Distilled water is ideal for household appliances and projects like homemade cosmetics. But did you know that you don't have to spend money on expensive gadgets to get it? Find the right plan and you can distill your own water at a fraction of the cost. And you can have fun while doing it!
We scoured the internet for the best DIY water distillation plans. So if you want to try making one yourself, read on to find the guide that's right for you!
table of contents
1. DIY water distiller
This in-depth guide from the Survival Resources website follows the experience of one person building their own still. He starts by explaining how distillation works and what features you might want in your own model. There is a list of all components, with pictures and tips on where to find them. Finally, there is a step-by-step description of the build, explaining the choices made along the way. This is a great resource if you want to learn the basics of DIY distilleries. And it will give you many ideas to customize your own project.
2. Homemade water distillation! (SS pot + glass bowl)
This video shows you how to distill water in just a few minutes using just a pot and a glass container. It includes great close-ups of the water condensation on the glass tray lid so you can see exactly how it works. Ignore the moderator's way of relating total dissolved solids to water quality - it's not the same as anyone who drinks bottled water knows. But that aside, this is a helpful video that demonstrates a simple technique for removing contaminants from even very dirty water.
3. Homemade Water Distiller! The Luxury Water Distiller (Stainless Steel)!
If you're looking for a fast working water distiller, this might be the plan to go with. It is designed to distill water 50% faster than standard models. This is a more complicated build with an equipment list that includes several plumbing components. But nothing is expensive here and the only tool needed is a screwdriver. Each step is illustrated with several photos from different angles, and there is also a video. However, keep in mind that there are some plastic elements here. If you prefer to avoid plastic, other plans may be better suited for you.
4. Homemade Water Distiller - Do It Yourself
This video is from Desertsun02, the same YouTuber who made the deluxe version above. This is a much simpler build and you can see everything in less than 4 minutes. The still here provides 16 ounces of distilled water in 2 hours. There's less description of the components than we'd like, but they're all shown very clearly in the video. If you don't know what they're called, just show them the clip at your local hardware store! Take a look at some helpful building tips and hints towards the end.
5. Homemade water still made in less than an hour
This short plan is a good option for those looking to distill larger volumes of water. There are lots of helpful hints and tips, although they're not as detailed as other plans. There is only one photo. If you want a project that gives you some ideas rather than a blueprint, this will work great. But if you're looking for a step-by-step guide, there are better options out there. Another thing to keep in mind: The introduction talks about using distilled water as drinking water. Don't do this unless you have no other choice. It's not the healthiest option and it also tastes flat.
6. DIY Water Distiller (Higher Power Version)
In this video, Great Lakes Prepping demonstrates how to build a still from scratch. The design is based on the Survival Resources website mentioned above. If you like this guide but find the video more helpful than a lot of text, this is a great option. This project uses a pressure cooker to heat the water and a copper tube condenser. You have to drill a little. And if you're sensitive to copper and intend to use it for occasional drinking, this isn't the plan for you.
7. Homemade water distiller: how to make distilled water at home
This plan is text-heavy, but contains a lot of useful information. Describe some of the disadvantages of drinking distilled water for extended periods of time. And it explains the science behind the distillation process. Above the instructions is a helpful list of equipment and materials. Each step is explained in a single paragraph, but there are no pictures to help. There is a helpful section at the end on remineralizing distilled water if you intend to drink it.
8. How to make a burner
This video by Dave Nooner is great for showing you how to build a still using the parts you have. There's a lot of information out there on alternative ways to mount it to avoid buying something new unless you really have to. This is another one that uses copper tubes. If you're sensitive to copper, Dave's comments below the video offer some suggestions for other options. And if you plan on using your recorder in a survival situation, your comments also explain the limitations.
9. How to make a homemade water still
This is another short guide with clear descriptions that will guide you through each step of building a water still. One thing to note is that there isn't a list of materials or equipment to get you started. Read all instructions before starting to make sure you have what you need. Again, there are no pictures, so it's not the best option for visual learners. But if that doesn't put you off, this is a quick project and very easy to follow.
aim is tutorial
10. DIY Saltwater Survival Bottle
If you are looking for a water desalination plan, be sure to check out this plan. Use a stainless steel flask and copper tubing to create a simple burner that you can even use on a campfire. This requires a little more equipment than other plans, including a soldering kit to connect the copper tube to the bottle. Until the end, pay attention to some useful tricks to improve the freshwater production rate. And there's a smart tip to remineralize distilled water to make it more drinkable.
11. How to make distilled water at home
This article on the H2OLabs.com website provides links to home and commercial stills. But for those who like to make their own, there's also an easy guide on how to do it. You will have to do without illustrations, but the instructions are clear and concise. And with this method, you don't need to drill or solder. All you need is a pan, bowl, ice pack and heat.
12. How to make a water still at home easily
This video shows an inexpensive and fun way to distill water at home. He uses an old pressure cooker, some copper pipes and an empty wine bottle – proof that he doesn't need an elaborate kit! And if you have to settle for a broken seal on your pressure cooker, the presenter shows you a cheap and cheerful way to solve the problem. This is a quick and easy plan, although it does not cover remineralization and pH balancing of drinking water. If you plan to drink distilled water, this must be reported separately.
13. Homemade Solar Water Still!
If you're looking for distilled water that doesn't require fuel, check out this plan for a solar version. All you need are some plastic bottles, masking tape and a drill. If you're somewhere in the scorching sun, it works surprisingly fast too. The video also includes some practical tips to ensure you get enough clean water in a survival situation. This isn't for people looking for large amounts of distilled water, but if you're desperate for water, it's a brilliant plan.
14. My homemade water still part 1
In this video, Chris from Back Roads Gold shows how to make a commercial water still. Chris runs a plating business, so a reliable supply of distilled water is vital to his business. Put the different requirements aside, though, and the plan is pretty much the same as many others. The video walks you through the process using simple equipment and provides lots of tips and advice along the way. Keep in mind that this is another plan that will require some soldering.
15. How to build a solar powered still to purify drinking water
This plan describes how to build a solar powered still suitable for distilling water. It's just above the two-bottle model in terms of complexity. And it is durable enough for long-term use. The plan provides detailed information for each part of the process, although you will need to read some text. The process is made easy with technical drawings that show how everything fits together. It ends with some helpful hints on where to set up your still to get the best results.
Let's distill!
We hope you enjoyed our list of the 15 best DIY water distillation plans. Whether you're looking for something for a survival situation or a long-term solution for your business, there are options here that are perfect for you.
You don't need to spend a lot of money on complicated devices. They don't even take long: many of the projects here can be built in under an hour.
Whichever plan you choose, we hope you enjoy making your own homemade water still!
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FAQs
What is the easiest way to distill water at home? ›
The process of distilling is simple: Heat tap water to the point that it turns to vapor. When the vapor condenses back to water, it leaves behind any mineral residue. The resulting condensed liquid is distilled water.
What are the steps in the distillation of water? ›DISTILLATION UNITS OR STILLS generally consist of a boiling chamber, where the water enters, is heated and vaporized; condensing coils or chamber, where the water is cooled and converted back to liquid water; and a storage tank for purified water.
How much moonshine will 5 gallons of mash make? ›For the instant gratification seekers in the crowd, here's the short answer: A 1 gallon run will yield 3-6 cups of alcohol. A 5 gallon run will yield 1-2 gallons of alcohol.
Is Rainwater distilled water? ›It is possible, therefore, for us to drink untreated rainwater. This is because rainwater is pure, distilled water evaporated from the sun - nothing else. However, when rainwater falls from the sky, substances from the air and land melt into the rainwater.
How long does water have to sit to distill? ›It will typically take about 45 minutes to make distilled water.
Is it faster to boil hot or cold water to distill? ›No, cold water does not boil faster than any other temperature of water, Allrecipes says. Water will only begin to boil when it reaches its boiling point, regardless of the beginning temperature.
What are the 5 steps of distillation? ›- Evaporation. Crude oil is heated until it evaporates. Crude oil vapour is put into a fractionating column at the bottom and rises upwards.
- Condensation. The temperature is highest at the bottom of the column. ...
- Collection. The fractions are collected.
Process involving the conversion of a liquid into vapour that is subsequently condensed back to liquid form. e.g. extraction of pure water form salt water, extraction of gasoline from crude oil, etc.
Can you just boil water to make it distilled? ›How to Distill Water With the Pot and Bowl Method. If you have access to a heat source, you can distill water by boiling it and collecting the condensation.
What can I use in place of distilled water? ›An alternative to distilled water is mineral water. The process of distilling is simple. Heat tap water to the point that it turns to vapor.
What happens if you drink 100% distilled water? ›
Consumption of distilled water can cause dehydration and lead to health issues resulting from the lack of nutrients that are essential to our health. Consuming distilled water is okay because the human body is unable to absorb minerals dissolved in water into body tissue anyhow.
How long can mash sit before distilling? ›It depends on what type of wash you have but as a general rule of thumb, it is best to distil within 2-3 days after fermentation is complete. The wash will keep for up to a month so long as the fermenter is airtight.
How much do you have to discard when distilling? ›Additionally, commercial distillers have determined that simply discarding a standard amount per batch, based on batch size, is enough to keep things safe. The rule of thumb is to discard 1/3 of a pint jar for every 5 gallons of wash being distilled.
How much yeast should I put in a 5 gallon mash? ›Create a simple yeast starter for 5 gallons of mash
Add 2 packets of yeast (14 grams or 1 tablespoon if using bulk yeast).
Distilled water is safe to drink. But you'll probably find it flat or bland. That's because it's stripped of important minerals like calcium, sodium, and magnesium that give tap water its familiar flavor. What's left is just hydrogen and oxygen and nothing else.
Is collecting rainwater illegal? ›Is it Illegal to Harvest Rainwater? In almost every case, no. Out of the lower 48 states in the U.S., Colorado and Utah are the only states that are currently heavily regulated to keep homeowners from harvesting and using the rain that falls on their property.
Why is distilled water not allowed? ›Distilled water cannot conduct electricity because it does not contain ions while rain water conducts electricity as it contains ions due presence of dissolved salts in it.
How does simple distillation work simple? ›Simple distillation
When the solution is heated, solvent vapour evaporates from the solution. The gas moves away and is cooled and condensed . The remaining solution becomes more concentrated in solute as the amount of solvent in it decreases.
distillation, process involving the conversion of a liquid into vapour that is subsequently condensed back to liquid form. It is exemplified at its simplest when steam from a kettle becomes deposited as drops of distilled water on a cold surface.
What is simple distillation easy? ›Simple distillation enables a liquid to be separated from a solution. The solution is heated until the solution with the lowest boiling point starts to evaporate. The vapour is cooled and it condenses (turns back into a liquid). This liquid can be collected, leaving the rest of the solution back in the flask.
Can I leave my water distiller on overnight? ›
This is the most efficient and effective way to make distilled water. The Megahome Water Distiller is simply left on to work its magic and after 5-6 hours will turn itself off automatically, so it is safe to leave on during the day or overnight.
How long will a gallon of distilled water last? ›Stored correctly, distilled water lasts almost indefinitely. Unopened, it has a shelf life of up to five years, compared to ordinary bottled water, which lasts only two. Distilled water doesn't spoil or go bad, but it is susceptible to contamination.
Do bacteria survive in distilled water? ›Many microorganisms ("oligotrophs") grow in distilled water: Pseudomonas spp., Caulobacter spp., Hyphomicrobium spp., Arthrobacter spp., Seliberia spp., Bactoderma alba, Corynebacterium spp., Amycolata (Nocardia) autotrophica, Mycobacterium spp., yeasts, and Chlorella spp.
What happens if you distill too quickly? ›If you heat too fast, vapors may not condense as quickly as desired, and may waste some of the column. Packing material is also crucial. High surface area packing material provides surface on which condensation can occur. The more easily vapor can condense, the more distillation cycles you get.
What is the best distillation method? ›Fractional distillation leads to a better separation than simple distillation because the glass beads in the fractionating column provide "theoretical plates" on which the vapors can condense and then re-evaporate, and re-condense, essentially distilling the compound many times over.
What happens if you overheat distillation? ›If a mixture is heated too rapidly the rising vapor will have a chance of being carried over to the receiver without condensing. Thus, more higher-boiling material will be found mixed in with the lower boiling material.
What is simple distillation PDF? ›Distillation is a process in which a mixture of two liquids is purified by heating it to the point of boiling one fluid and then allowing it to be assembled in another midwife. Discover the world's research.
What are the 3 types of distillation? ›The most commonly used techniques are simple distillation, fractional distillation, steam distillation, and vacuum distillation. In simple distillation process, a volatile compound is evaporated and channeled through a distillation column into a condenser, where it is eventually captured.
What is the first step in simple distillation? ›Simple distillation involves heating a mixture in a distillation flask, condensing the vapor with a cooling fluid, and collecting the liquid distillate.
What is a example of distillation for kids? ›Distillation uses boiling to separate mixtures of liquid solutions. It takes into account that different substances in the mixture will have different boiling points. For example, if you heat salt water the water in the solution will boil before the salt. The water will then evaporate leaving the salt behind.
What is an example of distillation at home? ›
1. The simplest and most common example of distillation is the steam from a kettle, which gets deposited as drops of distilled water on a cold surface. 2. This process is used in the separation of alcoholic liquors from fermented materials for purification of alcohol by separating liquids from non-volatile solids.
What are the 5 uses of distillation? ›- Distillation Types. ...
- Distillation Equipment on a Larger Scale. ...
- Fuels derived from petrochemicals and related products. ...
- Methanol and other biofuels are produced. ...
- Manufacturing of pharmaceuticals and distillation. ...
- Essential oils and fragrances. ...
- Whiskey and other alcoholic beverages.
Calculate the efficiency of the distillation using the formula (%A + %B) / (%A + %I + %B), where %A is the percent recovery of the pure liquid at the low boiling point, %I is the percent recovery at the intermediate boiling point, and %B is the percent recovery at the high boiling point.
What is distillation PDF? ›*Distillation is the process of separating the component or substances from a liquid mixture by selective evaporation and condensation. Distillation is the most basic method used for the purification of liquids and for the separation of liquid mixtures.
What are the two stages of simple distillation? ›Distillation is a process where a liquid mixture is separated into its components by continuous vaporization and then condensation.
Can you distill water in microwave? ›As physician Nina Radcliffe explains in The Press of Atlantic City, microwaving water or other liquids past the point recommended by manufacturers could result in serious burns because it becomes "superheated" which she describes as "water heated beyond its boiling temperature that does not have signs of boiling — it's ...
How long do you have to boil water to purify it? ›Steps for boiling water:
Bring the clear water to a rolling boil for 1 minute (at elevations above 6,500 feet, boil for 3 minutes). Let the boiled water cool. Store the boiled water in clean sanitized containers with tight covers.
Bottled water is not distilled. Rather, it undergoes some form of filtration process, typically reverse osmosis. The differing tastes of bottled water brands stem from the minerals added to the water after filtration and can also be affected by where the brand sources its water from.
Is it cheaper to buy or make your own distilled water? ›Unless you go out into the wilderness and work hard to collect rain or snow, it costs money to buy a water distiller because it uses fuel or electricity to heat the water. But don't worry, buying a home water distiller is much cheaper than boiling your own water on a stove or buying bottled water.
What is not removed from distilled water? ›Distillation will not remove all the chemicals but removes soluble minerals (i.e., calcium, magnesium, and phosphorous) and dangerous heavy metals like lead, arsenic, and mercury. Some of the chemicals of concern produce hazardous compounds during the heating process.
What is the healthiest water to drink? ›
Mineral, structured, and pure spring water are some of the healthiest water you can drink because they're clean and contain all the essential minerals your body needs. Filtered water removes contaminants but might also remove essential minerals.
Can you drink distilled water everyday? ›Distilled water isn't likely to dramatically improve your health, but it probably won't hurt it either. If you don't mind the taste and you get enough minerals from a well-balanced diet, it's fine to drink distilled. You can also use distilled water around the house.
Is Boiled water the same as distilled water? ›No, they aren't the same. Boiled water is simply water that has had the temperature increased until it reaches its boiling point. This kills a host of bacteria that can make a person sick. Distilled water is water that has been stripped of all impurities, including minerals and microorganisms.
Is boiled tap water the same as distilled water? ›No, they aren't the same. Boiled water is simply water that has had the temperature increased until it reaches its boiling point. This kills a host of bacteria that can make a person sick. Distilled water is water that has been stripped of all impurities, including minerals and microorganisms.
How do you make homemade distilled alcohol? ›With pot distillation, you put a batch of fermented liquid (the beer or wine that you're planning to distill) into a copper pot. You cap and seal the pot and heat it. As the liquid heats up, the alcohol in the liquid boils first (because alcohol boils at a lower temperature than water does) and turns to vapor.
What kind of water do you use for distilling? ›#1 – Use Distilled and Not Tap Water
One of the most important tips I can give to moonshiners is to always use distilled water for making moonshine wash. It's no secret that tap water contains a plethora of chemicals, some of which includes chlorine, chlorate, bromate and fluoride.
Distilled Water Removes Minerals and Contaminants
Distillation will not remove all the chemicals but removes soluble minerals (i.e., calcium, magnesium, and phosphorous) and dangerous heavy metals like lead, arsenic, and mercury. Some of the chemicals of concern produce hazardous compounds during the heating process.
It will typically take about 45 minutes to make distilled water.
What is the easiest alcohol to distill? ›Vodka – is one of the most popular alcoholic beverages in the world and also one of the easiest to make at home. All you need is some grain (rye, wheat, or potatoes), water, and yeast. Once you have fermented the mixture, like corn liquor you will distill it, and voila, you have homemade vodka.
Does distilling water remove bacteria? ›Distillation is one of the oldest methods of water treatment and is still in use today, though not commonly as a home treatment method. It can effectively remove many contaminants from drinking water, including bacteria, inorganic and many organic compounds.
What is the best temperature to distill water? ›
Letting the still heat over 212 degrees is great if you're looking to distill water, however.
How long does distilled water last? ›Stored correctly, distilled water lasts almost indefinitely. Unopened, it has a shelf life of up to five years, compared to ordinary bottled water, which lasts only two. Distilled water doesn't spoil or go bad, but it is susceptible to contamination.
Can bacteria grow in distilled water? ›Many microorganisms ("oligotrophs") grow in distilled water: Pseudomonas spp., Caulobacter spp., Hyphomicrobium spp., Arthrobacter spp., Seliberia spp., Bactoderma alba, Corynebacterium spp., Amycolata (Nocardia) autotrophica, Mycobacterium spp., yeasts, and Chlorella spp.
What Cannot be removed by distillation? ›Distillation removes heavy metals, micro-organisms, poisons, bacteria, contaminants, sediment, minerals and viruses. Distillation can not remove substances with lower boiling points than water including oils, petroleum and alcohol. The boiling chamber collects these contaminants and requires regular cleaning.
How long does it take to make 1 gallon of distilled water? ›How long does it take to distill water? It takes around 4-6 hours for a countertop water distiller to produce one gallon of distilled water. Like most high purity water filtration methods, the process of water distillation is a slow one. The water distiller produces purified water one droplet at a time.