How to distill water without electricity: the distillation process to make drinking water

Distilling water without electricity can be a lifesaver one day to obtain drinking water.

In this article I will show you step by step how to use an open fire distiller. The table top water distillers you see on the market will be of no use to you if the mains fails. Which means there is no power or alternative source of electricity. If there are plugs, these table top distillers will not work. I will explain the distillation process here to make drinking water from a steady, open flame. There will always be plenty of wood to make an open fire to boil water.

What you need, the basics:

1. Open fireplace, propane or gas stove.
2. stainless steel kettle/milk can still/beer keg
3. reflux column/tower
4. Cold water for the condenser

To distill water, you don’t need packaging.

Here is the distillation process:

1. First fill the kettle/pot/milk can/beer keg with water. This can be the dirtiest of waters, rain or even county water.
2. Attach the column/tower to the boiler with any size clamp or connector to ensure a complete seal.
3. Hook up the water hoses to the condenser.
4. Place the distiller on top of the fire.
5. Bring the water to a boiling point of 212 F.
6. As the steam enters the tower/column it will pass through the condenser and be converted into potable distilled water which leaves the condenser in a glass bowl or jar.