Question for engineers/chemists/physicists Distilled water and Small appliances?

[Walking Man]

I've noticed that many small appliances (okay, 2 appliances, our iron, and my mother's steamer, but I'm sure there are many more) say NOT to use distilled water, but it does not say that it will damage either product. Since our water here in Ohio is so hard, I would greatly prefer to use distilled water in our appliance if possible. Will I be hurting them? I can' imagine any way that distilled water could hurt these. Please let me know. Thanks. For now, my wife has decided to use spring water, which may be less hard, but still seems fairly hard to me.

 

[alasome]

Hi,
Maybe those appliances heat the water by running current through the water instead of using a heating element. Distilled water has avery high resistance and would not work. I will say that I think it would make more sense to use a heating element. If they do use a heating element using hard water would shorten the life of the appliance due to build up of scale on the element. I don't know if they would give you an answer; but, you can try asking the makers about this; I really don't see that there should be much of a problem using distilled water.

Anthony Lasome

 

[Point44]

Got this from goodhousekeeping:

Q Must I use distilled water in my iron?
A It depends on which iron you have and what its manufacturer advises. Some irons are specifically designed to perform better when ‘seasoned’, or slightly scaled up. The most common suggestion, however, is to use 50% tap water and 50% distilled water. Don’t be tempted to put perfumed waters, water with additives or de-scaling agents, or softened water into your iron – they could damage both iron and ironing.

I think it would be quite safe for you to use distilled water. I've tried checking websites on this subject but most actually recommend using distilled or RO water. Only certain manufacturers say not to use distilled water without giving much information on why.

 

[skunked]

The faster the element in an iron get scaled over the faster they can sell you a new one! Kind of like a car company advising you not to change the oil.

 

[DEA]

passing current through water to heat it sounds like it'll send your utilities bill right through the stratosphere
i can think of no reason why you shouldn't use distilled water
you avoid problems with precipitates and possible corrosion
in the same vein, RO and DI water should be ok

 

[Walking Man]

passing current through water to heat it sounds like it'll send your utilities bill right through the stratosphere
i can think of no reason why you shouldn't use distilled water
you avoid problems with precipitates and possible corrosion
in the same vein, RO and DI water should be ok

Thanks all, I REALLY appreciate of your input. Anyone else?

 

[Size15s]

When I iron it is such a rare and amazing event that I can usual justify using AnalaR water. Some say this is outrageous and extravagant. I say the same about ironing....

 

[Walking Man]

When I iron it is such a rare and amazing event that I can usual justify using AnalaR water. Some say this is outrageous and extravagant. I say the same about ironing....

What? Is that like Evian or something?

 

[Size15s]

It's what our chemist uses in her lab at work. "AnalaR" is a high quality grade of chemical supply.