There are two dominant factions in the world of competitive coffee brewing: those who argue that bottled water is best and those that root for tap water. Both positions have their strengths and weaknesses, but deciding which option is better comes down to personal preference. If you’re a diehard coffee drinker, this article will help you find the perfect combination of water with coffee grounds.
When it comes to using bottled and tap water for a coffee maker, there are benefits and disadvantages to each option. The advantages of using tap water over bottled water are several, but bottled water puts up a good challenge as well.
Tap Water for the Coffee Maker
There are benefits and drawbacks related to tap water.
Tap water for a coffee maker is the most convenient option as it is a quick fix to a hot cup of coffee. It seems to be a good choice because it’s inexpensive, readily available, and you don’t have to worry about purchasing expensive bottled water.
However, tap water has chlorine and other harmful chemicals in it for which we need to use water filters. Even though you’re using bottled water for your coffee maker, tap water is still a good choice for cooking and doing laundry.
Benefits of Using Tap Water
1) Affordable
Using tap water for the coffee maker is the most inexpensive option. In some cases, you could buy a water filter system to remove chlorine and other harmful chemicals. If you’re on a tight budget, using tap water can be the best choice for a morning cup of coffee.
2) Easily Accessible
You can get essential tap water from the faucet at any time of the day. You don’t have to rely on a neighbor, friend or family member to bring you a bottle of water. It’s quick and easy to fill up the water reservoir in the tank for your coffee maker.
3) Safe to Drink
Using tap water for the coffee maker is also safe to drink. It’s regulated by the government and you can be sure that it won’t make you sick. You can use tap water without thinking or worrying about any harmful chemicals.
Disadvantages of Using Tap Water
1) Use Of Chlorine and Other Chemicals
At times, in certain communities, tap water is the perfect breeding ground for bacteria, which can damage your coffee maker. When you use tap water, the chlorinated properties can mix with the oils in the machine’s internal parts.
2) It Leaves An Unpleasant Aftertaste
Even if you avoid using tap water for your coffee maker, the chlorinated properties can leave a bitter aftertaste in the coffee, and it affects the taste of the coffee too. This problem isn’t limited to using tap water for the coffee maker; this problem occurs with all types of water, whether it’s bottled or tap.
3) Water Hardness
Tap water for the machine isn’t a good choice in areas where the water is hard in nature. Hard water washes away the oils and residue from the internal parts of the coffee maker. If you’re not using tap water, make sure that you use a softener to keep the internal parts, clean and lubricated.
Bottled Water for Your Coffee Maker
Using bottled water to make coffee is the most convenient option, but it’s also expensive. If you have to purchase bottled water every time you need a coffee cup, it could be to your advantage to use tap water instead.
You can buy bottled water anywhere, and any time you want one. However, not all places sell water in bottles, and some may give you a choice between drinking from the tap or a bottle of water. At times, the minerals in bottled water may ruin the machine, and it may not be easy to fix. On the other hand, smells that come from minerals may leak into the coffee, providing an unpleasant taste.
The minerals in the water can corrode the components of the machine to cause premature wear. This could lead to problems with the coffee maker, and you could end up with an expensive repair bill if you don’t have a warranty on your appliance. You may have to go through a complicated, expensive and time-consuming process to replace a part in the machine because of mineral contamination.
Benefits Of Using Bottled Water
The advantages of using bottled water are:
1) Accessibility
Bottled water is accessible in an urban area. It is a much easier option to have, compared to having a machine without bottled water available.
2) Dependable
The water tastes the same time after time, and you know that it’s safe to drink. You don’t have to check the water quality regularly, and you don’t have to worry about finding bottled water in time for your coffee maker.
3) Clean
Bottled water is put through rigorous testing, and is met with environmental and health standards. This provides a safe and effective use of the coffee machine, ensuring a long life and durability to its structure and parts.
4) Convenience
Bottled water is easy to store, and can be used in different occasions including beach-parties, family gathering or a friend’s reunion.
5) Contamination
Harmful chemicals sometimes contaminate tap water, but bottled water is free of these contaminants. Bottled water is thoroughly tested.
Disadvantages of Using Bottled Water
Using bottled water for the appliance may not be as good as using tap water.
1) Expensive
Bottled water is often expensive to buy. Apart from that, you need to pay additional charges for storage and delivery services too.
2) A Changed Taste
The number of minerals in the water can affect the taste of the coffee brewed in the coffee dispenser. This can be a real disadvantage when you have guests at home or have to cater to friends.
3) Transportation
Bottled water that comes from far away may use natural resources such as oil and gas, increasing the price of water and damaging the environment.
4) Jamming of the Machine
Bottled water may not be suitable for your coffee brewer due to its mineral content and lack of cleaning. This can lead to machine jams and broken coffee makers.
5) Mineral Contamination Is Hard To Identify
It’s challenging to find out if the machine is contaminated with minerals. If the minerals in the water get into the machine, it will jam and break. Even the best coffee makers may fall short when faced with mineral contamination.
Conclusion
A lot depends on the type of coffee maker you choose. Some will work fine with tap water, while others need bottled water for better results.
You may want to test both types of water if you buy a new machine and see what works best for you. Your choice should also depend on how sensitive your taste buds are and whether minerals in the water can affect the taste of the coffee. You want to enjoy a cup of coffee, so you might choose bottled water if it makes little difference in the flavor once it is brewed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Are there cleaners that I can use with my coffee maker?
A. Coffee makers often come with a cleaning function. This function allows for efficient cleaning of the machine regularly. Other liquid cleaners, however, will have different results. They may not be suitable for your coffee machine and may ruin the taste of the coffee by mixing with other smells and flavors in the water tank.
Q. How Does Water Affect The Taste Of Coffee?
A. To make a good cup of coffee, you need to use water that contains little mineral content. If you use hard water, it will blend with the flavors and particles in the coffee and affect the taste. Soft water, on the other hand, does not blend with other flavors, and it helps in improving the quality of the coffee. If you want to improve the flavor, you can use an activated carbon filter or purifier.
Q. How Much Do Water Filters Contribute To Tap Water?
A. It’s hard to tell if specific filters have a lot of effect on the water, but many people use them because they believe that they are good for their health. These filters clean the water without adding more unwanted chemicals and other ionic particles that may harm you.