Many people boil water before drinking it to make it safer. But is boiled water really as clean and pure as filtered water? Most of you out there will get confused in guessing the right answer to this question.
So, to ease this process, in this Frizzlife blog, we are going to discuss whether boiled water is the same as filtered water or not.
Also, read our recent blog post about Major Differences Between Reverse Osmosis & Tap Water
Is Boiled Water the Same as Filtered Water?
The answer is No! boiled water is not the same as filtered water. Let us explain why. Boiling water only kills bacteria and some other minor impurities. This means it does not completely purify the water.
On the other hand, filtered water is treated with advanced filtration techniques such as Reverse osmosis. This special treatment removes a wide range of contaminants from the water making it completely safe to consume.
Apart from this, there are multiple other ways that we think will greatly help you understand why boiled water is different.
In What Ways Boiled Water Is Different From Filtered Water
Boiled and filtered water are not exactly the same. Each process handles water purification in its own unique way.
Contaminant Removal
As we already mentioned, boiling water can get rid of some germs, but it doesn't clean the water completely. It only kills bacteria and microorganisms. Filters do a better job at purification. They remove chemicals, metals, and other toxins that boiling misses.
Filters sweep out more impurities so the water is cleaner. When you filter water, it goes through a process that catches more harmful substances. This thorough filtering makes the water safer to drink than just boiling alone.
Taste
The taste of boiled water is often not as good as filtered water. When water boils, it loses some oxygen which gives boiled water a dull or weak taste. This happens because boiling removes part of what provides water with its natural taste.
However, filtered water keeps more of the fresh, pure taste of water since filters pull out things that can change the taste, like chemicals and contaminants. Filters help water maintain its smooth, light taste that is pleasant to drink.
Getting impurities out also helps filtered water avoid any unpleasant flavors from substances like chlorine in tap water. Overall, most people prefer the fresher, nicer taste they find in filtered water over boiled water alone.
Convenience
Boiling water takes more time and work than filtering. You must put a pot of water on the stove and wait for it to heat up to a boil. Then, it needs to cool off before drinking. Filtered water is much more convenient. Many countertop and undersink filters let you fill a glass straight from the tap, cold and ready to drink.
You don't have to spend time boiling or cooling. Filters also provide clean water instantly from any faucet in the home. Their ease of use makes filtered water better for everyday use and on-the-go drinking compared to boiled water.
Energy Efficiency
Filtered water is more eco-friendly than boiled water. Filters clean water without using extra energy like boiling does. Even though filters have a cost to buy or replace, they don't increase utility bills over time.
Boiling water takes a lot of power and drives up energy costs, especially when heating large amounts. Opting for filtered water saves money on fuel in the long run. It's also better for the environment to not waste resources just to get clean water from the tap daily.
Preservation of Minerals
Boiling water does help retain some of the natural minerals found in tap supplies that can benefit health. However, filtered water also works to preserve important nutrients like calcium and magnesium, depending on the filtration method used.
While boiling keeps minerals like calcium, it doesn't remove toxic metals that can undermine the benefits. Some advanced filters are specially designed to separate out undesired heavy metals and chemicals while still allowing good minerals to pass through.
In this way, filtered water offers the best of both worlds - it can maintain useful elements while thoroughly extracting harmful contaminants that plain boiling misses.
Long-Term Cost Effectiveness
At first glance, boiling water may seem like a cheaper option than setting up a filtration system. However, when considering long-term costs, filtered water is often more cost-effective. While there is an upfront investment for a filter, it will save money on utility bills compared to constantly heating water on the stove.
Over years of use, the energy savings from filtration easily outweigh the initial expenses. Boiling also risks mineral buildup that can damage appliances or plumbing over time.
Filters prevent such issues that would require further spending to fix. Overall lifetime expenses, plus health and convenience benefits, make water filters the more affordable choice in the long run.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Is it okay to drink boiled water after it cools?
Yes, boiled water can be consumed after cooling as long as it remains sealed or covered during cooling to prevent recontamination from outside sources after boiling kills any existing germs.
Does boiling water remove all impurities like filtration does?
While boiling does help kill germs in water, it does not remove all impurities like a filtration system can. Boiling only addresses bacteria and microbes, not chemicals, metals, pesticides or other contaminants that filters are better equipped to take out.
So for the most thorough purification, filtration provides a more complete solution than boiling alone.
Does filtered water need to be boiled, too?
In most cases, no - properly filtered water through a reliable system is typically safe without boiling as long as the filter is maintained per manufacturer guidelines.
Final Words:
While boiling provides a simple way to disinfect water, filtering offers superior contaminant removal for total health protection. With filtration's added benefits of taste, convenience, and long-term cost savings, it's easy to see why many consider filtered water to be the optimal choice. Empower yourself with the facts and choose what works best for your home.