We recently posed a critical, earth-shattering question to our community of road warriors, a query that cuts to the very core of the nomadic morning ritual: how do you brew your essential cup of joe on the road?
The battle for RV coffee supremacy is a serious one, pitting convenience against craft and instant gratification against slow-steeped satisfaction. We knew everyone would have a strong opinion, because let’s be honest, no one wants to face a daunting mountain pass or a stubborn slide-out before their first hit of caffeine.
This vital data was gathered from our loyal newsletter readers, who never shy away from sharing their two beans on any topic. A huge thank you to everyone who voted—if you haven’t yet, make sure you’re subscribed so you can be part of the results and findings for our next pulse-taking poll!
The results are in, and let’s just say the outcome was less of a close race and more of a landslide victory. The preferences of the RV community are nothing if not… decisive.
| Coffee Method | Percentage of Vote |
|---|---|
| Coffee Maker | 95% |
| Instant Coffee | 5% |
| French Press | 0% |
| Pour-Over | 0% |
The Reigning Champion: The Humble Coffee Maker
With a staggering 95% of the vote, the classic RV coffee maker stands triumphant, its carafe held high like the Stanley Cup of caffeine. This isn’t just a win; it’s a domination. It seems the overwhelming majority of RVers value one thing above all else in the morning: simplicity. Why fiddle with a delicate glass French press that could become a projectile during a sudden lane change?
Why engage in the meticulous, slow-drip ceremony of a pour-over when you’re still squinting and trying to remember where you parked? The coffee maker is the steadfast, reliable friend that gets the job done with the satisfying flick of a switch.
It’s the easy button for your brain, and clearly, that’s what we crave with the sunrise.
The Underdog: Instant Coffee’s Niche Survival
Scraping in with a respectable 5% of the vote, instant coffee is the survivalist of the group. We imagine its voters are the ultra-minimalists, the boondocking purists, or those who had one too many mishaps with a coffee maker and a pothole.
It’s the “just add water” hero for when you’re deep in the backcountry and every ounce of water and propane is precious. It may not win any gourmet awards, but it gets points for being virtually indestructible and taking up less space than a roll of paper towels. It’s the coffee you love to hate, but secretly appreciate when there are no other options.
The Ghost Town: French Press & Pour-Over
And then we have our two donuts. The big zeros. The French press and pour-over methods received a resounding… crickets. Not a single vote. It appears the idea of using a device described as a “press”—which sounds suspiciously like work—or a “pour-over”—which sounds like a delicate art project—holds no appeal before 8 a.m. in a moving vehicle.
These methods are the beautiful, high-maintenance celebrities of the coffee world: fantastic for a photoshoot at a stationary, trendy apartment, but utterly impractical for a life where everything is constantly jostling. We salute their purity, but the people have spoken, and they have declared, “We have things to do and places to see. Make it fast.”
Conclusion: Why Convenience is King on the Road
The reason for this landslide result is, in our opinion, beautifully simple and perfectly logical. RVing, at its heart, is about adventure and relaxation, not creating more chores.
The morning routine in an RV is a functional ballet of getting everyone ready, checking systems, and planning the day’s drive. In that context, the coffee maker is the ultimate tool of efficiency. It automates the process, delivers a consistent product, and allows the user to multitask—dumping the tanks, walking the dog, or simply staring blankly into the middle distance until the caffeine kicks in. The near-total rejection of manual methods like the French press and pour-over isn’t a critique of coffee quality; it’s a testament to the RV lifestyle.
When your home is on wheels, practicality will almost always win out over ceremony. The goal isn’t to craft the perfect artisanal cup—it’s to craft the perfect day on the road, and that starts with a reliable, no-fuss jolt of energy.
