Would you like to know how to make distilled water? Distilled water is that which is devoid of impurities. Here we are going to teach you how to prepare it at home. But, before we start let’s go in parts and learn what distilled water is.
What is distilled water?
Technically, distilled water is considered to be that which has been completely purified. Usually by distillation.
For many years distilled water has gradually been replaced by the purification process typical of areas inhabited by the population, and by the prosperous market for bottled water. However, many beverage manufacturers prefer to distill the water they use to ensure the purity of flavor in their products.
Similarly, although most families have drinking water in their homes, today many prefer to distill the water to ensure its purity when consuming it. For example, if you live in an area where there are works, it is likely that the tap water you drink does not taste good to you. In these cases, or simply because you like to drink the purest water possible, different distillation methods are used. One of the most common is the use of jugs that incorporate filters capable of distilling tap water. These filters are capable of removing part of the calcium and magnesium ions. These ions are used to “harden” the water and be able to submit it to the purification process. These devices allow reverse osmosis to obtain even much purer water in homes around the world. However, distillers for home use are the only products that can guarantee 100% distillation of water. Unfortunately today it is not common to find them on the market.
Why make distilled water, what uses does it have?
Distilled water is not only excellent for human consumption, but it is also highly recommended to water plants, to fill humidifiers or even fish tanks that we may have at home or in the office. Your plants and your pets will thank you. Especially if you are one of those lovers of creating your own garden at home. You will have much tastier and fresher fruits and vegetables since they will be raised with distilled water.
Despite the fact that distillers for home use are not easy to find and that there are jugs capable of distilling water, we are going to teach you some tricks so that you know how to make distilled water from your own home.
We hope these tips help you and you can start drinking the purest water you’ve ever drunk. Go for it!
What do you need to make distilled water?
- Tap water
- A stainless steel pot with a minimum capacity of 5 liters
- A glass container
- A rack for the pot
- Ice cubes
- Gloves or oven mitts
- Glass bottles
- Read this post and carry out the following tips
Instructions for making distilled water
- The first step to being able to distill water is to fill a stainless steel pot with tap water. It is convenient that you do not fill it to the top so that later the water does not overflow during the distillation process.
- The next thing you have to do is use a glass container. You must put it inside the pot and prevent it from submerging to the bottom. You can help yourself with a grid, the kind used in the microwave for the grill, to place the glass container on top. Put the rack inside the pot and place the glass container on it.
- Put the pot on the fire and turn it on. You have to heat the water but prevent it from boiling. The idea is to create a condensation effect where the steam that is generated in contact with the glass ends up turning back into water during the process. In order for this condensation effect to be created properly, a cold/heat barrier must be generated. To generate this barrier there is a very simple trick: take the lid of the pot, turn it over and place a few ice cubes on it. All you have to do is wait for the steam to slowly rise to the lid of the pot. When it collides with the cold of the ice that we have positioned on the inverted lid, the effect of condensation will be created.
- Little by little, and while the pot is still hot, the steam will rise and turn back into water due to condensation. This water will end up falling into the glass container that we have placed inside the pot. In this way, the water that falls into the container will already be distilled and free of any impurity. You can slightly lift the lid of the pot to see how much distilled water you have. If you want more, cover the pot again and wait for the condensation to continue to take its toll. If the ice is running out, pour more on the lid again so that the condensation continues.
- When you already have enough distilled water, it is time to remove the pot from the heat. Turn off the heat, remove the pot and lift the lid. Put on gloves or oven mitts to be able to remove the glass container. Do it carefully so as not to burn yourself with the steam. Remember that if there is water left in the bottom of the pot it will continue to rise and can burn you.
- Once you remove the glass container from the pot, let it cool for a while. You can cover it to prevent dust particles from falling into the water and staining it. When the water is no longer hot it is time to store it. The most convenient thing is that you use glass bottles to do it. You can buy them at any supermarket.
Tips for Making Distilled Water
- When using this trick to distill water it is important to lift the lid of the pot from time to time to make sure that the water vapor is being stored correctly inside the glass container. Otherwise, the entire distillation process you are carrying out will be of no use.
- Many people also dare to use rainwater to prepare distilled water. This process can be somewhat more tedious than other systems because rainwater must be collected. To do it more comfortably you can use special rainwater collection systems. For example, the MM house in Palma de Mallorca collects rainwater on the roof of the building. This water passes through a total of four decks. Three dedicated to use the water as irrigation water and a fourth deck that is responsible for cleaning the water. This type of roof usually includes systems that distill water directly. They are somewhat expensive systems but they are increasingly used by many people. A perfect example is that of the MM house, capable of being self-sustaining both in the recovery of water and when it comes to heating the space.
We hope these ideas have helped you learn how to make your own distilled water. You can share with us through the comments your experiences and contribute your own advice to the process. We are delighted to learn them!