Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

There are many different distillers on the market and most are very expensive, so I did a lot of homework before making this purchase. As I needed only 1-2 gallons of water per day, it came down to this unit or the Waterwise 4000. Referring to schematics of both units, it appeared that they were virtually identical in design. With that said, although the Waterwise may cost $100 more than the Megahome distiller, I cannot imagine it uses significantly better materials. I want to address that right off the bat for anyone trying to decide between the two. I cannot comment on the build quality of the Waterwise, but you will not be disappointed with the construction of the Megahome. This appliance is made to last a VERY long time. Think of how long the thin plastic/glass coffee maker at work has lasted. In contrast, this distiller is made of industrial grade stainless steel, and what plastic there is on the unit/collector flask is thick and durable. There is only one moving part, (the fan motor), and this too seems very well built. It's also replaceable. Have you ever tried to replace a part of your coffee maker? Good luck with that. Basically, this unit is a tank. On that note, don't expect to tuck it away in some tiny corner of your counter. Although it will fit under a standard upper cabinet, combined with the collection flask it will require about the same square footage as a toaster oven. One more note on the fan; the noise is not a big deal. If you have kids, a dog & a doorbell, or a dishwasher, you will not even notice it. Other appliances that make as much noise as the Megahome distiller; the ice maker in your freezer, a convection oven, the kitchen faucet. So how well does it work? I see a lot of comments regarding water flavor. This may depend on the water you are starting with, although in theory it should all turn out the same. For me personally, the water comes out crystal clear, and tastes like snow melt when cold. In my book, that's about as good as it gets. Perhaps a better indicator of how well it works can be seen in the bottom of the pot at the end of a cycle. In addition to all the mineral salts left behind, I am left with about a tablespoon/gallon of nasty tan liquid. It's a pity more people are not aware of the direct impact water quality has on their health. You don't have to be a 'wacko anti-fluoridation conspiracy theorist' to appreciate home distilled water. Buy a distiller and I bet you will effect a positive health change in a friend simply by doing two things; 1) give them a cold glass of distiller water you have made 2) show them the sludge left behind in the distiller from only 1 gallon of public drinking water If cost is the issue, consider that an average weight adult should be consuming approximately 1 gallon of water per day, which is easy to do once you get into the habit. And don 't forget the ice cubes! Unless you/your family drink a lot of milk, soda, or fruit juices, this distiller will pay for itself in just a few months. If not, you don't need a distiller. ****3 years later*** This is still one of the appliances I rely on most in my house. I've certainly gotten my money's worth out of it and would not hesitate to replace it if it stopped working. The only problem I've had is that the start button broke off about a year ago. This is more or less a cosmetic issue as the actuator behind the button is still accessible. One reviewer mentioned rust inside the unit at the weld sites. I have noticed this too but the rust spots are very small and localized, and can easily be removed by gentle rubbing with a very small piece of fine steel wool. If I do this for a few seconds, the problem won't reoccur for a very long time. This only seems to occur when I've left the distiller idle for several days after a cycle, (i.e. with moisture trapped inside), which is asking for trouble. Finally, others have commented about hard water build up. The simplest and gentlest solution is squirt or spray the inside with vinegar to coat. After a couple minutes, the build up will be gone. Rinse out the unit and you're ready for the next batch. EIGHT YEARS LATER!!! After I purchased this appliance, I ran it up to three times per day for 8 years. I conservatively estimate this to be over 3000 cycles. By year six it started having electrical problems. That said, Megahome offers replacements for EVERY SINGLE part of this appliance. Their prices are excellent. Their shipping rates are not. Overall though, a few simple repairs allowed me to save a lot of money over replacing the entire unit, giving my distiller two MORE years of life. I finally conceded the ongoing battle after I moved to a house supplied with very clean country well water. I still do not regret buying the Megahome distiller for an instant. It was one of the hardest working appliances I have ever owned. I'm quite certain Megahome had never imagined someone like me was out there intending to work this thing to death the way I did. Today this distiller is boxed up in my garage. It's just one repair away from working again, and I will happily attend to this the minute I have use for it again. BUY IT! It is a great investment in your health, and an ASTONISHING VALUE!