How to Make Coffee Without a Coffee Maker

By Robert Parsons May 11, 2021

If you think it’s impossible to make a quality cup of java with no coffee maker, think again! Whether you haven’t gotten around to purchasing a brewing appliance or your current one suddenly decided not to turn on, there are ways to make your morning cup of greatness possible.

These methods will, of course, depend on what you have on hand. However, we’re confident one of these will work for you. Will they work as well as brewed coffee? Probably not. But when you’re in a pinch, you’ll be glad to know about these tips and tricks.

How to make coffee without a coffee maker? Let’s get to it!

1. Stovetop Method 

This first method is one of the best ones when you don’t have access to a drip machine. Here is what you need to know.

What You’ll Need: 

  • – Ground coffee
  • – Water
  • – Saucepan
  • – Spoon
  • – Ladle
  • – Mug
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Directions 

  1. Start by pouring water into a small saucepan. You will lose some water since you’re boiling it, so use slightly more water than the ground you want.
  2. Stir in the grounds into your water. You want to use the same amount of grounds you’d use if you were using your coffee maker.
  3. Set your burner to medium-high and bring to a boil. Stir occasionally to prevent burning your pan or grounds.
  4. Boil uncovered for two minutes.
  5. Turn off the stove and remove the pot from the heat. Let it sit for 3-4 minutes. This will let the grounds settle to the bottom of the saucepan.
  6. Using a deep spoon, scoop brewed coffee into your mug. Be careful not to take any of the grounds with you. If you don’t have a spoon, pour the coffee from your pan into your mug very slowly. The grounds are heavy, so they should stay on the bottom.

This is a great method when you don’t have a brewing device. Make sure to be careful if you don’t have a deep, yet small spoon and have to pour directly from the saucepan. The last thing you want is burning yourself, so make sure you pour it slowly and carefully.

2. The Coffee Bag Method

Next up is the coffee bag technique. If you instantly thought about tea bags, you’re on the right track. This method will involve steeping your coffee as you do so when making yourself a cup of warm tea.

What You’ll Need: 

  • – Ground coffee
  • – Paper filter
  • – Hot water
  • – String
  • – Mug
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Directions 

  1. Measure out a single serving of your favorite coffee grounds (or whatever you have available) and pour it into your paper filter.
  2. Close the filter tightly. You’ll want to make a small pouch filled with the grounds.
  3. Tie with some string leaving one long end to hand outside your cup. Just like a teabag!
  4. Boil water using any method you have available – microwave, stovetop, pot, etc.
  5. Place the small pouch into your mug.
  6. Slowly pour the hot water into your cup over the coffee bag. Be careful not to overfill your mug or burn yourself.
  7. Steep for 4-5 minutes. Suppose you want your java to be stronger – increase the time or decrease it if you want a weaker brew.
  8. Remove the filter from the mug and toss it into your waste bin.
  9. Enjoy!
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3. The Strainer Method

Here is the next brew coffee without a coffee maker technique. This method may be a long shot, but it’s ideal if you don’t have any paper filters or if your coffee maker gave its last breath! If you have a small strainer on hand, you want to consider this next method.

What You’ll Need: 

  • – Ground coffee
  • – Water
  • – Saucepan
  • – Small mesh strainer
  • – Mug
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Directions 

  1. Decide how many cups of coffee you want and measure the right amount of water. Pour into your saucepan (or kettle).
  2. Add the right amount of grounds for the water you’re using into your saucepan. Stir water and grounds together.
  3. Bring the water to a boil and continue to boil for two minutes.
  4. Remove the saucepan from the heat, and be sure to turn off your stove.
  5. Hold the strainer above your mug and pour the coffee through it. The mesh strainer will catch most grounds coming out of the pan. Consequently, the coffee will pour into your mug. This is similar to the saucepan method, except you don’t have to wait for your grounds to settle since you’re using a strainer.
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4. The Hanky Method

This next technique takes some practice, but once you have it down, you’ll wonder why you ever spent so much money on a Keurig! Okay, maybe not to that extreme, but this method does a nice job of brewing a hot cup of joe minus the taste of coffee grounds in your mouth.

What You’ll Need: 

  • – Coffee grounds
  • – Hot water
  • – Clothespins
  • – Clean hanky or linen
  • – Mason jar
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Directions 

  1. Place the hanky or linen across the top of your mug. Press gently in the center to create a pouch that will essentially hold the coffee grounds.
  2. Secure the cloth using clothespins or binder clips. Use at least three clips, so the cloth doesn’t fall into your mug or mason jar.
  3. Scoop coffee grounds into the pouch you created.
  4. Pour hot water over the grounds and allow at least thirty seconds for the grounds to soak up the water. Only start with a small amount.
  5. Pour the rest of the water slowly and carefully. Keep an eye on the clips and if they start to slip, adjust them right away.
  6. Remove the cloth from the mason jar and enjoy your brew!
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5. The Microwave Method

You probably saw this one coming. If you don’t have access to a drip machine and need coffee fast, use your microwave. This is as simple as it gets!

What You’ll Need: 

  • – Coffee grounds
  • – Water
  • – Mug
  • – Microwave

Directions 

  1. Fill your cup with water and place it in the microwave. After about two minutes, pull it out of the microwave. The water should be hot but not boiling.
  2. Stir in your ground coffee.
  3. Allow the cup of joe to sit for four minutes until the grounds settle to the bottom of the mug.
  4. You are now ready to drink your mug! Just remember to avoid that last sip since it will be full of grounds.
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Wrap Up

No coffee maker? No problem. Any of the five above methods will serve useful when in desperate need of that cup of joe. The biggest issue you will encounter is having a cup full of grounds mixed in with your coffee. To solve this issue, just remember to let your brew sit for a while. This will cause the grounds to sink to the bottom. Then, you can slowly pour into a coffee cup or drink it from the same mug (just avoid the last sip).

As you can see, you have plenty of options for making a cup of java with no coffee maker. Next time you are in a bind, try out one of these neat methods to enjoying a piping hot cup of coffee!