Durastill 8 Gallon Per Day Automatic Water Distiller with 4 Gallon Reserve Tank - Model 30J4

The distiller is well constructed, sturdy, and fits in a small, neat area. It produces slightly more than one quart of distilled water per hour. Once hooked up to a filtered water line, it refills automatically, with no signs of overfilling the boiling chamber. I have a soft water feed, so I drain the boiling chamber after collecting five gallons of distilled water. I don't have to remove scale, since there is little calcium in my water. I drain the boiling chamber, because sodium salts build up as the water is removed. A salt build up changes the boiling characteristics of the hot water and can splatter salty water past the baffles into the cooling tube. This defeats the purpose of purifying the water. So I drain this water regularly.The carbon filter is necessary for the feed line, since it serves as a polish line and removes chlorine. This unit uses 110 volt service. A larger unit will use 220 volts.I collect 1-2 gallons of distilled water every day and use the water for all our drinking and cooking requirements. It takes 4 to 7 hours to collect. When I need more, there is plenty of time to produce it.Soft water is great for bathing and washing clothes, but mine contains too much sodium for drinking purposes. I have not had to clean the heating chamber of my coffee brewer since I bought it more than ten years ago (I drink coffee every day). My wife drinks tea and hot chocolate. Her tea kettle is spotless and has been used for many years.I have owned several water stills over the years and this unit is the most convenient and least expensive to operate. I bought this unit new, after using a older model for many years (more than 10). I bought the older model used and got good service out of it. That's why I stayed with this company. Durastill makes a good product. I plan to use it the rest of my life.

Too many points of failure. And boiling hot water going through thin plastic tubing.I bought this in November last year. And I installed it today. Finally the house construction got done.First of all the connection between the top tank (still) and the wall plug is through a fridge type 1/4” tube. Connecting this to wall is not as simple as connecting a garden hose. It wants to come off more than stay on.The height of still legs is too short. This causes the water outlet tube (thin plastic tube carrying hot water) to bend sharp sometime blocking water flow.I avoid plastic water bottles. Use Sigg or glass bottles. It is just a better of time before science catches up funds the next pthalide or some nasty stuff. This is plastic galore.The seams of the top tank show rust. The body is solid stainless steel. But the joins see done using some welding compound that does rust. Not enough to gross me out, but it is there.I recommend the manufacturer to drastically minimize plastic and make set up fail proof.I have not got one gallon out of this yet. But I am not sure I will use it. Or atleast not indoor. I had one flooding incidence today. Do not fancy another.

Water still tastes like plastic after 20 gallons. I have a dumb idea lets run warm distilled water through a plastic tube, fittings and filter canister. i wouldn't buy again until they replace the post filter with stainless steel system.

This unit replaces one that I've had for over 30 years. I like that it has a float in the storage tank and shuts down the unit when it's full (my old one had a dial switch/timer). This unit also has a switch in the distillation tank that doesn't allow the unit to start until there is enough water in the tank to cover the heating element. My previous machine was purchased by my grandparents in 1980. When my grandpa died in 1995, my grandma asked me if I wanted it. I use the machine a LOT more than they ever did. (I use about 400-500 gallons of distilled water each year). A lot of the parts are replaceable, which I did occasionally replace on my old machine, and this is built the same way. I expect that I will be using this machine until around 2050. I love this machine and would recommend it to anyone who wants pure, clean water.

I just received my distiller a few days ago. I have the auto water fill but didnt connect yet(still deciding kitchen or garage) I manual filled a few times and lower tank is full now. All seems to be perfect- I seen comments on hose to lower tank to long- not an issue if you if you shorten it. Yes it is about a inch of plastic and its clear so you can see the water going into the storage tank( waster is not hot at this point like others state) I have used the the china made 1 gallon distillers for years for around a 100 bucks, some would last 6 months at most. I didnt like them cause they ran until dry and shut off when hit a certain high temp. This distiller has a float to shut it off before its empty so you dont have all dried out crusty stuff that needs cleaned. Just drain the dirty water before refilling. Its made in the USA is a huge plus for me. I am hoping to save on electric bill with this and I should being I can do large quantity of water at once instead of running the little one 3 or 4 times a day. I am ok with the plastic spigot being its cool water anyways but be nice if the vendor sold a stainless one (thats if they already dont) I am sure some searching around you could find one- I am happy with it- I will update if any issues

Have sent "Durastill" 2 emails making inquiries. After 3 weeks no response. Ratings could be higher if I could get answers. FYI - for those on wells or water systems that may quit; this distiller (apparently) does not shut off when water pressure becomes 0 PSI.

Love my distiller! Quality built

Good for the money you spend