The traditional method to make distilled water is by boiling, which could be time-consuming and inconvenient. Thus, many people switch to the coffee maker for making distilled water.
Though coffee machines can boil coffee, the process is quite different. So, can you make distilled water with a coffee maker? I will discuss the machine’s features and give you an in-depth explanation. Keep reading to find out!
Can You Make Distilled Water With A Coffee Maker?
It depends on the design of your coffee makers. Most coffee machines don’t have a surface that can cool off and collect steam after boiling water. Thus, they are incapable of producing distilled water.
To understand this thesis, you should grasp the basis of distilled water and the process of making it. Then, I will discuss when a coffee machine can produce purified water.
The Process Of Making Distilled Water
Heating tap water to the boiling point can remove bacteria. When water boils, it will vaporize and form steam. The steam leads to condensation when coming into contact with a nearby surface.
The condensation of water steam will turn back into the liquid form over time, which is purified water.
Some Important Things To Note
A coffee machine cannot heat water to the boiling point. It is because of the change in altitude, which I will explain further in the following sections. So, they cannot purify water and kill bacteria like the traditional boiling method.
The best tools for making distilled water are stovetop distillers. You can also use electric countertop distillers. Meanwhile, a coffee maker is not optimal for this task since it needs the tool to collect water condensation.
Distilled water is just pure H2O particles, and it doesn’t contain any impurities or minerals. For this reason, its application is mainly in the medical field and lab experiments.
When Is It Possible To Make Distilled Water With A Coffee Maker?
To produce distilled water, you first need to heat impurified water to the boiling point. If a coffee maker can boil water, it is possible to produce distilled water.
It doesn’t mean that water cannot turn into steam inside a coffee maker. Most coffee makers are capable of doing this, though the temperature is below the boiling point.
For this reason, you can still make distilled water using coffee machines, but it is not completely distilled. There is still a minor part of impurities left in the distilled water.
Some modern coffee makers allow users to adjust the heating temperature. This feature allows them to boil water and distill it inside the machine.
Yet, you still need a tool to collect the water condensation after the water boils up. Besides, the upper surface of the coffee machine should be able to keep condensation.
How To Make Distilled Water Using A Coffee Maker?
As mentioned above, coffee makers cannot produce distilled water. It is due to their lack of the components to collect and condense water steam.
Thus, you can install a filter and collecting part in the coffee machine to create distilled water. Most types of coffee machines are applicable, including the Aeropress and the French press.
The extra tools you need include water and a pan. This method allows you to condense around 3 ml of distilled water from one cup of tap water. Follow the steps below to do it right.
Aeropress Coffee Machine
First, use your kettle to boil tap water and pour it into the machine’s container. Then, put in the filter and secure its position on the filter cap.
The next step is flipping the apparatus, making the water turn upside down. Wait for around 30 seconds, and distilled water will slowly drip through the machine’s filter.
French Press
You start with boiling water and pour it into the container of your French Press. Then, install a paper towel or a filter on the machine’s chamber.
Continue with flipping the French press and placing a chamber underneath the machine. Now, you need to wait for distilled water to drip through the filter.
The Reason Why Coffee Makers Can Not Boil Water
Many people think that coffee makers can boil liquids like heating water on a pan. Yet, the process is a little different. It’s because the temperature for making coffee used by coffee machines ranges around 195 to 205°F.
If you surpass this range, the coffee quality will decrease with an unpleasant and harsh bitterness. Nowadays, auto-drip coffee machines cannot reach the normal boiling point. It is even harder in places with higher altitudes.
For instance, a coffee maker can boil water at 202°F if it is 5000 meters higher than the sea level. The normal boiling point is 10°F higher than this range.
So, many modern coffee machines allow users to adjust the boiling temperature depending on the altitude. It will keep the coffee flavor from going bad.
Why Should You Use Distilled Water To Make Coffee?
Sometimes the impurities and minerals in tap water can affect the coffee flavors. Thus, distilled water is an excellent choice for making coffee. It can help you keep the original flavors.
Besides, using distilled water can preserve your coffee machine for longer. Though it is not significant, the impurities of tap water can accumulate over time and affect your coffee machine.
How To Protect Your Coffee Machine From Bacteria?
One common mistake many coffee machine owners make is forgetting to clean the machine regularly. It will lead to bacteria growing inside the machine and deteriorate the quality of your beverage.
Use Bottled Water Or A Filler
If you use tap water, ensure to install a filter that can remove dirt and harmful substances. Untreated water may consume more bacteria, which is less healthy for human consumption.
Instead, you can use bottled water to make coffee, which has gone through strict water treatment processes. It will not compromise the coffee flavor and bring you the finest taste.
Clean Regularly
Also, remember to clean the coffee machine at the end of the day. If you don’t use it frequently, clean the machine after every usage to prevent bacteria from growing.
You should rinse the machine’s water lines and container to remove the coffee oil, which can give unpleasant odors when accumulated long enough.
Meanwhile, clean the group heads of the espresso makers to eliminate the residues. Don’t leave out the removable parts of the machine, such as the basket or drip tray, using a piece of lint-free cloth.
You can also mix water with vinegar to enhance the cleaning effectiveness and remove stubborn odors. It can also kill the bacteria that have already grown inside the machine.
Store Your Machine Properly
Keep the coffee maker in a sanitized and cool place with no dirt, moisture, or bad odors. Ensure that the place gets sufficient ventilation to prevent unpleasant odors from accumulating.
Why A Water Distiller Is The Best Option?
A water distiller can remove almost 99% of bacteria and pollutants, including sediment, microorganisms, and heavy metals present in tap water. This machine typically possesses a chamber, a cooling system, and an extra storage tank.
Therefore, it can produce distilled water in a much shorter time with the highest accuracy and distilling effectiveness. If you want a large amount of distilled water, this machine is the most suitable option.
How To Make Distilled Water In The Traditional Way?
Making distilled water at home is surprisingly simple since it doesn’t require any special tools. The basis is that distilled water is just the condensation of boiled water steam accumulated on a surface.
Yet, this process can take a lot of time if you would like to make distilled water. If you want to save time, a water distiller is still the finest option for this task.
Step 1
First, pour tap water into the pot and heat it up on the stovetop. Then, put a smaller pot in the middle of the heated pot, which should be able to float on the water’s surface.
The space gap between the two pots should be as large as possible to enhance airflow, helping water steam circulate more effectively.
Step 2
Reduce the heat to medium and ensure that the water is still boiling (around 180 to 200 degrees Fahrenheit). Ensure that the other side of the lid is cold to handle the condensation.
Then, put the lid onto the pot with its cold side facing the water surface. If you want to speed up the condensation of water steam, place some ice cubes (from your fridge) onto the lid.
Step 3
You would like to add more ice every fifteen minutes since it can melt quickly due to the variation in temperature. Now all you need to do is sit back and wait for the smaller pot to collect distilled water.
I experimented with 2 cups of water, and it took around one hour to collect all the distilled water, which should stay inside the smaller pot.
FAQs
If you want to understand more about making distilled water using coffee machines, don’t miss out on this informative section.
Can You Boil Water To Distill It?
Simply boiling water cannot remove the minerals and impure substances inside its texture. You must boil water and collect the steam condensation, which is completely pure.
Why Is Distilled Water Not Ideal For Regular Consumption?
Distilled water brings a flat and bland taste compared to regular water. Besides, it won’t contain minerals like magnesium and calcium, which are essential for human health.
Is It Possible To Purify Water Using A Coffee Maker?
A coffee maker can purify water, but only to a certain extent. Most bacteria living in water cannot survive through boiling (above 140 degrees Fahrenheit). Meanwhile, coffee makers can heat water to 190 degrees Fahrenheit.
Could It Be Safe To Drink Distilled Water?
The answer is yes. Distilled water doesn’t negatively affect human health.
The only compromise is the lack of minerals and the bland taste. Therefore, you can still drink distilled water if it is the only thing available in the situation.
What Kind Of Vinegar Should You Use In Cleaning A Coffee Maker?
Vinegar can kill bacteria and remove the bad odors in your coffee machine. I recommend mixing white distilled water with vinegar in a 1:1 ratio and using the mixture to clean the machine’s reservoir.
Final Thoughts
In summary, most coffee makers cannot produce distilled water since they lack the capacity to condense water steam and collect the condensation.
In addition, the machines cannot reach the boiling point due to the variation in altitude. Therefore, you should follow the traditional method of boiling and collecting water steam using a pot.
Lastly, don’t forget to clean your coffee maker regularly to prevent bacterial growth and retain its quality for longer.
