There has long been a debate among coffee lovers about whether hard water improves the flavor of coffee. while some argue that the magnesium and calcium ions in hard water add to the flavor of the coffee, others think that they only make the coffee bitter.
the debate will continue. however, no matter which side of the aisle you belong to, you have to agree that hard water makes it much more difficult to clean your coffee machine. people who live in an area with a hard water supply know the pain. You should buy the best coffee makers for hard water to make things easier for you.
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Hard water ions create scale deposits in the coffee machine. if you skip your descaling routine, the residue can damage the coffeemaker’s heating system. As a result, the coffee from the machine will not be hot enough and the coffee maker will not be able to extract the optimal flavor from the beans. In addition, residue can also clog the coffeemaker’s water tube. in short, it will ruin the taste of your coffee and eventually your coffee maker.
here we have made a list of the seven best hard water coffee makers available in the market. these coffee makers will help you in this fight against hard water.
how to choose the best coffee makers for hard water
If you use hard water to prepare your drink, you must be very careful when making your choice. In addition to the regular features that a typical coffee maker offers, you should consider the following when looking for the best coffee makers for hard water.
water filter
You should never pour unfiltered water into your coffee machine if you are using hard water. sediment buildup will be excessive and the coffee maker will break down in no time.
As such, you should choose a coffee maker that comes with a high-quality water filter. this will help to significantly reduce limescale deposits. If your coffeemaker doesn’t have a built-in water filter, be sure to add an additional water purifier.
self-cleaning function
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No matter how many times you filter the water before pouring it into the machine, there will still be some residue left. therefore, expect to clean your coffee maker more often than those that use soft water. therefore, you should always go for a coffee maker that is easy to clean.
see if it has a self-cleaning function. self-cleaning coffeemakers are more suitable for brewing with hard water.
automatic cleaning or descaling reminders
Limescale deposits often build up on internal components of the coffee maker that we cannot see. it is often difficult to tell when it is time to run the self-cleaning program. Some manufacturers have included an automatic descaling function in their coffee machines to solve this problem.
When enough residue is deposited, the machine automatically switches to descaling mode. this is a very important feature for coffee makers that use hard water. Even if the descaling function doesn’t turn on automatically, the machine should remind you to clean it.
easy to clean
self-cleaning is often not enough to remove all residue. hard water also affects the other parts of the machine. so it is better that the parts of the coffee maker are dishwasher safe. for this reason, removable water reservoirs and drip trays also work best.
For the best experience, make sure reassembling parts isn’t too complicated.
frequently asked questions
1. How to clean a hard water coffee maker?
You can use an acid solution to clean the coffee maker of hard water residue. Prepare a vinegar or lime juice solution, place it in the chamber and run the self-clean program.
If your coffee maker does not have a self-cleaning function, you can add the acid solution to the water tank and prepare it. be sure to flush the system with clean water before brewing coffee in it. alternatively, you can also use commercially designed solutions made to descale coffee makers.
2. Can I buy coffee makers with a hard water filter?
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no water filter can remove all minerals from the water. the best thing you can do is use a good quality water filter to reduce waste. many coffee makers on the market today come with a water filter. however, for some, you need to purchase the water filter separately.
There are many different types of water filters used in coffee machines. The most popular water filters used include the carbon and sediment filter. the former uses the porous surface of activated carbon to trap additives like chlorine that can ruin the flavor of your coffee, while the latter traps any residue in the water.
Therefore, it is important to double check if the coffee maker you are buying has a water filter or is compatible with external water filters.
3. can hard water ruin my coffee maker?
If you don’t clean your coffee maker regularly, mineral residue will continue to build up. Excessive mineral deposit can cause irreversible damage to your coffee machine.
4. Does hard water affect the taste of coffee?
yes, hard water adds flavor to your coffee. the minerals in the hard water combine with the compounds in the coffee. as a result, your coffee tastes different. some may like the flavor, but for others, it ruins the flavor.
final thoughts
no coffee maker is immune to hard water. a good water filter and a regular cleaning routine can help you minimize the damage. While regular cleaning can reduce damage, your coffee maker is likely to fail. therefore, it must be descaled frequently to remove limescale deposits.
Even if you like the taste of coffee brewed with hard water, you should never add hard water directly to the machine. always use a water filter to reduce the mineral content. the life of a coffee maker is likely to be shorter when using hard water. be careful and keep up your cleaning routine.
never ignore the cleaning warning or reminder. replace the water filter frequently. never compromise with the taste or flavor of the coffee. enjoy your cup!
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