How to Boil Water During Camping?

As an outdoor enthusiast, the last thing you want during camping is to eat boring frozen food and not being able to enjoy your freshly brewed coffee. Adventures during winter also demand some hot water to keep you warm. All these problems can be solved if you have access to boil water while camping. To boil water when you’re camping for food and other needs is like an easy accomplishment. But it also depends on the type of adventure you’re about to take. Just be prepared ahead and assured that there’s a way out there that will satisfy your needs and make your next camping journey fun and unforgettable.

So, How to boil water during camping? To boil water during camping, you can use Jetboil or Ghillie Kettle as they are both easy to use and time-efficient. Consider a bucket heater if you’re planning a family trip. They’re efficient for heating large amounts but don’t quite hit the boiling point. If you want a simpler and cost-effective process, then a solar heating bag and an open campfire are the best options.

The key point for having a fun camping experience is to cut down the hassle of boiling water while camping. All mentioned procedures to boil water discussed in this article are effective. And some are more effective than others. I have explained them all in detail so you can choose what suits you best.

Let’s dig deep into the five best methods to boil water during camping.

#1 The Jetboil Stove System

Jetboil is a compact and easy-to-use backpacking system that is the number one choice of many outside backpackers. For any adventure — from a family camping trip to a solo weekend trek — Jetboil will keep your journey fueled and your stomach full. It is a specialized camping stove for every outside adventurer.

This stove is engineered in a lightweight design, weighing only 13.3 oz, or 370 grams. The pot, ignitor, stove, and stand, all manufactured into one unit, making it easy to carry during hiking and not too heavy for your back— ideal for backpacking, right?

How to use the Jetboil? 

The first step is to attach the stove to the fuel canister, Then fill the pot with water and fix it on the stove. Turn on the fuel knob counter-clockwise, finally press the ignitor. 

Ta-da that’s it, your water will boil in less than two minutes. 

#2 The Ghillie Camping Kettle

What is more efficient than a traditional kettle to boil water faster while in the wilderness. Instead of any kettle, I recommend a classic UK design, the Ghillie Kettle which has changed the game for campers.

The Ghillie Kettle feature consists of three main parts: kettle, cap, and base unit where you added kindle before putting the kettle on top. The best thing about Ghillie Kettle is that there’s no need for fuel or use refillable canisters; it can be fuel with the grass, twigs, and dead organic materials around the campsite

Quite opposite to the ultra-high-tech design of the Jetboil System, this age-old technique has withstood the passage of time and still a top choice in the center of endless modern alternatives. 

How to use: 

It has an open interior and narrow opening. The fire is inside the kettle, which builds quickly until it’s roaring out of the top. This eco-friendly kettle only takes three to five minutes to boil your water. 

#3 Solar Water Heating Bags

Looking for something cost-effective? Then soler heating bags are a good option. The solar water heating bag is a versatile method of boiling water during camping. The best thing about them is they need only sunlight to deliver consistent results; you don’t need fuel to generate heat. They are eco-friendly and allow you to celebrate nature during camping without destroying nature—the perfect way to stay green and clean.

Solar heating showers require a lot of time to heat up. So they are not effective for winter camping. You must understand the conditions of your environment before using it because it works efficiently depending on the weather conditions.

How does it work? 

Simply pour the water in, with the right environments and setting, the bag will use the sun’s rays through their dark color to boil your water.

Tip: Always choose a portable solar water heating bag that is easy for you to carry around throughout your camping journey.

#4 Boil Water Over Campfire

Some backpackers prefer a minimalist way to boil water to save money. Then, what is more, perfect than boiling water on the campfire. If you don’t have a portable stove, kettle, or solar water heating bag, you can make up with a campfire. 

All you need is a pot without painting or coating on the outside, a lot of firewood, and matches or a lighter to start the fire. 

Here is the step by step process:

1. Collect plenty of firewood and some twigs and sticks to get the fire started. 
2. Once you’ve organized hot coals, the next step is to find a way to support the pot to put over the fire. The best way to do this is by installing two large pieces of wood on each side of the fire with close enough space between them to balance your pot.
3. Last but most importantly, balance your pot on wood carefully let the water boil. It can take 10-20 minutes to boil the water.

Use a thick rag to remove the pot without burning your hands. 

Bonus: Check out the video below to comprehend better how to boil water over a campfire?

#5 Bucket Style Approach 

Boiling water with a bucket heater is another reliable approach. Using a bucket to boil water may seem a little over the top, but it’s an ideal way to boil a large amount of water.

The only disadvantage is that it requires electricity. Unless, of course, you have power outlet access at your campsite, you will need a portable generator (noisy but very handy). But be careful using it because it can put the entire campground at risk.

How to use it?

Pours water into a bucket heater and connects it to a portable generator, in case you don’t have access to the power outlet. Scan the thermometer to know the temperature. When the water starts boiling, disconnect the heater from the power source. A bucket heater takes 10 to 15 minutes to boil your water. 

Tip: Get a stainless-steel guard for your bucket heater that will retain the bucket from melting and enable your water to boil fast.

Safety Measures

Always remember, boiling water in the wilderness is not like boiling water at home; it requires precautions. 

Here are some safety measures you must follow;

• Never boil water near tents or other camp items that could cause an uncontrollable wildfire. 
• Ensure that you’re taking water from a trusted natural source because some water sources outdoors contain some toxic chemicals that boiling would not remove. 
• Always filter your water first with a dry and clean cloth then pour the water inside your pot or solar heat bag, relying on what approach you’re using.

A little mishap could lead to serious injury. Stay proactive and safe. Always pack your first aid kits with you while going on camping.

FAQs

Conclusion

When you’re out in the wilderness, you feel free. So always plan and don’t be confined by limited resources. Because out there is not like home. You are neither confined nor your capabilities to eat and drink healthy to enjoy the camp trip. The best thing about having access to boil water is that you don’t have to alter your early morning and late-night coffee routine.

Recommended Camping Gears: I have compiled a list of my favourite camping gear in one place. The selection is based on my own personal experience using them for many years camping as well as feedback from fellow campers. Check them out on my Recommended Camping Gears page