Air Still Water Distillation Guide

The original Still Spirits Air Still can distil small batches of potable water without a separate cooling-water connection. This guide is for the original Air Still head and boiler. If you have an Air Still Pro or another still, use that model’s own water-distillation instructions.

Before you begin

• Use clean, potable feed water. Do not use the Air Still to process unknown chemicals, contaminated industrial water or seawater.
• Read the current Air Still manual and inspect the boiler, seal, lid, fan lead, outlet nozzle and power connections.
• Place the still on a stable, heat-resistant surface with good ventilation and clearance around the cooling head.
• Use a clean collection vessel large enough for the planned output and position it securely beneath the nozzle.
• Keep both electrical sockets and the outside of the boiler dry.

How to distil water with the original Air Still

1. Fill the boiler. Add potable water only to the marked 4L maximum level. Do not overfill.
2. Fit the head and nozzle. Seat the seal and top cover correctly, connect the fan lead and direct the outlet into the collection vessel.
3. Start the unit. Press the base reset if required by the manual, connect power and confirm that the fan starts immediately.
4. Supervise the run. Heating and collection take several hours. Keep the unit upright and never leave it unattended.
5. Stop as directed. Allow the automatic cut-out or the manual’s stated stopping point to end the run. Never bypass the cut-out or try to boil the unit completely dry.
6. Cool before opening. Switch off, unplug and let the boiler and head cool completely before removing the lid or emptying the residue.

Does distilled water need carbon filtering?

Carbon treatment is optional for taste and odour polishing; distillation and carbon adsorption do different jobs. If you choose to filter the collected water, use a system and cartridge whose instructions specifically allow water filtration. Do not assume a spirit cartridge has unlimited water capacity or reuse an exhausted cartridge.

The Still Spirits EZ Filter Carbon Cartridge is currently specified for up to 300L of water when used with compatible EZ Filter equipment. The small Air Still collection system uses its own cartridge format; the two cartridge types are not interchangeable.

Collecting and storing the water

• Use a clean, covered container that will not add flavour or contaminants.
• Label the container with the production date and intended use.
• Avoid touching the outlet or the inside of the collection vessel.
• Store the water according to the requirements of its intended use and discard it if contamination is suspected.

Important limitations

Home-distilled water should not automatically be treated as sterile, laboratory-grade or medical-grade water. Distillation equipment, the collection vessel and handling can reintroduce contamination. Follow the manufacturer of any CPAP machine, battery, laboratory process or other device rather than assuming home-distilled water meets its specification.

Distilled water contains very little mineral content. For brewing, it can be useful for blending or building a water profile, but mineral additions should follow a suitable recipe and measurement rather than guesswork.

Cleaning after water distillation

Once the unit is cool, discard the concentrated boiler residue and clean the Air Still according to its manual. Mineral scale may need the approved descaling method. Rinse thoroughly, dry the exterior and connections, and store the lid so trapped moisture can escape.

The same original Air Still can also be used for hydrosols and essential-oil distillation or, where lawful, small-batch spirit making. Clean it thoroughly between different uses to avoid carrying aromas or residues into the next run.