Water bottle for camping: water supply, hot and cold, cleaning without a dishwasher
A water bottle for camping is more than a thirst quencher. In the morning it is the coffee pot, at midday the water store and in the evening the warmer for tea by the campfire. At the same time there is no dishwasher on the campsite, the tap is often a few hundred metres away, and space in the car or tent is tight. This guide is about how to organise your water supply, plan hot and cold drinks and keep bottles clean without a dishwasher.
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Why an insulated water bottle helps when camping
When camping, temperatures fluctuate a lot. During the day the tent stands in the sun, at night it gets chilly even in summer. A double-walled stainless steel bottle evens this out: it keeps cold water cool while there is no fridge, and tea or coffee warm when the stove has already been packed away.
According to the manufacturer, our IZY bottles keep drinks hot for up to 12 hours and cold for up to 24 hours. The stainless steel does not rust, is taste-neutral and BPA-free, and the screw cap is leak-proof. So you can also put the bottle into your bag lying down, as long as it is screwed shut properly.
Organising your water supply when camping
Most campsites in Germany have drinking water taps, often at the sanitary buildings. Pay attention to the labelling: not every tap supplies drinking water. If it says “no drinking water”, the water is only meant for washing up or washing.
The three-level principle
Organising water in three stages has proven itself:
| Level | Container | For what |
|---|---|---|
| Supply | water canister at the pitch | cooking, washing up, brushing teeth, refilling |
| Daily needs | reusable bottle(s) | drinking water for trips, in the car or backpack |
| Drinking vessel | insulated bottle, e.g. 500 ml | cold water during the day, hot tea in the evening |
The canister stands in the shade next to the tent or in the awning. In the morning you fill the insulated bottle from the canister or directly at the tap. If you can get ice cubes from the campsite shop or have a cool box with ice packs, add a few cubes.
How much water to plan?
The German Nutrition Society (DGE) gives around 1.5 litres of drinks a day as a guideline for adults; correspondingly more in heat and with exercise. On top of that comes water for cooking, washing up and the morning routine. The exact amount depends on the weather, activities and equipment. Better plan with a reserve, especially if the tap is far away or you are on a basic pitch without sanitary buildings.
Hot and cold: the daily routine on the campsite
Morning: coffee for later
The stove is on in the morning anyway. Brew a little more coffee or tea and pour the rest into a pre-warmed bottle. To do this, swirl it briefly with hot water, pour it out and then fill in the drink. Not to the brim, so nothing hot runs over your fingers when you screw on the lid. That way you still have a warm cup while taking down the tent or on the way to the lake.
During the day: cold water
For trips, hikes or the afternoon by the water, cold water goes into the bottle. If you have two bottles, use one for hot and one for cold. Different designs help you not to mix them up.
Evening: tea by the fire
When it gets cool in the evening, a bottle of hot herbal tea is pleasant. You do not have to fire up the stove again if you make the tea in the late afternoon. According to the manufacturer, drinks stay hot in our bottles for up to 12 hours – enough from teatime until late in the evening.
At night in the tent
A bottle of water next to your sleeping bag saves the night-time walk to the canister. Because no condensation forms on the outside, the sleeping mat stays dry. Important: take water rather than hot tea into the tent – hot drinks and a cramped sleeping space in the dark do not go well together.
Cleaning without a dishwasher
There is no dishwasher when camping – for our IZY bottles that is no disadvantage, because according to the manufacturer they should be cleaned by hand with warm water and a little mild washing-up liquid anyway. On the road you only need a little equipment for this.
What belongs in the washing-up box
- slim bottle brush
- small brush for lid and thread
- mild, biodegradable washing-up liquid
- washing-up bowl or collapsible bowl
- tea towel for drying the outside
How to wash up at the washing-up area
- Pour out the remaining drink, ideally straight away with coffee or tea.
- Fill with warm water and a drop of washing-up liquid, screw shut, shake.
- Clean walls and bottom with the bottle brush.
- Clean the lid and thread with the small brush.
- Rinse with clear drinking water.
- Let the bottle dry upside down or open, with the lid next to it.
Use the designated washing-up areas on the campsite and do not pour washing-up water into lakes or streams. If no warm water is available, you can heat some water on the stove.
Drying in a small space
It is often damp in a tent or van. After washing, let the bottle dry open, ideally outside in the sun during the day, and only screw it shut when it is really dry. A thin, quick-drying cloth helps dry the outside. From our experience at the Meri Sauna, a hammam towel dries in about 30 minutes in the sun and in about 60 minutes indoors – practical when space is tight.
More tips for bottles when camping
- Do not place it next to the fire: direct heat from embers or the stove does not belong on an insulated bottle with a printed surface.
- Do not put it on the stove: a thermos bottle is not a pot. Heat water in a pot and then pour it in.
- Use labels or designs: on group pitches in particular, lots of similar bottles are standing around. A striking pattern helps you find yours again.
- Empty before packing: on the way home, pack the bottle empty and dry so that no odours develop in the bag.
On the way there
Long drives with a full boot are when drinks like to warm up. Fill the bottles with cold water shortly before you leave and keep them within reach, not in the sun on the rear shelf. You can refill during a break at a service station. If the car stands in the sun at your destination, take the bottles out: in the heated interior the cold is used up faster than in the shade under the awning. Bringing part of the water supply in a canister for the first night is also a good idea in case you arrive late.
You will find more ideas for trips with van and tent in the article Hammam towel for camping and in the van. As a light all-round towel for the shower, the beach and your sleeping spot, the Hammam Towel Ocean at approx. 180 × 100 cm is a good fit, for example.
Our water bottles for your camping holiday
- IZY Bottles Van Gogh Flowers thermos bottle – 500 ml: floral design after Vincent van Gogh, double-walled stainless steel, €24.90.
- IZY x Pip Studio “La Dolce Vita” thermos bottle – 500 ml: playful Pip Studio pattern, round gift tin, €24.90.
Both are available in our IZY water bottle collection.
Related reading: Water bottle for hiking: amount, backpack and refilling · Water bottle for a picnic: cold, hot and leak-proof through the afternoon · How to clean a thermos bottle: routine, household remedies and common mistakes
Conclusion
A good water bottle for camping replaces both fridge and flask. Organise water on three levels – canister, daily supply, insulated bottle – plan hot and cold drinks over the day and wash the bottles by hand at the washing-up area. Dry them open, pack them empty, and the bottle is ready to use again on the next trip.
Frequently asked questions
Can I drink water from every tap on the campsite?
No. Pay attention to the labelling. Only taps marked as drinking water are suitable for filling the bottle. If in doubt, ask at reception.
How do I clean the bottle without a dishwasher?
With warm water, a little mild washing-up liquid and a bottle brush. Clean the lid and thread separately, rinse with drinking water and let it dry open. According to the manufacturer, our IZY bottles do not belong in the dishwasher anyway.
Can I put the thermos bottle on the gas stove?
No. Heat water in a pot and then pour it in. A direct flame or embers can damage the surface and the bottle.
How long does tea stay hot in the bottle?
According to the manufacturer, up to 12 hours. Pre-warming and opening it rarely help keep the heat as long as possible.
What should I take into the tent at night?
Preferably water. Hot drinks in a dark, cramped tent increase the risk of scalding.
IZY water bottles for on the go
Personally written by Martin – founder of BeachAndSteam. As a family, we have run the Meri Sauna at Lake Kulkwitz for more than 18 years.
