AbstractThis paper presents a periodic analysis for estimating the distillate output of a single‐basin‐type still with large water depth, when the still (i) rests on the ground and (ii) is mounted on a stand. Our observations on the mounted still are in good agreement with the theory. the theory also provides theoretical basis for two well‐known experimental results,viz.,(i)The daily yield of the distillate is independent of the insulation in a ground still (Bloemeret al.1),(ii)The daily yield of distillate for a large mass in the water basin in independent of the water