Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I purchased this unit in 2006 (from Waterwise) and I make 2-3 gallons of water PER DAY for my family. It is EXCELLENT. (Make sure and read my tip below if you do buy one). (UPDATE: Waterwise now has BPA-free storage containers) To comment on the previous reviewer's statement that there's no point in distilling water and then keeping it in a plastic container -- the water doesn't stay in the container for any significant length of time to contaminate it. If there is a concern, the water can be easily poured into a glass jug and stored that way. With water this pure, I've found we drink more than ever and feel great about the health advantages and cost savings. The pitcher holds a gallon and that amount is easily used by most people within a day, given the amount we drink and cook with (i.e. water added in cooking to make oatmeal, rice, etc.). 2015 UPDATE: I purchased two 1/2 gallon glass pitchers at Target and I transfer the water immediately from the plastic pitchers to the glass ones. Great way to preserve the clean taste of the water as soon as it is done. The main reason we purchased this unit to begin with was that we moved into a home that has a water softener unit which automatically deposits salt and chemicals into the main water system. I watered houseplants with that water and within a week the plants died!! We simply didn't want to drink that water, but we like our water softener for other reasons (no hard water deposits) and didn't want to remove it. The cost to produce the water in this distiller has not made any significant difference in our electricity bill, and we've found it to be cheaper and much more convenient than purchasing bottled water (who even knows what impurities bottled water contains!). One TIP that I would recommend which allows the water to distill a lot faster: FILL THE KETTLE WITH THE HOTTEST POSSIBLE WATER INSTEAD OF COLD WATER. It will cut down on the time it takes to make a gallon, as the unit won't have to work as long to bring the kettle to the boiling temperature required. This unit is easy to us -just fill the kettle with hot water and press a button. I put my distiller in the garage during summer months. During the winter, the warm air helps heat up a cold room a bit. I've found the Waterwise company to be very helpful with my questions, etc. over the phone. I would highly recommend this product. I can't imagine a glass of any other kind of water now! UPDATE: We purchased a second unit in 2008 (from Health Nut Alternatives) as we had more people living in our home at the time, and we had no problems with it after a few years of daily use. When our kids went away to college, we went back to using just the first original unit purchased in 2006. My updates below are for that original unit. The second unit still works, but I keep it as a back-up and don't use it daily. UPDATE 6/13/2013 We are still using the distiller daily. Sometimes twice per day. It still works great after 7 years!!! UPDATE 10/24/13 I just found out that Waterwise sells BPA-free pitchers for use with this machine. I just bought two. Ordered them and they shipped out later that same day. I still use my distiller DAILY and have had no problems with it whatsoever. UPDATE 2/24/14 Still using this unit daily and it works fine. UPDATE 11/21/14 Still using this unit daily and it is working fine. UPDATE 1/22/2016 Still using the unit daily and it's working fine. UPDATE 3/9/2016 I purchased a countertop distiller with glass pitcher to compare with this model. I find I like this one better, for ease of use. I find myself not wanting to deal with taking the top off the other one. I prefer the kettle with handle on this one, as to me it's easier to manage. I do find that I enjoy the glass pitcher, though, as I know if the water sits there overnight it won't take on any plastic taste. I find if the water sits in the plastic pitcher for extended periods, it begins to taste like plastic to me (my husband doesn't seem to be as sensitive to that, though). I just make sure and empty the water from this plastic pitcher and put it into a glass pitcher for storage.