Strange little red dot on my bacon.

[Habanero Smoker]

Ain't that the truth. As soon as you want something repaired it's no longer a problem.  ;D

Distilled water is pour water; no minerals or heavy medals. It is made by evaporating water (steam), then condensing the steam back to liquid state and you are left with pure H2O. Most supermarkets carry it in the water aisle. I get mine from Wal-Mart.

If your water is not chlorinated, and it tastes good in other sausages you make, then it should be alright for sticks. I have well water and only use distilled water for my dry cured sausages, just to make sure there is nothing that may interfere with bacterial growth.