Tips and Tricks for Using the MegaHome Distiller

 

My choice for distiller was this MegaHome one. It’s been working flawlessly for 7 months, and when I clean it, it comes back brand new.

There are 3 tips I offer to extend the number of gallons that can be made between cleanings. Without these tips, I would have to clean it every 3 or 4 gallons. With these tips, I can go 15 to 20 gallons between cleanings. A final 4th tip makes the unit work better.

Tip #1

Don’t let the machine run to completion and stop on its own.  There is very little water left, and therefore almost all the impurities end up stuck to the bottom or sides of the unit.

I pull the plug out of the wall when the water reaches the higher band around the pitcher. That way much more water remains in the boil chamber and more water solids remain in the water you will throw out when the unit cools and you prepare it for the next batch.

Tip #2

I overfill above the fill line slightly. Maybe ¼ inch. This is for the same reason as Tip #1, which is to have more water in the unit to keep the solids from forming on the sides and bottom of the boil chamber.

Tip #3

Use a soft sponge to scrub the sides gently to remove some of the fresh solids.  This cuts down on the accumulation of crud.  I use a plastic sponge with the rough plastic side. Some of the new crud comes off each time, and the sponge wears out after 40 or 50 gallons. It only takes 30 seconds and it dramatically extends the number of boils between complete cleanings.

Tip #4

Place the unit where there are no cabinets directly above it. The blower unit removes heat out of the top of the unit to condense the steam back into distilled water.  The air is warm and if it’s restricted, the machine works harder and longer to get the job done.

Tip #5

Plug it in correctly. To clean and refill, you must unplug both wires from the base. When you plug them back in, do so completely. There are white lines on both plugs into the base that should not be seen when the plugs are pushed in completely. Please do this every time. Of course when you plug the entire unit into the wall, also be sure the plug is completely into the socket. Otherwise, sparking and/or incomplete current flow may damage the machine.