How to Make Distilled Water at Home (and Where to Buy It)

Distilled water is one of those things you never think about until the steam iron starts spitting white flecks, the car battery needs topping up or a recipe for homemade soap calls for it. Then you are standing in the supermarket aisle wondering whether you could just make it yourself.

You can, and it is simpler than most people expect. In this guide we walk through what distilled water actually is, the easy stovetop method that needs no special gear, how a small still does the same job faster, and where to buy it when you just need a few litres today.

What is distilled water?

Distilled water is water that has been boiled into steam and then cooled back into liquid. When water turns to vapour, most of what was dissolved in it stays behind: minerals such as calcium and magnesium, salts, and many other impurities. The steam that rises is close to pure water, so when you condense it you collect water with very little left in it.

That is the whole trick. It is the same principle every still works on, from a tiny copper alembic to a commercial plant. Heat separates, cooling collects.

Distilled, demineralised, deionised or filtered?

• Distilled water is made by boiling and condensing.
• Demineralised or deionised water has minerals removed with resins or membranes rather than heat. It is very low in minerals but is made a different way.
• Filtered water from a jug or tap filter improves taste and removes some impurities, but it still contains dissolved minerals.

For most household jobs where people ask for distilled water, the point is low mineral content, so you will often see "distilled" and "demineralised" used side by side on labels.

What do people use distilled water for?

• Steam irons and garment steamers, where the manufacturer recommends it, to slow down scale build-up
• Topping up car batteries and some cooling systems (always follow the manufacturer's advice)
• Humidifiers and appliances where the maker recommends it
• Soap making, skincare and home cosmetics
• Diluting and rinsing in home brewing, and as a reference liquid when checking a hydrometer
• Aquariums and terrariums, usually remineralised before use
• Streak-free cleaning of glass and mirrors

Drinking it is a different question. Distilled water tastes flat because the minerals that give water its character are gone. If you have a specific health reason to drink it, have a chat with your doctor first.

Method 1: the stovetop pot method (no still needed)

This is the simplest method, and it uses things already in your kitchen. It is slow and makes a modest amount, but it works.

What you need

• A large stainless steel stockpot with a lid that has a rounded, domed shape
• A heat-proof glass or stainless bowl that floats or sits inside the pot without touching the base (a small metal rack or trivet underneath helps)
• Ice, and a tea towel or oven mitts

How to do it

1. Fill the pot about a third to halfway with tap water.
2. Place the rack in the base and sit the empty bowl on it, so the bowl is above the water line.
3. Put the lid on upside down, so the handle points down towards the bowl. Condensation will run to the lowest point of the lid and drip into the bowl.
4. Bring the water to a gentle simmer. A rolling boil splashes tap water into your bowl, which defeats the purpose.
5. Pile ice on top of the upturned lid. The cold surface turns rising steam back into water much faster.
6. Top up the ice as it melts, and tip off the meltwater carefully so it does not spill into the pot.
7. When the bowl is full, turn off the heat and let everything cool before lifting it out. Steam burns are nasty, so take your time.

Tips from the shop floor: do not let the pot boil dry, and keep an eye on it the whole time. Store the finished water in a clean glass bottle or jar with a lid. Some volatile compounds in tap water can boil off early, so some people discard the first small amount that collects.

Method 2: using a small still

If you need distilled water regularly, a small still is far more efficient than the pot method. The water is heated in a boiler, the steam travels into a condenser, and pure water runs out of the spout into a jug. No ice, no juggling lids.

Compact options include the Still Spirits Air Still 240V/320W, a 4 litre benchtop still that cools itself with a built-in fan rather than running water and is listed as suitable for distilled water and hydrosols, our 0.5 litre glass micro still, and the Italian Copper Still 1L with water condenser. The little Italian copper still can also be used for essential oils. If you want to know more about how an air still works, read What Is an Air Still and How Does It Work?

The legal bit: still size matters

In Australia the ATO's rules on stills are about the still itself, not only what you put in it. According to the ATO's page on stills, you can own a still with a capacity of 5 litres or less without the ATO's permission, as long as you are not using it to distil alcohol. A still over 5 litres needs ATO permission to possess, buy, sell, move or set up, even if you only plan to make water. So if water is your goal, a still of 5 litres or less keeps things simple. The stovetop pot method needs no still at all. This is general information, not legal advice, so check with the ATO if you are unsure.

How to keep your distilled water clean

• Use clean, well-rinsed glass or food-grade containers with lids.
• Label and date each bottle, especially if you also keep other clear liquids in the shed.
• Store it out of direct sunlight.
• Clean your still or pot after use. Scale and residue left behind will taint the next batch. Our cleaners and sanitisers are a good place to start.

Where to buy distilled water

Sometimes you just need the water, not a weekend project. Supermarkets, service stations and hardware stores often carry small bottles. If you use a lot, buying in bulk is better value and less plastic.

At The Artisans Bottega we stock:

• Distilled Steam Water, Ultrapure Demineralised (its listing describes the minerals and salts being removed by a chemical process, so treat it as demineralised water; it comes in sizes from 1.5 L to 20 L)
• Distilled Steam Water 15 L refill bottle
• Distilled Water 15 Lt for laboratory use

You can order online or pick up from our Laverton North and Epping stores, where the team can talk through which option suits your job.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to make distilled water on the stove?

It is slow. It can easily take an hour or more to fill a bowl, depending on your pot, heat and how much ice you keep on the lid. That is why people who need it often move to a small still or buy it in bulk.

Is boiled water the same as distilled water?

No. Boiling water kills many microbes, but the minerals stay in the pot. Distilled water is the steam collected and condensed, so the minerals are left behind.

Can I use rainwater to make distilled water?

You can, but distilling does not fix everything. Start with the cleanest water you can, and treat the result as household water for appliances and cleaning unless you have it tested.

Do I need a licence to distil water?

The excise manufacturer licence is about making alcohol, and the ATO's stills page doesn't mention water. What does apply is the still rule: the ATO says you can own a still of 5 litres or less without its permission if you are not distilling alcohol, and a still over 5 litres needs ATO permission. The stovetop pot method does not use a still. If you are unsure, ask the ATO.

Does distilled water go off?

Kept sealed in a clean container it lasts a long time. Once opened, it can pick up contaminants from the air and the container, so use it within a sensible time and keep the lid on.