[CPAP] Use Of Distilled Water In Humidifier

[zonk]

The weather getting warmer, won't be needing the water tank for now
Washed the tank and the heated tube and put them away

The AirSense 10 does not work without the water tank, I bought a side cover that replaces the water tank

[archangle]

It has been my understanding that all the ResMed tanks are hand washable but the nonstandard tank can be put in the dishwasher. When you all refer to washable vs standard is this what you mean or am I misinformed?

Resmed refers to them as "cleanable" and "standard." Many sellers refer to the cleanable tank as "dishwashable." I don't think I used the term "washable."

[archangle]

Embossed on the top of the humidifier chamber is the phrase "Distilled Water Only".

I was told tap water was okay, but don't use all of the water up or you'll end up breathing in the dissolved solids that remain and also to wash it out each day. I use purified (reverse osmosis and deionised) water mine so that I do not have to do this.

I don't think you'll be breathing dissolved solids, but it will stink. Whatever is in tap water tends to stink when cooked dry in a humidifier. Even distilled water stinks when cooked dry, but tap water is probably worse.

[Tawaki]

FWIW...

I was told (today) from the DME not to put the water tank into the dishwasher, even in the top rack. (AirSense 10 Autoset)

He had a nice collection of partially melted tanks to show me.

I'm guessing the dish washer soap degrades the gasket, and the active drying cycle can melt the plastic. Especially on a higher end dishwasher. I have a cheapy dish washer, but I'm not going to risk it.

The DME guy also said you can use water from a Brita type filter system, if it is not well water. He showed me one gross, nasty tank from someone who did. I almost hurled. It stunk that bad.

In a pinch you can use bottle water or tap, but you risk getting a mineral build up you will have to get rid of with vinegar and water.

[zonk]

In a pinch you can use bottle water or tap, but you risk getting a mineral build up you will have to get rid of with vinegar and water.

Cleaning the tank in a solution of vinegar and water (1 part of vinegar to 10 parts of water) is good getting rid of any build-ups
You'll need to wash the tank in soap and water to get rid of the smell of the vinegar

[archangle]

FWIW...

I was told (today) from the DME not to put the water tank into the dishwasher, even in the top rack. (AirSense 10 Autoset)

He had a nice collection of partially melted tanks to show me.

I'm guessing the dish washer soap degrades the gasket, and the active drying cycle can melt the plastic. Especially on a higher end dishwasher. I have a cheapy dish washer, but I'm not going to risk it.

The DME guy also said you can use water from a Brita type filter system, if it is not well water. He showed me one gross, nasty tank from someone who did. I almost hurled. It stunk that bad.

In a pinch you can use bottle water or tap, but you risk getting a mineral build up you will have to get rid of with vinegar and water.

ResMed sells a "cleanable" tank. This is sold by many online retailers as a Dishwashable tank.

It's safe to wash disassembled water tubs in the dishwasher, per ResMed. "Please note that the disassembled tub lid, plate and base may also be washed in a dishwasher on the delicate or glassware cycle (top shelf only)."

I've washed ResMed S9 tanks in the dishwasher every week with the hottest "sanitize" setting my machine will do with no problem. "Cleanable" and "standard" tank. Top rack only.

The S9 cleanable tank will even survive being dropped into boiling water. Look in the Useful Links in my signature line below for the ResMed disinfecting instructions, which include 90C water immersion. The S9 "standard" tanks will be damaged by boiling water.

Were the melted tanks melted all over, or did they have small melted spots like they got onto the heating element?

The nasty tank was someone who didn't clean their tank regularly, I guarantee it. Even if using well water, dump the used water and rinse in the morning, clean when needed, and you won't have a problem. Vinegar will remove scale deposits. Even then, tanks aren't that expensive online, so just watch the tank, and replace when needed.