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What Is a Water Distiller and How Does It Work?
November 5, 2023
-
By
Ethan Clarke
Ever wondered about the journey of a raindrop? As it falls, the water droplets are heated by the sun and evaporate into the air only to fall back down to earth as pure rain.
Now picture the same process happening inside a water distiller – because it mimics the same process. Put simply, it turns the water into steam, which purifies it in the process.
How is it different from boiling water? What about water filtration systems? Is it the same as a reverse osmosis system?
For the answers, be sure to keep reading – we’ll be going over everything you need to know below.
Understanding Water Distillers
A water distiller is a device that’s designed to give you purified water. It works by mimicking nature’s hydrologic cycle, heating the water until it turns into water vapor; this process removes impurities, leaving you with clean and pure distilled water.
The primary purpose of a water distiller is to ensure that our bodies receive high-quality water that’s free from impurities such as heavy metals or biological contaminants.
How Do Water Distillers Work?
A water distiller works by heating untreated fresh water in a boiling chamber until it becomes water vapour, the heat source being an embedded heating element.
During this phase change, all impurities are left behind (they won’t evaporate alongside the now gaseous water molecules).
The Hydrologic Cycle and Water Distillation
The way our earth naturally recycles freshwater mirrors how these devices operate.
Known as the hydrologic cycle, this natural method treats contaminated resources via evaporation, condensation (as seen when cool air makes contact with warm moisture-laden clouds) and finally precipitation (which falls back down on us just like how purified droplets collect within your machine).
Benefits of Using a Water Distiller
With a water distiller, you’ll get consistent quality for your water (they are capable of removing up to 99.9% of contaminants). You won’t have to worry about drinking contaminated water.
Unlike natural evaporation, where some impurities might rise along with the water vapor due to their low boiling points or as gaseous forms (think Volatile Organic Compounds), water distillers come with an activated carbon filter that removes VOCs, ensuring only pure H2O gets through.
This means every glass of water you drink will be free from impurities found in tap water; be it fluoride or chlorine – even those that escape common purification methods like reverse osmosis systems.
The resulting highly purified liquid form isn’t just clean but also boasts a consistent taste no matter what your original source was: well, river, or city supply. If anything, it will taste a lot better than regular bottled water.
The Process of Water Distillation
Distilling water involves a simple yet effective process. Let’s look at the key stages – boiling and condensation.
Boiling Chamber & Heating Elements
Automatic water distillers begin their job in the boiling chamber.
The heating elements warm up the tap water until it reaches its boiling point.
This stage is crucial for removing impurities, as many contaminants are left behind when the water turns into vapor.
Vapor Collection & Condensation – Transforming steam back into pure liquid form
The second phase kicks off once it it turns into evaporated water. Now we’re dealing with contaminant free water vapor, sans most pollutants found in untreated sources.
This clean, hot mist then cools down inside a condenser tube or collection chamber where it transforms back into liquid water. leaving all those unwanted guests behind.
Addressing Common Misconceptions about Water Distillers
There’s a lot of chatter out there about drinking distilled water. Is it safe? Does the distillation process strip away beneficial minerals? Let’s debunk these myths and clarify any misconceptions.
Is Distilled Water Safe to Drink?
Yes it is – after all, you’re just drinking purified water.
In fact, many health organizations advocate for its safety. When cool water goes through distillation, harmful contaminants like heavy metals are removed leaving you with pure H2O.
Mineral Content in Drinking Distilled Water
A common misconception is that distilled water lacks essential minerals your body needs.
But remember this: most of our mineral intake comes from food, not water. So while it’s true that distillation removes some minerals, the impact on your overall dietary mineral intake is minimal.
Having said that, drinking mineral water every now and then won’t hurt either.
Taste and Odor
You may have heard tales about the taste or odor of distilled or filtered water being off or strange. This stems from what we’re used to – tap or bottled waters often contain additives that can affect flavor profiles.
Freshly distilled water simply tastes clean because well…it is cleaner.
The Environmental Impact of Water Distillers
When it comes to the environmental impact, water distillers have an edge over other methods. For one thing, they are sustainable and contribute less waste byproducts compared to alternatives like reverse osmosis systems.
Water distillation’s sustainability lies in its ability to mimic nature’s hydrologic cycle. The process involves boiling water until it evaporates, then cooling the vapor to produce water, leaving behind contaminants – it mimics how rainwater is formed in our environment – a clean and natural process.
A significant advantage of using water distillers instead of bottled water or commercial water treatments is their lower energy consumption. Most models use as much power as a regular household appliance, making them cost-effective while producing high-quality drinking distilled water daily at home.
In fact, studies have shown that producing bottled water consumes more resources due to packaging and transportation requirements; thus creating more carbon footprint than using a personal water distiller.
In other words, we’ll be able to cut down on plastic waste significantly by using these devices, contributing positively towards preserving our planet.
Any waste produced from the water distillation process could also be recycled or composted if handled properly. This is an added benefit that helps in reducing waste while ensuring you get clean and pure water for your home.
Choosing the Right Water Distiller for Your Needs
The first thing to consider when purchasing a water distiller is capacity and output. For example, you’ll want to figure out how much distilled water you’ll use daily.
Stainless steel water distillers are usually more resilient than other models, yet they may be costlier. It’s worth considering if longevity is important to you.
Evaluating Capacity and Output of Water Distillers
If your household consumes a lot of distilled water, go for high-capacity units. For smaller households or individual use, compact models might suffice.
Selecting the Right Materials: Stainless Steel vs Other Options
A stainless steel water distiller may cost more upfront but can offer better durability and lifespan in the long run compared with plastic ones.
Features to Look for in a High-Quality Water Distiller
You want features like auto shut-off after each cycle completes, energy efficiency ratings, ease of cleaning as well as quality filters that provide consistent purity. Consistent purity, remember, is key.
Maintaining and Caring for a Water Distiller
Proper care can make your water distiller last longer. Here’s what you need to know about caring for your water distiller.
How to Clean Your Water Distiller
Regular cleaning is crucial if you want to keep the purity of the distilled water consistent. Buildup from minerals found in tap water may affect its performance over time.
Step 1: Unplug the Distiller
Before cleaning, unplug the unit. Remember, safety first.
Step 2: Empty the Chamber
Empty out any remaining liquid from the boiling chamber then rinse with warm soapy water before drying it off thoroughly.
Step 3: Wipe the Exterior
A soft cloth works best when wiping down exterior parts. Remember, using abrasive materials could scratch stainless steel surfaces.
Supply:
- Dish soap
- Water
- Soft cloth
ACTIVE Distiller Cleaner
Removes grime and residue to keep your machine clean and prevent drain clogs.
Troubleshooting Your Water Distillers
Sometimes issues will pop up but don’t worry – most of them are easily fixable.
For example, if there’s less distilled water output than expected or if it tastes different than usual, check the filters – they may need replacing.
As a general rule, you want to change them once every 3 to 6 months. Having said that, it does depend on your usage. For example, you may be able to get away with changing it less frequently if you only use the water distiller for pure water once every few days.
What is a Water Distiller – FAQs
What does a water distiller do?
A water distiller will purify your tap water by boiling it into steam, and then cooling that steam back down into a liquid – that will remove all impurities and contaminants and give you pure water.
What are the benefits of drinking pure water?
Drinking pure water can help remove toxins from your body. Not only that but it can also improve your overall health as it’s free of harmful chemicals or heavy metals that are often found in tap water.
Is it worth getting a water distiller?
If you value consistent purity in your drinking water, investing in a home-use or commercial-grade distiller is worth every penny.
Is it OK to drink distilled water?
You bet. Drinking distilled water provides top-notch hydration without the unwanted extras like chlorine, fluoride or other potential contaminants found lurking in unfiltered sources.
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Ethan Clarke
Ethan Clarke is a seasoned expert in appliances and household waste systems. Referencing his extensive experience as an appliance repairman, Ethan shares his invaluable knowledge through detailed maintenance & troubleshooting manuals. Ethan’s insights help homeowners understand and maintain their appliances efficiently, ensuring longevity and optimal performance. He’s here to provide practical, easy-to-follow advice for all your appliance needs.
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