A drip cone, Thermos and tea kettle was how I made coffee on Que Tal and now on Barefoot Gal. You might be familiar with a Melitta cone from your college days — it’s the same thing except that newer designs make it less likely to spill the grounds.
A drip cone is simple – put a filter in the cone and ground coffee in the filter, then place the cone over a mug or carafe and pour boiling water through.
While it really doesn’t take longer than other methods, it seems like it does because you have to monitor the flow and keep pouring more water through (and changing the grounds if you have a crowd). But it doesn’t take electricity and can be set up without glass.
While I used an old Melitta cone, I greatly prefer the newer cones that have a funnel that sticks down into the Thermos as you’re making coffee – they’re far less likely to slide off and make a mess, although I’d still wedge it into the sink when making the coffee. This can be dangerous in rough weather, due to the chance of spilling boiling water on yourself but again if you wedge it into a sink and use a tea kettle instead of a saucepan, any spilled water isn’t likely to spatter on you.
The details on this type of system:
Pros:Â Can make as much at one time as your container will hold, makes good coffee, moderate space required, no electricity, easy to buy components without glass
Cons:Â Have to keep pouring water in, Thermos or pot with the cone on top can be tippy and cause a big mess (wedge it in the sink for best results), can spill boiling water on yourself
Keeping it hot:Â Can let coffee drip right into a Thermos.
Cost:Â $15 to $30 or more, depending on whether you drip coffee just into a mug, a glass pot or Thermos (and then it depends on the size of the Thermos)
My choices for a drip cone system from Amazon.com (note that this carafe and drip cone fit each other):
- 1.85 liter Zojirushi stainless thermal carafe — holds 4 mugs/8 cups
- Drip cone with funnel (note that it uses #6 filters, although you can use #4 filters in a pinch)
- 2-1/2 quart stainless tea kettle
- Insulated mug that will fit in most drink holders
Now, enjoy the morning view from the cockpit with steaming mug of great coffee in hand!
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Paul Wyand says
I use a cone filter like this even on dirt. I like that you can control the temperature of the water and the speed of the flow. I also like the involvement in the process, but I must admit that sometimes it would be nice to hit a button, go back to sleep for awhile and then wake up to coffee.
rick says
Our favorite is from GSI. Designed for camping, works great on a boat:
GSI Outdoors Java Drip Coffeemaker
The silicone cone folds inside the pot for storage. A neoprene sleeve keeps the coffee warm. It’s tall so we set it in the sink when pouring water in to avoid tipping.
Carolyn Shearlock says
Thanks for sharing that — I’ve never seen one or even heard anyone mention it. Looks interesting!
Monika Ludewig Bradley says
Just don’t knock it over – you’ll have a huge mess to clean up and picking up coffee granules is not easy
The Boat Galley says
One reason to put it in the sink . . . I learned the hard way!
Annette Walker says
I switched away from that system to a stainless steel french press. Am happier with the French press. Makes better coffee, needs no filters, is more stable (not top heavy) & doesn’t need to be refilled with water. Stows well.
Becky says
I think the coffee sold in “tea bags ” makes a better tasting coffee than instant. I have a cup of that while waiting for the pot or cone -type. I was able to trim the plastic of my old cone so it would nestle down into the top of my carafe-thermos because it otherwise wouldn’t sit flat ontop.
Joy Canova says
Carolyn,
I am now ready to consider a pour-over coffee system; I currently use Starbucks Via but need some more economical options. Here is what my friend just bought “Melitta Coffee Maker, 10 Cup Pour- Over Brewer with Stainless Thermal Carafe.” What I like is the big base of the thermal pot. However, I wonder if I would be better served with a #6 sized filter basket (this uses #4) and my Nissan Stainless Steel Thermos Bottle w/ Folding Handle 61oz (strangely discontinued by the manufacturer – check your link on TBG). Have you any opinion the choice? What did you decide for Barefoot Gal? Would love an update! Thanks, Joy
Peggy Stone says
I started using this cruising and gave away the coffee maker at home. Single cup perfection.
Lori Steinbrunner says
We use a Melita pour over filter. Add our Hario manual grinder… coffee heaven, every morning , no matter what.
Dawn Lotti says
Believe it or not, I use my mom’s old pyrex percolator…don’t judge, lol.
Pamela Blanchard says
This is what we do too! And OMG the smell while pouring over! Mmmmmm!
Diane Elizabeth Larson says
That’s how we roll on RESTLESS the #6 paper filters are hard to find, we ordered a case from Amazon!
Michael Mangione says
We like the Clever Dripper on Sea Change, it has a valve that dispenses when you want it. Also perfect for rehydration of dried mushrooms, for perfect risotto!
Jeff Janacek says
We use the AeroPress, small, unbreakable and makes terrific coffee. Part of their system involves cooling the boiling water to 180 before pouring over grounds. We just pour it into another cup first. Measure temp with an infrared pyrometer, handy on the boat for engine monitoring.
Cory N Mendy says
So many great methods of making coffee on board. My problem is I am completely nonfunctioning until that first cup. I can barely turn the inverter on and hit the start button on Mr. Coffee.
Phoebe says
I drank a lot of iced coffee last summer — premode cold brew Starbucks from the grocery store. All I had to do was pour it. That’s how lazy I am.
Peggy Stone says
I bought one for the boat, loved it, and bought another for the house. Single serving, always fresh and easy to adjust the strength.
Carol Zip says
I use this method whether for a single cup of decaf for myself or high test for my guests.
Eve says
I drink tea, but for guests I use a ceramic pour-over from Blue Bottle Coffee (local San Francisco purveyor, but you can buy on their web site). Blue Bottle also makes a great setup for cold brew coffee … great in the tropics … but it’s glass, so maybe not the best thing for a boat.
Doug Purdy says
Works great, thermos lets us go to friends boat to enjoy coffee together. This is the best method we have come up with in 25 years of cruising. I preheat the thermos with boiling water before reheating it and pouring it through the filter.
Rebecca Ruth Turner Williams says
Our chosen method aboard the boat.
Richard Philbrick says
I’ll stick to my mocha pot…better than drip or press and I’ve tried them all
Phil Sager says
Yes, and it doesn’t have the overabundance of plastic disposable waste that the one cup coffee makers have.
Van Den Broeck Rita says
thats just the old fashen manner,we use to make coffie like thats years ago
Mona says
I’m trying to figure out how to make drip coffee in the Kuhn Rikon pot I already own.
Carolyn Shearlock says
I use my Kuhn-Rikon Multi Pot to boil the water, then pour it into the drip cone perched on my Thermos. Set the Thermos and cone into the sink in case of a spill. Makes GREAT coffee!
Carla on SV Reverie says
Hello Carolyn,
I use a similar method with my French Press Thermos on our sailboat. The french press is perfect for our sailboat, but I found it was difficult to remove the coffee grounds ( as it took a lot of water to rinse and clean). The perfect solution was using a drip cone with the filter first while pouring into the french press. Problem solved! No coffee grounds to clean and a perfect pot of coffee.
Jim Kindred says
I have a Stainless Steel French press but recently went to the Aeropress… Both make excellent coffee, but the Aeropress wastes less coffee and wastes less water since it is easier to clean.
Bruce Balan says
If you buy a gold-plated filter you never have to worry about running out of paper filters and you reduce garbage. Coffee aficionados say the gold-plated filters make better-tasting coffee, but I can’t tell.