Alde hot water not to be used for drinking or cooking

LittleredTab

Does anyone know why the manual says not to use the Alde hot water for drinking or cooking?

Justjudy

I have been wondering about this, too. What about face and hand washing? Not to mention showering... What is the point of a water heater if the water is not safe to use? Our first (and so far, only) camping trip was off the grid. We didn't need heat, so didn't use Alde at all. We took a spigoted 5-gal container of water and used that, heating water for dishes etc. on the stovetop. Is there a way to sanitize the Alde system? Does using flush it out to keep it sanitary enough for all but cooking?

XPADREX

There is a strong difference between water safe flor cleaning, and one made for extended ingestion. I usually bring bottled water with us (I'm post transplant, so I don't play). I think the concern about the water heater water would be "dead spots," or places where water sits... ...and they perhaps do not want the liability. I suppose a portable brita pitcher could be attempted at ones own risk, per se... I also wonder if it's a matter of possible cross contamination with the coolant. I haven't seen the internals, but again... lawyers, not necessarily engineers, determine warnings.

Justjudy

Good point.

CodeJunkie

Judy, I don't use the Alde hot water for consumption of any kind (i.e., cooking, drinking, etc.) but I do use it for dishwashing (I rinse using cold water from the fresh water tank) and showering.  No ill effects to date.

Justjudy

Excellent info. I think that will be my plan also.

LittleredTab

Thank you all for your comments. I think it is probably safe to use for washing but I guess I still want to rough it a bit. My plan is to still use my camping stove outside and will be heating most of my water with that.

Wanderoo

I have not had any issues in any way with the Alde hot water.  I have rinsed my dishes in the Alde hot water; I have washed my face with the Alde hot water; I have showered with the Alde hot water.  I love the Alde hot water.  No problem-o.

LittleredTab

Thank you Wanderoo! That makes me feel better about using it.

RetAF

One could put a filter on the hot water line if the filters can be trusted to do what they claim- remove bacteria and such. The only problem with this is that it takes up space that is already at a premium.

wizard1880

If you sanitize your system often (twice a year at least), there should be no problem in consuming water from the alde or any of the plumbing in the T@B.  They probably say not to, just as a CYA (a common PR action).  I like the idea of a water filter -- certainly no harm in that.

leenscottfl

It would seem to me that the problem with using Alde water for cooking is not bacteria. The fact that you cook with it, get it hot, would kill the bacteria, wouldn't it?

Bgkirk

I suspect it is more along the lines of the general EPA recommendation that using water heated by any water heater is not the best thing for you.  Hot water dissolves contaminates more easily.  In the case of water systems, lead is of concern.  Even lead free pipes, and solder contains small amounts of lead.

Just another possible idea. 

TaBFan

It's purely a safety issue folks. The active heat exchange media in the Alde is Anti Freeze contained in copper tubing which could develop a pinhole over time and contaminate the heated water. Most of us are familiar with Ethylene Glycol and it's toxicity, but the Alde uses a more human friendly Propylene Glycol which is used in some foods. If you "WIKI" Propylene Glycol you can find out more than you ever wanted to know about it. Even so, the company does not want to take a chance, hence the disclamer.  

leenscottfl

Actually stupid can be fixed. By using the dryer in the shower. Gene pool improvement.