Distilled water, free from minerals and impurities, has various uses at home, from cleaning delicate electronics to filling humidifiers. While buying it is an option, you can easily make your own for free using household items. Here’s a simple method:

Materials:

• Large pot with a lid
• Smaller pot or heat-resistant bowl that fits inside the larger pot
• Ice cubes
• Stovetop or heat source
• Oven mitts (optional)

Steps:

1. Fill the larger pot with water: Aim for about three-quarters full. This will provide enough steam for efficient distillation.
2. Place the smaller pot or bowl inside the larger pot: Ensure it floats freely without touching the bottom. This will serve as the collection container for your distilled water.
3. Bring the larger pot of water to a boil: Use medium heat to get the water simmering steadily.
4. Invert the lid on the larger pot: Cover the pot completely with the lid, turning it upside down. This will trap the steam produced by the boiling water.
5. Add ice cubes to the lid: Pile ice cubes on top of the inverted lid. As the steam rises, it will hit the cold lid and condense, dripping into the smaller pot below.
6. Monitor and collect: Keep an eye on the water level in the smaller pot and the ice on the lid. Add more ice as needed to maintain condensation. Once you’ve collected enough distilled water, turn off the heat and let the setup cool down.

Tips:

• Use filtered or tap water that is safe to drink for distillation.
• Wear oven mitts when handling hot pots and lids to avoid burns.
• The distillation process can take some time, depending on the amount of water you want and the intensity of your heat source. Adjust your expectations and be patient.
• Distilled water collected this way is suitable for most household purposes. However, for critical applications requiring sterile water, further purification methods might be necessary.