Rolling boil vs regular boil

[610Alpha]

Boiling is boiling. It doesn't matter if it is rolling (water really turning over) or if the bubbles have just started. Kind of like the whole "food grade bucket" issue.

If you are at sea level the temp the water must reach is 212 degrees Fahrenheit. It will need to be higher temp if you live below sea level and a lower temp if you live above sea level. Has to do with the whole "Chemical State Equilibrium" where the temp and atmospheric pressure have dramatic impacts on the state of that chemical, since I am talking about water you can go here to see a chart of how temp/pressure impact the change of state go here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Phase-diag2.svg and to read more about phases go here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phase_diagram

I have heard the "boil for 10 minutes" before as well. Once it hits the temp it doesn't matter how long you boil it!!! Just as long as you hit that temp and make it boil.

[Matt In Oklahoma]

but i'm paranoid:(

[bearcreek]

I spent a few months in Haiti after the earthquake last year and while there I read an article about how you could clean water by simply leaving it in a clear plastic BPA free or glass water bottle for half a day or so. They seemed to have the stats to back it up. I'll see if I can find the info.

[Matt In Oklahoma]

I spent a few months in Haiti after the earthquake last year and while there I read an article about how you could clean water by simply leaving it in a clear plastic BPA free or glass water bottle for half a day or so. They seemed to have the stats to back it up. I'll see if I can find the info.

Solar Stills will work but again I'm paranoid, that aint nothing to mess with but I know they will work

[Urban Survivalist]

Boil it, filter it, make it, burn it, or get it really really hot. but never drink water that can get you sick. I have read that as long as you get the water above 160 degrees it will kill 99% on grems and contaminates however I am to paraniod and feel the need to boil it for at less five minutes.

[Klayton]

Well, I am on the same boat that if it is boiling the critters are dead. That being said, there are temperature duration requirements for milk (during pasteurization) for the simple fact that yes bacteria bug X dies at temperature Y, but only if it is subjected to temperature Y for atleast Z seconds. I can pull out my old work reference manuals if anybody wants to know all the approved temps and times for milk pasteurization.

But as far as water, 212F (give or take because of altitude) is pretty much DEAD. I mean you can do the 30 seconds rolling boil (what I was taught a long time ago) to be safe. We filtered our water and then we brung the water to a rolling boil and sang "happy birthday to me" as our timer and walla safe water.

Just gotta remember, during a SHTF scenario you don't want to be having the double bucket blues!!

[monkeybird]

[QUOTE]Boiling for water sterilization
Boiling can be used as a method of water disinfection but is only advocated as an emergency water treatment method, or as a method of portable water purification in rural or wilderness settings without access to a potable water infrastructure. Bringing water to the boil is effective in killing or inactivating most bacteria, viruses and pathogens. Boiling is the most certain way of killing all microorganisms. According to the Wilderness Medical Society[citation needed], water temperatures above 160