HomeMade Water Distiller/EZ/Cheap!

[PitViper]

Hello All,

Here is a water distiller I made for under 40 bucks. This is meant more for outdoors, camp/ field applications, but there is no reason it wouldn't work in the kitchen - Only the amount of electric or gas you would use may not be cheaper than store bought gallons of distilled water, and the fact that it is bulky. But if you are in the woods, wood is free! water is free!
It is definitely cheaper than any and all models of the Waterwise company, especially their field version. Enjoy!

[fedup100]

Thank you, this is a real find.

[youngbuck]

That's pretty sweet! Thanks for sharing.

[Zeeder]

Why are desalination plants so expensive if all they have to do is make a giant one of these?

Awesome post. Thank you. Would have never thought of this.

[tmosley]

Because it takes a LOT of energy to heat that water. It's fine for a single family's drinking water, but it's not practical for watering lawns, industrial uses, etc.

[steve005]

check out this http://www.comforthouse.com/travelfilters.html same concept that'll do 16 gallon a day on campfire ONLY $329, every household should have one

[PitViper]

LOL! That is the exact one I was talking about in the initial post! What a rip off eh??

[watchman]

The distiller shown is both clever and functional, but I would suggest using either glass or stainless steel for all components. Cake pans and such are available in both glass and stainless steel, but do cost considerably more.

Aluminum WILL produce potentially harmful toxins, particularly when used to distill "dirty" water of unknown composition, because aluminum, being an oxidizing metal, will attract and adhere to various other metals and chemicals which may be present. In addition, heat distillation of even relatively pure water using aluminum components ALWAYS results in an electrically conductive product which is not suitable for making Collodial silver nor medically safe saline solutions.

Several years ago I discarded all aluminum and "teflon" coated cooking materials on the advice of a rather obscure article in Readers Digest. I suffered from several maladies which were, I found out later, precursors of both Alzheimer's and various cancers including that of the prostate.

I now use exclusively glass, stainless steel or uncoated cast iron for all kitchen appliances.

With the stuff coming down, one does not need to add toxic metal poisoning to the list of things to avoid...

[Elwar]

Ok, I've been studying the distillers for quite a while as I want to use that as part of my method of turning the infinite supply of saltwater (from the Gulf) in my back yard to my home water supply.

The only thing I can critique about your distiller is that it doesn't account for the chemicals that have a lower boiling point than H2O such as chlorine, pesticides, herbicides, buried waste and other chemicals...
When your water is boiling at less than 220 degrees these chemicals will evaporate and gather at the top of your system and mix right back in with the water you end up with.

I think that's why the commercial water distillers have a timed process for distilling water where it heats up to a certain temperature with a valve open, then heats to boiling point with the valve closed (at least that's what I hope it's doing).

I considered making one with an electronic valve and a temperature guage...the supply in would be stopped once the lower container is full, the valve would be open as the temperature rises to 220, then when it hits that temperature it holds that temperature and closes the valve until the tank is mostly empty. Then bring the temperature down again and re-fill the container.

I was thinking along the lines of a very tall structure outside that was constantly supplying water (maybe even powered by solar panels). But that would be a huge task...especially needing to take into account all of the parts being exposed to salt water.

[Acala]

Originally Posted by Zeeder

Why are desalination plants so expensive if all they have to do is make a giant one of these?

Awesome post. Thank you. Would have never thought of this.

Hot salt water is very corrosive. Whatever container you boil it in is going to need constant maintenance. Also, it generates toxic brine as a byproduct. There is really no good way to dispose of the brine. It poisons the land if you dump it on land and it kills everything where you dump it in the ocean.