Overview
The water you use can affect the taste of your espresso, mineral buildup, and how your espresso machine operates.
For best results, use fresh, cold water that meets the recommendations in your machine's instruction manual.
What Water Should I Use?
Water recommendations can vary by machine and local water hardness.
Depending on your machine and water hardness, tap water may work great or alternative water source may be recommended, such as:
- Filtered water
- Bottled spring water
- Mineral water
If your machine includes a water hardness test strip, test the water you will be using and enter or set the appropriate water hardness level according to your machine's instructions.
Some models recommend changing to an alternative water source when the measured water hardness is particularly high.
What Types of Water Should I Avoid?
Avoid water with little or no mineral content, including:
- Distilled water
- Demineralized water
- Heavily filtered water that removes nearly all minerals
Water with little or no mineral content may affect the taste of your coffee and how the machine is designed to operate.
Water that lacks in mineral content can contribute to sourness and acidic taste in the espresso, it is recommended to use water that has mild amount of minerals like soft filtered water, spring water, well water, these types of water ideally measure in between 50-150 ppm (parts permillion) in dissolved solids.
Can I Use Reverse Osmosis (RO) Water?
Avoid using RO water if the filtration process removes nearly all of its mineral content.
For applicable models, RO water may be suitable if some mineral content has been added back to the finished water. Follow the water recommendations in the instruction manual for your specific machine.
Why Does Water Hardness Matter?
Hard water can contribute to mineral buildup inside your espresso machine over time. Mineral buildup can affect brewing flow, temperature, machine performance, and the taste of your espresso.
Using the water filter supplied with your machine and descaling when required can help reduce the effects of mineral buildup.
If your machine includes a water hardness setting, setting it correctly also helps determine when descaling or other maintenance is needed.
Things to Check
- Check your water hardness.
- If your machine includes a water hardness test strip, test the water you plan to use.
- Set the machine's water hardness level according to the instructions for your model, where applicable.
- Choose an alternative water source if needed.
- If your water is particularly hard, your instruction manual may recommend filtered water, bottled spring water, or mineral water.
- Avoid water with little or no mineral content.
- Retest after changing water sources.
- Test the hardness of the new water.
- Enter or set the new water hardness level on your machine, where applicable.
- Maintain the water filter and descale as required.
- If your espresso machine includes a water filter, replace it according to the instructions for your specific model.
- Water filter replacement intervals vary by machine, so follow the replacement reminder or maintenance schedule provided for your model.
- Descale the machine according to its maintenance instructions.
Outcome & Next Steps
Using water with an appropriate mineral content and hardness can help support consistent espresso quality and reduce mineral buildup. Always follow the water, filtration, and descaling recommendations in the instruction manual for your specific espresso machine.
Notes & Tips
- Use fresh, cold water when filling the water tank.
- Do not assume that highly purified water is better for an espresso machine. Water with little or no mineral content may not be suitable.
- Replacing the water filter as recommended can help reduce mineral buildup and may reduce how frequently the machine needs to be descaled.