Water from a de-humidifier

[BitterSweetBrews]

I have a curious question.

Has anyone ever used water from a de-humidifier for brewing? It would essentially be distilled water, but I think it would be "dusty" and in need of a good boiling and filtering before use. I have a de-humidifier that generates about 70 cups a day and wonder about using it. I also don't know what chemistry to use with it or if it would be any good.

Also, can it be used to calibrate my refractometer? I made some distilled water from steam in the past.

 

[stz]

I have thought the same because in theory it is only distilled water. The second I tasted it I decided it wasn't going anywhere near my beer. Very musty, not a food grade collection vessel, no guarantee it isn't leaking or passing something bad with the water even if only a tiny chance. Your milage will certainly vary, but the length of time mine stands for before there is enough to collect put me off.

 

[z-bob]

Distilled water will pick up copper, lead, aluminum, etc from the evaporator coils, not to mention the dust.

Use it to water your plants or in your steam iron.

 

[JonM]

All of the above AND I periodically have to clear slimy gunk out of the outlet (we have a hose that goes from the dehumidifier to the floor drain.) That stuff's not coming anywhere near my beer.

 

[BitterSweetBrews]

I have thought the same because in theory it is only distilled water. The second I tasted it I decided it wasn't going anywhere near my beer. Very musty, not a food grade collection vessel, no guarantee it isn't leaking or passing something bad with the water even if only a tiny chance. Your milage will certainly vary, but the length of time mine stands for before there is enough to collect put me off.

That's pretty much how I felt. I was just curious.

 

[Silver_Is_Money]

There are actually sophisticated residential dehumidifiers available that are purpose built to pull drinking water from the air. They merge dehumidification with RO and UV light. Generally claim to provide about 6 gallons per day typical. Put one in your basement and kill two birds with one stone. A bit pricy though.

Here is a link to one of them: http://air2water.net/products_homeoffice.html