Am I the only nut who uses bottled water in my humidifier?

[Samba]

Well deposits in the tank aren't good for people either.
But I soak the tank in vinegar & dishwasher it regularly so residue is kept to a minimum.

Samba, my understanding is the distilled water is to protect the machine, not you. Anything else can leave behind residue in your tank.

[idamtnboy]

The thing with distilled water is the I have only seen gallon jugs of it. As a nurse, it makes me leery to use a jug that has been opened for a week or two even with the cap on.

My opinion, much ado about almost nothing. I think the contamination issue is 99% theoretical, 1% real. Not much chance for crud to get into the jug when you pop the cap, pour the water, replace the cap. Open time is about 15 seconds each time I put water in the humidifier, which is normally every other night. A gallon jug of water lasts around 3 - 4 weeks. By the time any crud would build up in the humidifier from using a gallon jug, it's time to clean the humidifier anyway.

[jojoejos]

Distilled has nothing else in it but after reading on here how many others use regular water I have been using RO water. I may just switch back to distilled because it is the "cleanest" water source.

My Husband and I started out on distilled because it is the cleanest you get no build up of any kind and it is pure for your lungs I have no idea about bottled water but at this point we still plan to continue using distilled the price for a gallon at Walgreens is .97 so we don't worry about it and our tanks stay clean but we still clean them the way we were told.

[peter_g]

I only use distilled water. I change the water every nite, so I use up a gallon in around three weeks. If you keep the cap on, nothing can possibly happen to the water. It's cheap enough, and in the long run, it's better all around.

If I were to buy a reverse osmosis water filter, I'd make sure it also did radioactive materials too. Maybe we can work on the air filter to that standard and the whole thing doubles as a radiation protection device, with air pressure for if half the atmosphere is blown away. I think I might be kidding

I am a newbie using rainwater tank, also my drinking water.

[WldWcnWmn]

Our distiller was found for $20 at an outlet store that sells returns.
DH bought it to make Ukrainian 'sorokh'--didn't work!
The temperatures were specific to water and alcohol went all over the place.
Upside: The mess pretty much sterilized the machine and pitcher.
For the 'punch', he had to go with his late dad's setup --trash can, copper tubing, and ice.
Good stuff, though

That's funny stuff, Gurl! ROFL
I live in a big micro-brew community, I can relate to the adventures that come with home distillery.

Thea

[Artcarved]

I bought several gallon jugs of distilled water at Walgreen's last month on sale for 69 cents. If you are concerned about contamination of an opened gallon jar just boil the water you will use, let cool and that should clear up concern. My humidifier doesn't use more then approximately 20% water. I fill it just over 25% each night. I never seen or heard of distilled water in smaller bottles.

[SleepingUgly]

So bottom line: if one can't get distilled water for a few days easily, is bottled water better than tap water?

[idamtnboy]

So bottom line: if one can't get distilled water for a few days easily, is bottled water better than tap water?

To give you that most definitive of all answers, "It depends!"

Both will have dissolved minerals, and both will be clean, biologically and physically. But in my experience tap water, i.e. city water, is more likely to have noticeable chlorine or other inorganic or organic sources of flavor and smell. Bottled water more consistently will be free of obnoxious smell and taste. So I would say from the standpoint of consistency, and reliability of quality, bottled water would be marginally better to use.

If the choice is home or community well water vs. bottled water, I'd be inclined to go with bottled water, simply because home well water is not processed like city water and so is more likely to have minerals in it.

[archangle]

So bottom line: if one can't get distilled water for a few days easily, is bottled water better than tap water?

It probably doesn't matter that much. I'd avoid "fancy" spring water like some of the imported stuff, that may have more minerals. If the drinking water smells too strongly of chlorine, I'd lean towards the purified bottled stuff.