Plastic is everywhere around us, it’s used to make containers, bottles, packaging materials, toys, furniture, car parts, and even electronics. In short, it’s a vital part of modern life.
In many cases, plastic containers, such as bottles, are used repeatedly. It’s not always advisable to reuse these containers and you have to be particularly cautious regarding what you put into them.
For example, it’s not generally advisable to put boiling water in a plastic bottle. However, there are exceptions.
Here are the most popular FAQs. If you need more information, don’t hesitate to ask.
boiling water image 1 – bottles
Is It Possible To Put Boiling Water In A Plastic Bottle?
It is possible to put boiling water in some plastic bottles. However, you need to understand the different types of plastic, which are better at handling boiling water, and what the risks are when putting boiling water into a plastic bottle.
What Are The Different Types Of Plastic Bottles
boiling water image 2 – plastic types
Not all plastic water bottles are made the same. There are four main types:
- High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)
- Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE)
- Copolyester
- Polypropylene
- Polyethylene Terephthalate(PET)
The main difference between the types of plastic water bottles is how flexible the plastic is. All of them are capable of storing cold water. However, HDPE bottles are the most commonly used as they are economical, impact-resistant, and effective at keeping moisture out. An even better version of this is the HDPE EVOH bottle supplied by Srlon. It keeps moisture, gas, solvents, and chemicals out.
HDPE water bottles can handle temperatures below freezing. This type of plastic is known to melt at 130° C. In theory, you can add boiling water to an HDPE bottle and it won’t melt. However, it will start to deform at temperatures over 95° C. In other words, it’s not recommended for boiling water.
By comparison , LDPE has a melting point of 110° C. Technically this can handle boiling water, but there is little margin for error. Again, it warps at a lower temperature, 85° C, making it a poor choice for boiling water.
In contrast, copolyester is a synthesis copolymer, it’s created by modifying polyesters and has a melting point of 271° C. Of course, it’s also significantly more expensive to produce.
Polypropylene also has a high melting point, approximately 160 – 165° C, making it a viable bottle option,
PET is perhaps the most common choice for water bottles. It’s also one of the safest although not as effective as HDPE EVOH bottles to maintain the quality of the contents. It also looses its shape at 80-90° C, rendering it a poor choice for boiling water.
What Are The Risks Associated With Adding Hot Water To A Plastic Bottle?
The biggest concern when adding boiling, or even hot, water to a plastic bottle is the release of toxins. The closer the plastic gets to the melting point, the more it will start to break down.
Nanoparticles of plastic are released into the water. This happens when the water is cold but the rate of release is faster when the water is hot or boiling. The rate of release also increases when your plastic water bottle is left in sunlight.
These particles and other toxins released into the water cause a health risk. One of the best-known is BPA (Bisphenol-A). This toxin is known to enter the human body and disrupt the endocrine system. It can cause an array of issues, including hormonal imbalances.
Unfortunately, research has also shown that continued exposure to plastic nanoparticles increases the risk of developing diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular disorders.
It should be noted that sealed water bottles kept in a cool dark place won’t leach chemicals. The problems start when they are stored incorrectly or after opening, when they are reused.
Which Plastic Bottles Can You Put Boiling Water In?
It may seem that all the types of water bottles mentioned already can be used for boiling water. However, it’s not just about melting point. Pet bottles will lose their shape at between 80-90° C. HDPE loses shape at 95° C and LDPE will lose its shape at 85°C. In other words, putting boiling water in any of these three is not recommended.
However, plastics which melt at a temperature close to the same as water boiling, are more susceptible to warping and potentially breaking. That’s why it’s important to check the manufacturer’s guidelines. They’ll tell you whether the bottle can handle boiling water or not.
Can Boiling Water Be Used in BPA-Free Plastic Bottles?
boiling water image 4- pan boiling water
Most BPA-free water bottles are made of either PET, HDPE, or LDPE. These bottles contain no BPA, making it impossible for it to leach into the water.
Pouring boiling water into these plastic bottles isn’t recommended as they will all warp at temperatures lower than 100° C.
While LDPE, HDPE, and Pet bottles are effective at keeping chemicals out of water. It is worth noting that our HDPE EVOH bottle protects your water from gasses, chemicals, and solvents.
In other words, water can be poured into the bottles and there is no risk of any toxins leaching into the water.
What Effect Does Boiling Water Have On An EVOH Plastic Bottle?
EVOH is a very flexible plastic. It’s also very effective at preventing chemicals, gasses, solvents, and other toxins from passing through it. That’s why it has become an integral part of the food plastics industry. This includes usage in making water bottles.
Impressively, EVOH has a melting point of 176 – 188° C, almost twice that of boiling water.
However, when EVOH gets wet it loses its ability to prevent toxins passing through it. That’s why, in plastic bottles, the EVOH is sandwiched between two layers of HDPE.
This ensures it remains effective even if you pour boiling water into it.
Is It Possible To Boil Water In A Plastic Bottle?
boiling water image 3 – bottle on fire
As people become increasingly concerned about the potential of armageddon, survival concerns, such as whether you can boil water in a plastic bottle, have become popular.
Contrary to the myth, a plastic bottle won’t melt if placed into a fire. However, the heat of the fire can cause toxins to leach into the water and into the surrounding air. That’s why, if you’re surviving and have no other options, it’s still advisable to boil your water outside.
You should see this as a last resort, boiling the water in the bottle will change its flavor, and it’s not pleasant!
What Happens When You Add Boiling Water To A Plastic Bottle?
The first issue is that most water bottles have small openings. That means you need either a very steady hand or a funnel. Without that, you may get as much of the boiling water outside the bottle as inside.
The heat will start to dissipate when you pour boiling water into a cooler container. This will reduce the likelihood of chemicals being released from the bottle.
However, the additional heat will affect the composition of the plastic, over time, the integrity of your plastic bottle will be weakened, potentially causing the bottle to break in mid-use.
Put simply, a plastic bottle cannot always handle having boiling water added to it. It’s advisable to only add boiling water to bottles designed for this purpose.
Do All Plastic Bottles Melt with Boiling Water?
All plastic will melt when it reaches its melting point. However, the idea of boiling water melting a plastic bottle is a myth. The melting point of all types of plastic is higher than the boiling point of water.
The problem is when you have poor-quality water bottles. The presence of other compounds in the plastic means that the melting point of the bottle may be lowered. This can cause the bottle to melt, deform, or simply for water to escape out of minute holes in the bottle.
Of course, we’re talking about bottles manufactured to handle water safely. Bottled water is usually stored in polyethylene bottles. These have a melting point of 110°C, and a warping point closer to 85°C. Low-density polyethylene bottles have the same melting point.
In short, adding boiling water to a used bottled water container is not generally considered a good idea.
Is It Safe To Store Boiled Water In A Plastic Bottle?
Boiling water removes a wide array of toxins and chemicals, making it generally safe to drink. If you want to store the boiled water you can put it into a plastic bottle.
However, to ensure the water remains safe to use it’s advisable to store it in a bottle made of food-grade plastic. This means there will be no BPAs in the bottle, reducing the risk of health issues when storing the bottled water.
Of course, the water also needs to be stored in a cool dark place.
Does Boiling Water In A Plastic Bottle Change The Flavor Of The Water?
Yes. Boiling the water removes impurities and minerals that you would usually find in the water. This instantly changes the flavor. In addition, boiled water that is stored has a ‘flat’ taste.
Whether you’re boiling water in a plastic bottle, or simply storing it in plastic bottles, the flavor won’t be the same. But, at least it will be safe to drink.
Is It Possible To Put Boiling Water In A Plastic Bottle Made With HDPE?
Yes! HDPE is a commonly used material to make reusable water bottles. It has a melting point of around 130° C which means it won’t melt when boiling water is added. However, it may warp which is why you need to check the manufacturer’s recommendation.
The lack of BPA also means the boiled water is unlikely to cause a health risk.
HDPE bottles can be enhanced further with EVOH, helping them to keep all types of contaminants out of the water. However, a layer of EVOH won’t help the boiled water taste any better.
How Long Can I Store Boiled Water In A Plastic Bottle?
The answer to this depends on how you’ve stored it. Provided you store your bottles with boiled water in a cool space, they are well sealed, and out of direct sunlight, the water can be stored almost indefinitely.
Of course, it will still develop a flat taste, but the quality of the water will be unaffected.
What Are The Alternatives To Putting Boiling Water In A Plastic Bottle?
boiling water image 5 – glass bottles
It’s possible to put boiling water into a metal container. However, the container will be difficult to hold.
Equally, you can store boiling water in a glass bottle. However, you’ll need to verify what type of glass the bottle is made of. Some can handle boiling water even when the container is frozen. Others will need to be warmed gently before the boiling water can be poured in.
In most cases, a plastic bottle is a safer and easier alternative.
What Toxic Fumes Are Released By Plastic Bottles?
If the water bottle contains BPA it will be released as the bottle is heated. Other toxins released by melting plastic bottles are dioxins, furans, mercury, and polychlorinated biphenyls.
These can be dangerous to humans, animals, and the planet.
The toxins will be released, although at lesser levels when the bottle comes close to its melting point. That’s why it’s important to choose the best quality bottles for storing your water, whether boiled or not.
Can Boiling Water Be Used To Sterilize Bottles?
boiling water image 6 – baby bottles being sterilized
Yes, boiling water is an effective way of sterilizing bottles. However, it’s not generally enough to add boiling water to the bottle. To properly sterilize a bottle you’ll need to submerge it in boiling water for at least five minutes.
This ensures all potential toxins are removed, allowing you to safely use the bottle to store water, or something else.
In fact, boiling baby bottles in boiling water is recognized as one of the most effective ways to sterilize baby bottles.
