Water distillation is not only a more environmentally friendly option that allows us to reduce our reliance on bottled drinking water, but also a cheaper option that allows us to get home drinking, cooking, and other uses at a lower cost.
However, the best way to get distilled water consistently at home is by investing in a water distiller, and to make the most of it, you must have a good understanding of how it works.
How Water Distillers Work
A pure water machine utilizes the circulation of water and uses a heating device to boil the water and convert the water from a liquid state to steam.
Water molecules run out as quickly as a motor is installed, and some heavy metals, sediment, rust, etc. with a higher boiling point are left in the boiling chamber, which is the scale we often see. This boiling process also inactivates the bacteria in the water.
Nature's Purifier
Water distillation mimics the way Earth naturally purifies and redistributes water. Recycle and purify the earth's water by changing the material form of the earth's water.
The hydrological cycle not only continuously changes the material form of the earth's water, but also recycles and purifying the earth's water. When the sun's heat evaporates the water, any contaminants or minerals in the water are dissipated.
As hydrogen and oxygen molecules transition from liquid to gas, everything from chemical waste to pathogenic microbes is left behind. The hydrological cycle removes all the alkalinity and mineral content that water has absorbed as it moves through rock and sediment layers.
Distillation simulates the natural purification process as it produces very pure water.
From Steam to Liquid
The water molecules in the form of steam pass through the condensation cooling device and return to the state of liquid from the state of steam, to be extracted and used by us. This is how the distilled water dispenser works, and the distilled water dispenser may be different, but the basic principles are similar.
They all use a heating device to turn water into steam, and then use a cooling device to turn it back into a liquid state. In the process, some metal, rust and other garbage particles are filtered to inactivate bacteria.
How Does a Water Distiller Work? Step-By-Step
A water distiller purifies water by boiling it into steam and then condensing that steam back into liquid, leaving most contaminants behind. Here’s the process step by step:
- Water is heated to boiling: Tap or source water is heated inside the distiller until it turns into steam. Most contaminants have much higher boiling points and remain behind.
- Contaminants are left in the boiling chamber: Heavy metals, salts, bacteria, minerals, and other impurities stay in the boiling tank instead of turning into vapor.
- Steam rises into a cooling system: The steam travels into a condenser coil or cooling chamber.
- Steam cools and condenses back into water: As the steam cools, it turns back into liquid, now free of most contaminants.
- Distilled water is collected: The purified water drips into a separate container, while leftover contaminants are discarded from the boiling chamber.
This process closely mimics the natural water cycle (evaporation and condensation), which is why distillation is one of the most effective purification methods available.
What Contaminants Does Water Distilling Remove?
Distillation removes most common contaminants, such as lead, fluoride, and bacteria and viruses, but not all in the same way.
| Contaminant | Does Distillation Remove It? | Brief Explanation |
| Lead | Yes | Lead has a high boiling point and remains in the boiling chamber. |
| Fluoride | Yes | Fluoride compounds do not vaporize with water and are left behind. |
| Chlorine | Mostly | Chlorine can vaporize; carbon filters remove remaining chlorine and odors. |
| Bacteria | Yes | Heat kills bacteria, and they do not carry over with steam. |
| Viruses | Yes | Viruses are destroyed by boiling and do not distill over. |
| Dissolved minerals | Yes | Calcium, magnesium, and salts stay behind, preventing scale buildup. |
| VOCs | Depends | Some VOCs vaporize with water; carbon filters capture them. |
| Pesticides | Mostly | Non-volatile pesticides are removed; volatile ones may need carbon filtration. |
Overall, distilled water is one of the most thorough purification methods available, especially when paired with a post-carbon filter.
Choosing a Water Distiller for Home/Office: Key Factors
When choosing a water distiller for your home or office, consider the following key factors:
1. Capacity / Output.
Consider how much distilled water you’ll use daily: just for drinking, or also for cooking, lab use, or appliance refills?
- For Small households (1–2 people): 5–7 Gallons per Day: About 5–7 gallons per day is usually enough for drinking, cooking, CPAP machines, and small appliances.
- Medium households (3–4 people): 8–10+ Gallons Per Day: Aim for 8–10+ gallons per day to meet daily needs without running the distiller constantly.
- Large households (5+ people) or heavy use: 10–12+ gallons per day gives plenty of distilled water without bottlenecks.
2. Material and Safety
- High-quality models use BPA-free containers and food-grade stainless steel heating elements, which are corrosion- and heat-resistant.
- Ensure the machine does not release harmful substances during the distillation process.
3. Heating and Condensing Efficiency
- A distiller heats water to evaporation and then condenses the vapor back into liquid. High-efficiency designs produce distilled water faster and save energy.
- Pay attention to heating power (watts), condenser quality, and whether the distiller has a cooling fan or pump.
4. Maintenance and Convenience
- Although distillation removes most impurities, “scale” or residue may form in the heating chamber.
- Models with removable trays, strainers, or easy-to-clean parts are more convenient. Check if the manufacturer offers replacement parts or cleaning recommendations.
CO-Z Water Distillers For Home Use
Co-Z's 750W water distiller provides 2 ppm water at 0.3 gallons per hour. It's 1.1 gallon (4L) capacity ensures an adequate supply of fresh water to meet your daily hydration needs.
This BPA-free distilled water machine is made of 304 stainless steel.
The water pitcher is made of borosilicate glass, giving you years of corrosion-resistant use while making maintenance a breeze.
Not just for drinking and cooking, this water filter system is also great for applications like coffee machines, humidifiers, engine cooling systems, CPAP machines, aquariums, and more!
Best Uses of Distilled Water: Domestic Kitchen vs. Laboratory
Water distillers are used in both professional and home settings, but how they are used in each setting differs slightly.
| Use Case | Laboratory Applications | Kitchen / Home Applications |
| Purity requirements | Extremely high purity for experiments | Clean, mineral-free water |
| Equipment use | Autoclaves, analyzers, microscopes | Coffee makers, kettles, steam irons |
| Chemical mixing | Prevents reactions from impurities | Consistent cooking and baking results |
| Cleaning | Rinsing lab glassware | Prevents limescale buildup in appliances |
| Health & safety | Eliminates contaminants that affect tests | Removes many common water impurities |
| Storage | Short-term, controlled storage | Drinking, cooking, appliance use |
In short, labs rely on distilled water for accuracy and consistency, while kitchens use it mainly for cleaner appliances and predictable results.
For home use, distilled water is mostly used for cleaning delicate utensils and kitchen appliances, cooking, and (to a lesser extent) drinking.
For laboratory use, distilled water is mostly used for experiments that require extremely high purity and for cleaning equipment like autoclaves and microscopes. It also heavily favored chemical mixing and storage
Frequently Asked Questions About Water Distillers (FAQ)
Q1: Is the distilled water produced by a water distiller safe to drink?
Yes. Distillation heats water to steam and then condenses it, removing most dissolved salts, minerals, heavy metals, bacteria, and viruses. However, it is recommended to supplement essential minerals if drinking distilled water long-term.
Q2: What is the difference between a water distiller and a reverse osmosis (RO) system?
A water distiller removes impurities through physical evaporation and condensation, while RO systems filter water through a membrane. Distillation removes almost all dissolved substances, including some volatile organics that RO may not fully filter. Use case, cost, and maintenance differ between the two methods.
Q3: Why is the distillation process slow or the water output low?
Possible reasons: insufficient heating power, poor condensation, excessive residue buildup, or scale formation. Check the machine’s wattage, use clean water, clean regularly, and ensure airflow around the condenser is not blocked.
Q4: Should I choose a larger capacity model?
It depends on your daily needs. For drinking and light cooking, a 4 L unit is sufficient. For multi-person households, lab use, or water storage, a larger model is recommended. Keep in mind that larger models occupy more space and consume more energy.
Q5: Is drinking distilled water safe without minerals?
Distilled water contains almost no minerals. Occasional consumption is fine. For long-term use, it’s recommended to supplement minerals through diet or by alternating with mineral water. You can also add small mineral supplements to distilled water if desired.
Final Thoughts on Water Distillers
Understanding how water distillers work, and what they do best, helps you decide whether this method aligns with your water quality needs, usage habits, and lifestyle. For anyone looking for a dependable, low-maintenance way to produce clean, distilled water at home, a water distiller remains a proven and effective solution.
Explore more tips on how distilled water is made.
