By Angela Neal
Updated Mar 24, 2022
Distillation is a reliable method for ensuring the purity of drinking water or for separating liquid components. While homemade stills are commonly associated with alcohol production, it’s important to note that distilling alcohol is illegal in most countries, including the United States. Exceptions exist only in Italy, Austria, and New Zealand. For those looking to build a small, non‑alcohol still, you can use simple, readily available household items.
Place a 1‑gallon metal cooking pot on a stove‑top burner. Center a tempered glass inside the pot and secure it with a small magnet to keep it stable.
Pour the liquid you wish to separate into the pot, taking care that it does not enter the glass. Insert a thermometer into the liquid and turn the burner to high.
When the liquid reaches 120°F, reduce the burner to the lowest setting. Fill a large, round‑bottomed bowl with ice and place it over the pot’s opening. The ice cools the vapors, causing condensation to collect in the bowl’s bottom.
Position a small bowl at the center of a larger bowl. Add the impure water to the larger bowl, ensuring the smaller bowl remains submerged. If it floats, remove some water.
Cover the larger bowl’s opening with plastic wrap, securing it with a rubber band or string. Place a small rock on the wrap’s center so it presses down toward the smaller bowl.
Place the assembly in direct sunlight for at least four hours. After this period, water will evaporate, condense on the plastic, and drip into the smaller bowl—free of the impurities present in the larger bowl.
