Been there, done that. You won't want to cook food in that pot after boiling strings, it's kind of gross. Boiling will bring back a ton of zing and clean the strings. They should go right back on the bass, so if you start your water first, bring it to a boil, drop the loosely coiled strings in for ten minutes or so, dry them off with a lint free clothe and restring, it should only take about 15 minutes. Set a timer, I've ruined a set or two by spacing out on the time, and boiling them dry. (smoke alarm is handy)
My boiled strings were more likely to break after a few boils. But, I played much harder then, so, that might have been coming anyway. I'd break new strings too. But the boiled ones broke more often. Could be because they were older, but I think there might be something to the heat damage theory. Carry spares in your case!
Now, I've got a 1" pvc tube filled with denatured alcohol, (NOT Rubbing or isopropyl!) and a couple six string sets soaking all the time. SInce the strings are all Paysons or DIngwall nickels, they can be changed in a few minutes.
I've got the price of the alcohol in that set up, I had pvc pipe and glue laying around in the shop.
I'll never boil again.