Is Boiled Water the Same as Distilled Water?

by Jay | Updated on December 22nd, 2022

Purchasing distilled water may seem like a nuisance when you have unlimited access to clean drinking water.


If you need distilled water for a steam iron, aquarium, automobile cooling system, or anything else at home, you may wonder if boiling your water will suffice.

Distilled vs boiled water

Unfortunately, the answer is no.

The distillation process is far more comprehensive than boiling water. If you want your water to be as pure, clean, and contaminant-free as possible, you must distill it.

Distilled water is water that has been mineralized and salted. It boiled, turning into steam, and then cooled to become water again.

This form of water is commonly seen in steam irons and automobile batteries.

The following are the primary distinctions between boiling water and distilled water:

  • Boiled water takes less time and lowers the boiling point
  • Distilled water is more time-consuming and must be steamed
  • Distilled water is filtered through a meticulous distillation process that can take many hours.
  • Boiled water is just water that has reached its boiling point, commonly achieved in minutes.
  • All contaminants, including minerals and microbes, have been eliminated from distilled water.
  • Although boiled water is free of microbes, it contains mineral salts such as calcium.
  • Distilled water is utilized in industrial applications that demand high-purity water.
  • Boiling water can be utilized in emergencies as well as for surface cleanliness.
  • Because it is weak in important minerals, distilled water should not be drunk.
  • Because boiled water contains a high concentration of important minerals, it is safe to drink.
  • Since distilled water removes all impurities, it has no flavor
  • Boiled water contains minerals, so there is some taste.

Continue reading to learn more about the differences between distilled and boiling water.

Comparison table: Distilled vs. boiled water

ComparisonDistilled WaterBoiled Water
MeaningDistilled water is pure water with no contaminants or minerals.It is simply water that has reached its boiling point.
UsesScientists use distilled water to test processes and experimentsBoiled water is used for drinking purposes mainly because it is one of the most common forms of purifying water.
ProcessDistilled water undergoes a lengthy process before it is distilled.Boiled water does not require a lengthy process because water is heated until it reaches its boiling point, at which point it becomes boiled water.
CommonThe first stage in distilling water is boiling water.Boiled water is just that.

Is boiled water the same as distilled water? In-depth breakdown

What is distilled water?

Distilled water is almost entirely free of impurities. Therefore, the resolved substances exist, such as salts, chemicals, bacteria, or metals.

The procedure

A distiller is required to distill water. Distillers are sophisticated machines that allow water to be boiled and condensed in a single unit.

Water is added to a boiling chamber to create distilled water. The system is turned on, and the water is heated to boiling. It condenses back into liquid water droplets after evaporating into steam and passing through a corridor. These droplets are then expelled from the distiller and collected in a clean container.

Contaminants that have been removed

To make pure water from tap water, you need to use a distiller. This process removes unwanted particles such as hardness and iron, inorganic compounds such as nitrate and lead, and chemicals such as chlorine, minerals, salts, and much more. In addition, microorganisms like bacteria and protozoa are also killed during the boiling process.

It’s easy to consider what distillation might not be able to remove. Because this procedure is ineffective at eliminating all contaminants, a carbon filter is often utilized as the final filtration stage. This removes all chlorine, chloramines, pesticides, herbicides, and other pollutants from the water.

Both boiled water and distilled water go through the boiling process. However, this does not imply that they are identical. Let’s have a look at what distinguishes these two.

What is boiled water?

boiled water

Water that has been boiled has not been purified. While cooked water may still include chemicals, metals, and other dissolved materials, boiling can kill some microbes.

The procedure

The process of boiling water is precisely as it sounds: a heat source is utilized to raise the temperature of the water until it reaches the boiling point. Ordinary water that has reached its boiling point (100oC or 212oF) is referred to as boiled water.

The simplest method is to boil tap water in a saucepan or skillet on the stove. Then, turn the heat up to high and wait for the water to start bubbling. This indicates that it has reached its boiling point. You’ll also notice the water bubbling.

Although boiling water destroys or inactivates potentially hazardous bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens, it does not remove minerals and contaminants (e.g., toxic chemicals). As a result, it is not considered cleansed.

Contaminants that have been removed

Boiling water is usually advised if your tap water source has been contaminated with microbiological contaminants such as bacteria, viruses, and protozoa.

Boiling water ensures that the temperature reaches or exceeds 100 degrees Celsius. Bacteria can be killed quickly when exposed to temperatures exceeding 65 degrees Celsius; therefore, boiling water should almost surely destroy these microbes.

Boiling water will not remove minerals, salts, or other pollutants in your tap water, such as heavy metals and chemicals. Boiling water tends to be slightly more saturated with these pollutants since some water evaporates while the same quantity of impurities remains.

Distilled water, on the other hand, is purified water free of chemicals and impurities such as algae, bacteria, fungi, metals (e.g., lead), parasites, and other compounds.

The fundamental distinctions between boiling water and distilled water are listed below.

1. Distilled water should not be consumed.

The mineral composition of the two types of water is another distinction. Minerals such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium bicarbonate, iron, and zinc are not lost when water is boiled.

Minerals are not present in distilled water.

Minerals are vital because they are used to accomplish a variety of processes, such as bone growth and blood circulation.

In terms of mineral content, distilled water differs from boiled water. Distilled water is mineral-free due to the purifying process (distillation).

As a result, it’s not always ideal for drinking distilled water, especially if your regular diet lacks these vital minerals.

Drinking distilled water may take out trace amounts of minerals from your body to preserve balance.

Should you avoid drinking distilled water?

To be clear, it isn’t entirely harmful or toxic. Drinking distilled water in moderation is probably safe unless you’re unwell, doing a high-intensity activity, or are malnourished.

Although, you can use both regular boiled and distilled water for cooking.

2. Boiling water has a lower boiling point than fresh water.

Which has a lower boiling point: distilled water or cooking water? Distilled water is purified water that uses evaporation to remove inorganic minerals (that humans cannot use), metals, and other pollutants.

In most cases, these undesired elements must be cooked at a temperature greater than 212oF (the boiling point of water) to be removed.

The ensuing moist steam is distilled water after it has been collected and cooled. However, due to their low boiling point, certain contaminants (benzene and chlorine) remain in the distilled water.

As a result, distilled water may need further purification operations to remove them.

3. Distillation is a more time-consuming process.

Boiling water may take 5 to 10 minutes, although various factors may influence the boiling time of water:

  • Temperature
  • Air pressure
  • Vapor pressure

The sort of kitchen equipment you use to heat water is also important. So, for example, on a gas range stove, you’ll boil approximately 34 ounces (oz) of tap water in a pot (with the cover on). The water may take at least 8 minutes to come to a boil.

Which takes longer, boiling water or distilled water? Water distillation is a more time-consuming and costly procedure. Using a countertop water distiller, it takes 4 to 7 hours to generate 1.6 gallons (approximately 25.6 cups) of distilled water.

4. Distilled water has no flavor.

The “flavor” of water is determined by the source of supply and your taste sense. More than half of all Americans acquire their drinking water from groundwater, such as well water, which can have a metallic taste.

Before arriving at your house, this raw water is subjected to many treatment processes to make it safe to drink. This treated water contains minerals and disinfectants, which give it its flavor. Magnesium, for example, can make water taste harsh.

Because boiling water merely destroys potentially hazardous microbes, it does not affect the flavor of raw water. Distilled water, however, frequently tastes flat because it has been cleansed of everything, including the minerals that give water flavor.

Is it possible to create distilled water at home?

Yes. You may either buy a water distiller (which I recommend if you require distilled water regularly) or make your own using several pots and your kitchen burner.

Place a small pot within a large you can fill the boiling chamber and let the device do its thing.

How to make free distilled water at home

Distillation is a time-consuming and costly procedure. One of the main reasons why many water bottlers avoid distillation is this.

The same may be stated about creating distilled water at home. Just consider this for a moment. You’ll need to spend 10 hours making a gallon of distilled water.

You may already have some of the ingredients in your kitchen, but that doesn’t mean you won’t spend any money. You must also consider the expense of the heat source (e.g., fuel).

Overall, buying distilled water is less expensive and more convenient than making it yourself. But, if you don’t have access to it right now, I’ve explained the steps below for you.

Things you’ll need:

  • One large cooking pot with a lid — for example, a 5-gallon stainless steel stockpot (suited for safely boiling water);
  • A smaller stockpot or any metal container large enough to float inside the larger stockpot;
  • Ice cubes — They speed up the distillation process. as well as oven mitts

Steps

  1. Fill your large stockpot halfway with tap water and place it over a stovetop burner, barbecue, or campfire.
  2. Place the smaller stockpot or any aluminum or stainless steel container that can float or stay above the water level inside the larger stockpot. When the water vapor condenses into a liquid, this will function as your collection container.
  3. Place the larger stockpot’s lid on top. Turn the cover upside down, so the condensed water drips into the middle and the smaller stockpot.
  4. Turn the burner to medium-high (about 180oF to 200oF). The heat should be kept at a steady simmer.
  5. Fill the top section of the upside-down lid halfway with ice cubes. The ice cubes will aid in cooling the water vapor and converting it to liquid more quickly; and
  6. Wait 45 to 60 minutes to produce around 1.25 ounces (less than a cup) of distilled water. To avoid heating your cookware while it is dry, load a new batch of ice cubes and water every 30 minutes for 1 hour. This could harm it in the long run.

Important:

Wear oven mitts to protect your hands from getting burned when you touch the lid or toss away the melted ice.

This is only one method of distilling water. Please feel free to look for alternative approaches and experiments.

Some people place the collection container outside the cooking pot to avoid polluting the source water. One method is to use a glass funnel instead of the lid of a cooking pot. It is linked to a bottle or glass flask that will collect the filtered water via plastic or copper tubing.

Place the funnel over the boiling water and the collection container. This is done to ensure that the distilled water flows smoothly with the help of gravity.

Can you make distilled water with a kettle?

Remember that distillation separates water from its organic materials (such as minerals) and other impurities by heating it until it reaches boiling. When steam reaches a cooler surface, it condenses into water droplets. The water droplets could be distilled water.

So, in a nutshell, the answer is possible, yes.

To manufacture distilled water at home, you’ll need more than just a tea kettle. A condenser is one of the most critical items you’ll need.

A condenser can be made from various materials, including 1/4-inch copper tubing, heat-resistant plastic tubing, and an air hose. However, if you’re ready to invest the money on a lab-grade condenser, consider a Liebig condenser or straight condenser.

Even if you didn’t have any of those materials, could you still manufacture distilled water with a tea kettle?

Steps

  1. Fill your tea kettle halfway with hot water from the tap. Check that it is just half-full or less than half-full. If you fill it to the top, some undesired organic compounds in the water may make it into the distillate.
  2. Heat your kettle for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the water begins to boil and steam forms. Ensure the water vapor temperature stays between 175oF and 195oF, and then turn off the heat source when the temperature reaches 212oF.
  3. Remove the lid and place a heat-resistant dish over the top opening of the kettle; and
  4. After a few minutes, remove the bowl and rapidly replace the kettle’s top. The vapor in the basin will condense back into liquid, which will be your distilled water.

This may appear to be simple, but it is not without risk. When distilling water, there are numerous factors to consider. If you’re determined to make your own distilled water, a home distillation kit may be a more handy and cost-effective solution than a tea kettle.

How do you properly boil water?

Boiling appears to be a straightforward process. Unfortunately, it’s so straightforward that it’s hardly worth discussing. However, you should consider a few things to make this procedure more efficient.

1. Do not add salt

Avoid adding salt to boiling water unless it’s necessary for your cooking. Some believe that doing so will speed up the water’s boiling. This old wives’ tale may have some truth, but it wouldn’t make much difference.

It may have the opposite effect. Because salt raises the boiling point of water, it may cause it to boil for a longer period. What causes this to happen? Water molecules find it more difficult to convert to steam and enter the gas phase.

2. Whether to reboil or not to reboil water

In general, reboiling water once or twice is safe. However, avoid doing it as much as possible.

What could go wrong if you re-boil the water?

If you reboil water from a clean source, it may not pose a significant health concern. However, it’s a different story regarding water from a well.

Water found underground may include harmful substances like arsenic and nitrates, which get more concentrated with each reboiling.

3. Stick to the minimum boiling time

Large bubbles are frequently misinterpreted as an indicator that the water has already been sufficiently boiled. However, this is not always the case. A thermometer is the only technique to measure the temperature of boiled water correctly.

Most health organizations recommend boiling water for one to three minutes.

Here’s what you can do:

  • Once bubbles or steam appear, dip a digital meat thermometer into the boiling water.
  • Ensure the thermometer’s stem does not come into contact with the sides or bottom of the cooking pot, and the thermometer should read 212°F.

Conclusion

The bottom line is that distilled water and boiled water are not interchangeable, even though they are both boiled. In general, boiled water is safe to consume and does not necessitate sterile water for other reasons.

However, distilled water is the ideal option if you require your water to be completely devoid of minerals, bacteria, and other impurities—assuming you don’t mind the bland flavor.

Add sea salt, which contains trace components of minerals found in tap water (e.g., potassium, magnesium, and calcium), to remineralize it.

FAQs

Is it a bad thing that distilled water lacks minerals?

No. The minerals found in tap water are already restricted. The majority of our minerals come from food. If you obtain enough calcium, magnesium, and potassium in your diet, you won’t suffer if you switch to drinking purified distilled water.

Although distilled water is purer than boiled water, is it completely pure?

It’s as close to pure as it gets. But, of course, it would be scientifically incorrect to claim that distilled water is completely pure, as it does include trace amounts of contaminants. In most circumstances, however, a distiller can create at least 99.9% pure water.

What if I boil my water in a filter-equipped stove-top pot?

Even if you use a filter-equipped device to boil your water, it is not the same as a distiller. Boiling the water will destroy germs, and when you pour water from the spout, the filter may eliminate a few select pollutants, such as chlorine. Your water will, however, still have several trace pollutants that can only be removed during the distillation process.

Where do I go to get distilled water?

Distilled water is available in most supermarkets. Distilled water can also be purchased online through markets such as Amazon. However, if you plan to buy a lot of distilled water, making your own may be cheaper in the long run.

Is rainwater purified?

Rainwater is technically distilled because it is created by natural distillation. Water evaporates from the sun’s heat and rises into the sky, where it cools and condenses, generating small water droplets that form clouds. These clouds eventually release the water in the form of rain.

Rainwater will come into contact with various airborne pollutants on its approach to the ground, which means it will not be as clean as artificial distilled water once it reaches the ground.

How acidic is distilled water?

The pH of distilled water is 7, indicating that it is neither acidic nor alkaline.

How do distillers stack up against water filters?

Water filters are less effective than distillers since they focus on particular groups of common contaminants. The majority of water filters are incapable of creating pure water. Rather than heating water, filters hold onto dissolved particles and prevent them from flowing through the filter media with the water particles. This is referred to as filtration, not purification.

Jay

Jay is a health and wellness enthusiast with expertise in water quality and nutrition. As a knowledgeable advocate for holistic well-being, Jay successfully manages Type 2 Diabetes through informed lifestyle choices. Committed to sharing reliable and authoritative insights, Jay combines firsthand experience with a passion for enhancing health."