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Waterwise 4000 Water Distiller Review 2024

If you want to improve the quality of your tap water without investing a fortune, the Waterwise 4000 Water Distiller may be the perfect solution for you!

Just imagine the convenience of accessing cold, refreshing, drinking water in your home or office anytime you like. No more plastic bottles to worry about, no more unscheduled errands to the corner store, no more foul taste or odors from your tap, just a gallon of clear, pristine, delicious H20.

That’s exactly what you get with this amazingly affordable, hassle-free distillation unit. While there are plenty of options you could choose from, the Waterwise 4000 is perfectly suited for serving a small – medium size household of 2 – 4 people.

Features

  • Up to 6 gallons in 24hrs
  • Auto Shut-off after 1 Gallon Cycle
  • Stainless Steel Condenser

In a hurry? Check out the results of our in depth Waterwise 4000 Water Distiller review before you decide.

  • Assembly/Installation: N/A
  • Construction Quality: 3/5
  • Performance: 4/5
  • Durability: 3/5
  • Cleaning And Maintenance: 4/5

Overall iWaterPurification Score: 70%

Read the full review below for a more detailed comparison of the pros and cons of the Waterwise 4000.

And don’t miss our Reviews of The Best Water Distillers of 2024!

Waterwise 4000 Water Distiller Full Review

With the increasing concern over the safety and health of city drinking water, finding the best water distiller has never been more necessary. The Waterwise 4000 turns less than desirable tap water into refreshing, purified drinking water that tastes great.

Compared to similar distillers, it offers great value at a very competitive price. There are a few minor drawbacks to consider, but overall the Waterwise 4000 Water Distiller has definitely earned its positive rating by consumers. If you need an affordable way to treat contaminated tap water, this is a good investment.

Amazon Rating: 3.9 / 5 Stars

Features:

  • Dimensions: 9 x 15 inches
  • Weight: 12.65 Pounds
  • Glass Reservoir
  • Automatic shut-off after one gallon cycle
  • Stainless Steel Condenser
  • Distillate Capacity: 1 Gallon in 4 hours
  • Produces Up to 6 Gallons in 24 hours
  • 1 Year Limited Warranty

Description
The Waterwise 4000 Water Distiller is a water distiller with a maximum six gallon yield capacity over twenty-four hours. It comes fully assembled, and includes a post filter that should be replaced every two months. An extra filter is included as well.

As per the manufacturer, the filter located in the drip piece is activated carbon. Replacement filters can be ordered online from the supplier or manufacturer.

An automated shut off feature programs the distiller to deactivate after the first gallon of water is produced. Fitted with a stainless steel condenser, stainless steel reservoir and 1 gallon glass reservoir, the Waterwise 4000 should last you several years of daily use.

Construction Quality
Engineered with a stainless steel boiler and glass collection jar, these standout features give the Waterwise 4000 much of its value. A simple but elegant casing houses the boiler and condenser, with ventilation along the top to allow for steam during the condensation process.

The distiller feels sturdy at roughly 12 pounds. The glass reservoir, designed much like a coffee pot, has a 1 gallon capacity and a simple, removable plastic lid. Filled to capacity, the glass container can get pretty heavy, so if you suffer from wrist pain, shoulder pain, or other muscle pain you might want to be careful.

You will need to plug the unit into a standard GFCI outlet with circuit breakers.

Performance
If your tap water has VOC’s, high levels of arsenic, sulfurides, calcium and magnesium, chlorine, or other common types of contaminants, the Waterwise 4000 easily removes them. Both the odor and taste are restored to the pristine state of clean, pure H2O.

The steam distilled water produced by the Waterwise 4000 tastes noticeably different from your tap water. In particular, the condensation process removes just about any chemical or toxin that can be converted into a gas.

Best of all, the Waterwise 4000 includes an activated carbon post filter. The water vapors drip from the stainless steel condenser coil through the filter. The activated carbon works by adsorption to remove any harmful chemicals still lurking after the condensation process.

Using the distiller is very easy and straightforward. By loading it in the evening, you simply turn it on and let it go to work. After the first cycle or 1 gallon is produced, the unit shuts off automatically to conserve energy. You can remove the glass container of warm distilled water and store it in your refrigerator.

The Waterwise 4000 Water Distiller is actually capable of producing up to six gallons of distilled water over the course of 24 hours.

Durability
While we wouldn’t recommend dropping it on the ground from any great height, we can say that the Waterwise 4000 is quite sturdy. Its primary components are plastic and stainless steel. Used daily for its intended purpose, this device should last you several years. A one year limited warranty is included by the manufacturer.

Cleaning And Maintenance
You might be surprised – and a little disgusted – at how much residue is left behind after only a cycle of two of distilling your city tap water.

There is a cleaning agent included with the distiller that you can use to clean out the glass container as needed. The lid is easily removed and fitted into place. The activated carbon post filter should be replaced every couple of months, and an extra one is included with your order.

When cleaning the glass container, use a soft cloth or brush with soft bristles and some ordinary dishwasher soap. You should also clean the stainless steel boiler tank that heats the water into vapor as often as needed. Check on it after every 2 uses, or depending on the level of contamination in your tap water.

Should you forget to turn off the machine, not to worry. The auto shutoff feature kicks in after the first cycle.

Drawbacks

  • The lid on the glass reservoir has two little loose inserts that can easily be broken or lost.
  • Although the boiling chamber is stainless steel, it may not be the highest grade. Still, it is heat resistant, corrosive resistant, and easy to clean.
  • Be careful when handling the carbon filter and replacing the lid. The filter looks like it’s still in place but the distilled water can drip around it.
  • The entire drip piece needs to be replaced, because it contains the post filter. It’s a waste of plastic, and it means you can’t use an alternative carbon filter that costs less.
  • Although it has a six gallon capacity, the Waterwise 4000 may not be suitable for a large family of more than 5. It takes 24 hours to produce six gallons which is quite time consuming and inconvenient if you forget.
  • Due to the flimsy lid, pouring out the distilled water from the glass container can be really frustrating. You have to very slowly pour the water out or it will spill everywhere. The glass container is also quite heavy when full.

What Is A Water Distiller?

Simply put, a water distiller is a water treatment device that uses steam to remove fluoride, arsenic, lead, viruses, and other contaminants. Distilled water is one of the purest forms of drinking water, but it’s also suitable for cleaning, washing, cooking, gardening and many other applications.

Distillation is nature’s method of purifying water, and a water distiller emulates this process. Even resistant contaminants such as dissolved salts and solids can be removed from water through distillation.

Compared to reverse osmosis and other methods of water treatment, a water distiller is relatively much less costly and more eco-friendly. They produce less waste water and don’t require any assembly or installation. With regular cleaning, a quality water distiller can provide you with clean, healthy drinking water for ten years or more.

You can learn more in our article Why Is Evaporated Water So Clean?

How Does A Water Distiller Work?

A water distiller works based on the hydrological cycle [1]. Present in nature, the hydrological cycle perpetually purifies earth’s water through a repeated cycle of boiling, evaporation and condensation.

The Hydrological Cycle
Step 1: Water is heated above the boiling temperature until it evaporates. Any chemicals in the water evaporate and turn to gas.
Step 2: Evaporated contaminants convert to gas and are released into the air. The water cools and condenses, free of the contaminants.
Step 3: The condensed water can be treated for volatile chemicals or residue using a carbon filter.

As explained by John Woodard of Fresh Water Systems:

When the sun’s heat evaporates water, any contaminants or minerals present in the water dissipates. The salt present in briny ocean water is unable to become a gas, so, evaporated ocean water is salt-free. Everything from chemical waste to pathogenic microorganisms is left behind as the hydrogen and oxygen molecules transition from liquid to gas. The hydrologic cycle removes all the alkalinity and mineral content the water takes on…as it journeys through layers of rock and sediment [2].

Water from your tap is poured into a boiling chamber. A quality boiling chamber should be made of stainless steel, which is easy to clean, resists corrosion and contamination.

Next, a heating element inside the boiling chamber raises the temperature to the boiling point. This produces steam which is released through the chamber vent. Traveling through the vent, the steam is directed into the condenser unit, a stainless steel coil tubing. Trapped inside, the condensed water reverts to its liquid state once more.

To cool the vapor, a high-powered electric fan produces a cool air current that turns the condensed water into droplets. The droplets of water drip down the condenser tube into a postfilter made of activated carbon. This final step removes any residue or contaminants that were left behind after condensation.

Once the condensation is complete, the remaining, purified water is collected in a stainless steel or glass jar reservoir. Glass and stainless steel are preferred because they are easier to clean than other surfaces and don’t absorb harmful chemicals as easily as other types of material (wood, plastic).

Why You Need A Carbon Filter For Distillation

During the distillation process, volatile chemicals are produced in the final water container. The best water distillers, like the Waterwise 4000, include a carbon filter to remove these volatile gases during the condensation process.

If you are considering a water distiller, shop for one that includes a post filter with activated carbon or you’ll risk consuming volatile organic compounds.

References

[1] Hydrological Cycle (ScienceDirect.com)
[2] Distillation For Home Water Treatment (Purdue University)

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