thermo pot causing minerals in water burn

[Semidevil]

I bought a thermo pot to keep hot water available when I need. I notice that when I use tap water to boil the water, the pot gets stained with a red residue like specks. At first, it looks like rust, but after a bit of scrubbing, and using lemon to clean to clean it, it comes right off.

I asked around and I used distilled water to boil the pot again. This time, no issues. So I suspect it's the minerals in the tap water (the user guide also says it's due to the minerals)

Question: When they say 'minerals' in the tap water, is it the same as 'vitamins and minerals.'....the healthy stuff?

Is the water still safe to drink, even with the red specks?

 

[Newbian]

Is the water still safe to drink, even with the red specks?

Nope, but it's too late as you will be dead next week.

But on the serious side you can always get the water tested if you want but I googled it and the very first link was a atot post and sounds like iron:

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=1942029

 

[Colt45]

It looks like rust because it is rust... iron in the water. Does your water taste like... iron?

(like blood, but less salty, if you don't know what iron tastes like)



ps... minerals are an amazingly broad category. some are essential for life, at least in the right amounts (iron is one of these)... some are very toxic; there are plenty of lead, mercury, arsenic, cadmium, etc, based minerals.

 

[disappoint]

Get an RO (reverse osmosis) water filter. Ok maybe that's overkill, as it will get your water too clean. Then again, Erin Brockovich was a true story...

 

[nanobreath]

I bought a thermo pot to keep hot water available when I need. I notice that when I use tap water to boil the water, the pot gets stained with a red residue like specks. At first, it looks like rust, but after a bit of scrubbing, and using lemon to clean to clean it, it comes right off.

I asked around and I used distilled water to boil the pot again. This time, no issues. So I suspect it's the minerals in the tap water (the user guide also says it's due to the minerals)

Question: When they say 'minerals' in the tap water, is it the same as 'vitamins and minerals.'....the healthy stuff?

Is the water still safe to drink, even with the red specks?

Yes it is safe. This stuff was already in the water to begin with, so with the water you've been drinking all your life you have already consumed these same minerals. Some of it is naturally occurring, and some of it is added to fortify or protect the water. I'd recommend cleaning it once in awhile just because it begins to look dirty.

I would however highly discouraging only drinking distilled water. It is NOT good in large quantities.

 

[Nintendesert]

Just drink your own piss OP, that way you always know it's filtered and pure.

 

[unokitty]

Question: When they say 'minerals' in the tap water, is it the same as 'vitamins and minerals.'....the healthy stuff?

Is the water still safe to drink, even with the red specks?

Short answer -- yes.

Longer answer:
"Iron is necessary for your health. The most well-known role that iron plays in human nutrition is in the formation of the protein hemoglobin, which transports oxygen to all cells of the body. Iron is also used in cellular metabolism and is found in many of the body's enzymes. Low iron stores in the body can lead to iron deficiency, anemia and fatigue and can make you more susceptible to infections."

Uno

 

[Murloc]

minerals can be anything. It means there's dissolved rocks in your water. Lead, uranium and stuff are all naturally occuring.

Anyway it's normal, some locations have potable water with lots of minerals in it. This means they have to use lots of soap etc. and the bathroom gets stained unlike in my area for example (the tap water here is better than bottled water).
If you trust your local gov and they say it's safe, you can drink it.

 

[IronWing]

Is your tap water from a municipal source (water company) or do you have your own well?