07-28-2009, 09:12 PM
The deposits you see in the kettle are the minerals that crystalize after the water has evaporated. If he recovered the steam and condensed it, then yes, the condensate would be mineral free. If he just boiled the water, letting steam escape, then the minerals in solution in the water will be at a higher concentration than when he started. Believe me, I distilled hundreds of gallons of water at my ol' man's chemical laboratory, where the use of distilled water is the mainstay of any chemical test done.
Gus (LC&P).