I go through about a gallon of distilled water a month in my CPAP machine and also have been mixing up my own windshield washer fluid for around $2 a gallon using distilled water, Simple Green, isopropyl alcohol and a dot of Dawn because I refuse to pay $4 a gallon for the stuff any longer.

I see that Amazon sells home water distillers and wondered if anyone had one and though it was worth it? They seem to have very mixed reviews there which gives me pause but it would be nice to not have to lug that stuff home, plus it's become one of those weird things that will suddenly go out of stock seemingly everywhere and you can't find it anywhere but online for 2-3 times the normal price for a while.

I'd love to hear some feedback if anyone had one or has one now.

Just curious , how much washer fluid do you go through that would make a $2 savings so attractive ?

quote:

Originally posted by selogic:
Just curious , how much washer fluid do you go through that would make a $2 savings so attractive ?

It's more the notion that I don't want to pay $4 for a gallon of blue water when it used to be $1.29 not that long ago.

We purchased the Megahome water distiller off Amazon in March of 2022 - has worked great with no issues. Primary reason was for wife's CPAP machine but now also use it for drinking water and filling the Keurig.

I did purchase a digital timer for it so that it shuts off before it can automatically complete the cycle - that leaves a small bit of water in the canister and keeps it from getting baked on. I haven't figured out the "break even" on it but, like you said, it's worth it to not have to lug around the gallons and hope the store isn't out of stock. Let me know if you have any specific questions.

quote:

Originally posted by selogic:
Just curious , how much washer fluid do you go through that would make a $2 savings so attractive ?

He said it's not just washer fluid, but the water he uses for his CPAP, which is probably the bigger draw. He mentioned a gallon of month, which does get to be a pain and expensive after a while.

I used to consider purchasing one , ages ago.

I go through 18 gallons per month, back then it took 12 hours to make a gallon, now it would make a lot more sense.

I am paying $1.29 each. Back in the 1900's the people here reccomended using glass instead of plastic for storage.

Have a "Pure Water" Steam water distiller, made in USA, their Mini Classic CT Countertop Water Distiller.
Makes about 2/3 of a gallon in 3 1/2 hours. I use quite a bit of distilled water every day (up to two gallons) and this has been very economical for me.

I believe Reverse Osmosis water is also acceptable for CPAPs.

I mounted ours under the kitchen sink, it makes 24 gallons per day, and uses no electricity. We use it for coffee, tea, soup, ice, the kids water bottles, etc. With 5 of us, we never run out and we drink a lot of water.

Looks like Amazon has a five stage one like ours for $200.

https://www.vevor.com/alcohol-...woFdtBhoC3MMQAvD_BwE

Been thinking about getting one of these myself. Multiple uses and pretty affordable. I've got some other Vevor "appliances" and they're pretty good stuff. It says this one'll do 3 gallons in about six hours. If you've got a woodstove, it'll be free to run it.

quote:

Originally posted by kkina:

quote:

Originally posted by selogic:
Just curious , how much washer fluid do you go through that would make a $2 savings so attractive ?

He said it's not just washer fluid, but the water he uses for his CPAP, which is probably the bigger draw. He mentioned a gallon of month, which does get to be a pain and expensive after a while.

I know what he said . I was addressing the washer fluid specifically .

^Sorry. Misunderstood.

Recently ordered a CO-Z 1.1 Gallon Water Distiller, 1750W Countertop Distilled Water Machine with Glass Container Dual Temperature Display Timer, 4L 304 Stainless Steel Distilled Water Maker on sale plus a 5% discount at CO-Z.
https://cozpalace.com/ (Much cheaper direct than Amazon.)



Hasn't arrived yet.

In August I bought this one from Amazon:
Mophorn Pure Water Distiller 750W, Purifier Filter Fully Upgraded with Handle 1.1 Gal /4L, BPA Free Container, Perfect for Home Use, White

About $62. Works/performs well.

quote:

Originally posted by cudameat:
We purchased the Megahome water distiller off Amazon in March of 2022

Nice

I’d love to get the details from you via email, I don’t see your email in your profile but it’s in mine if you would like to send that to me.

What's the upkeep maintenance and cleaning on the above mentioned machines like?

I've got one (behind and to the right of me in the picture below) but it might be a little more than you need.. also it would be better for making one of the other items in your washer fluid recipe.

You can find the washer fluid for under $3 at Y'all Mart, a gallon of distilled is $1.29, use it for my CPAP and Golf Cart batteries, go through a gallon a month.

Payback on the $130 machine would for me be over 8 years, and we don't use as much window washer fluid down here, probably two gallons a year, reminds me, need to check the reservoir on the F150.

quote:

Originally posted by HRK:


You can find the washer fluid for under $3 at Y'all Mart

$3.95 here, and for the basic cheap stuff

2 gallons a YEAR? I think I might go through that in 2 months.

Could buy a bottle of QuickMix and make your own from concentrate, you already have the water, not sure you need to distill, it's probable a good filtration system would do well.

https://www.qwixmix.com/

I have two countertop distillers. One is from WaterWise. It is very well made, but was kind of pricey at about $350. Sometime later I bought another distiller, NOT WaterWise, from Amazon for $70 so I had a backup if the first one broke. That was about 8 years ago and prices are likely higher. Both have been working well for almost 10 years. Each distiller takes about 4 hours to make a gallon of water and then cool down enough to make another. Having 2 units, I can make 2 gallons in the morning after breakfast and another 2 at bedtime. If I'm home and focused on doing so, I can easily make 8 gallons a day using both units, although I don't need anywhere near that much distilled water.

After each use, I rinse the boiler with cold tap water and put about 4 - 6 ounces of vinegar in the now cold boiler and let it sit for about 15 minutes. Minerals and any other solids left behind when the water boils away concentrate at the bottom of the boiler and the vinegar dissolves any mineral residue. I also use a paint brush to wet the sides with vinegar, although very little mineral residue accumulates on the walls. Dump the vinegar, rinse again with tap water, fill it up and make another gallon.

The other maintenance item is activated charcoal at the point where distilled water exits the distiller. This filter removes any solid that somehow made its way through the distillation process. As the water boils, it can splash up into the distillation tubes and be carried along with the distilled water, so don't overfill the boiler. The filter should be changed every few months.

It costs between $.20 to $.50, perhaps a bit more, to make a gallon of distilled water, depending upon your water and electricity costs. I'm a renter and water and electricity are included as a fixed part of the rent, so my distilled water is essentially free. White, distilled vinegar costs less than $2 a gallon and I only use 4 - 6 ounces after each use for cleaning. Charcoal filter bags are cheap as well.

Each week, I use a less than a gallon for the BiPap machine and several gallons for drinking water. I also use distilled water to make ice in ice trays.
If the humidity is very low, I use distilled water in a couple of humidifiers as distilled water leaves no residue to clean up in the humidifier. If I do any kind of nasal irrigation, Netti pot or Navage, I use distilled water for that as well. I've been happy with the set up.

You can buy a distiller that can be heated with your stove, either electric or gas, or gas grill or campfire. If you're of the prepper inclination, that might be a great way to ensure a supply of clean water during SHTF or EOTWAWKI events.