How to Distill Water Using a Paint Can & Copper Tubing
Distilling water is the process of boiling it until it turns to steam. The steam rises to the top of the container and exits through tubing, where it condenses into clean drinking water. You can distill water using a paint can or any type of glass or metal heatproof can or container. Plastic will not work for distillation. As the process takes time, use home-distilled water for emergencies rather than as your primary source of distilled water, which you can purchase from stores.
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Things You'll Need
- Awl
- Hammer
- Clean and dry paint can with lid
- 20 inches copper tubing
- Rubber stopper with hole
- Water
- Heat source (Sterno can, fire or grill)
- Metal stand for supporting the paint can
- Drinking cup
Instructions
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1
Use the awl and hammer to punch a hole in the side of the paint can, 1 inch below the top and the same diameter as the rubber stopper.
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2
Bend the 20 inches of copper tubing into a spiral (coil) shape. Use any width of copper tubing wide enough to fit tightly in the hole in the rubber stopper.
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3
Insert one end of the copper tubing into the hole in the rubber stopper, and place the stopper into the hole in the side of the paint can.
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4
Fill the paint can halfway with water and tightly cover it with the lid.
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5
Set the paint can on the metal stand directly over the heat source and direct the copper tubing's free end toward the ground.
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6
Place the drinking cup on the ground directly beneath the free end of the copper tubing.
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7
Ignite the heat source and boil the water in the paint can. Wait for the water to boil, turn to steam, and for the condensation to drip down the copper tubing into the cup at the bottom.
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8
Discard any remaining water in the paint can after acquiring the needed distilled water.
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