How to Make Distilled Water

If you’re wondering, how to make distilled water at home you’ve come to the right place. Many people are curious about how they can produce distilled water for drinking, baby formula, medical purposes, or even cleaning. Below are the instructions to make distilled water at home one small batch at a time, but if you prefer an easier route, then purchase a Pure Water Home Water Distiller!

Distilled water is water that has been purified through the process of distillation. This involves boiling water, capturing the steam, and then condensing it back into liquid form. During this process, impurities such as minerals, bacteria, and chemicals are left behind, resulting in pure water.

Distilled water is used in a variety of applications, including drinking, medical procedures, cleaning sensitive electronics, and even topping off car batteries. But the question often arises: is purified water the same as distilled water? The answer is no. While both purified water and distilled water are free of contaminants, the methods of purification differ. Purified water can be treated using filters, reverse osmosis, or UV purification, whereas distillation specifically relies on boiling and condensing.

To distill water at home, you don’t need any fancy equipment. Here are the basic materials you’ll need:

• A large pot with a lid
• A heat-resistant glass bowl (smaller than the pot)
• Ice (to help with condensation)
• Water (tap water works fine)
• A stovetop or heat source

The materials are simple, and most people already have them in their kitchens. Once you have these items ready, you can move on to the next step.

Now that you have your materials, it’s time to prepare the distillation setup:

1. Place the large pot on your stovetop or heat source.
2. Fill the pot with a few inches of water (you don’t need to fill it all the way).
3. Place the heat-resistant glass bowl in the center of the pot. Make sure the bowl floats, and it’s not touching the bottom. This bowl will collect the distilled water.
4. Turn the pot lid upside down and place it on top of the pot. This is crucial because the inverted lid will allow the steam to condense and drip into the bowl.
5. Add ice on top of the inverted lid. The ice helps cool the lid, which speeds up condensation.

This setup works because as the water boils, steam rises, hits the cold lid, and condenses back into liquid form, dripping into the bowl as distilled water.

Step 3: Start Boiling the Water

Once your setup is complete, turn on the heat to start boiling the water. Here’s what happens during this stage:

• The water in the pot will begin to heat up and produce steam.
• As the steam rises and contacts the cold surface of the inverted lid, it will condense back into liquid.
• The condensed water droplets will fall into the glass bowl placed in the center of the pot.

This process separates the impurities and contaminants from the water because they do not evaporate with the steam. Only pure water vapor condenses and collects in the bowl, creating distilled water.

It’s important to monitor the boiling process. Keep the heat at a steady level—not too high, as rapid boiling might cause splashing, which could contaminate the distilled water.

Step 4: Collect the Distilled Water

After the water has been boiling for about 30 to 45 minutes, check the glass bowl. You should see clean, clear distilled water that has collected from the condensation process. Using oven mitts or a towel, carefully remove the bowl from the pot (it will be hot).

Pour the distilled water into a clean, sterilized container. If you plan to store the water for later use, make sure the container is sealed tightly to prevent contamination.

Step 5: Store the Distilled Water Properly

One common question people ask is: does distilled water go bad? The answer is no—distilled water itself doesn’t spoil because it lacks the minerals and organic matter that can lead to bacterial growth. However, if not stored properly, distilled water can become contaminated.

To keep your distilled water clean:

• Store it in a sealed, BPA-free container.
• Keep the container in a cool, dark place.
• Avoid touching the inside of the container to prevent introducing bacteria.

Alternative Methods to Distill Water at Home

While the stovetop method is the most common way to make distilled water at home, there are a few alternatives:

1. Using a Water Distiller: If you regularly need distilled water, you can purchase a water distiller. These machines automate the boiling and condensation process, saving you time.
2. Solar Distillation: For eco-conscious individuals, solar stills can be used to distill water using sunlight. The setup involves a container, a clear cover, and the sun’s heat to evaporate and condense water.  This method can take quite a bit of time.
3. Glass Bottle Method: You can use two glass bottles, one with water and the other empty. By heating the first bottle and collecting the steam in the second (using a chilled cloth or ice), you can replicate the distillation process.

Why Make Distilled Water?

Now that you know how to make distilled water at home, you might be wondering why you need it. Distilled water is highly versatile and useful for:

• Drinking
• Water for Baby Formula
• Cooking & Baking
• Ice Cubes
• Pet Water
• Cleaning
• Irons, Coffee Maker and Other Appliances (check manufacturer suggestions)
• Medical devices like CPAP machines
• Aquariums (prevents mineral buildup)
• Car batteries and radiators
• Cleaning electronics

With so many uses, learning how to make distilled water can save you money and ensure you always have access to pure water when needed.

Water Distiller Machines

Now that you know how to make distilled water with basic kitchen items, you’ve probably noticed that it’s much easier to use a home water distiller machine.  This will give you easier access to vapor distilled water for all of your needs.