Backcountry Water Treatment, Part 1: Boiling vs Pasteurization

This video is Part 1 in a series. It takes a detailed look at the safety and efficiency differences between pasteurizing vs. boiling water in the backcountry for disinfection. Learn how you can cut your fuel expenditures in half compared to traditional methods that rely on the conventional wisdom. It’s an ultralight solution to an age-old problem.

Also discussed: use and various models of the Water Pasteurization Indicator (WAPI), as well as the Boil 3, Add 1 Method. Which flame is more efficient for heating water, high or low? Find out here!

Lastly, the impact of using pasteurized (instead of boiling) water is examined as it relates to rehydrating backpacking meals (both freeze-dried and dehydrated), and for the drinking of coffee or tea.

0:00 Introduction
3:16 Conventional Wisdom
4:03 Pasteurization (milk)
6:56 Caveats and Conditions
7:34 Log Reduction
9:22 Time-Temperature Profile
11:33 Water Pasteurization
13:22 Challenge of Maximum Efficiency
14:37 Water Pasteurization Indicator (WAPI)
17:04 Testing the WAPI
22:00 Fuel Weight Savings
28:39 Comparing WAPI models
31:11 Boil 3, Add 1 Method
33:23 Rehydrating Meals
38:16 Making Coffee and Tea
40:19 Summary
41:36 Addendum

World Health Organization list of studies:

[JakeVsFail]

Did you test to see if the boil 3:1 method was more fuel efficient than just pasteurizing all 4 parts?

[jameshenry]

Those are the smartest hands on Youtube.

[DavidHainlin]

As an engineer and recently retired novice hiker - I can't tell you how much I enjoy your videos and how helpful they are. You have provided a valuable resource to all (especially, numbers geeks like me). Thanks for what you are doing.

[mikethedrummersca]

There is a massive void in the online education system between 5 minute crash course videos and full blown 16 week college lectures. You absolutely fill this gap. Phenomenal video, I'm so excited to finish this series and the others that you have. Thanks for putting this together for us.

[nathanbailey]

This series is a Master Class on making water safe (and usable). It's hard to overestimate how valuable and useful this series is. Thank you for all the hard work you put into this.

[mattgibson]

I don't carry a stove, but I found this to be incredibly entertaining! Thanks for the first aid storage recommendation! XD

[stevep]

You are an incredibly gifted teacher. Thank you for sharing your talents with us.

[backpackingonline]

..you are first to determine fuel settings and savings.

I like your methodical approach.

[brianbassettnumber]

Thank you for your time and effort and for not begging online for handouts to support what is obviously something that you enjoy doing.

[graemer]

The increased efficiency of a lower intensity burn is a factor in favour of alcohol stoves, if time is not a factor. Great video !

[Justonemorestep]

This video, like all your videos are enlightening. This particular one is interesting in two respects.
As a thru hiker, knowing I can get more uses out of my fuel canister means I won't agonize over how much fuel I have remaining. I typically only use my canister for dinner. This means my canister should last a couple weeks when I hike the AT next month.
I decided to try your experiment. I added 500ml water to my titanium pot, turned on the stove just ever so much, and deposited a thermometer. It took 8 minutes to get to 160F. That could be that it's 7am, we live in a cabin and still a bit cool inside...maybe 19C. Results? Weighted my canister before and after, and lost a mere 4g of fuel.

This video may have another use for us. We live off grid, draw our water from lake. Of course, like most people, we always bring water up to a boil..even for washing dishes. I think now how much propane we must use, but now I wonder why not just heat water to 160F??

Btw, purchased the WAPI off Amazon...thanks for the tip. Will be testing it before I set forth on the trail in 39 days.

Awesome videos, !!

[morganarr]

Almost 45 minutes of watching water boil, and I couldn't be happier. You somehow knew every question I wanted to ask. Excellent work.

[graxaimcongelado]

best channel ever, thanks for existing.

[Oberonbob]

Good stuff once again. Thank you for taking the time to make these videos.

[Hemingway]

Wow man - this is truly some hard work. I hope you reach an excellent amount of views some day for this effort. I will tell all my friends and family about this. Thanks for your research and brilliance!

[azaba]

Much appreciated. Extremely useful information. I got 3 WAPIs myself and i am impressed how accurately they work. What is great about them is that they free you from bringing a metal container that resists a direct flame. You only need a container that can stand 70 C, which may include plastic or silicone containers. But i am still on the quest for a light, foldable container suitable to water.

[GrantAlden]

These are absolutely incredible videos! I am in awe, and you’ve helped me prepare so much for the John Muir Trail. I would love to see a more in depth look at fuel efficiency at different flame settings with variables like different drives/pots as well as wind and temperature.

[FastuebAirsoft]

That's how you make an excellent and complete informative video. Loved the scientific approach

[a.ramosakadrumgrl]

Spinal Tap reference had me rolling! Thanks for the great information!

[hikerwoody]

that's ace, the 3:1 method is definitely the hasel free option for me, that's going to save gas, time and a burnt mouth