to the top carafe. Stove-top percolators are also easy to find and work in a similar way, delivering a hot cup of coffee in just a few minutes.

Stove-top percolators and espresso makers fill the shelves at thrift stores.

The Pour-Over

This is one of the easiest and most practical methods. You can spend a lot of money buying a fancy pour-over contraption, or you could modify your own. Use a fine-mesh tea filter and fill with couple of tablespoons of ground coffee. With the bottom of a shot glass or the back of a spoon, pack down the grinds and then slowly pour the water over them and into a cup. Repeat the pour-over step a few times; the water should pass through the grinds slowly, making you wait a little before you can pour more.

Keep a fine-mesh tea filter handy for a nice pour-over cup any time of day.

In Case Of Emergency

If you've got an electric stove, don't fret! Water can be heated in some creative ways. If you know you might be in a bind some day, invest in a heavy-bottomed kettle that you can place over a barbecue or even a campfire. it wasn't so very long ago that many people cooked often over an open flame. Don't try the stove top percolator on anything other than a stove, but any of the other methods will due if a barbecue is your only option. Lastly, keep some instant coffee handy. In a pinch, this even mixes with water that's not hot.

Hot water can be heated on a campfire in a pinch, or use a camp stove if you've got one packed up.

Previous:How Long Can a Lemon Be Safe in Water?

Next: How to Froth Cream