Is Boiled Water the Same as Distilled Water?
por Dr. Jonathan Doyle - Updated November 30, 2023
Water is an essential component of our everyday existence and a basic need for
survival. Among the many varieties of water that are available, boiled water and distilled water are frequently
the most notable. Questions concerning their similarities and differences remain even though both go through
processes that change their composition.
In this review, we explore the domains of boiling and distillation, revealing the
changes each process causes to water. Our goal as we set out on this journey is to dispel the myth surrounding
the question, “Is boiled water the same as distilled water?”
What’s Distilled Water?
Distillation is a tedious purification process that
yields distilled
water . Using this technique, water is heated to produce vapor, which is subsequently cooled and
condensed back into a liquid state. The magic of distillation is in its capacity to extract water in its purest
form while removing impurities and minerals.
Distillation is merely one method of purifying water; others include filtration,
chlorination, and reverse
osmosis . The best water purification technique for homes using public tap water is reverse osmosis.
Distillation removes impurities from water and leaves it remarkably pure. It can be
used for a wide range of purposes, such as medical applications, scientific research, and home appliances that
need water with low mineral content. Because of its unparalleled purity, distilled water can meet the exact
standards of industries where accuracy is critical.
What Is the pH of Distilled Water?
It is important to remember that water does not naturally have a pH of 7, whether it is tap,
deionized, or distilled. Carbon dioxide (CO2) dissolves in water when exposed to air, creating carbonic acid.
Because of this, the water’s actual pH typically is not exactly 7.
Click to learn more about What Is Deionized
Water .
What Is Boiled Water?
The term “boiled tap water” describes a particular kind of water that has been
heated to a boil and allowed to cool naturally. Numerous bacteria and parasites found in raw water can cause
illness in humans. The recommendation is to drink boiled water since the boiling process can burn any bacteria
or parasites in the water.
Boiling water is an ancient method of filtering out impurities and contaminants
that people have used for millennia. But there are doubts about how effective boiling tap water is as a
purification technique. Whether you’re in the middle of nowhere or back home, boiling water is a simple but
effective way to clean it.
What Temperature Does Water Boil?
The boiling process raises the temperature to 212 degrees Fahrenheit, which is
crucial for killing harmful bacteria. Thirty minutes is all it takes for most microorganisms to perish in water
that is heated above 160 degrees Fahrenheit.
Governments would issue a boil
water advisory during natural disasters to guarantee the safety of the water. By neutralizing dangerous
pathogens, this preventive measure protects the public’s health by removing potential contaminants. Boiling is a
straightforward but efficient way to guarantee that water is safe to drink and reduce health hazards in
inconvenient situations.
How Boiled Water Differs from Distilled Water
Procedure for Purification
The effortless process of heating water to its boiling point is known as boiling.
Heat treatment effectively eliminates dangerous microorganisms, ensuring that the water is safe to drink. Though
it deals with microbiological issues, it leaves minerals and other contaminants in the water unremoved.
A more advanced method of purification is distillation. After being heated to a
vapor, which removes minerals and impurities, water condenses back into a liquid state. This methodical approach
guarantees the elimination of impurities, yielding extremely pure water that is noticeably devoid of minerals
and other contaminants.
Mineral Composition
Minerals present in tap water naturally remain in boiled water. The water retains
the same mineral content as the source water because the boiling process does not remove minerals. Depending on
the mineral content of the tap water, this may affect the taste and general composition of the water.
Distilled water, on the other hand, is mineral-free. Water undergoes a distillation
process to remove minerals and other impurities, leaving behind water with a much lower mineral content.
Distilled water’s high degree of purity makes it appropriate to use in which the absence of minerals is crucial,
like in scientific research or medical treatments.
Influence on Microbes
Boiling water is a useful method for getting rid of dangerous microbes. Boiling
causes the water to break down and kill bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens, rendering it safe for human
consumption. When waterborne infections are a concern, this approach is especially helpful.
To get rid of microorganisms, distillation works just as well. Contaminants,
including microorganisms, are eliminated by turning water into vapors and then back into a liquid. In
applications where microbial purity is crucial, this guarantees that distilled water is free of biological
contaminants, making it a dependable option.
Taste and odor
The flavors of contaminants found in the source water may remain in boiled water.
Minerals, chemicals, and other substances in the original water source may affect the flavor profile of the
water since the boiling process does not remove taste-related components.
One common characteristic of distilled water is that it has no taste or smell. The
process of distillation eliminates volatile compounds, minerals, and impurities that affect taste and smell. Deionized water is
therefore often odorless and tasteless, which makes it a good option when a clear, neutral flavor is required.
Applications
Boiling water is a popular choice for both cooking and drinking. Its main advantage
is that it gets rid of bad microorganisms, which means you can use it to cook food and drink. One easy way to
make sure that water used for daily purposes is safe is to boil it.
Specialized settings where high purity is critical, like laboratories and medical
procedures, favor distilled water. Distilled water is a dependable solvent in scientific research and medical
equipment because it does not have any minerals or impurities. Additionally, it prevents scale buildup in some
home appliances, such as steam irons, where mineral-free water is used.
How To Make Distilled Water?
Where to buy distilled water may be a concern for some people. Although you can
make it at home, you can also buy distilled water in supermarkets and other stores. Now let’s look at how to
make distilled water at home.
The following supplies must be ready in order to make distilled water at home:
- A big pot with a cover
- A smaller bowl
- Ice
- Water
Half fill your pot with water. Put a bowl that is empty inside your pot. The bowl
should not touch or sink to the bottom of the pot; instead, it should be smaller than the pot and float in the
water. Set the flame on your stove to medium and bring the water to a boil. After that, cover the pot with the
lid upside-down and add ice to the top.
As steam rises from the boiling water and strikes the icy lid, condensation will
form. Once the condensation starts to fall into the bowl, you will have distilled water. Until you obtain the
desired volume of water, keep distilling.
Is Distilled Water Safe to Drink?
Although it is technically safe to drink, distilled water might not be the best
choice for frequent use. Water undergoes distillation to remove minerals, pollutants, and impurities, leaving
behind very pure H2O. Nevertheless, distilled water lacks the flavor and health advantages that minerals like
calcium and magnesium can offer due to their absence.
It is usually safe to occasionally consume distilled water. But it might not be the
best idea to depend on it as your main source of hydration in the long run. A balanced approach to water
consumption is usually a good idea, involving a range of water sources to make sure you get the necessary
minerals from your food.
Contaminants Detected in Fruitland Water
Special
Service District
30
Contaminants
EXCEED EWG HEALTH GUIDELINES
EXCEED EWG HEALTH GUIDELINES
30 Total Contaminants in Your Water
Water Provider
Fruitland Water Special Service DistrictPopulation Affected
120,000Water Source
Ground waterExceeds Guidelines
Others Detected