The Easiest Dorm Room Coffee Setup To Keep Caffeinated At All Hours

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There's so much to consider as you head off to college, especially if you're moving out on your own for the first time. And if a dorm room is your destination, you have to be extra-careful about balancing necessities with fun decor, all of which has to fit into a couple hundred (often shared) feet of space. But in addition to buying extra-long sheets and toiletries, you may be wondering: "How can I maintain my morning coffee habit — without resorting to cafeteria coffee?" The best answer seems to be a simple French press.

If you've never used a French press before, it's easy to learn. Put coarsely ground beans in the bottom of your French press pot and fill it with hot water (195 to 200 degrees Fahrenheit). Let your French press coffee steep for about four minutes before using the plunger to push the grounds to the bottom and pouring the hot liquid into your cup.

There are many reasons why the French press is ideal for dorm room dwellers. It doesn't take up too much space and it's easy to use as well. You can even select varying sizes of French press brewers depending on what you need. Make enough to share with a new friend or a single serving just for you. Or, if you purchase a larger French press, simply use less coffee and water in order to make a smaller serving. Clean-up is fairly simple as well and it doesn't require any paper filters like a drip machine; as long as the pot doesn't break, you're set.

In addition to the French press itself, you'll want to invest in an electric kettle. But don't worry, this will come in doubly handy if you anticipate eating many meals of restaurant-worthy instant ramen in your dorm room, too. If possible, purchase one that gives you more control over how hot the water gets, as you really don't want to add boiling water directly to your ground coffee. This can affect the taste in a negative way and give your brew a bitter tone. If you do end up with a kettle that only has one temperature setting — boiling — let it sit at least 30 seconds before adding it to the brewer. 

Also, because French press requires beans that are ground coarser than regular pre-ground coffee, you'll probably want a decent grinder, ideally a burr grinder for a full-bodied cup. If you're buying your beans from a local roaster, they may be happy to grind them in-store; just tell them it's for a French press and they'll know to use the correct grind setting.

If you're not convinced French press is your best option, the AeroPress Original Coffee Press and pour overs are largely considered dorm-friendly as well. While these brewing methods may take a little more hands-on attention than a French press, they should provide you with a flavorful cup of coffee and won't take up much space in your dorm room either. Whichever you end up using, make sure to bring a favorite mug for that perfect, homey touch.