Is boiled water distilled water?

Answered by Stephen Mosley

Boiled water and distilled water are not the same. While both involve heating water, they serve different purposes and have different outcomes.

Boiled water is simply water that has been heated to its boiling point, which is typically 100 degrees Celsius or 212 degrees Fahrenheit at sea level. When water is boiled, the heat kills many bacteria and microorganisms that may be present, making it safer to drink. Boiling water is a common method of water purification, especially in situations where clean water sources are not readily available.

On the other hand, distilled water is water that has been purified through the process of distillation. Distillation involves boiling water and then collecting the resulting steam, which is then condensed back into liquid form. This process effectively separates the water from impurities, such as minerals, chemicals, and microorganisms. The collected water is free from these impurities, resulting in pure, distilled water.

The main difference between boiled water and distilled water lies in the purification process. Boiling water kills bacteria and other microorganisms, but it does not remove minerals, chemicals, or other impurities. Distillation, on the other hand, removes these impurities, resulting in water that is free from contaminants.

It’s important to note that while boiled water can be considered safe to drink in most cases, it may still contain certain impurities that are not affected by boiling. For example, heavy metals, pesticides, or other chemicals that have a higher boiling point than water will not be removed through boiling alone. Distilled water, on the other hand, is considered the purest form of water as it is free from all impurities.

In terms of taste, boiled water may still retain some of the minerals and chemicals present in the original water source, which can affect the taste. Distilled water, on the other hand, is often described as tasteless or flat since it lacks these minerals and impurities.

Boiled water and distilled water are not the same. Boiled water is water that has been heated to its boiling point, killing bacteria, but it does not remove impurities. Distilled water, on the other hand, is water that has been purified through the process of distillation, resulting in water that is free from all impurities.