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The Best Coffee Makers for RV to Kick-starting Your Day

Written by Stephen Ryan / Fact checked by William Turner

Are you tired of pulling over at the nearest gas station or Starbucks when you need a cup of coffee? Well, it might be time to invest in the best coffee maker for RV that you can buy. And this article will help you find the perfect one for your exact needs.

But before we do, there are some things we must go over. For instance, we must acknowledge that there are just too many options out there to choose from on the market. I mean, I look at all these options and my anxiety starts to bubble.

best coffee maker for rv

I imagine you feel kind of the same way, which is why I thought an RV coffee maker buying guide could be incredibly useful. You see the goal of this article is to help you narrow down exactly what you want from this type of product.

In other words, we’ll go over all the relevant information about these products that’s necessary for making an informed decision regarding buying one; therefore, all we want to do is help make this buying experience as stress-free as humanly possible.

So please, keep reading and let us help you find the right RV coffee maker for your RVing adventure. Let’s make the gas station coffee a thing of the past.

Top 1

Hamilton Beach 49981A

4,7-stars

Dimensions 6.7″D x 8.35″W x 8.67″H
Capacity 14 fl oz
Material Stainless stee

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Top 2

Cuisinart DCC-450BK

4,5-stars

Dimensions 8″D x 10″W x 5.25″H
Capacity 32 fl oz
Material Stainless steel

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Top 3

BLACK+DECKER CM618

4,5-stars

Dimensions 5.47″D x 6.14″W x 9.41″H
Capacity 16 fl oz
Material Plastic

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Table of Contents

12 Top-Rated Coffee Makers For RV Reviews

In this section, we’ll provide you with 12 reviews of the top coffee makers for RVs. These reviews will give you some basis of what a high-quality RV coffee maker looks like; it’ll also establish a barometer that you can use to compare the products you come across in your search.

Overall, we hope these reviews help you find the perfect coffee maker for your RV. And who knows? It might even be one of the ten we’re about to show you below.

1. Hamilton Beach 49981A Scoop Single Serve Coffee Maker

Hamilton Beach continues to wow with its impressive lineup of functional and stylish coffee makers for every coffee lover. The Scoop is one of the brand’s best-sellers, a single-serve machine that delivers exceptional cups after exceptional cups. This small coffee maker for camper is an excellent addition to any motorhome.

I love its compact size in glistening silver, complementing the other small appliances I have on my RV countertop. It does not require that much space, only 8.35 by 6.7 inches. People can fit this travel trailer coffee maker virtually anywhere.

Making coffee is a breeze. Although this is not a super-automatic coffee machine, it still delivers two brew strengths – regular and bold. I prefer the extra-strength because I love the natural bittersweet taste of my coffee grounds.

Brewing is also super fast. I can have an eight-ounce cup in 90 seconds or a 14-ounce travel coffee within 2.5 minutes. I can adjust the drip tray to fit my travel mug under the spout, perfect for a trek in the countryside or mountain trail.

I also appreciate the stainless steel mesh filter that doubles as a coffee grounds scoop. That is a welcome bonus for people who want to minimize storing items in their drawers. The sleek stainless steel body also makes the product convenient to clean. A quick wipe of the coffee maker, and the machine looks brand new again.

Unfortunately, this coffee maker only accepts coffee grounds. It would have been better if it could also accommodate K-cup pods like the Hamilton Beach FlexBrew.

Nevertheless, it is not a big deal. I can still whip up my creativity using this coffee machine’s output. It is sleek, compact, and delivers exceptional drinks for the RVing family.
Pros
  • Two brew strength settings
  • Dual-purpose stainless steel mesh filter
  • Super-fast brewing capabilities
  • Effortless to use and clean with dip tray and stainless steel body
  • Small footprint (8.35 by 6.7 inches)
  • Stylish silver look
Cons
  • Incompatible with K-cup coffee pods

2. Cuisinart DCC-450BK 4-Cup Coffeemaker with Carafe

The Cuisinart DCC-450BK might be a small RV coffee maker, but it delivers enough delicious coffee to four RVers. It has a compact design that will never clutter an already-tight camper kitchen counter space, while its performance is reliable enough to serve coffee whenever one likes.

Unlike the Hamilton Beach Scoop, which only produces one cup of coffee at a time, this coffee maker delivers four splendid cups to satiate the caffeine cravings of four people. It operates as a drip coffee maker. It concentrates the coffee flavors and aromas into each drop in the waiting stainless steel carafe.

I love the carafe because it retains heat better than other materials. I can leave this coffee machine for an hour, and my coffee would still be warm, perfect for eating a donut or a bagel while enjoying the countryside views.

I also appreciate the brew-pause feature, something the Scoop does not have. I can get a cup in the middle of a brewing session, enjoying the flavors instantly.

This coffee maker is more compact than the Hamilton Beach Scoop, measuring only 8 inches deep, 5.25 inches wide, and 10 inches tall. It is also less expensive than the Scoop, giving RV owners extra savings for every cup of coffee they make.

I am also glad this coffee machine complies with and exceeds NAES standards, making me feel more confident about its safety.

Sadly, I miss the Scoop’s brew strength settings on this compact coffee maker for motorhome.

Although it is not perfect, this coffee maker remains an excellent choice for RV owners who want a straightforward drip-style coffee on the road. It is affordable, easy to operate, and works like a charm.
Pros
  • Delivers enough coffee for four coffee lovers
  • Brew-pause for instant coffee
  • Stainless steel carafe for better thermal retention
  • More affordable than other RV coffee makers
  • Smaller footprint than other brands (around 8x5x10 inches)
  • Exceeds NAES standards
Cons
  • No brew strength selection

3. BLACK+DECKER Single Serve Coffeemaker

Our first product is the BLACK+DECKER Single Serve Coffeemaker, and it gets our list started on the right foot thanks to its handy, beneficial features. In particular, I love the fact that it comes with an automatic shut-off.

You see this feature will protect me from my morning grogginess forgetting that I left the coffee maker running. It’ll instead automatically turn off when the brewing finishes; therefore, you don’t have to worry about any potential safety hazards with this model.

I also like the overall design of this model as it’s made with BPA-free stainless steel and plastic. Both of these materials are incredibly durable, which means you can expect this coffee maker to be long-lasting.

This design is compact as well thanks to its status as a single-serve model. As a result, you can expect this coffee maker to take up little room within your RV. Even in the limited space area like an RV, finding a place for this product shouldn’t be an issue.

The inclusion of the 16-oz thermal mug is another feature that appeals to my on-the-go personality. This mug will easily fit in any cup holder and is dishwasher safe, which makes cleaning it a simple process.

It’s also helpful that the overall brewing process takes under 2 minutes, which further showcases how this product is perfect for an RV owner who’s always on the move. Plus, it comes at an affordable price.

But even with all these impressive features, there’s sadly a specific flaw that continues to haunt this model. Several customer reviews alluded to the fact that this product has a leaking issue, which could end up being quite a nuisance.
Pros
  • Peak storability
  • Comes with a 16-oz thermal mug
  • Automatic shut-off feature
  • Easy to use and clean
  • Affordable price
  • Made from durable BPA-free stainless steel and plastic
Cons
  • Some customers reported a leaking issue

4. Keurig Plus Single Serve K-Mini Coffee Maker For RV

The Keurig Plus Single Serve K-Mini Coffee Maker For RV prides itself on being one of the most user-friendly options available in its market. It has numerous features that would be incredibly beneficial to any coffee-drinking RV owner.

But the feature I find myself loving is its using process. You see this model has seamless button control, which makes finding the perfect setting is as easy as possible. It’s also beneficial that the initial setup has been proven to be remarkably simple.

I mean, numerous customer reviews were praising this product’s performance in both of these processes. And as someone who hates doing anything remotely difficult in the morning, you can see why I love this aspect of this coffee maker.

However, its user-friendliness isn’t the only area where this model outpaces a lot of its competition. You can also take comfort in the fact this product has a removable drip tray, which allows you to use larger cups or travel mugs.

The water reservoir is another aspect of this coffee maker that I find unbelievable convenient as it’s removable as well. This quality makes cleaning and filling this model easy for anyone looking to brighten their day with a bit of coffee.

But sadly, it isn’t all positive as there are certain flaws with this product. For instance, I don’t particularly like the fact you have to refill the reservoir after every brewing cycle. And since this a single-serve model, that means after every cup.

There also was a reoccurring complaint about the noise operation being a little excessive in the customer reviews, which was a bit disappointing. Aside from those two things, there isn’t much you can complain about regarding this product.

Pros
  • Easy to use
  • Can brew any cup size between 6 and 12 oz
  • Removable water reservoir
  • Peak storability
  • Comes in four different colors
Cons
  • Noise operation is higher than expected
  • Requires constant refilling

5. Coleman Camping Coffee Maker

Coming from a brand you’re most likely familiar with, Coleman, this next product will offer a level of performance that’s almost unrivaled. The feature I truly find memorable is the “Pause N’ Serve” mechanism, which makes this product extremely user-friendly.

This mechanism ensures you don’t have to finish the brewing process for a cup of coffee. You can instead stop it the brewing process, pour yourself a mug, and then let it continue.

I should also mention how much I love how easy this product is to use. All you have to do is pour water into the reservoir, fill the filter with coffee grounds, and let it do its thing. And within ten minutes, a whole pot will be ready for you to enjoy.

Plus, it’s remarkably easy to clean as well, which cements its user-friendliness. The fact it has an easy-pour decanter and a removable filter aren’t terrible features to have either. It just further proves Coleman has their customer in their minds when creating this product.

I mean, this coffee maker can even make up to 10 cups of coffee during one complete brewing cycle. You can also take comfort in knowing the price of this coffee maker is both affordable and reasonable for any customer.

But it does have some issues, which we need to go over. For one, it has an issue keeping coffee warm for extended periods. This problem could be an issue for you late sleepers.

And the decanter consists of fragile glass that multiple customers have complained about breaking. As a result, you’ll have to be a little bit more wary about how you handle this product.

Pros
  • Pause N Serve mechanism
  • Doesn’t need electricity or RV battery to run
  • Easy to clean and use
  • Both tea and hot chocolate compatible
  • Affordable
  • Makes 10 cups of coffee
Cons
  • Has issues keeping coffee warm for extended periods
  • Decanter is made from fragile glass

6. Farberware Classic Stainless Steel Coffee Percolator

If you’re looking for a more-classic feel from your coffee maker, look no further than the Farberware Classic Stainless Steel Coffee Percolator. As an older model, this product has numerous features that make me think twice about purchasing a more technologically advanced product.

I adore the feeling of cooking from your stovetop. I don’t know what it’s, but there’s something that feels right about RVing with this kind of coffee maker. It also helps that this model offers a top-notch percolator experience.

You see this product comes with a perfect fit lid that traps the heat inside this coffee maker. As a result, your coffee stays warm for more extended periods; therefore, getting a second cup might not result in you having to heat the coffee in the microwave.

This percolator also comes with a Stay Cool handle that’ll protect your hand against the heat by, as the name suggests, staying cool. This feature ensures handling and pouring the coffee maker doesn’t become a safety hazard.

I love the fact that it has a permanent filter basket as well. This feature removes the need for those pesky paper filters, which can represent such a hassle at times. You instead just need to keep the basket clean, and it’ll be ready for use whenever you might need it.

It’s dishwasher safe status helps in this regard as well as it makes the cleaning process relatively simple. As someone who despises cleaning of any sort, I can appreciate a coffee maker that’s entirely dishwasher safe.

However, all these positives can’t solve the one issue that seemed to make certain customers second guess their buying decision — this percolator 12-minute runtime, which is quite long compared to the other coffee makers on the market.
Pros
  • Makes 8 cups of coffee
  • Durable and strong construction
  • No paper filters needed thanks to the permanent filter basket
  • Dishwasher safe
  • Stay cool handle
  • Low-price
Cons
  • 12-minute runtime

7. Coletti “Bozeman” Percolator Coffee Pot

Another percolator option worth considering is the Coletti “Bozeman” Percolator Coffee Pot. This particular model has a variety of features, which make it incredibly appealing to an RV owner like myself.

The first being it doesn’t require any cords or electricity to work. Given my issues with these things, I tend to avoid getting products that have them all together. But finding a product that doesn’t have cords or uses electricity these days is like locating a pay phone.

In other words, it’s rare, but a product like this one is something I can value. And it not requiring paper filters is another aspect I find genuinely appealing as a customer given I’m often quite forgetful about buying them.

I also like that by using a drip method this coffee maker can extract a more vibrant, bolder taste from the coffee it produces. As someone that loves their coffee a bit stronger than most, this aspect is something I find downright enjoyable.

In fact, several customers in their reviews cited this notable difference between this coffee maker and others they’ve tried before. The fact that it can brew nine cups of coffee during on brewing cycle is not too shabby either.

I can rest easy knowing I’ll always have the ability to share coffee with a significant amount of guests. I mean, I don’t envision nine guests all wanting coffee at once, but it’s nice to know it has the capabilities.

I should mention that all of these fantastic qualities come at an affordable price as well. Honestly, if you’re looking for a simple, old-fashioned coffee maker, you couldn’t do much better than this one. It might be the best coffee pot for RV on the entire market.

But there was one common concern mentioned you should be aware of before purchasing; multiple customers reported the model having leaking issues.
Pros
  • Dishwasher safe
  • No cords or electricity needed
  • Doesn’t need paper filters
  • Creates a more flavorful, rich taste
  • Makes 9 cups of coffee
Cons
  • Leaking issues

8. Keurig K-Mini K15 Single-Serve K-Cup Pod Coffee Maker

As a single-serve model, the Keurig K-Mini K15 Single-Serve K-Cup Pod Coffee has certain elements that make it an exceptional product with its marketplace. And most of these unique features are things I find unbelievably intriguing.

For instance, its small, compact design lends itself incredibly useful to any RV owner with limited storage space. I mean, I could easily fit this small model within my RV’s kitchen space with little to no issue.

I find this design helpful in the portability of this product as well. After all, moving things around your RV is part of the RVing experience as you’re continually trying to find places for the stuff you gather in your travels.

And with this lightweight model, moving it from place to place can be done quickly. I also like the fact that it has a removable drip tray, which can work with travel mugs up to 5.2 inches tall. It even holds a full accidental brew, which makes cleaning an ease.

The automatic shut-off feature is another thing I love about this product as it helps in a couple of different ways. For one, it removes the potential hazard of accidentally leaving the coffee maker and causing some issues like a fire.

As a result, you can start worrying about your morning fog making you forget to turn off the coffee maker. This feature also saves you energy, which means it helps you save money as well: always a positive in my mind.

But there’s one significant drawback with this product, the price. This model’s easily one of the most expensive options we present on our list; therefore, if you’re like me and find spending a small fortune on a coffee maker to be problematic, this model isn’t the one for you.
Pros
  • Automatic shut-off
  • Brews any size from 6 to 10 oz
  • Small, compact design
  • Removable drip tray
  • 2-minute brew time
Cons
  • Expensive

9. BLACK+DECKER SCM2000BD Programmable Coffeemaker

Our second BLACK+DECKER product continues to showcase why this brand is such a force within the RV coffee maker market. Given this information, it shouldn’t be shocking that I find multiple features on this model to be astonishingly appealing.

This product being an under cabinet RV coffee maker is one of these features. You see with this type of design storing this model isn’t such a hassle as other models. After all, it’s installed right under your cabinet, which means it remains out of your way and takes up no counter space.

The install process is rather straightforward as well as it doesn’t require much effort on your part. Plus, it won’t cause you any complications or hassles, and all you have to do is follow the detailed directions in the manual.

The Sneak-a-cup mechanism is another feature that fits my personality perfectly. With this feature, you don’t have to wait for the full brewing process for a cup of coffee. Instead, this mechanism can stop the process and let you sneak a cup before allowing it to continue.

This product also has the all-too-important automatic shut-off feature, which I find essential to any coffee maker I’m considering. It’s just too convenient and saves you from the occasional human error causing a serious issue.

It even has an auto-brew feature, which allows you to have coffee the moment you wake up in the morning. As a person who’s barely functional when waking up, this feature could be a godsend for me.

It having a removable water reservoir isn’t too shabby either; it makes cleaning this coffee maker much more manageable. However, this feature does contain the one issue I have with this model.

Several customers complained about the reservoir having leaking issues, which could be problematic for a prospective buyer.
Pros
  • Removable water reservoir
  • Automatic shut-off
  • Easy installation process
  • Brews up to 8 cups
  • Sneak-a-cup feature
Cons
  • Reservoir tends to have leaking issues

10. CHULUX Single Serve Coffee Maker

The CHULUX Single Serve Coffee Maker is a product that seems to fit everything I’m looking for in a coffee maker for RV camping. In fact, it even has a more reasonable price than your typical single-serve product.

But the aspect that makes it genuinely stick out is its one-touch operation. This feature allows the using process to be tremulously simple. Even someone in a woken up daze should be able to operate this model with little issues.

And your coffee will be ready in as little as 3 to 5 minutes, which shows how convenient this model can be for an RV owner. Honestly, there’s nothing worse than a coffee maker that makes you wait an extended period for a cup of delicious coffee.

I also love the fact that this model has a compact and portable design. This feature gives it an upper-hand in both storability and portability when compared to its competitors. I mean, you shouldn’t have any problems find it a storage place or moving it from place to place.

It’s worth mentioning this product has a removable drip tray as well, which offers some versatility concerning cup sizes. It even can handle certain sized travel mugs. It also makes the cleaning process much more manageable with it being removable.

Plus, it has the fun feature of giving you multiple choices regarding color. This choice gives you the chance to pick the option that best fits with your RV’s decor. For me, I like the red option as I think it’d mesh well with the environment inside my RV.

With all this in mind, you’d think there wouldn’t be any flaws with this model. After all, it seems like the manufacturer covered everything regarding its features. However, some customers reported that the device broke a few months after purchase, which is something you should take into account before purchasing.
Pros
  • Portable, compact design
  • Removable drip tray
  • Comes in five different colors
  • Simple using process
  • 3 to 5-minute runtime
Cons
  • Longevity concerns

11. HAMSWAN Drip Coffee Maker

The HAMSWAN Drip Coffee Maker is another drip model, which will fulfill the needs of any RV owner that ends up buying it. Its ability to fill ten RV coffee cups with only one 6-minute brewing cycle is something I find amazing.

It also has some other necessary features we’ve discussed in length within the reviews above such as an automatic shut-off feature, easy using process, compact design, etc. All of these are top-notch in their abilities and will make your RV life much more manageable.

But it does have some features that separate it from its competitors. For instance, it has a 1-year warranty, which will make sure you’re covered in case the coffee maker ends up breaking. As a clumsy person myself, you can see why this would be an appealing feature for me.

This product has five special outlets as well that’ll make sure the maker doesn’t extract too much flavor or too little. With this feature, you always end up with a smooth, rich cup of coffee that’ll meet your expectations.

In other words, it’s the perfect coffee maker to ensure you start your day on the right note. And the fact it comes at an affordable price is just icing on the cake. There isn’t much that this HAMSWAN coffee maker doesn’t do well.

It’ll even manage to keep the coffee warm for 40 minutes after the brewing cycle is done; therefore, you’ll be able to enjoy your second cup without needing the microwave for a reheat. Anything that helps me avoid drinking microwaved coffee is a win for me.

But sadly, it isn’t all positive as this product has some durability concerns according to the customer reviews. Some consumers wrote about how the model ended up breaking after only a month or two, which is unfortunate given the high-quality coffee this model produces.
Pros
  • Automatic shut-off
  • Easy using process
  • Can make up to 10 cups
  • 6-minute runtime
  • 1-year warranty
Cons
  • Durability concerns

12. Coleman QuikPot Propane Coffee Maker

If you’re looking for the perfect truck, camper coffee maker, the Coleman Quikpot Propane Coffee maker is one I’d recommend considering. Its lightweight design makes it very easy to travel with during a camping trip.

It would even be the ideal product for an event like tailgating a football game. All you need to is hook it into a propane tank, and your coffee will be ready in minutes. This design also makes sure it doesn’t take up much space when you have to store it.

The fact that it can function even in the harshest conditions is another aspect, which makes it ideally suited for adventurous campers. I also love the idea of a push-button ignition as it makes the using process unbelievably simple as a potential buyer.

And its ability to brew 10 cups in a single cycle is undoubtedly something that’s impressive. I mean, you won’t have to worry about continually refilling with a capacity such as this one. You’ll easily be able to fulfill the coffee needs of all the people on your camping trip.

The removable, dishwasher safe filter basket isn’t a bad feature to have either as it makes the cleaning process much easier for the user. Honestly, it seems like Coleman took everything important into account when crafting this fantastic product.

However, it’s a little confusing that they seem to miss the leaking issue this product provides some people using it. Given how noticeable coffee stains are, you can see how this issue would be a significant problem for customers.

It also doesn’t help that this model is expensive for a product, which will mainly be used for camping trips. Both of these issues are something you should think about before putting this coffee maker into your Amazon cart.

Pros
  • Peak portability
  • Can hold up to 10 cups
  • Removable, dishwasher safe filter basket
  • Can brew even in harsh conditions
  • Push-button ignition
Cons
  • Leaking issues
  • Expensive

What to Look for When Buying a Coffee Maker for RV

portable-coffee-maker

When searching for the high quality coffee maker for RV, you’ll need to be aware of certain essential factors. These factors will enlighten you regarding, which product is the best coffee maker for RV that fits your personal needs perfectly.

And in this section, we’ll discuss these factors at length to ensure this buying experience doesn’t become too overwhelming or stressful.

Budget

Coffee makers can get quite expensive, which is something you might find shocking given how insignificant coffee might seem in the grand scheme of things. But the highly-expensive ones do create a product that does exceed the lower priced models.

As a result, you must weight the importance of the coffee’s quality; thinking about this issue will ensure you know whether or not you consider spending a small fortune on a coffee maker’s a reasonable investment.

Once you decide, making your budget becomes much more straightforward, and it’ll limit the options you have available to you. In the end, this part of the process will shape how all the other factors end up impacting your decision.

For me, I’m going to try and find the coffee machine that’s the most cost-effective — in other words, finding the best balance between what I can afford and the quality of the product. Sounds simple enough, right?

Quality

As with any buying experience, each product will have various degrees of quality. This aspect becomes especially essential for a device such as an RV coffee maker. After all, a high-quality model can make all the difference in the world and bring forth a cup of coffee that brightens your life up every day.

But there are so many options that finding these models can be somewhat challenging. In fact, it can bring stress and frustration to your life that you don’t want. Given this information, it’s imperative to ensure you research the quality of each coffee maker you’re considering.

You might be asking yourself how in the world do I accomplish this without buying the product first? Well, it’s quite simple. All you need to do is read the customer reviews on the model’s Amazon page.

These reviews will discuss in detail everything these customers experienced when using the product. It’s a resource that ends up being underutilized by most consumers. So please, don’t be one of these people, and make sure you use these vital pieces of information to help shape your decision.

Ease of Use

Let’s be honest; most of us aren’t morning people. We don’t want to use complicated machines during our morning routine. With this in mind, ensuring the coffee maker you get has an easy using process becomes a necessity.

You should also make sure the product is a portable coffee maker, easy to handle, and doesn’t require a lot of set up. All of these things will ensure your coffee making experience will be more manageable and won’t cause any hassle or complications.

And most importantly, don’t trust the product description about these things, believe other customers experiences instead; therefore, reading the RV coffee maker reviews by customers could be a massive help in this regard as well.

Trust me; people will let you know whether or not a particular product was a pain to use. And given how essential coffee is to peoples’ lives: you can bet people would be mad enough to create a review.

You might also want to check out any instructions that you see on the Amazon page. It’ll help you avoid any problems with both the using and installation process.

Kitchen Space

Just like RVs, coffee makers come in all shapes and sizes. This aspect means you’ll have to evaluate how much space the product you’re looking for can reasonably take up inside your RV. In other words, you have to decide how much counter and kitchen space you have available.

However, once you do decide, the number of options will start to shrink. This shrinkage will cleanse you of the overwhelming amount of choices that used to look incredibly daunting; therefore, the chances you find the most suitable coffee maker for your needs increase dramatically.

For instance, if you have a small amount of space, you might want to look at buying an under cabinet RV coffee maker. It’ll save a lot of space and ensure the device isn’t always in the way. But again, this option is one that’s available, and you might find one that fits your RVing experience better.

With my circumstances, I have a rather large class A RV, which gives me a little bit more room to maneuver. As a result, counter space isn’t a much of an issue; therefore, I can get an RV coffee maker will that takes up a little bit more room.

Cleaning Requirements

One of the primary aspects you should always be looking for is a coffee maker that’s easy to clean. After all, this product’s something you’ll be using almost daily, which means it’s getting to get dirty; therefore, you want a model with a cleaning process that doesn’t take a lot of time.

Otherwise, you’re going to be spending a lot of time making sure your coffee maker is completely clean: a way to evaluate this aspect through looking at those all-too-important product reviews.

These reviews will tell the amount of maintenance each product you’re looking into requires. It also helps that excessive or complicated cleaning processes tend to make customers incredibly angry, which will be helpful in your research.

And sometimes manufacturers will put the cleaning instructions within the product description as well. From these directions, you can start to understand whether or not the cleaning process is something you see yourself doing every month or so.

Other Important Factors to Consider

best coffee pot for rv

The factors discussed in the previous part aren’t the only things that’ll end up determining your final decision. And within this section, we’ll go over essential background information about these products to ensure you end up making a responsible decision about buying one.

What is a coffee maker for RV?

A coffee maker for an RV is pretty much what’d you’d expect it to be as a product. It ensures you have access to your daily caffeine when you’re on the road. In most aspects, these products are like the ones within your household.

However, there are certain qualities that RV coffee maker manufacturers focus on to make sure they’re fully ready for the on-the-road lifestyle. These factors include being portable, user-friendly, having a small footprint, and being able to withstand someone hitting the brakes too hard.

These products should also offer practicality regarding power availability and storage space. After all, you don’t want to waste a lot of your precious little amount of storage on something like a coffee maker.

I mean, a coffee maker can make your day much better, but it does only serve one purpose; therefore, you don’t need a massive one that takes up all your counter space. But the most essential thing about an RV coffee maker is the quality of its product.

Honestly, if it’s pumping out low-quality coffee, what’s the point of using that coffee maker? In the end, finding a product that has all the features mentioned in this section becomes a must for any coffee drinking RV owner. Trust me; you can only rely on gas station coffee for so long.

How does it work?

It’ll depend on the model you end up getting, but these products tend to work how their household counterparts function. In other words, there isn’t some complicated process that’s RV centric with a coffee maker for an RV.

The using process usually consists of putting the coffee grounds into the filter, putting water into the pot, turning on the product, and waiting for the coffee to be done. Of course, this process will be drastically different when we start talking about single-serve types and what not.

But in the general sense, it’s mostly what’d you expect from any coffee maker you’ve ever encountered during your life. Just had a sigh of relief, right? Yeah, I did too when I was looking for my first RV coffee maker as well.

Given this information, you can relax and go into this buying process knowing that you don’t have to worry about complications or hassles with these products. In fact, it’s one of the few RV related products that won’t have you tearing out your hair in frustration.

What are the different types of coffee makers for RV?

In the RV coffee maker world, there are a variety of types due to the popularity coffee has with the RV owner community. And it also doesn’t help that everyone tends to take their morning caffeine fix differently.

As a result, RV coffee maker manufacturers have given their customer base numerous options when it comes to product style. These products tend to fall into the following five primary categories:

  • Single-Serve coffee machines
  • Pour-over coffee machines
  • Percolators coffee machines
  • Drip coffee machines
  • Under-the-cabinet machines

With this in mind, you won’t be shocked to learn each type has distinct features that separate it from the others. And we’ll go over these differences below to ensure you know which kind of coffee maker fits your preferences the best.

Single-serve Coffee Machines

A single-serve coffee machine is a product that uses a dripping method to serve out one cup every brewing cycle. This process removes your need to do any measuring of things like flavorings, portions, or additives.

These machines also lessen the time it takes to make coffee, which could be an essential quality for someone on the move like an RV owner. Plus, it’s more convenient than other types as you can keep the unused product fresher with this type of machine.

But there’s one significant drawback with the single-serve style: these machines tend to be much more expensive than its competitors. As a result, if you’re looking for a bargain buy, you should probably look at a different kind of model.

Pour-over Coffee Machines

In the most basic terms, pour-over coffee machines involve pouring water over coffee grounds, which then dispenses those delicious coffee flavors into your cup or mug. This creates a quicker and more efficient brew than you might see with other types.

However, pour-over coffee machines tend to be a little fickle as the pouring on the water can extract more from the coffee grounds than wanted. As a result, you end up with the coffee that tastes a little different than you would like.

With this in mind, the best way to approach using these devices is by pouring one stream of water from the showerhead. In doing so, it’ll result in a brewing process that features a higher temperature than it would with you doing multiple streams.

If you’re looking for an example of one of these products, look no further than the French press.

Percolators Coffee Machines

As an older type of coffee machine, percolators were quite popular among the populace until the invention of drip coffee makers in the 70s. However, these devices can be decent options for you bargain buyers out there as they still provide high-quality coffee.

You see this coffee machine continually cycles the boiling brew through the coffee grounds using the laws of gravity. And they’ll continue this process until the coffee reaches the strength you prefer; it’s a vastly effective method that’s been producing high-quality coffee for decades.

Plus, the using process is simple with all you need to is fill in the water, add coffee grounds, and heat it up. It also helps that you have a choice regarding if you want an electric or not.

Drip Coffee Machines

As mentioned previously, drip coffee machines quickly overtook percolators when they came into being around the 70s. These products took this position thanks to them fixing the main issue that has haunted percolators since their inception: over-extracting coffee and making it bitter.

The using process of this a drip coffee machine is power typically operated through electricity. It consists of a water tank, a carafe, and a filter basket. In other words, it’s most likely what you’re using within your household right now.

We should also note that the carafe is typically created from glass and is dishwasher safe. Given how much residue coffee leaves behind, you could see how beneficial this feature could be to an RV owner.

Under-the-cabinet Coffee Machines

If you have a concern about storage or counter space, an under-the-cabinet coffee machine could be the best option. These particular models take up little room thanks to their construction, which is mounted under a specific cabinet.

But the options are somewhat limited when it comes to this type as there are only a few options available. Although the ones that do exist are incredibly high-quality; hence, the BLACK + DECKER model from our product review section.

In most cases, these coffee makers won’t offer you much regarding special features; but their spacing saving convenience could end up being a godsend for someone in a smaller or overloaded RV.

Disclaimer:

You might see a 12-volt coffee maker for boats and RV during your search as well. But I’d recommend avoiding these models as much as possible. You see a 12-volt coffee maker typical gains lousy reviews due to its power inefficiency.

In other words, these 12-volt appliances can’t generate enough power to heat the water promptly. As a result, I didn’t feel like it was worth discussing in-depth them because they aren’t the kind of products that deliver the high-quality results you want.

Why do you need an RV coffee maker?

If you’re a heavy or even occasional coffee drinker, an RV coffee maker could be an extremely beneficial addition to your RVing experience. I mean, don’t you want your on-the-road house to feel like your second home?

A high-quality RV coffee maker will offer you this feeling and make it one less thing you miss about your permanent home. It also will save you a ton of money as you won’t have to rely on getting coffee during your trip.

Gas station coffee and places like Starbucks will end up costing extra money that could end up going somewhere fun. In fact, many RV owners who’ve tried the pickup coffee on the way approach have concluded its merely impractical.

After all, it adds more stops on your trip, which means you’re wasting time that could have been used to do something exciting or fun. And it makes getting coffee a simple process that you can easily do when you’re feeling lazy.

Plus, with an RV coffee maker onboard, you won’t have to rely on someone else making your coffee. You can ensure it’s exactly how you like it, which with something such as coffee is a massive deal.

Given all these positives, you’d be hard pressed to convince me that an RV coffee isn’t an essential part of the RV experience.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

12 volt coffee maker

As you might expect from a FAQ section, this part of the article will answer any remaining questions you might have about RV coffee makers. And from these answers, we hope you’ll be able to answer, which product fits your preferences the best.

What are good RV coffee maker brands?

Like with any marketplace, certain manufacturers create better products than others. And the RV coffee market is no different with several brands that continually outpace the other companies that represent their competition.

These brands are the ones we highlight in our product review section. But even within this group, a couple of them stick out a little bit more than the rest: Coleman and Keurig. Both of these companies have been forces in this marketplace for what feels like forever.

And we thought it’d be helpful to go over some background information about both, which will help you understand why they’ve gained such a high-standing among RV owners. It’ll also further familiarize yourself with the brands to make you feel more comfortable about potentially buying from them.

Coleman

Being a rather large company hasn’t stopped Coleman from being a force within a multitude of markets. The company got their start in lamplights and gathered a vision that has put America’s farms and ranches in a new light, and would eventually make [their] name synonymous with outdoor fun.”

And this excellence would extend itself toward the RV coffee maker marketplace where they’ve become a household name.

Keurig

This company has cultivated an excellent relationship with the RV owner community over the years. And it’s accomplished this through employing “a passionate, high-performing team that strives to lean forward to seize opportunities for sustainable, long-term growth.”

With a team and attitude such as these, it’s hard to see how anyone could pass up on buying a Keurig RV coffee maker. Honestly, it doesn’t get much better than the products this brand continues to provide its customers.

Overall, both these companies represent fantastic choices for any prospective RV coffee maker buyer. In fact, all the manufacturers mentioned in this article offer a certain level of quality you’ll have a hard time finding somewhere else.

How to clean it?

Your coffee maker for RV’s cleaning process will ultimately depend on its type and features it has within its construction. But typically, it will require you to do something that looks like the steps we lay out below:

  • Put the old coffee and grounds into the basket. Place both the pot and basket back into their respective positions
  • Use hot water and fill the reservoir halfway. Fill the other half with white vinegar. This combination will loosen any residue within the coffee maker such as limescale or coffee deposits.
  • Turn the coffee maker on as you usually would. Once the cycle’s over, pour the mixture back inside the reservoir and turn it on for a second time.
  • After the second run is complete, wash the pot with hot water and soap, which will remove any residue. It’s also essential you wash out the basket as well. Some people find using a tool such as an old toothbrush will help eliminate the coffee stains from the basket’s nooks and crannies.
  • You must now use cold water and fill the reservoir with it. Then, turn on the coffee maker for another cycle. This process should be done twice as the vinegar can be a little bit of a nuisance to remove from the coffee maker.
  • Take out a dishcloth and dip it into a ½ water/ ½ white vinegar solution. Use this cloth to get rid of those pesky water spots that might be on the machine’s outside.

And with this process done, your coffee maker should be good as new. We should also note that cleaning should take place every month depending on the machine. Of course, some coffee makers will tell you when they need cleaning.

If you’re worried you’ll end up forgetting, I’d recommend getting a product that alerts you when it needs a little maintenance. After all, there’s a lot of things you have to remember when living on an RV and anything that can lighten your load is incredibly helpful.

Where to use a coffee maker in RV?

Like with any appliance, the best placement of your RV coffee maker will be determined by the set up inside your RV. In most cases, the counter near your RV’s sink would be an ideal place for your new coffee maker.

But again, it will end up depending on your setup and where your outlets are within your RV. Just make sure where you end up putting the product is safe and doesn’t cause any hazards.

As a result, reading the coffee maker’s manual before setting it up is probably a good idea and something that you should take the time to do. After all, it’s always best to put safety before anything else.

Can you use a regular coffee maker in an RV?

Yes, one can use a regular coffee maker in an RV. However, it is essential to check the coffee maker’s power requirements. Most household appliances run on 110 to 120 volts of power. Operating a 110-volt coffee maker in an RV is only possible if one has a power inverter that transforms 12V DC electricity to 110-120V AC power.

Alternatively, RV owners can use a 12V coffee maker for RV to eliminate the need for an inverter. A 12V RV coffee maker should also come in handy when there is no shore power to connect to.

People might also consider using coffee pots for campers, such as a Moka pot, a Vietnamese (Phin) coffee maker, and a percolator. These are regular coffee makers that do not require electricity to produce delicious coffee. Other alternatives are a French press, Aeropress, and pour-over coffee maker.

How many amps does a 4 cup coffee maker use?

How many amps a 4 cup coffee maker uses depends on the coffee machine’s brand, type, and features.

For example, the Cuisinart DCC-450BK 4-Cup Coffee needs 4.58 to 5.0 amperes in a 110 to 120-volt connection. On the other hand, the Mr. Coffee 4-Cup Switch Coffee Maker uses 5.42 to 5.91 amperes. Even though both products produce four cups of coffee, the Cuisinart has a lower energy requirement than the Mr. Coffee.

Determining a coffee machine’s amperage requirement is as straightforward as dividing the wattage rating by the voltage. For instance, a 110-volt Cuisinart has 550 watts needing 5.0 amps (550 ÷ 110 = 5). Meanwhile, Mr. Coffee needs 5.91 amperes because it has 650 watts (650 ÷ 110 = 5.91). Hence, the higher the wattage rating, the higher the amperage requirement.

RV owners can get a low wattage coffee maker for RV if they need an appliance with a low amperage requirement. One can always pick a non electric coffee maker for RV if energy cost is an issue.

How to secure coffee maker in RV?

RV owners have several ways to secure their coffee makers in their motorhomes. Everything depends on the coffee maker type.

  1. People with an under cabinet coffee maker for RV can secure the coffee machine by installing the mounting frame under the cabinet above the motorhome’s kitchen countertop. These products come with all the hardware necessary for fastening the appliance. One only needs to follow the installation steps.
  2. One can secure an RV coffee pot (Moka pot, percolator, or Phin), Aeropress, and French press in a kitchen drawer or cabinet because these coffee makers are compact.
  3. Using a non-slip rubber liner on the countertop also secures drip coffee makers, single-serve coffee machines, and other coffee maker types. However, sudden braking might still knock off these appliances from the countertop.
  4. Place the coffee maker against the RV wall, mark where the edges meet, and secure adhesive-backed hooks to the wall. Next, tie a rope on one attachment point and wrap the cord around the coffee machine before securing the other cord end to the other peg.

What type of coffee maker is best for small RVs?

People with small-sized RVs have a few options for a coffee maker. A space saver coffee maker for RV is necessary for motorhomes with limited space. Class A RVs can get away with standard-sized coffee machines because they have plenty of countertop space.

Most people recommend an under-cabinet coffee machine for camper vans and other small-sized motorhomes with cabinetry. These coffee-making appliances mount under the cabinet, freeing countertop space.

Unfortunately, an RV under cabinet coffee maker is not suitable for campers and motorhomes that do not have cabinets above the countertop. The top-rated coffee maker for these RVs is a single-serve coffee machine because it has a smaller footprint than other coffee maker types.

RV owners can also opt for a French press or a Moka pot. These are compact coffee-making devices that people can store in the cabinet or drawer.

Can RV coffee maker make tea?

It all depends on the model you end up buying. Some have the capability of making tea and others don’t. Understanding little things like this feature could help determine whether or not a specific RV coffee maker is the right one for you.

In my personal opinion, I’d always opt for buying an RV coffee maker with tea making capabilities. After all, you never know when you’re going to have a guest that doesn’t drink coffee and asks for tea instead. So, do yourself a favor and get a model that can do both.

Conclusion

Since you’re now caught up on all things RV coffee maker, it’s time to find the best coffee maker for RV that fits your particular needs. And with all the information you’ve gained, this search should be a lot less overwhelming than it was previously.

Trust me; this process will seem a lot less daunting than it did before you read this article. All you need to do is evaluate all the things discussed and apply it toward your search. And when it’s all done, you should end up with a high-quality that makes your RVing experience so much better.

Just think, you’ll never have to stop at a gas station or Starbucks ever again. Plus, you’ll save a bunch of money as well. In the end, it seems like a no-brainer. So please, use your newfound knowledge and find the perfect product. You won’t regret it.

If you have any more questions, feel free to leave them in the comment section below. We’d look to help in any way we can. Furthermore, if you are looking for rv kichen devices. Don’t forget check out the top-rated rv dishwasher, induction cooktop and the most trusted rv propane regulator.

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