Making coffee without electricity.
Coffee in a power cut. A survival guide!
Some of us had a rude awakening during Storm Eowyn, which hit Ireland in the early hours of 24 January 2025. For us, the awakening was at 04:25 when the sheer noise of the wind outside woke my wife, Caoimhe and me. I’ve never seen or heard wind like it. Incredibly, all the kids slept through the entire thing. After a few minutes of watching the storm grow, out thoughts quickly turned to coffee. It seemed obvious as the wind intensified that a power cut was highly likely, if not inevitable, given that we live in the countryside with loads of trees right beside the power lines. While we still had power, we went downstairs, ground some Bourbon Manizales, and made two strong mugs of coffee. Then we boiled the kettle and made a large cafetiere of coffee which we put into two pre-heated flasks. At 06:50, all power went and we didn’t get reconnected for nearly 48 hours. We were very glad to have a coffee inside us and a few more in reserve in the flasks.
No electricity means no coffee machine, no grinder, and no way to boil water—or so it seems at first. This can feel like a minor crisis. But don’t worry, with a little bit of forethought, you don’t have to face the day uncaffeinated!
With a little preparation and some creativity, you can still have great coffee, even when the power’s out. Whether you’re dealing with a storm, a grid failure, or just an unexpected outage, there are plenty of ways to make coffee without relying on electricity. From boiling water over a camping stove to grinding beans by hand, the solutions are simpler than you might think.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to make coffee without electricity. We’ll cover how to boil water using alternative heat sources, how to grind coffee beans without a grinder, and the best brewing methods for power-free situations. Plus, we’ll share tips on how to prepare for future outages so you’re never caught off guard again.
So, grab your favourite mug and let’s dive in. Because no matter what life throws your way, your coffee routine doesn’t have to skip a beat.
How to Boil Water Without Electricity
When the power goes out, boiling water might seem like an impossible task without an electric kettle or stove. But there are several ways to heat water without electricity, and many of them are simpler than you’d expect. Here are some of the most effective methods:
Camping Stove or Gas Burner
The easiest and most reliable way to boil water during a power cut is by using a camping stove or a portable gas burner. These compact devices are designed for outdoor use but work just as well in your kitchen during an outage. Simply fill a kettle or pot with water, place it on the stove, and heat until it reaches a rolling boil. Camping stoves are affordable, easy to use, and a good idea for any household in a power cut. Apart from power cuts, we sometimes bring ours on picnics so we can quickly make fresh coffee on a beach or in very remote places. Most modern gas stoves have electric ignition, but you might need a match or lighter to ignite the burner manually.
Car Lighter or Portable Power Bank
For a modern twist, you can use your car’s lighter socket or a portable power bank to heat water if you have a travel kettle. Many travel kettles are designed to plug into car outlets or USB ports, making them a convenient option for emergencies. Just be sure to have your car running or keep a fully charged power bank on hand.
Open Fire or Barbecue
If you have an open fire or a stove, you could sit a steel saucepan on embers and wait for it to boil. Be sure that the pan is stable and that the fire is controlled, to prevent accidents. If you have a gas or charcoal barbecue, you can boil water relatively quickly on the barbecue grill. Wheras a small camping stove can be used inside, using a large gas barbecue indoors is not advisable, and lighting a charcoal barbecue indoors is a terrible idea. If you are in the middle of a storm as violent and intensive as Storm Eowyn was, going outdoors mightn’t be possible or advisable. Be prudent and use common sense.
Grinding coffee during a power outage can be a challenge, but there are several manual methods you can use to get your coffee beans ground and ready for brewing. Here are the best ways to grind coffee without electricity:
Manual Coffee Grinder
A hand-cranked coffee grinder is the most efficient and consistent way to grind coffee beans without electricity. These grinders are portable, easy to use, and allow you to adjust the grind size for different brewing methods (e.g., coarse for French press, fine for espresso). If you have one on hand, your grinding game won’t skip a beat.
Mortar and Pestle
A mortar and pestle is a traditional tool for grinding spices or crushing herbs and can be used for coffee beans in an emergency. Place a small amount of beans in the mortar and grind them in a circular motion until you achieve the desired consistency. This method requires some effort and time but works well for small batches. Be careful to clean the mortar (the bowl) beforehand because the remnants of strong flavours could spoil your coffee.
Rolling Pin or Meat Tenderizer
Place the coffee beans in a sturdy plastic bag or between two sheets of parchment paper or in a folded tea towel. Use a rolling pin or a hammer or meat tenderizer to gently crush the beans. Be careful not to hit too hard, as this can create uneven grounds.
Tips for Manual Grinding:
Work in Small Batches: Grinding small amounts at a time ensures more consistent results.
Adjust Grind Size: Use different techniques or tools to achieve the desired grind size for your brewing method.
Store Ground Coffee Properly: Once ground, coffee loses freshness quickly, so store it in an airtight container.
