How To Boil Water When Camping? The Answer Is Here!

Hot water always makes everything better when camping, such as hot showers, clean dishes, and hot coffee. Also, boiling water is essential for killing unwanted viruses and bacteria.

Here is how to boil water when camping. Memorize them and take notes, as they will be handy for your next camping trip.

How to Boil Water When Camping?

How to boil water when camping? 

The Sun

You can take advantage of the sun itself to heat your water. But the process usually takes very long, depending on the intensity of the UV rays.

Many solar-powered kettles can speed up the boiling process significantly. They can heat 500 ml (16.9 oz) of water to boiling in about 45 min of ideal weather. It may take longer if conditions are not ideal.

Solar Heater

Using a solar heater is another eco-friendly choice to heat your water. Although this process is somewhat long, it doesn't require using fuel. 

All you need to do is fill the bag with water and hang it somewhere with the sun.

Remember that this way does not boil the water. Instead, it will heat the water to the proper temperature for various tasks, such as showering and washing dishes.

Use Car’s 12V

You can use an immersion heater to get the job done. This device includes a long metal coil that will enter your water to heat it within a container. You need an electrical source to enable it, which is enough to heat water in several seconds.

If you're camping with a car nearby, it is okay to use the immersion heater of the car. It has 12V/24V, so it may be a bit slow, especially for large batches of water. 

It is highly recommended for small amounts of water, such as a mug of coffee or a personal soup cup.

Portable Propane Heater

You can heat the water with one portable propane heater. It’s a great choice, especially if traveling by kayak/canoe or on foot.

The burner can hold up to an eight-inch diameter pot, and the cylinder can burn for two and a half hours on high. That is plenty of time to heat water or fry a few eggs daily per week.

Electric Pot Or Kettle

You can use an electric kettle if your camping site has access to electrical outlets.

If camping at a site with access to electrical outlets, you can use an electric kettle to boil the water efficiently and quickly. Compared to the traditional kettle, the electric one can boil water half the time with some electric heaters.

Without electricity, they're regular pots that can serve as extra storage for rainwater and other fluids. Those pots are typically more expensive than kettles and may take about five minutes to boil water.

If you're traveling with a big group, a pot is enough to provide boiled water.

Charcoal Grill

If you're on a camping site with an open grill, you can use it to boil water. As we all know, charcoal can heat a burger, so it'll easily heat a pot of water.

The only con to this way is that the grill will take 30 minutes to heat up.

Alcohol Stove

This stove will be an ecological option for most campers as the fuel is less polluting. Denatured alcohol, ethanol, and methanol will work well; you can find them at nearby gas stations. 

An alcohol stove can contain from 250 ml to 1 liter (8 to 32 ounces) of water and will take five to eight minutes to boil with minimal fuel.

Propane Stove

This classic propane cook stove is an excellent option for boiling water on a campsite. Propane camp stoves don’t require a warm-up time. 

All you need to do is fire it up before dropping your pot or kettle on the burner. Although cold temperatures may affect the hoses, propane does not freeze.

Jetboil

If you are keen on a device that boils water in seconds, the Jetboil Stove System is the way to go. This portable cooking stove promises to boil water in about 100 seconds. It's also compact and small to fit inside any backpack.

Traditional Kettle on the Campfire

Standard kettles have been traditional camping tools for decades. Their portable design makes them a reliable container for many fluids, including water. 

Most kettles carry one liter of water, but it is possible to get large sizes. A large pot will take longer to boil, while a regular-sized kettle only takes around five minutes. 

Conclusion

Boiling water when camping isn't complicated, and my list proves how easy it can be. It is better to rely on nature instead of technology when camping. 

A simple fire and a sturdy pot may be enough to enjoy boiled water. How do you boil water on your camping trip? I'd love to hear your suggestions below!