Since you are heating water for instant coffee any way, why not consider using a french press with your existing ground coffee? I purchased one at ikea for less than $10. They are readily available and inexpensive on line, too.
We have above ground power lines and also frequently lose electrical service. It is so nice to still be able to start the day with fresh brewed coffee. We heat the water on our gas grill side burner, and break out the french press.
It really is very easy to use, makes delicious coffee, and no extra filters are needed.
When we lose power, the last thing I want is to wash any dishes or deal with messy coffee grounds and scrubbing the FP clean - without hot water! I can see why the OP would want as little hassle as possible during a power outage.
Since we have a gas water heater, we still have the luxury of hot water during power outages, so can at least still do dishes and take warm showers.
Not sure whether op has hot water when power is out, but I whole heartedly agree it is an important consideration! I would also be trying to minimize dishes and mess if no hot water was available.
When my power is out I use a one cup plastic cone filter with my regular coffee. I have a gas cooktop and gas water heater.
When we camp I use a thermos style French press or a camping style percolating pot.
I use Dunkin Donuts coffee. I heat water, put a paper towel in a strainer, put that into a Chinese soup container and pour the water over it. It’s cheap and easy. I use French Vanilla but any flavor will work. I then divide the coffee in two cups and have my daily coffee.
Your taste in coffee will determine which instant you like. No coffee for me- smell fine but taste- even in desserts not tolerable. However, H a coffee drinker. Folgers-really??? H prefers a darker roast. I buy either Taster’s Choice or Nescafe brands of instant coffee. Both available and good prices. For brewed coffee his current one is Gevalia French Roast. All a matter of your flavor preference.
instant coffee will not taste as good as brewed coffee. By the way, I brewed coffee in a cup for a long time and finally bought myself a coffee machine. chose Keurig mini or Keurig mini plus for a very long time. then came across this article on the internet http://best-coffeemaker-review.com/keurig-k-mini-vs-keurig-k-mini-plus/. thanks to her, I made my choice. settled on the Keurig mini plus model. small compact by its acquisition. I am very glad
Another not cheap option is starbucks concentrate that comes in little single serving cups. I used it for cold coffee this summer and since singles, you don’t have to refrigerate. I add a bit of water then creamer. If you don’t want cold coffee, you could add hot water and then warm more over whatever heat source you are planning to use.
One of the better ones is Taster’s Choice, Nescafe, in French Roast. Strangely enough, I can find it most reliably at Walgreens. The Traders Joe’s is good and the Mount Hagen organic as well, if milder. I sometimes make brewed, sometimes instant. My Scottish dad always made instant, so I grew up drinking it. I prefer brewed, but hate waste and the instant is easier when alone. Traveling, I always take Starbucks strips. I add a lot of milk to coffee, which makes the original brew less of an issue.
Both Nescafe and Taster’s Choice are readily available at Target, Walmart and the local grocery store chain here in Tampa. I suspect they are available nationally at those chains for a good price. I dislike coffee in any form (learned that when tried tiramisu) so I buy it for H who likes bolder flavors and isn’t a fussy drinker but has preferences.