Tips for Boiling Water

  1. Where can I go to boil water? 

    You can boil water in your microwave in your room or communal kitchens located in all residence halls.

  2. How long do I need to boil water?  

    According to the City of Austin, your water should be boiled for two minutes on a rolling boil. A rolling boil looks different than a full boil; you’re looking for a vigorous and bubbling boil that churns. You need to see active motion in the water as a result of a high amount of heat.

  3. After two minutes in the microwave is my water at a rolling boil?  

    Not necessarily. If you’re boiling water in the microwave, it must stay at a rolling boil for two minutes. Putting water in the microwave for two minutes does not make it safe to drink.

  4. Can I use my microwave to boil water?  

    Yes, water can be boiled in a microwave using a microwave-safe container. Use a wooden stick (like a chopstick or coffee stir stick) in your microwave safe container to prevent superheated water. Superheated water can cause serious skin burns or scalding injuries around people's hands and faces as a result of hot water erupting out of a cup after it has been over-heated in a microwave. You need to allow the water to cool completely before removing it from the microwave.

  5. How do I store water after microwaving?  

    Cooled microwave water should be poured from your microwave-safe container to a clean container and refrigerated until you are ready to use it.

  6. Do I need to use boiled water to brush my teeth and wash dishes?  

    When brushing teeth, you must use boiled or bottled water. The water is safe for washing dishes, but you should use hot, soapy water and rinse dishes in boiled or bottled water.

  7. Is it safe to pour tap water into my water filtration system and drink it?  

    A water filter is NOT a quick fix. You must boil your water for two minutes at a rolling boil for it to be safe to drink.