3 Part Coffee Machine

Are you sick of bland instant coffee?

Do you miss the full bodied rich taste filter coffee when you are away from your kitchen?

Here is how to make a filter coffee machine out of odds and ends. Its super easy and quick to make anywhere, from your college dorm to out on the trail.

Step 1: What You Will Need

3 Empty Clean Tin Cans (it will be easier if they are the stackable type)

1 Filter (either shop bought paper filter or a muslin, you could even cut up an old t-shirt)

1 Knife (or anything you can make a small hole with)

Step 2: Preparing the Tins

Firstly, make a small hole in the bottom of one of your cans. This can is going to be the hot water reservoir, so the hole needs to be small as you want the hot water to drip down. You can always make a small hole bigger but its not as easy to make a big hole small!

The second can is going to be the filter can. This hole can be a bit bigger as you don't want this can to fill up, I cut a V-shape so i could adjust the flow, opening it up if I needed more flow.

The last can will be you coffee cup, you can just leave it as it is.

Step 3: Starting the Build

Now to start building your coffee machine.

This is a gravity feed system, so start at the bottom with your coffee cup can. On top of this fit your filter can (this is why the stackable cans are handy).

Insert the coffee filter into the second can, you could fold over the edges to hold it in place but be careful of the sharp edges.

Step 4: Fill the Filter

Put in your ground coffee, about 2 desert spoons but the amount varies from type and personal taste. The best way is to drink lots of coffee and just say you are experimenting!

Step 5: The Water Reservoir

The last part is the water reservoir, simply fit this over the filter can.

You are ready to start brewing coffee, all you have to do is add hot water.

** Water started dripping off the ends of the filter but I simply folded these back up and that seemed to stop it. But be warned don't do this over your thesis or laptop!**

Step 6: Enjoy Your Coffee

You should hear the coffee dripping into the bottom can. This will continue to drip a few minutes after the top water reservoir has emptied.

After a few minutes the bottom can should be full of delicious coffee which you can pour into your favourite mug or enjoy it straight from the can (but watch those sharp edges!)

Comments

[LauraF99]

This is one of those "Why didn't *I* think of that?!" projects. I used cooked-chicken cans, as they are wide yet shallow, and they just happen to be the right size for small paper filters! I'm excited to try it out at camp this weekend!

[tatebullrider]

wow, this is so cool. I have been thinking about making something like this for a while now (only a little more complex, lol). But the simplicity is amazing, I love it.

+1 vote for both contests, and good luck. :)

[johnip4]

Most food tins are lined with a plastic that contains BPA. At normal temperatures the amount that leaches out is supposed to be very small. Might be an issue at higher temperatures.

[VentureScout]

Your right, depending on where you live a lot of food containers are lined with plastic containing BPA. Studies vary on how harmful this is but if you are worried there are plenty of bpa-free options. Your best bet is to read the labels/web-sites etc. All tins from France are bpa free, also a lot of Tesco fruit tins. The US has tightened control as well. It is something to think about and people do need to look into what packaging their food is in.

[jojo1973]

I Have to try this, the next time I'm out camping!