You’ll undoubtedly need to boil some water when you go camping. Even though boiling water can seem like a straightforward task, there are actually a variety of inventive ways how to boil water when camping, regardless of the situation.
Fortunately, if you’re prepared, boiling water is incredibly simple wherever you’re camping.
I prepared 13 tried and tested ways to boil water while camping for you. Additionally, I described 4 survival tips for emergency situations and a short list of camping stove usage tips. Lots of useful information for you here!
You might find it useful to have some background knowledge on boiling water while camping before we continue.
Even though the water appears to be pure, never consume water straight from a natural source. Even if the water in a stream, river, or lake may appear clean, it could still be contaminated with bacteria, viruses, and parasites.
You must first filter natural water by removing big particles. Then boil it to kill bacteria, viruses, and parasites if you want it to be safe.
How do you boil wild water while camping?
Fill up at a lake or stream when trekking in the wilderness. Then bring the water back to your campsite to boil. For the water to be safe to drink or use in cooking, it needs to be vigorously boiled for at least one minute. Additionally, just keep in mind that the container you brought the uncooked water in, can still be polluted.
How long do you boil water till it’s clean?
The standard advice for boiling water is to bring it to a full rolling boil for one minute. Then let it cool before using. Some organizations advise boiling water for extended lengths of time. However, this is not essential and can increase power usage and safety risks.
How effective is boiling water to purify it?
The most effective method for killing bacteria, viruses, and parasites is to boil them. Boiling at a high temperature for a long period of time is crucial for effectively killing aquatic organisms. Additionally, boiling will still successfully purify water if it is still muddy or murky.
Is it harmful to boil water twice?
In general, there is no harm to your health when you boil water, let it cool, and then reboil it. You won’t likely harm your health, for instance, if you boil water in a tea kettle, keep it there, and top it off as needed.
Avoid letting the water boil down because this concentrates minerals and pollutants. If you must reboil water, do it only a couple of times rather than making it a habit.
There are many ways to boil water while camping. I am glad to share my favorite 13 ways of heating water you can use on your next camping trip.
13 Ways On How To Boil Water When Camping
1. Campfire
One of my favorite and, I dare say, the most traditional way to boil water or cook anything is a campfire. I enjoy a good campfire. I enjoy sitting next to the crackling flames in anticipation of a full-flavored coffee, some delicious food, or just boiled water.
You may make the process of boiling water over a fire as easy or as difficult as you wish. Making a fire and setting a pot or kettle directly on top of the coals is the simplest way to accomplish this. I would rather not do this because doing so would probably cause your pot or kettle to turn completely black from coal dust.
Alternatively, you may use a grill or a campfire tripod system that can be used to raise your pots and kettles above the fire. Although the tripod method or a grill would be simpler, it would also cost more money.
You may also create a flatter surface over the fire by sandwiching two rocks with a metal grill sheet. In this case, don’t forget to build the platform before lighting the fire.
SAFETY NOTE! Make sure your cooking equipment doesn’t contain any wooden, silicone, or plastic components that could burn or melt!
2. Hot Stones
Another method of boiling water involves placing solid flat dry stones in your campfire for about 30 minutes. Don’t use wet stones from the streams or boulders that are too close to a river since they may have water inside. The stones may explode in the fire if they have water inside.
After keeping the stones in the fire or hot coals for about half an hour, you can move them out of the fire using tongs or sticks. Place them together next to the campfire or anywhere you wish forming a flat surface. Make sure there is nothing near the hot stones that can melt or get damaged including dry leaves on the ground.
Place a pot or a traditional kettle with water on the hot stones and wait till the water starts boiling. This technique is mainly used by people who do not want ash floating in their coffee.
3. Traditional Kettle
When it comes to boiling water, a classic kettle is an incredibly efficient and helpful way to boil water. While camping, you can prepare a variety of foods and beverages by heating water in a kettle.
Kettles are quite adaptable. Depending on what you need, they are available in a wide range of sizes and shapes.
You can place a kettle over a campfire using the grill plates of a campfire ring, a camping stove, or a campfire tripod. If you’re planning to use it over a campfire, I’d advise against using a kettle with plastic handles because they can melt.
4. Electric Kettle
Most of us might associate electric kettles with preparing tea at home. I am glad to report that there are excellent electric kettles available for use outdoors.
You might use an electric kettle instead of a traditional one if you are camping somewhere with electrical hookups. Compared to a traditional kettle heated over a camping stove or campfire, an electric kettle may have the ability to more quickly boil water just at the touch of a button.
Electric kettles of the present day have numerous settings that allow the water to be heated to a variety of degrees and include illumination elements.
5. Car Kettle
You probably had no idea, but your car can definitely be used to boil water. Water boiling appliances that utilize 12-volt direct current (DC) electricity can be used in conjunction with the car’s auxiliary power socket.
The auxiliary power outlet, traditionally known as the cigarette lighter receptacle, may be familiar to you.
There are various products on the market that can be used to boil water while plugged into your car, like car kettles. Car kettles are ideal if you want to go car camping in the winter but don’t want to brave the bitter cold.
Just be aware that they require much longer to boil than a standard electric kettle. A cup of water may take 20 minutes to boil on even the newest ones.
6. Kelly Kettle
The Kelly Kettle is a crucial piece of camping equipment for anybody who appreciates the great outdoors since it is simple to use and will boil water in 3 to 5 minutes outside, in any weather, using any fuel. Camping minimalists and backpackers who need to travel light are fans of this kind of merchandise. It means avoiding carrying heavy fuel canisters.
This internal flame kettle is constructed of conventionally spun aluminum and may be heated with twigs or other natural materials like leaves, grass, paper, dry-animal dung, etc. Very little fuel is needed since the chimney’s vast internal surface area boils the water so quickly.
Simply start a very small fire in the base, place the camp kettle on top of the base, then pour more fuel down the chimney once the camp kettle is filled with water.
Strong wind and rain do not interfere with the fire because the fire is entirely safely contained within the firebase and the chimney of the kettle itself, and it is also safe to use the kettle in many locations where open fires are not appropriate.
The water will reach a boiling point in only a few minutes. That’s how easy it is, truly!
7. Jetboil Stove System
There is nothing else like the Jetboil stove system. These are excellent, small water boilers that consume little gas.
They can boil water in under two minutes (100 seconds to be precise) and are excellent for windy conditions because the flame is covered. If all you want to do is boil water, this is definitely your best option for doing so quickly and effectively.
These systems cost a little more than the majority of the other choices available here. Yet travelers like them because they are portable and adaptable.
8. Immersion Heater
An immersion heater can be what you need if simplicity and usability are your main goals. Though an immersion heater is compact, you may heat as much or as little water as you need.
These heaters work best at a campground with a connection because they need an electrical energy supply, typically an outlet, similar to a kettle. Water can be boiled in a mug or small pot using immersion heaters.
Just keep in mind that the majority of immersion heaters are only made to heat a single cup of water for making coffee or tea.
In that case, if you need to heat up a lot of water for bathing or cleaning dishes, I’d suggest looking into a bucket heater. While bucket and immersion heaters function similarly, bucket heaters have more power to boil bigger amounts of water.
9. Alcohol Stove
The alcohol stove is a reliable, portable, reusable piece of equipment for burning alcohol. After being lit, the alcohol is poured into the reservoir in the center. A ring of tiny holes allows the vapors to escape, starting a lovely, even fire.
An alcohol stove can be extremely effective at boiling water, allowing you to typically heat up a liter of water in 5 to 10 minutes while using little to no fuel.
There are quite a few advantages of alcohol stoves. The fuel for these stoves is easily accessible, and they are lightweight. These would be a fantastic choice if you were traveling and camping abroad. Gas stations there frequently stock these fuels, which include ethanol, denatured alcohol, and methanol.
Additionally, I like how less pollution is produced during the production of alcohol, making alcohol stoves healthier for the environment.
There are some disadvantages to using alcohol stoves though. The cooking process takes longer with an alcohol-burning camp stove; you won’t have that morning cup of tea in your hands in 90 seconds, for example. Your enemies are the wind and the cold. They swiftly burn fuel.
Additionally, alcohol stoves should be used carefully because they don’t have on/off valves, which makes them a fire hazard. Check local laws before leaving home because some land managers and national parks do not permit alcohol stoves due to the fire risk they pose.
10. Solid Fuel Stove
Solid fuel stoves are a fantastic alternative for boiling water in an emergency and are one of the less well-known ways to heat water when camping. These camping stoves can be used almost anywhere and compacted down to a very small size.
Tablet camp stoves with solid fuel are a preferred option for ultralight backpackers as well. Some types fold up and fit in your pocket because they are so compact.
The fuel tablets won’t leak all over your gear, unlike liquid fuel stoves. These fuel tabs are a great addition to your camping gear because they burn effectively and cleanly at high altitudes.
The fuel tabs are not recommended for frequent use because of their high cost. But it’s difficult to beat a solid fuel burner if you need to boil water quickly when camping.
11. Propane Stove
A propane stove is a useful camping gear and a common choice for heating water. Most hardware stores have 1lb or 20lb propane tanks, which are the fuel sources for propane stoves.
These stoves work best when used on car camping trips due to their size and heft.
Additionally, propane stoves are very convenient. This is due to the abundance of added functions they frequently have, such as auto-ignition buttons and user-friendly heat control dials.
The fact that gas stoves nearly always have two or more burners is another significant advantage.
While there are single-burner propane-powered models available, the majority of these stoves feature 2 or 3 burners, allowing you to simultaneously boil water and prepare a meal.
Planning to cook something yummy on your camping trip? Check my review on Best Camping Cookware For Open Fire.
12. Canister Stove
Canister stoves are low-maintenance outdoor cooking devices made for lightweight campers and hikers. They screw onto the threaded tips of closed fuel canisters that hold isobutane and propane. Some of these stoves weigh only a few ounces, fold up quite compactly, and are incredibly small.
They can pretty much do everything a typical camping stove can do, but they are much lighter and smaller. Naturally, backpackers and outdoor enthusiasts are interested in these little stoves, but they are as useful for simple, light camping.
However, it is challenging to utilize these stoves for big gatherings due to their relatively tiny cooking area and absence of a simmer control.
Additionally, canister burners aren’t the best option during the winter because the iso-butane mixture in the fuel canisters degrades at low temperatures. Nevertheless, if you’re considering a summer backpacking trip, these stoves are a fantastic tool.
13. Liquid Fuel Stove
Liquid fuel stoves are eco-friendly and cost-efficient. It’s a truly effective way to boil water while camping.
Liquid fuel stoves feature a fuel bottle inside instead of a canister that holds compressed gas. You pressurize the fuel within the fuel bottle when you attach it by pumping it up. When you open the nozzle and fuel shoots out, this forces the gas out.
Although there are many various kinds of liquid fuels available, you are more likely to find white gas (often naphtha) in an outdoor equipment store. White gas is very useful for camping because it burns efficiently and cleanly under almost all circumstances.
A liquid fuel stove is a perfect option for winter camping, despite the fact that they are typically heavier than some of the other options. This is due to the fact that liquid fuel stoves include pumps that let you control the fuel’s pressure. They are an excellent option for regular expeditions in hostile regions.
Camping Stove Usage Tips
- Never cook in tents or other enclosed areas. This raises the risk of fire and can result in carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Before lighting your stove, inspect all fuel lines, valves, and connections for leaks or damage.
- Use a level surface to operate your stove.
- An old license plate from a car works well as a stove base if you’re not worried about weight, especially when placed on the sand.
- Bring pliers and a multi-tool in case you need to fix your stove on the spot.
- Even if your stove has a piezo-igniter, it’s a good idea to always have stormproof matches or firesteel on hand in case it malfunctions.
Survival Tips
Even though you are fully equipped and ready for great outdoor adventure, anything can happen with your camping gear. Surely it is not the reason to stay at home. It is good to know some survival tips on how you can heat or boil water in case there is something wrong with your camping stove.
Don’t forget that boiling water isn’t necessary just for making a cup of morning coffee. It can also mean the difference between life and death if you’ve collected river water and want to kill pests and pathogens before drinking it.
These next four ideas probably aren’t the most convenient for a typical tent camping trip, but if you found yourself in a survival situation, they would be pretty useful!
Solar Power
Sometimes we might forget that the sun is a great heat source. To boil water with the help of the sun energy, you can use a solar-powered kettle. It is a contemporary invention that concentrates UV rays on heating the water within the kettle.
Just keep in mind that this approach takes at least two hours, depending on how intense the sun is during the day, so I wouldn’t recommend it if you’re in a rush.
Another wonderful, fuel-free way to heat water when bush camping is with a solar heater. These portable water heating bags are typically incredibly light and convenient, making them simple to pack for isolated expeditions.
Simply fill the bag with water and set it in the sun. It might take a few hours to heat the water. The precise amount of time depends on how much sun there is.
However, even if you’re camping in an area that is very warm and bright, it’s important to note that you will have trouble getting truly hot water with a solar shower. Solar heaters are therefore best used to heat water for showers, washing dishes, or other domestic purposes rather than for drinking.
In fact, I advise using one of the other choices on this list if you want boiled water for drinking.
Firesteel
Carrying firesteel (or fire striker which is the same thing) is enjoyable and simple, and it can just save your life. Thousands of people use and rely on firesteel to start fires all around the world. Never worry about igniting a fire again by keeping firesteel in your pocket, pack, or car.
Firesteel functions even in the rain. You may ignite your firesteel at -60°F or +130°F temperatures, drop it in a stream, or drop it in snow. It makes no difference; ignite it and start your fires. You ignite your wood, gas, or any fuel with the help of the sparks from the firesteel.
Watch this video to see how easily a firesteel can cause a shower of sparks to start a fire.
Bottle of Water
Most people are aware that a magnifying glass can be used to start a fire. But you can also ignite a fire using a plastic water bottle using the same methods!
On a sunny day, place the water bottle over a dark surface so that the light shines through the bottle. On a darker surface, a focussed beam can quickly reach temperatures of 400 degrees.
Here’s another brief video that demonstrates how that would operate:
Once you got the fire, you can use it to boil water using the campfire or hot stone methods I previously described.
Tin Can
If you have better options, I wouldn’t advise using a tin can to boil water. However, if it’s your only option in an emergency, you might be able to boil water in a soup or coffee tin can.
Before utilizing the tin can, it is advised that you place it into the fire to burn as many germs as possible.
Summary
I sincerely hope you found this article to be useful! There are numerous methods for boiling water when camping. You just should pick the one that is suitable for your trip. A Jetboil system is probably the best solution for campers, although an alcohol stove or canister stove will also work just fine.
Although boiling water over a campfire might be therapeutic, if you’re car camping and have the room, it may be simpler to just use a propane stove. If you’re feeling inspired, by all means, start your fire using a firesteel or plastic water bottle.
Your Turn
What about your fun camping experiences? Looking forward to hearing your tips and tricks on how to boil water on a camping trip.
My name is Olivia Kellison. I have been camping with friends and on my own for a long time. For me, camping is a great way to escape everyday life’s chaos. I started this blog because I have always had a passion for the great outdoors, and here I am gladly sharing what I know with other outdoor enthusiasts. It does not matter whether you are an experienced adventurer, or just planning your first trip, my blog will be of great help to you.