How do I Make a Distiller With a Pot of Water & a Coffee Mug?

Using sunlight to distill water is the oldest purification technique.

Nature purifies water by evaporating it with solar energy, condensing the water vapor in the atmosphere, then dropping it on us in the form of rain and snow. This process of purification through evaporation is called distilling. By making a solar water distiller you can learn firsthand about the natural water cycle and harness that process to give you clean water with little more than common household items. This requires bright sunlight and warm weather, so don't plan on using it in the winter.

Things You'll Need

• Pot
• Coffee mug small enough to fit inside the pot
• Plastic wrap

Instructions

1. Place the pot outdoors in a warm and well-lit spot. Place the coffee mug inside the pot near the center.

2. Add water to the pot, making sure not to get it in the mug. Leave at least a couple of inches between the water surface and the top of the pot.

3. Cover the pot with plastic wrap and secure the wrap in place with a rubber band.

4. Stack a few coins in the center of the plastic wrap above the coffee mug. If the plastic wrap touches the mug, either tighten the plastic wrap or use fewer coins. There needs to be space for water to move between the wrap and the top of the mug.

5. Wait for fresh water. Heat and sunlight will slowly evaporate the water in the pot, the water vapor will rise and condense into drops of fresh water on the plastic wrap, and the drops will fall into the coffee mug.

Tips & Warnings

• Build your distiller long before you want the water. Nature works slowly, so if you want sun-cleaned water in the evening you'll need to set up your distiller in the morning.

• If you don't have plastic wrap on hand, you can replace it with plastic sheeting or another flexible waterproof material. Likewise, the rubber band can be replaced by string or tape and you can use a small pile of pebbles in place of the coins.

• Using other methods to heat your distiller risks burning the plastic wrap. Be careful with the temperature if using a stove or open flame. You don't need to boil the water, just heat it thoroughly.

• Don't let undistilled water into the coffee mug. You only want fresh purified water in the output vessel.

References

• YouTube: Solar Water Distiller