Making Your Own Distilled Water

[Matt12398]

I'm looking at getting a pH meter as soon as I can to ensure that my mash pH is correct and will need some distilled water to rinse the probe. I was wondering if anyone has had a go at making their own distilled water without the use of a still. I came across this link which has a couple of methods but I'm not sure how effective it would be vs buying it online.

http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Distilled-Water

I'm sure there are also more effective ways available.

[Lars]

I'm considering getting one too but I didn't know they had to be rinsed with distilled water?? Kinda inconvenient. Is that the case with them all?

[Matt12398]

It's just what I heard. Maybe someone else can confirm.

I think the point is that distilled is pH neutral and regular tap water may affect your readings when calibrating etc.

[boingy]

Distilled water is very cheap. How much are you planning on using?

[Matt12398]

Probably very little and I'll probably buy it online but saw the link and thought it was interesting.

[Kev888]

I tried it with a kettle and a CFC - i.e. with steam from the kettle's spout being cooled instead of wort. It worked fine but took quite a while to make enough for a batch of starsan, and used quite a lot of heat and also cooling water (before I got big butts ), so now I just buy water.

I do sometimes think about condensing the free steam from my boiler on brew days, intentionally rather than just on the garage walls and ceiling... However wort contains additional volatiles to plain water, so theres likely to be more than just water in the condensate - 'possibly' fine for starsan, but not sure about your more sensitive application.

Cheers
Kev

[gregorach]

I just rinse my pH meter under the tap... Mind you, I have very soft water anyway.

[Dave S]

I bought 5 litres of distilled water about a year ago for about a fiver. I've used it every brew to rinse my pH meter probe and it's still 85 - 90% full. So I wouldn't even consider trying to produce it myself.

[elslow]

DI water is all you need. And for all you'd be using, I'd just buy it. Get yourself a nice lab wash bottle to do it with too- that will kelp the amount you use to a minimum.

IMO the effort of distilling your own water sounds like it way out weighs the benefit.

Also, what type of electrode is on your pH meter? Afaicr if it's a Pt electrode you need an electrode storage and filling solution (3M KCl)... Just some more to think about:)