AD – GIFTED | In common with the Blue Planet, aka Earth, our bodies are made up of between 60% and 70% water. Which is one of the main reasons why we need to drink water every day; to keep hydrated, help our kidneys flush out the toxins, and maintain a healthy lifestyle. But while tap water isn’t dangerous (in the UK at least), neither is it free from contaminates. And drinking bottled water isn’t a solution either (both single-use plastic and cost). So what’s the alternative? Well, we’ve been trialling a Megahome water distiller* at home for the last four weeks – so what did we think and how did we get on?
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Megahome Water Distiller
Did you know there are roughly 79 common drinking water contaminants, according to Megahome? Including bacteria, viruses, chlorine, disinfectants, inorganic and organic chemicals. Suddenly that glass of freshly poured tap water isn’t looking so delicious after all. But even bottled and filtered waters contain impurities. And the problem is, if you don’t filter them out before you drink your water, then your body ends up doing the filtering. So, the only guaranteed way to get the absolute purest water is steam distillation using a water distiller.
Why use an at home water distiller?
Distilled water is 99.9% pure water. By using a steam water distiller, you get water that’s purer than any bottled or tap water, and purer than from any other type of filtration or purification method. If you think about it, what type of water do scientists use in their experiments? Yep, distilled water.
How does a water distiller work?
Distilled water is water that’s been boiled into vapour and condensed back into liquid in a separate container. Impurities in the original water that don’t boil below or at the boiling point of water remain in the original container.
Is bottled water the same as distilled water?
Bottled water is not the same as distilled water, as there are various types of bottled water: spring, artesian well, mineral etc, which also contain impurities.
What’s the difference between distilled and purified water?
Distilled water is completely pure with no impurities or any minerals, whereas purified water may contain certain minerals. We live in a hard water area (thanks, Bath) and have a water softener treatment machine to help our pipes. Our drinking water is also filtered but not distilled.
How to use the Megahome Countertop Water Distiller?
Once you’ve set up your Megahome water distiller*, including the charcoal filters* to remove Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), it’s incredibly easy to use. (You can watch this helpful video if you need it, although we didn’t. And when I say “we”, obviously I mean Alan…) All you do is fill up the 4l stainless steel container, switch it on and let it run. It drips the water into a 4l glass jug (which also fits inside most fridges) as well as inside the water distiller for easy transportation. It turns itself off automatically too, so you don’t have to worry about it overheating.
How much does it cost?
Compared to the cost of bottled water, it’s extremely economical: 7-9p a litre depending on your electricity supplier’s charges.
Check out the latest pricing for your own Megahome water distiller on Amazon.*
How long does it take?
We found our Megahome water distiller takes between 5-6 hours for every 4 litres of water. Tip: use water directly from your hot tap and you’ll reduce that time by at least an hour.
What does it taste like?
It’s hard to describe but it is different! To be honest, neither Flora nor Alan liked it very much, preferring our filtered water. Megahome say that distilled water can take up to 7-10 days to adjust to, because you’re tasting the negative of ordinary tap water. I got used to it within a couple of days and now I’m not keen on tap water. Sometimes, I’ll add a drop or two of Wild Orange, Lemon, Lime, or Peppermint essential oil for a change too.
Tea, coffee, and other soft drinks
Unsurprisingly, tea and coffee taste better with distilled water too. And a bonus is that the kettle seems to be getting less scale – surely no coincidence. I’m a huge Ribena fan (reduced sugar variety, of course) and although I haven’t done a blind taste test, I’m sure my soft drinks taste nicer 🙂
How do you clean it?
I found this great tip on Megahome’s Instagram page, which applies the same principle as seasoning a wok or frying pan with oil for the first time. Because despite the name, stainless steel does stain. Anyway, if you prime the surface of the container with vegetable oil and then clean it off with kitchen roll, it apparently helps prevent the water staining as badly. I haven’t had to clean our distiller thoroughly yet, just wipe it over. But when it’s time to clean it properly, I’ll try this tip and see. Or just buy this cleaner for water distillers* instead.
Is the Megahome water distiller worth it?
As I said, we’ve been using our Megahome water distiller for just over four weeks now. We’ve not had a single problem with it, but it’s good to know that if we did, they have a UK Service Centre and say they can repair distillers of any age. Plus, I do know where they live as Warminster is just down the road from us…
Read some real reviews about the Megahome water distiller right now on Amazon.*
Joking apart, of course I would recommend it, I mean how could I not? Clean, pure water that’s cheaper than bottled, better for you than filtered, and super easy to make? It’s a no brainer. Granted, the taste does take some getting used to (Flora claims she can tell when I fill her school water bottle up with it) so I’ll need to persevere with my two Philistines. But knowing what I know now about the nasties present in both ordinary tap water and bottled water, there’s no way I’m going back. Because the benefits of drinking pure distilled water are clear, aren’t they?
Have you ever tried distilled water? After reading this post, do you think you might be tempted to try a drinking water distiller now?
* This post features a gifted item and affiliate links (see my Disclaimer) but all opinions are my own.
I’ve never tried distilled water, favouring filtered water at home and at work. However this is something I’d be willing to try out; I honestly had no idea even filtered water was bad for you. 🙁 We have hard water too (Cirencester).
I thought filtered water was good for you too, it was quite a shock to find out maybe not so much! Hard water seems to be a feature around this part of the world, doesn’t it? 🙁
Lisa I feel so educated because I never knew what was distilled water. I heard of it but I didn’t know the difference between water being filtered or distilled. I really like that it’s 99.9% clean of impurities! I’m actually on a journey of drinking a gallon of water a day for a week, I just know this distiller would benefit me tons. Thanks for sharing your experience.
Natonya | https://justnatonya.wordpress.com/
Oh, Natonya, thank you so much, what a lovely thing to say! TBH, writing this post was an education for me too, I had no idea about all the yucky stuff present even in bottled water too. A gallon of water a day is impressive – kudos and good luck! 🙂
Hey Lisa, this is such an informative post. I love how you reviewed this in an overall holistic view which often gets neglected in a review post. Great writing 🙂
Thank you so much, that’s so kind of you – I’m so glad that came across!
Lisa, this is so strange because I was actually looking for a water filter! I also have a major problem with limescale clogging up my kettle (London water is gross) so I’m glad that you’re finding that this one does the handy work! Thanks for this insightful and honest review, I will have a browse of the Megahome water distiller! Monica @ thewongblog.com
Wow, that is serendipity at work, haha. I remember London water from my student days and I was always worried about what I was swallowing then, I don’t imagine it’s improved. I’m glad this review was helpful and yes, our Megahome distiller has been an eye opener and a game changer!
I always feel thankful to be from the Scottish Highlands purely because of our water. I would definitely invest in a purifier if I lived down south, especially in and around London!
Ashleigh | http://www.ashmosphere.com
Ah, you’re so lucky, your part of the world is so beautiful! 😍
Glad this works for you! I could have used one in my old flat, the water tasted really bad!
It works brilliantly, thank you, and oh dear, sorry to hear about your old flat!
This is really interesting. I don’t really like the taste of tap water and at my old uni flats the water came out ever so slightly brown, so we obviously didn’t drink it (despite management insisting it was fine). As a result I end up drinking a lot of bottled water which I hate myself for because of the environmental factor but this sounds like a great alternative. I love that it keeps some of the mineral content in there too x
Sophie
http://www.glowsteady.co.uk
I’ve heard so many stories about brown water, it sounds disgusting! Fortunately, we’ve never had that (except when the water companies are carrying out works) but I know what you mean. Distilled water is a much better alternative, haha.
I have one of these and love it, especially after all the stories I read about tap water x
Oh that’s great! And yes, I had no idea about all the yuck stuff in tap water eithee, ughhhh 🤣 x
This is so interesting. This is definitely a great way to drink better. I have used filters before, but never had a distiller before. What an awesome gifted item. I don’t like tap water very much, so maybe this would make the difference.
Thank you for sharing Lisa xx
This is the first time we’ve had distilled water too but there’s no going back now. I’m sure it would make all the difference to you too, Lauren. And yes, we feel very lucky indeed to have received such a fabulous item! 🤗 xx
Not to sound silly but I honestly didn’t know this much about water until reading this post, especially the difference between distilled and type of bottled water differences. Thanks for sharing x
Kayleigh Zara 🌿 http://www.kayleighzaraa.com
Not silly at all, I had no idea either, I’m sure most people are the same. Thank you for reading! X
Thank you for this great review! I have honestly never tried a distiller but after reading this I might just have to give it a go! It’s a little scary how much may be hiding in our normal drinking water…
You’re welcome, and apologies for scaring you – although I scared myself a little too, haha!
We spend a lot of money on bottled water at our house – I can see how this would be worth the investment!
Oh, definitely, a real money saver, and health saver too 🙂
I haven’t got a distiller, but I do have a water filter. The water straight out of our taps tastes weird, so I have a filter jug in the fridge.
Tap water tastes horrid to me now, our distiller is spoiling us 😉
Eeek, that is quite scary knowing there are about 79 common drinking water contaminants in tap water!! As always, I learn so much from your posts, Lisa! I didn’t know much about distilled water at all, but it sounds like the most healthiest option for us. Having a water distiller at home sounds so cost-efficient and I love the idea of adding a few drops of different essential oils for flavour too. It seems like a very worthwhile investment, and as I don’t really like the taste of tap water anyway, I’d be keen to give this a try. Great review and glad you have had such a positive experience with it! <3 xxx
I know, it’s really shocking about those contaminents, I had no idea! A distiller’s up front cost is an investment but over time I think the benefits more than pay for themselves. And adding a drop of essential oil is also a good health beneft, as well as making the water taste delicious – win win! xxx
Hi Lisa!
“Steam Distilled” water is ONLY Hydrogen & Oxygen – H2O – Absolutely nothing else.
(Remember: we get plenty of “trace minerals” – from food!! Avoid the “alkaline water” hype!)
Infinitely easy to digest – drink only distilled for a few days, then watch your body’s reaction to a cup of tap 🙂
Its pH is 7 – but 2 hours after unsealing, it absorbs CO2 from the air and becomes 5.5 – slightly acid. No problem.
If you live in areas where groundwater is polluted by heavy metals, tap water is toxic!
Distilled water (or Artesian well water) is a must!
Regards, Lisa Haley, daughter of Dr Floyd C Haley III, PhD chemist.
Wow, that’s really interesting to get the real science. Thank you very much for this, that’s brilliant!
We use to have a filter but gave up on that a few years ago so just go for tap now but this has certainly got me intrigued and cringing slightly over all the impurities that I’m normally drinking..! Great post!
I know what you mean, when I found out about all the rubbish in tap water I felt quite queasy too – and thank you!
We used to use a filter but we gave up a few years ago from this so now just go to the faucet but that definitely got me curious and a little scared on all the impurities I normally drink ..! Great post!
Thank you – it was a bit of an eye opening, wasn’t it? 🙂
Hi Lisa. Great post. I have been using Captain Eco shower filter for over a year now. Got it from Amazon, it’s wonderful. My hair is soft and frizz is much much less. I recommend you get one.
Thank you – and that sounds interesting, I’ll have to look into one 🙂
Great info! We recently stated using one and love it!
Thank you – and yes, they’re great!