Melting Snow for Drinking Water?

[THBailey]

Whats the secret for melting snow for drinking water? Last fall my son and I tried it up in an Oregon wilderness area. Just gathered up fresh snowfall, put it in the cookpot and melted it over the propane burner. The water looked fine but tasted like it came through a dirty BBQ bottom. Any ideas on what we did wrong? Thanks.

[easymoney]

IMHO,
I would filter all water no matter where it comes from.
Snow is no different from any other sources of water, except it very cold... It picks up flavor from the ambient area and the taste can be affected by many things including smog or "acid rain". Much land especially in eastern Oregon has a very high mineral and sulpher content. Even well water can taste "funny", but if let sit overnight it will taste fine.
It might even pay to clean your pot well...

[SierraFool]

I have tasted snow water that tastes metallic, never like a barbq grill but I could see if the land has a high volcanic base, maybe. I would sure filter any water also.

[2rocky]

add some water to the snow to melt it. melting snow directly gives it that "burned water " taste. That should help. Use enough to have some water between the bottom of the pot and the snow you are melting.