Boil 3, Add 1 Method

The Boil 3, Add 1 Method is a method of water disinfection proposed by former Solar Cookers International staff member Tom Sponheim that provides some of the fuel savings of water pasteurization without the need for a thermometer to determine if pasteurization temperature has been reached. This is achieved by replacing temperature measurements with simple volume measurements that anyone can perform. One measure of cold water is added to three measures of boiling water. Using this method, the resulting water is safe to drink, and fuel is saved without the need for a thermometer. 
Please note: This method needs more validation by testing in the field.
==The problem==
Everybody knows that water contaminated by pathogens can be made safe to drink by boiling it. However, Solar Cookers International co-founder Dr. Robert Metcalf, a microbiologist, confirmed in an article in APPLIED AND ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY (Feb. 1984) that water could be made safe to drink using much lower pasteurization temperatures, , thus saving fuel.
Although the fuel savings of pasteurization make it preferable to boiling, boiling is still commonly recommended because the rising bubbles are a clear indication that boiling temperatures have been reached. However, in order to achieve the fuel savings of the lower pasteurization temperatures, a thermometer has been needed. Such devices are not available to the world's poor. The advantage of the Boil 3, Add 1 Method is that these fuel savings can be achieved without the use of a thermometer. Thus, this method can be spread as information, which is much easier to propagate than hardware-based solutions.
==Designing for the worst case==
A worst-case test at sea level shows that adding 1 measure of water at  (the coldest temperature where water is still liquid) to 3 measures of boiling water resulted in 4 measures of water at , which is well above the temperature where water is pasteurized and thus safe to drink. Mathematics predicts that the resultant temperature should have been , but the residual heat in the pot may have contributed to the higher experimental temperature. Calculations show that the Boil 3, Add 1 Method will always produce safe water — or above — up to an elevation of .
== Using the Boil 3, Add 1 Method==
#Select a container appreciably smaller than your cooking pot.
#Pour 3 containers full (3 measures) of water into the cooking pot.
#Heat the water to boiling.
#As soon as the water reaches a full boil, add 1 measure of cold water into the boiling water and take the pot off of the stove. (The stove can be used immediately to boil another pot of water or for cooking.) 
#Stir the water to mix the hot and cold water together.
#If you plan to use the measuring cup to drink the water, immediately pour some of the heated water into this cup to pasteurize it too.
#Let the water cool before drinking since it will still be hot enough to cause very bad burns.
==Altitude variations==
Note that the proportions and temperatures stated here are theoretical and need to be validate in the real world!
===Sea level===
The normal "Boil 3, Add 1" method works at any altitude up to (using worst-case assumptions) since it takes into account the fact that water boils at a lower temperature at higher altitudes. At sea level, however, where water boils at a full , one can mix the water in a proportion of 2:1 and arrive at a temperature no lower than . This variation allows for more water to be pasteurized for the same amount of fuel.
===Altitudes above ===
At very high altitudes, the safe proportion is 5:1, which would result in a temperature of at least .
==Disadvantages==
*People using this method must be taught not to use the measuring cup as a drinking cup after the pot of water has cooled down since this cup is still contaminated with the untreated water.
*This method will not work unattended as does pasteurization with the use of a Water Pasteurization Indicator.
==Research findings==
*December 2019:  - Nzoia Water and Services Co Lt
*September 2019:  of the NGO Sun24
==Topics for research==
*The above method was designed to work even if the colder water is close to freezing and the boiling temperature is only , as it is at an altitude of . Design for the worst-case scenario is necessary for this method to work 100% of the time and to be easily communicated with others. However, humans are able to determine when water is lukewarm (body temperature) within a few degrees (this should be tested). This lukewarm water could be added in a proportion of 1:1 with boiling water and pasteurization might still be achieved (mathematics shows that the resulting temperature at sea level would be . At 5000 mt (16400 ft) a ratio of 2:1 would result in water at .
*Might it be possible to combine this method with heat-retention cooking, in that a great amount of cold water could be added if the pot was then placed into an insulated bag that would hold the water at this lower temperature for a longer time?
*Does the water in the pot need to be stirred after the cold water has been added to the boiling water?
==External links==
*Excel spreadsheet for calculating the resulting temperature when mixing quantities of water a different temperatures
==See also==
*Water pasteurization
*Water Pasteurization Indicator
Category:Research
Category:Water pasteurization