Hard water and coffee have always had a complicated relationship. Water is defined as hard because it contains high mineral concentrations formed when water passes through mineral deposits in its purification process, such as calcium and magnesium. Calcium and magnesium are salts that play a significant role in the taste of coffee and clogging of the coffee machine.
A machine with residual build-up requires regular cleaning, primarily if you use a machine that cannot handle hard water. So we are combining the best hard water coffee maker so that you can avoid that regular maintenance and waste of time when you could be enjoying that cup of coffee.
At a glance: best coffee maker for hard water.
- Mr. coffee easy measure
- Braun KF6050WH Brew Sense Drip Coffee Maker
- Cuisinart DCC-1150BKP1
- Hamilton Beach Programmable Front-Fill Coffee Maker 46391
- Keurig K-Classic Coffee Maker K-Cup Pod, Single Serve,
- Mr. Coffee 10 Cup Coffee Maker | Optimal Brew Thermal System
- KOTLIE Capsule Coffee Machine
How To Select The Best Coffee Maker for Hard Water?
Hard water causes lime build-up that affects the coffee flavour. Therefore, this is a coffee-changing moment while making your choice. Before buying a good coffeemaker, it’s good to understand the impact of hard water on the flavour of the coffee.
Roasted coffee has many compounds that make the resulting taste, and so does hard water which has higher chemical compositions that impact its taste and usability. When these compounds mix, the resulting taste and smell are already compromised.
Many of the machines we have mentioned below are compact and readily available. However, you will want a machine that makes quality coffee without compromising the compound mixture.
What to look for when buying this machine
We have realized it would be easier if we compiled a list to act as a guideline during our research before you embark on your hunt.
The cost and value of the machine– buying a machine with water filtration fit for your cup of coffee should inversely be proportional to cost-benefit analysis.
What features would you like to see on your machine? – most machines are available with extra features which make the brewing process seamless. Yes, some may need a learning curve, but the result is what we are after.
The type of coffee you like using each morning- coffee is available in different packaging. Some use pods, while others use ground coffee. The type of coffee brew to be made is dependent on which method of brewing you prefer.
Timing- Everybody likes their coffee when it’s that time to boost. Some machines ease this by having delay timers to make coffee at the owner’s convenience.
How much coffee you consume- buying a 10-cup machine while you cannot finish one or two cups would be insane. Choose and only take what is made to suit your coffee cravings.
What carafe you want- the issue of durability arises and ease of cleanliness when you purchase a glass, thermal or stainless-steel carafe. Thermal and stainless may keep the coffee warmer for longer but are harder to clean. On the other hand, the glass carafe is easy to rinse but may be fragile.
Best coffee maker for hard water
Use of hard water prompts that you bring out your A-game. You want a coffee maker that is easy to use, clean and durable. Let’s tackle some of the best coffee makers that we found to be worthwhile;
Best coffee maker for hard water
Use of hard water prompts that you bring out your A-game coffee makers. You want a coffee maker that is easy to use, clean and durable. Let’s tackle some of the best coffee makers that we found to be worthwhile;
Mr. Coffee Easy Measure
The first thing about this coffee maker is its instructions to follow to avoid missing what will be your perfect cup of coffee. First, the advanced water filtration system must be installed after inserting the filtration cartridge into the holder. After which, there is a dial for which you set the month you are in, then it’s inserted into the machine.
This machine emphasizes proper filtration by using a 2-step advanced system to reduce the impurities and make better-tasting coffee. Stage one, the use of activated carbon cycle, reduces up to 97 % of chlorine, while stage two, calcium in the water, is reduced by using ion-exchange resin.
To further the perfect match for filtered water is the impressive brewing procedure. The glass carafe is marked to the 12 oz cup you will use to measure the amount of water when pouring into the reservoir. In addition, it has a marked scoop so that you measure the right amount of grounds into the brew basket and filter.
The machine is set up and waiting for instructions from the user interface. Set the delay or brew now, and the machine will do the rest. You can also sneak a cup before the brewing is done. After brewing, the machine measures the time the coffee sits idle to ensure you only get the freshest coffee available. The automatic clean cycle helps maintain the quality of coffee the machine is making.
Braun KF6050WH Brew Sense Drip Coffee Maker
Braun is a compact hard water coffee maker suited for the modern family kitchen, office and single persons. This machine will make you 12 cups of coffee, a single 11 oz cup or program it for the whole carafe, then sneak your cup before the brewing is done using the brew-pause system.
Enhancement of flavour is brought by the gold-tone filter, which enhances the taste of coffee by allowing the essential oils to reach your brew. The taste is further enhanced by the internal charcoal filter, which rids impurities in the brewing water.
To make the best coffee, we have an easy-access control panel with auto shutoff, a 24- hour programmable timer and an easy-to-read clock. After the brewing cycle, the clean feature is customized depending on the water hardness level.
Cuisinart DCC-1150BKP1
Cuisinart DCC is a fully automatic 10-cup coffee machine with a thermal carafe. Like many machines, it is fully programmable for 24 hours to meet your coffee experiences and craving at your convenience. Make 1-4 cups or pause the brewing cycle to sneak a cup of coffee before it’s done.
The charcoal filtration improves the taste of the coffee while the thermal carafe maintains the brew hot for about three hours and is warm for longer. After filtration, the gold mesh goes perfectly together by letting in little or no residue.
This machine keeps the settings even after being switched off or unplugged. The self-clean function comes in handy after the brewing cycle and prevents mineral residues trapped to get flashed.
Hamilton Beach Programmable Front-Fill Coffee Maker 46391
This model is present in the thermal and glass carafe. We like the thermal for its durability than the glass carafe, but you will have to dig deeper into your pocket to have it.
The thermal carafe keeps the coffee hot and fresh for longer. Rinsing the carafe with hot water before brewing also warms the carafe and help coffee old its temperature right from the onset of brewing.
You will have three brewing options: bold, regular and 1-4 cups. After your brew is done, the coffee maker automatically shuts off, making it energy efficient and peace of mind.
The gold-tone reusable filter is handy and makes sure you will not be buying paper filters unless necessary. Set the timer ahead for up to 24 hours with the programmable timer.
The machine will also alert you when to activate self-cleaning, which makes it best while using hard water. However, the filter is often bought separately.
Keurig K-Classic Coffee Maker K-Cup Pod, Single Serve,
This amazing coffee maker serves multiple k-cup pod sizes of 6,8 and 10 oz and a 48 oz water reservoir that can brew 6 plus cups without a refill.
The machine accommodates a permanent filter for those who do not like pods. Time is of the essence, especially since the classic coffee maker is a single-serve coffee maker.
You can program the machine to auto-turn off after two hours of the last brew, which helps in conserving energy. The drip tray is removable and dishwasher-safe. It accommodates a travel mug when removed. The k-cup is the simplest way to make coffee in the morning.
The most crucial issue is the descaling of your Keurig coffee machine. When the machine has built up considerable calcium deposits and needs cleaning, a light will come on.
Mr. Coffee 10 Cup Coffee Maker | Optimal Brew Thermal System
This coffee machine is another wonder from Mr. coffee. It is a 10-cup coffee maker with a thermal carafe. It’s also as good as the 12 cups Mr. coffee with its unique systems.
It makes high-temperature coffee at 205oF for maximum flavour extraction, complemented by the thermal carafe, which will keep the coffee fresh and hot for longer.
The gold-tone permanent filter eliminates the need for paper filter usage and the costs associated(NOTE: gold-tone permanent filter is purchased separately ). Its water filtration system is an added advantage as it removes water impurities like chlorine up to 97 %.
It features a brew delay for when you want to focus or wake up to a fresh cup of coffee. You can also sneak a cup of coffee before the brew is done, as the coffee maker has an auto-pause system.
After brewing is done, the freshness timer informs you of how long the brew has been sitting idle. The water reservoir is removable for cleaning and is also clearly marked to make the brewing process easier.
KOTLIE Capsule Coffee Machine
KOTLIE is a multi-use coffee machine. KOTLIE coffee brewer combines pods, Nespresso capsules and your grounds. Brew your coffee to temperatures of up to 181oF, which extracts more flavour from your coffee.
It is compact and one of the most flexible machines with an exquisite minimalist control panel; just touch and brew. It is used as a single-serve coffee maker therefore compatible with little space scenarios, offices, for travel and dorm rooms.
It has an automatic self-cleaning module which takes 2 minutes. Unfortunately, limescale clogs the water passageways, which include the heating element. So it’s essential to do a thorough cleaning routine, especially when using hard water.
The water tank is removable as the drip tray, which is dishwasher safe. The machine will auto-shutoff after 15 minutes to save on energy
Verdict
YOU cannot like all the coffee makers all the time. However, many we have listed above have impressive features on which they work very hard to produce the best coffee using hard water.
Mr. coffee easy measure does what we have sampled to be the most comprehensive coffee brewing. Its versatile, compact and flexible.
Keurig k-classic may look like a cliché, but it’s an impressive tool to have in your home.
If we have overlooked what you think is best using hard water, feel free to choose whatever tickles your fancy.
Buyer’s guide: tips on buying the best hard water coffee maker
Self-cleaning function
This feature reduces the time and effort to clean the machine manually. Although you will still have to do it yourself after some time, the machine has been set in such a way that after the push of a button or after a number of brew cycles, it flashes the dirt and the brewing continues.
Water filter.
This is the core of every purchase if you are using hard water. The filter captures water impurities that are unseen to the naked eye. Charcoal filtration is the best recommended for it removes the most impurities to bath your freshly ground coffee in the purest of water, thus better taste for your coffee.
Auto descaling
Mineral deposits in the internal parts of the machine are inevitable sometimes. Some machines will auto indicate when it’s time to descale while others are done by the press of a button periodically.
Some machines will warn you when it’s time to descale, while others will automatically do the work for you. This feature is essential to look out for when buying a coffee maker and when using hard water.
Programming
Programming adds quality and flexibility to any modern coffee-making machine. The user interface is pretty straightforward to detect and direct you to making the best coffee. Choose a machine that you will comfortably be able to operate. All operations of the machines are either set or accessed from this interface.
Ease of cleaning
Some coffee machines may have the self-cleaning ability, but a thorough cleanup can only be achieved manually. To supplement the machine’s work, you will need to do the cleaning yourself periodically. Get that coffee maker that has removable sections and is dishwater safe.
Final thoughts
Hard water is a coffee machine killer. Unfortunately, none of the machines, even the ones we have listed above, is immune to the challenges brought about by the use of hard water.
However, we cannot rule out the internal operations available with modern coffee makes to rid them of the problems that could be more devastating if not expensive.
If you are not satisfied with the descaling ability of the machine, the more operable argument would be to acquire a filtration system before the water hits your machine.
Filtered water is practically the best when it comes to making better-tasting coffee, and we all want our coffee to taste as great as we think our coffee makers are scheduled to make.
We have listed what we see as closest to making your coffee brewing experience as you imagine. So if you are new to making coffee using hard water, don’t be afraid; rest assured, we have the best for you. We deserve to brew the best.
We are also interested in hearing your observations about those products and don’t shy away from leaving us your honest opinion. We will be glad to know what you have seen. Happy brewing!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Does hard water affect the coffee makers?
Hard water is a problem for the coffee machine. Mineral deposits clog water passage areas, which impacts the taste of coffee. Eventually, the machine itself will be ruined.
How do I prevent hard water in my coffee maker?
Suppose it’s inevitable that hard water has to be used. In that case, you can invest in a water purification system that runs the water before it gets into the machine or buys a machine that has a filtration system in itself.
What does water hardness mean on a coffee machine?
Water hardness is measured by the amount of deposit-causing minerals in it. So as soon as you start using the hard water, the mineral deposits and changes in the taste of the coffee is inevitable.
What is the best water hardness for coffee?
Water hardness should be limited to a PH of between 7 to 8.6, which will help get a consistent flavour extraction that is in line with the PH of the coffee you are using.