Few things may be more upsetting to a coffee lover than their favorite brewing method breaking down or being otherwise unavailable, especially in the morning when that first cup is extra important. Some people just cannot function without that energizing cup of joe to start their day and may not have time to get to their local coffee shop. If this sounds like you, you could be wondering: are there any other options?
Fortunately, you do! As long as you have something that can heat your water, like a stovetop, you will not have to go without that caffeine to help kickstart your day. We are going to show you 11 effective ways to make stovetop coffee, so you can satisfy your coffee habit in no time.
Table of Contents
1. Cowboy Coffee
Step 1: Gather supplies.
- Coffee grounds (1-2 tablespoons per cup)
- Spoon
- Pot
- Mug
- Water (8 ounces per cup)
- Strainer*
*Not necessary but can be used to help filter out the grounds.
Step 2: Heat the water.
Measure out your water and pour it into the pot. Put on your stovetop and let it come to a gentle boil.
Step 3: Add in ground coffee. Stir.
Measure out your ground coffee and add them to the pot. Stir.
Step 4: Take off the heating element. Cover.
You can bring the mixture back up to a boil for a minute or two if you like, but this may increase the bitterness of your coffee. After covering the pot, let it sit for 2-3 minutes.
Step 5: Add water, stir, and cover again for another 2-3 minutes.
Pour a little cold water over the pot to allow the grounds to sink to the bottom.
Step 6: Pour into mug.
If you have a strainer, pour the coffee through it into your mug to filter out the grounds.
2. Turkish Coffee
Step 1: Gather supplies.
- Cezve (Turkish coffee pot)
- Water (8-10 ounces)
- Coffee grounds (1-2 tablespoons per cup) *
- Mug
- Sugar (if you like)
*You need Turkish coffee, which is a very fine grind.
Step 2: Combine ingredients in cezve and boil.
Mix everything together and bring to a boil over medium heat. You will see a foam-forming, but do not stir – you can try spooning some of it into your coffee cup.
Step 3: Pour some into your mug.
When it starts to boil, fill your mug up about halfway with the mixture.
Step 4: Boil for about 15-20 seconds more in cezve.
Then, fill up the rest of your mug.
3. Instant Coffee
Step 1: Gather supplies.
- Water (8 ounces)
- Pot
- Instant coffee (1-2 teaspoons per cup)
Step 2: Heat water and add coffee to the mug.
You could also just heat the water in the microwave or kettle.
Step 3: Combine hot water and coffee in the mug. Stir.
The water does not have to be boiling – just as hot as you would like your coffee. Stir until all the coffee has dissolved in the water.
4. Coffee Infuser
Step 1: Gather supplies.
Step 2: Boil water and add coffee to the infuser.
Let the water sit for about 30 seconds after boiling.
Step 3: Place the infuser into the mug and pour hot water over grounds.
Pour the water slowly until it is just below the top of the infuser (unless it has a lid).
Step 4: Let sit for 3-4 minutes.
Remove the infuser and start drinking!
5. Coffee Bag
Step 1: Gather supplies.
- Coffee grounds (1-2 tablespoons per cup)
- Water (8 ounces)
- Coffee filter
- String
- Pot
- Mug
Step 2: Boil water. Place coffee in filter and tie.
Use the string to tightly tie up the top of the filter
Step 3: Pour water over the coffee bag and wait.
Pour boiling water over the coffee bag into the mug slowly. Let it sit for about 3-5 minutes, then remove the bag.
6. Coffee Filter
Step 1: Gather supplies.
- Coffee grounds (1-2 tablespoons per cup)
- Water (8 ounces)
- Coffee filter*
- Elastic
- Pot
- Mug
*If you do not have a coffee filter, you can use a clean handkerchief, cheesecloth, or even paper towel.
Step 2: Place coffee filter into the mug and secure.
If using something like a handkerchief, make sure it covers both the inside of mug and hangs over the sides. Use the elastic (or another securing method) to hold the filter in place on the sides of the mug.
Step 3: Boil water and add coffee to the filter. Pour water over coffee grounds.
After the water has finished boiling, pour it slowly over the grounds and let it drip through the filter into the mug. When finished, remove filter.
7. French Press
Step 1: Gather supplies.
- French press
- Coffee grounds (1-2 tablespoons per cup, medium-coarse grind)
- Water (8 ounces)
- Pot
- Spoon
- Mug
Step 2: Boil water and add ground coffee to the French press.
Let the water sit for at least 30 seconds after boiling. Though not necessary, you can preheat the French press by adding water to it for a few minutes, then dumping it before adding the coffee grounds.
Step 3: Pour in hot water, stir, and wait.
After you have added coffee ground, you can pour a little water over them at first to let the coffee bloom for about 30 seconds, and then dump in the rest. Stir, and let it sit for about 3-5 minutes, depending on how strong you like your coffee.
Step 4: Press down the plunger. Serve.
Press the plunger down to the bottom and serve immediately.
8. Makeshift French Press
Step 1: Gather supplies.
- Coffee grounds (1-2 tablespoons per cup)
- Water (8 ounces)
- Spoon
- Pot
- 2 mugs
Step 2: Heat water and pour it over the grounds. Let sit.
Pour the water into the pot and heat it on the stove. Put some coffee grounds into a mug, then saturate them by pouring a little hot water over the grounds. Then add the rest of the needed water. Let sit for 4-5 minutes.
Step 3: Slowly pour the coffee into the other mug.
Careful not to shake the mug – this will bring the grounds to the top. Use a spoon to keep the grounds pressed to the bottom of your mug.
9. Stovetop Percolator Coffee Maker
Step 1: Gather supplies.
- A percolator
- Coffee grounds (1-2 tablespoons per cup, coarse grind)
- Water (8 ounces)
- Mugs
Step 2: Fill percolator reservoir with water and add coffee to the basket.
Try using cold water to allow the percolator to heat more slowly, resulting in a better-tasting coffee.
Step 3: Heat percolator on stove and watch percolator.
Use low or medium heat. Once you notice bubbling in short, steady intervals, time the brewing according to your taste. Generally, less than 4 minutes will give you a weak coffee and anything over 10 will give you a strong coffee.
Step 4: Remove from heat.
Once it has sat for enough time, remove it from the heat and take out the filter basket. Screw the top back on and serve.
10. Moka Pot Coffee and Espresso Maker
Step 1: Gather supplies.
- Moka pot
- Coffee grounds (1-2 tablespoons per cup, finely ground espresso)
- Water (8 ounces)
- Mug
Step 2: Disassemble the Moka pot and fill with hot water.
Fill the lower part with hot water, just below the valve.
Step 3: Add coffee to the filter basket and insert it into the lower part of the Moka pot. Replace top.
Careful not to get any coffee grounds on the filter basket rim. Screw the top back on after inserting the filter basket and coffee grounds into the bottom of the pot.
Step 4: Place Moka pot on the stove.
Keep the espresso maker on low-medium heat until it starts to make boiling/bubbling sounds. Then remove and serve.
11. Pour Over Coffee
Step 1: Gather supplies.
- Pour-over brewer
- Coffee filter
- Coffee grounds (1-2 tablespoons per cup, medium-coarse grind)
- Water (8 ounces)
- Pot
- Mug
Step 2: Boil water and add grounds to filter.
Put the pour-over brewer over the mug and place the filter inside. Add the grounds to the filter and shake the filter a little until the grounds even out.
Step 3: Pour a little water over the grounds.
After boiling, make sure your water has sat for at least 30 seconds. Then, in a circular motion, pour some hot water over the grounds, allowing them to bloom for about 30 seconds.
Step 4: Pour the rest of the water over the grounds.
After it has bloomed, continue slowly pouring the rest of the water over the grounds in a circular motion.
There you go!
Now that you know 11 different ways to use or create a stovetop coffee maker, you will never have to go without your favorite cup of joe again!
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