For hikers, survivalists, and field use.
Distill water anywhere using a small pot or bottle, tubing, and a fire or stove.
How It Works: Visual Diagram
How to use: Boil dirty water in a small pot or bottle. Steam travels through food-grade tubing (cooled in air or water) and condenses as pure water in a clean collection bottle. Optionally, use a carbon filter at the end.
Note: Always ensure your boiling vessel is not sealed airtight. Let the first bit of distilled water run out if source water may have chemical contamination. Use only food-safe tubing and containers.
Printable Distiller Kit Checklist
Stainless steel (or single-wall metal) pot or bottle (0.5–1 L)
Collapsible water bottle or nesting metal cup (for clean water)
Bandana or sturdy cloth (for pre-filtering sediment)
Aluminum foil or flour dough (for sealing gaps around tubing, if needed)
Portable stove, campfire, or fuel tabs (as heat source)
(Optional) Small inline carbon filter (Sawyer Mini, DIY, or similar)
Gloves or cloth for safe handling of hot parts
Field Setup Steps
Pre-filter dirty water through bandana/cloth into boiling vessel
Insert tubing into lid or mouth of vessel (seal gaps but do NOT make airtight)
Place other end of tubing into clean collection bottle below vessel level
Run tubing through air, wrap in wet cloth, or immerse part in cool water for better condensation
Heat vessel and maintain a gentle boil
Collect condensed, distilled water in clean container
(Optional) Pass distilled water through carbon filter before drinking
Pro Tips:
Bring at least 1.5 meters of tubing for cooling efficiency and flexible setup.
Pre-filtering with cloth helps prevent clogging and keeps your gear cleaner.
Let the first few milliliters of distillate run out if water source is suspect.
Keep tubing and vessels clean and food-safe.
If using a bottle as a boiler, ensure it's single-wall and metal (never plastic or insulated).
Important: This method works for most pathogens, salts, and heavy metals, but some volatile chemicals (VOCs) can pass through. Always use the cleanest source available and add a carbon filter if chemical contamination is possible.