If you can boil water in a paper cup, why can't you boil water in nalgene bottle.

The plastic may not transfer the heat fast enough from the flames to the water.

I've never tryed it, so that's just a guess.

BTW I do believe that lexan releases toxic material when heated. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

There is a growing group of people who no longer trust the plastic in the Nalgene bottles. Many of these folks are now using metal bottles like Sigg and Klean Kanteen. You may be able to boil water in these.

I know that lexan is heat resistant to a certain point. But, is it heat resistant enough to boil water?

porkchop

from the Swiss Website :

"Can SIGG bottles be used for boiling water?
No. Strong heat can damage the outer coating."

...and they have a inner coating.

At least, that's my opinion. This is another one of those overhyped junk science things that has really gotten out of hand. Note that you aren't completely wrong because ALL materials release toxic substances when heated enough. However, the controversy I can only assume you are referring to doesn't lead me to believe there's any danger to our use of Nalgene bottle. And, note, that the article that has created this irrational and unsupported panic only referenced Lexan/polycarbonbate, which is is only one of a number of materials used by Nalgene. You can do a Google search and find plenty of well-researched articles that refute the original with far better research and without the hype and absurd leaps of unscientific and irrelevant deduction. YMMV, but I see NO reason to toss my Lexan/ polycarbonate water bottles. Remember, all things are poisonous at some level. Even pure water can kill you.

I think paper burns at 411 degrees F. While water boils at 312 degrees.
I am only guessing but I wouldn't put a plastic container of any kind over an open flame. Ruin the bottle at the very least.

Jon

Can someone please explain to me why you lot don't screw your collective nut and bury a tin mug/mess tin or whatever in your kit's? You can, if memory serves me correctly pour boiling water into a Nag Bottle.

When a biologist from the EPA told me to stop cooking in plastic because it releases toxins, that was when I stopped cooking in plastic. Carry a metal mug to boil water -or a little billy pot

TRO

I agree wholeheartedly. I have learned many years ago to take "research papers/articles" with a grain of salt.. Before reading or believing any paper/article, the very first and only question should be: Who funded this paper/article?

Any substantial report will require a bit of financing, and believe me, if the paper/article does not support the entity providing the funding, that paper/article will never see the light of day.