Water Pasteurization Indicator (WAPI)

This device is a clever tool utilizing a special wax which fully melts when the time and temperature combination has been reached at which all harmful pathogens have been killed from a target liquid, like questionable water (or milk). After pre-filtering water to eliminate debris and silt, the water needs either chemical, Ultraviolet, or heating to kill all microbial pathogens. While it is not necessary to bring water to a rolling boil to do so, that is what is recommended since that is a 'for sure', dependable point at which pathogens are eliminated. This tiny tool, however, is specifically designed to demonstrate that point has been reached when the wax has fully melted, and drained from the top to the bottom of the capsule. If nothing else, this can demonstrate the point of agitation of the water (e.g, time to tiny bubbles) at which this point has been reached (at a given altitude). Of course you can use this tool each time, saving time and fuel, or just reach a rolling boil.

Couldn't find it listed elsewhere on this page, but the vial itself is a plastic (perhaps acrylic?) material. I'm a little nervous about heating plastic in my food/water, but considering this is more of a backup item in case my filter breaks, I'm okay with it. Cable is stainless steel. Item weights 4.17g and should justify it's packed-weight after the first use, assuming you pack your fuel.Tested it in the kitchen and it works as described. Overall its a very cool idea, and I'm amazed I've only just heard about it. I'll update the review if I have any durability issues from packing it around, but I don't think that will be a problem.

Handy little item to add to your water purification kit (if boiling water). Small and compact, let's you see if water is actually safe to drink without boiling for the standard 10 or so minutes. Once the wax melts and you understand the simple directions, the water is sufficiently disinfected for human consumption.

Giving it 4 stars because of the theory behind this product, have not tried it yet. When I get a chance to try it, I'm anticipating a 5th star. Hoping the price will come down a bit on them, thought $16+ was a little high.There is a ut*be "thought" in the camping genre, that you have to boil water 5-10 minutes to make it potable. This is the same as police saying "Freeze," when confronting a criminal, a falsehood.The theory behind this product, that by the time the water is boiling, the " Microscopic bugs" are long history, energy & time are being wasted.Like the out of the box thinking. Pasteurization: right in front of our noses the whole time! Now a way to capitalize on the concept out in the wild -- brilliant!

Super cool product. Most survival manuals say crap like "boil water for at least 10 minutes." Well, the truth is pasteurization (everything is dead) happens around 150 degrees. Trouble is, out in the field (or in zombie-land) you don't know when 150 degrees happens. So once you hit a boil, you know you're around 212, so you're safe. No need to boil 10 minutes.But in the field (or in zombie-land) knowing when you have killed all the bugs at 150 can save you a lot of fuel and time. This super-simple invention helps you do that. Just hang it so the wax is at the bottom. Once the water gets hot enough, it will float to the top, and you're done. Take it out, and the wax will harden in place at the top. Next time, just flip it over so the wax starts at the bottom.You really should have these in your apocalypse kit or your back-country bag.

Some search and rescue teams in my area are still teaching that you must boil water for five minutes. Pasteurization occurs at much lower temperatures. This item saves time, fuel, and the lives of hypothermia victims.

Made in the USA

Peace of mind - haven't used it. I do have a sun oven so I bought this little gadget to go with it.