Instructions are minimal but sufficient. The unit is quieter than my washing machine, and I typically place it on the countertop. It's pretty gross what you find in the before-distillation barrel after you make a batch of water, but that could partially be because our town's water is kind of gross anyhow (even though we filter it). After it finishes I unplug the unit, wipe down the head part with alcohol and a paper towel and let that dry. For the main compartment/barrel I rinse it out with water and then wipe that with alcohol too.