Hiking Made Easy – Wondering why does boiled water taste different? Don’t worry! Read this post to know everything about it.
When you are out on the trail and need to make some hot water, why not carry a stove with you? Boiling water is one thing that every hiker needs to know how to do; it can be used for drinking or making food.
It’s also great if there are any nasty bugs in the water because boiling will kill them off. You may have noticed while hiking that boiled water does not taste as good as untreated tap water.
This is because all of those microorganisms produce flavor compounds that boil away when we heat up our water.
If you are really worried about your water, why not carry a filter with you?
Why Does Boiled Water Taste Different?
When boiling water destroys the microorganisms that produce flavor compounds and minerals in our tap or untreated waters, they’re destroyed.
The downside to this is that it leaves us drinking a tasteless hot liquid. Subsequently, which can easily lead to dehydration because we don’t enjoy it as much.
So on your next hike, bring along some iodine tablets or a filter so you can have all of those nutrients too!
In addition, when boiling at higher elevations (above 3000 meters), there’s an increased risk for developing Acute Mountain Sickness. Also is known as altitude sickness – due to the decreased atmospheric pressure.
Is it True that Boiling Water Improves the Taste of Water?
Not really. Boiling the water removes all of those compounds and minerals in our tap or untreated waters. They’re destroyed.
When I first started camping, I was under the impression that boiling water would improve the flavor. But it actually makes it taste worse.
If I didn’t pass it through a filter or locate an alternative water source, I would have assumed it was contaminated. Unfortunately, nothing seemed to be working properly.
I decided to boil some water at home to check whether there was a difference in the taste and flavor. I got to the conclusion that boiling water just tastes different from tap water. It doesn’t taste awful; rather, it’s strange, bland, and overall unappealing.
So, why does boiled water taste different?
It’s almost as if the water has lost all of its flavors. Before tasting flat, stale water, you probably didn’t know how delicious a bottle of water actually is.
This was an experience that I cannot forget. It has taught me why water boils differently and why it’s not always advisable to drink contaminated tap water.
Boiling Water – A New Normal
The flavor of your drinking water is something you should consider every now and then. Before I went hiking, I assumed that all clean water should taste the same. I was wrong.
The unfortunate fact is that boiling water has a foul taste, which is a shame considering it is one of the most efficient methods of purifying water available.
People all around the world have become accustomed to boiling water in order to purify their water supply. It’s the method they’ve developed for dealing with contaminated drinking water.
Before I started hiking seriously, I had no idea how terrible boiling water tasted until I experienced it for myself.
I understand that water that is green or dirty may taste strange. But my water, which was reasonably clear, tasted foul. I hope now you all know why does boiled water taste different?
Boiling Water Not Only Kills Germs
The water always has a flat flavor to it, for whatever reason. After doing a little investigation, I was really embarrassed that I hadn’t understood what had caused the problem before.
The issue boils down to a desired utilitarian quality. When water is boiled, it kills off bacteria and other microbes that might make you sick if ingested in high quantities.
It also destroys any organic compounds that might have been present before boiling.
The downside of this process is the destruction of minerals such as calcium, magnesium, or potassium, which would not only flavor your drinking water but also provide healthy nutrients for your diet too.
A better solution may be filtration because those chemicals are still intact after being filtered out through paper filters or by using chlorine tablets like Aquamira.”
Filtration systems remove all impurities from the water, so why does boiled water taste different? Filtering leaves behind more interesting flavors than heating them away with boiling!
Is it Because the Water Has Been Boiled that it Tastes Flat and Tasteless?
A common misconception is that it has nothing to do with the temperature of boiling water.
Boiled water will taste different because as soon as you boil your water, minerals are leaching out into the atmosphere and then evaporating before they can be consumed by humans in drinking or cooking.
The solution? A simple filtration system! Filtration systems remove all impurities from the water.
What Can I Do To Improve the Taste of Boiled Water During Hiking?
- Bring a collapsible water bottle or thermos to store your boiled water in so it doesn’t lose any of the minerals it has lost.
- Add natural flavors: Think cucumber, lemon, mint, ginger.
- Get creative with tea! Throw some green leaves into boiling water and enjoy a hot liquid that tastes like coffee without any caffeine addiction!
Why Does My Boiled Water Have a Metallic Taste to it?
Besides our main discussion of why does boiled water taste different? A lot of people ask that their water tastes metallic.
If you boiled water to sterilize it, the mineral content in your water would be depleted. This is why some people report a metallic taste when they drink or cook with it because there are no minerals left for flavor!
Freshly boiled water should never have a metallic flavor to it. This indicates that metal has leached into your water supply system.
The majority of the time, this is caused by your pipes leaching into the water, but it can also occur when hiking on the route.
When you cook using inexpensive cookware, metal might leech into your water. Take care of yourself and purchase a semi-decent pot variety.
Toaks 750ml pot is the right size and weight for trekking; it’s a perfect size and weight for hiking!
What is the Cause of the Strange Taste in My Kettle’s Water?
Have you ever been in a position where the water you heated in your kettle had a strange flavor to it that made it unusable and uncomfortable to consume?
The issue is not isolated; we have heard from a number of customers who have complained about the strange taste and smell of boiling water coming from their kettle.
Chemicals in the water, limescale buildup within the kettle, and coatings applied by manufacturers to new kettles can all cause water to taste strange as it comes out of a boiling kettle.
While these factors are not very harmful, they should be addressed and avoided in order to prevent any future accumulation.
But what is the root of the problem about why does boiled water taste different?
Maybe there’s anything wrong with the water supply, or maybe the kettle makers aren’t doing a good job, or maybe it’s because you didn’t thoroughly rinse the kettle? What are the measures for preventing this problem from occurring?
Let’s find out the possible solutions.
What is it that Makes the Water From My Kettle Taste Funny?
There are a variety of factors that contribute to the strange taste and smell of new kettles.
This can occur as a result of the manufacturer’s chemicals coating on the surface of the kettle interacting with the water, or it might be due to BPA in the plastic reacting with the water in the kettle.
Alternatively, chlorine in the water interacting with the plastic of the kettle, or the magnesium and calcium in hard water, might result in a foul odor and taste being produced.
Continue reading to find out more about why your new kettle has a strange taste and smell and how to fix it.
The Chemical Coating of a Manufacturer’s Product
In the process of making kettles, the inner and outer surfaces are coated with chemicals or lubricants that are supplied by the production company.
So, chemicals can be a reason why does boiled water taste different.
At specific points throughout the production line, these chemicals are utilized to protect the kettle against damage caused by the manufacturing process.
They are also used to keep kettles from rusting when they are sitting idle in warehouses and stores. As a result, if you purchase a new kettle and do not thoroughly clean it before using it to boil water, you may encounter this unpleasant taste.
Water Containing Chlorine
It is impossible to overstate the importance of chlorine in the purification of water.
It facilitates the elimination of practically all slime bacteria, algae, and molds that are often found in water supply regions, on the walls of water mains, and in storage tanks, among other places.
Scientists, on the other hand, have discovered that chlorine in tap water interacts with phenol-based chemicals, which are mostly present in the kettle’s plastic and rubber components.
Although not everyone will experience this problem due to the fact that chlorine levels vary and that people have varying sensitivity to taste and smell.
In order to ascertain if the kettle is the source of the problem, we propose that you boil your water in a saucepan and compare the results to those obtained from a kettle.
Chlorine can be another cause for why does boiled water taste different.
For those experiencing problems with their kettle, you may eliminate chlorine from your tap water by keeping it in a closed container inside the refrigerator for a couple of hours.
Check for the Presence of Lime Scaling.
Scaling in kettles is produced by hard water, and it accumulates inside the kettle over time. It arises as a result of the presence of large quantities of calcium and magnesium salts in the water.
As the water in the kettle comes to a boil, insoluble calcium carbonate or magnesium carbonate will precipitate out of the water and spread around the kettle.
It manifests itself as limescale, and when it combines with the metal covering within the kettle, the water takes on a metallic flavor.
Is it Dangerous to Have a Funny Taste and A Bad Odor?
Kettles may have a variety of amusing tastes and odors, such as plastic, chlorine, TCP, or simply a foul odor.
With the exception of the plastic odor, many of these odors and strange tastes are not harmful to your health and are even beneficial.
BPA, an industrial chemical used in the production of plastic kettles, is responsible for the plastic smell in the water.
This BPA has been linked to a wide range of health issues in the past. Cancer, infertility, heart disease, diabetes, asthma, and deformities in unborn infants are just a few of the health concerns that might arise.
As a result, it is critical to safeguard yourself and your family by ensuring that they do not consume water that has a plastic smell and taste.
Despite the fact that the other amusing odors are not very harmful, we recommend that you keep away from that water body.
Besides why does boiled water taste different, it is important to think about your boiled water odor and color.
What You Can Do to Prevent Water From Tasting Funny in a Kettle?
Your kettles are one of the most important pieces of equipment in your kitchen. However, if they are not properly cared for, you may find that you are not getting the most out of them.
The following suggestions can assist you in preventing unpleasant odors and tastes from emanating from your kettle.
Tip 1: Thoroughly Clean Your Newly Acquired Kettle Before Use
The majority of individuals will not fully clean their freshly bought kettle before using it for the first time. They were under the impression that new kettles had been thoroughly cleaned and were devoid of any toxic substances.
This is not entirely correct; in reality, the majority of new kettles are coated with chemicals that were employed during the manufacturing process, which will react with the water in the kettle to generate the bad odors and tastes described above.
What is the Best Way to Clean New Kettles?
Your freshly purchased kettle should be properly cleaned with dishwashing detergent or liquid, making sure not to get any water into the appliance’s electrical parts during the cleaning process.
Rust prevention is achieved by coating most kettles with a chemical compound that prevents them from rusting.
Rust can be a reason why does boiled water taste different.
In addition, when kettles are kept in stores or storage facilities, they collect dust on their surfaces. Clean the kettle well before using it to ensure that all of the chemicals and residue have been removed from the appliance.
Fill the Kettle Almost to the Brim With Water and Bring it To A Boil
Following the cleaning of the kettle, you should fill it with water and bring it to a boil. You should complete this step with caution if you’re using a stovetop kettle for cooking.
Contrary to what the instructions indicate, you should not fill the kettle all the way to its maximum capacity.
The water will flow out of the spout of the kettle while it is boiling if you do not do so.
If all other factors are equal, you should fill the kettle with water up to the point where the spout begins from within the kettle. From now on, this should be the method by which you use the kettle.
If you’re cooking with a kettle in the oven, make sure to keep the kettle’s base directly over the hot plate or burner, especially if you’re using gas.
Avoid allowing flares to come out from around the sides of the kettle’s base since this might liquefy the handle or even the spout, or, in the case of gas, it could cause it to become black and ineffective.
Remove the Water
Leaving water in a kettle can be a reason why does boiled water taste different.
But it is still unsafe to drink since the chemicals cover the interior of the kettle. Because they have leaked into the water and become contaminated with bacteria. As a result, it must be disposed of.
In certain kettles, particularly copper kettles, you may notice a change in coloration of the kettle base at the place where the boiling water leaves the kettle.
Try not to get too worked up over it. It’s just a case of the chemical slipping away from the base. Simply wipe the interior of the base with a clean piece of cloth after each use.
Boiling and Discarding – Do Three or Four Times
After boiling for a few minutes in certain kettles, the foul taste and odor are difficult to remove completely.
It may be necessary to repeat the procedure three to four times before you thoroughly clean the kettle.
After that, you may start using the kettle to boil water for drinking or to brew a cup of tea.
Tip #2: Make Use of Bicarbonate
If you want to avoid why does boiled water taste different, this tip is for you!
You can then boil two teaspoons of bicarbonate of soda in a kettle filled with water if you are still experiencing the horrible taste and smell after finishing the previous procedure.
Allow the kettle to cool for a short period of time while the bicarbonate blends in. Moreover, until the combined water cools in the microwave.
It is necessary to dispose of the water, clean the kettle, and refill it with water. Fill a container with bubble water and throw it away.
Reheat the water and discard it once again to ensure that any bicarbonate is no longer present.
At this point, your kettle should be clear of any unpleasant flavors. You might also use lime instead of bicarbonate if you want.
Trick 3: Using Vinegar as a Descaler
- Fill the kettle almost to the full with water and bring it to a boil.
- After you’ve turned off the kettle, pour in a tablespoon of vinegar into the boiling water.
- Keep the solution in the refrigerator for a few hours, or leave it out overnight to cool.
- Remove the solution from the kettle and thoroughly rinse the interior of the kettle.
- Fill the kettle halfway with clean water, bring it to a boil, and then discard it.
- Refill the kettle and repeat the process 3 or 4 times to complete the recipe.
- Afterward, you can continue to use your kettle in the same manner as before.
So, this was all about why does boiled water taste different. If you know any more tips to avoid the smell and different tastes of boiled water on a hiking trip, feel free to share them with us in the comments section below!
