Snow Melting Techniques for Drinking Water — Which Works Best?

Collecting and Melting Snow

To create a solar still for melting snow, dig a shallow hole and place a clear plastic sheet in the center. Weigh down the edges with rocks and place a dark-colored rock in the center beneath the plastic. As the sun heats the rock, it melts the snow, and the water will collect under the plastic sheet.

Melting Snow with a Dark-Colored Rock

A dark-colored rock such as obsidian or dark granite is ideal for melting snow because it absorbs the sun’s heat quickly. Place the rock on top of the snow and cover it with a clear plastic sheet or a makeshift dome. As the rock heats up, it will melt the snow, and you can collect the water in a container. Aim for a rock surface temperature of 160°F (71°C) to melt the snow efficiently.

Using a Snow Melting Pit

To melt snow on a larger scale, create a snow melting pit by digging a hole in the snow and placing a clear plastic sheet in the center. Weigh down the edges with rocks and place a dark-colored rock in the center. As the sun heats the rock, it will melt the snow, and you can collect the water in a container. Aim for a snow depth of at least 3 feet (90 cm) to create a stable melting pit.