Frozen water

by Shirley
(Buffalo NY)

A critical question is how do you melt the frozen water in the bottles in your kit? All the water bottles, juice bottles etc are plastic. If you heat the plastic it will melt. You can't get the ice out of the bottle as the neck is too small.

Is there a way to keep it from freezing in your trunk or even your back seat?

I have been keeping a winter survival kit in my car for years, but water, left even overnight, is frozen in the morning when you are going someplace. I am taking a trip in a few weeks and since western and central NY weather is very unpredictible I really need an answer.

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water melting
by: annmariapeter

The best to melt the ice in the bottle is by putting the bottle in the warm water and I know that it is difficult but there is no other way. Otherwise you will have to wait or hit the bottle hard. The best is to avoid plastic bottles. Bring some flasks.

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BYOB
by: Anonymous

Eating snow will cause hypothermia. Don't do it.
Don't store water in your vehicle. Bring at least 1 bottle with you each trip. A candle and a can melt water for you. When it's melted reuse your water bottle. Leave a wide mouth water bottle in the vehicle empty, so you can use it to store water you've melted. Store it upside down, in the snow or next to your body to keep it from freezing.

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Eat Snow...as long as it's not yellow
by: Anonymous

If you are stranded in the winter, which you likely are if you're concerned about frozen water, can you not just eat snow for hydration? If you're stranded, the snow around you is likely clean. Rather than worrying about melting water, snow melts easily in your mouth. And it's probably plentiful.

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frozen water
by: Anonymous

As has been mentioned here, you can indeed put yur plastic bottle over flame, but you have to make sure that the flame doesn't get higher than the water level. Anotehr way that helps, is to store your bottle upside down, buried in the snow. Water freezes from the top down, so with it upside down you will hopefully have water near the spout.

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frozen water
by: Shaykh Idris

First tip: insulation, if the bottles are kept wrapt in a blanket,or old leggings [which you may be glad to have on board] or even if they are simply packed so that they are not transferring heat into metal or the air: otherwise, go the polystyrene box way, for it can be used to store many things at a stable temperature, [medicines, for example]

Second Tip: Nice warm car engine?

Third tip, mentioned above: you can put plastic with ice in it near a fire; ice melts before plastic will. Experiment with that before you leave home. one can even boil water in a glass bottle, or in a paper bag.

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a small cooler is a great idea...
by: Winyan Staz

Putting your water hot into a thermas and then putting the thermas into a small cooler will help even more and will keep it from freezing for a day or so..
If you dont have a cooler, I would try wrapping it (be extra sure the lid is on tight) in several layers of clothing etc and then placing it into your suitcase if you have one.
Enough layers should insure it does not freeze..at least not for a day or two.
You could also carry a hobo stove (easy to make..go to google for hobo stove) and just place your plastic bottles into the cooking tin and warm slowly.
Dont have flames touch the bottle directly and the bottle will not melt as long as there is water inside.
Since I am not a big fan of plastic bottles, I would most likely just buy a bag of ice cubes and carry them in a freezer. Break off what you need and put into your container. Wrap it in cloth and place it inside the outer layer of your jacket but not directly on your skin. It will melt the ice cubes easily that way without freezing you along with it.

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Throw them in the fire.....
by: Anonymous

Yes , Yes, I know .... Plastic and fire dont mix, HOWEVER, its simple physics, a full bottle of water will not melt due to whats inside pushing against the flame tryig to get out while the flame gets in. I have done this same technique several times and it does work. Use caution though the water will be HOT, a quick test for you is to hold a lighter against a full bottle of water and hold it as long as you like, it will not burn through.... Good luck my friend and Happy Survival to you.

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Frozen Water
by: Anonymous

Try placing it in a small cooler

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antifreeze
by: Anonymous

just put antifreeze in it, but don't drink it.

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