Are Coffee Machine-Specific Water Filters Worth The Effort?

timmypete on 25/08/2020 - 22:03
Last edited 04/07/2021 - 20:04 by 1 other user

Following all the recent coffee deals here, I'm curious of the broader Ozbargain views on using filtered water in espresso machines. This includes whether flavour or reduced descaling is the key driver.

I'm using a Delonghi Dedica which can accept a machine-specific filter installed in the tank before the water inlet:

• They are $29 retail for original units (which are supposed to last 2 months) but can be had for $16 individually via Amazon UK.
• Chinese third party units are approx $13 each in bulk via Amazon US, more via Amazon AU for smaller packs and circa $8 in bulk from Aliexpress. Unclear if they contain BPA and if I should care about this.
• Mid-market UK units are advertised as BPA free for $14 pre-shipping

I don't currently filter water at all, but have been thinking it could be worthwhile to further improve quality. I'm an espresso-only drinker and pretty happy with current work but always up for further improvements. I'm not concerned by drinking unfiltered water for my non-caffeinated drinks.

I'm in a small apartment and an in-unit solution would take less bench space than a separate jug or benchtop filtering unit, but query whether the additional cost outweighs any extra benefits. I'm also keen for any real experience with the OEM Delonghi filters and the various third party options.

I use the Dedica with an unpressurised bottomless portafilter and a Breville Smart Grinder Pro. I pre weigh using scales rather than relying on the grinder timer. My monthly 500g subscription usually gets me 2-3 espressos on workdays, alternating between singles and doubles.

If avoiding descaling is the primary driver here, keen to understand your day to day coffee making routine. I generally preheat cups by pouring an empty shot, but guess I could transition to running an espresso cup of water through the microwave first.

Poll Options

• 12
  No filtering
• 2
  Filtered water - in-machine (OEM filters)
• 0
  Filtered water - in-machine (third party filters)
• 8
  Filtered water - pre-machine (Brita jug or similar)
• 4
  Filtered water - via plumbed home system or similar

• 

  [Deactivated] on 25/08/2020 - 22:07

  filtered water does not taste nice.
  sydney tap water is the best flavoured.

  • 

    timmypete on 26/08/2020 - 19:10

    +1

    We may have rampant Rona in Victoria, but at least we don't have Sydney water.

• 

  ihavok on 25/08/2020 - 22:39

  +1

  my setup is pretty similar to yours. I just use one of those Brita jugs which i use to filter any water i drink/cook with. I think these are cheap enough to try.

  if you can tell the difference between drinking tap water and filtered tap water, you may be able to tell a difference in the coffee you brew. of course it gets harder to tell if you further dilute your espresso coffee with milk, sugar, etc.

  if you want to geek out, check out this Youtube video:
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ax9dQFwcxmg&feature=emb_titl…

  • 

    timmypete on 26/08/2020 - 17:45

    Thanks for sharing your experience and for the James Hoffman rabbit hole!

• 

  Sunshines bright on 26/08/2020 - 10:56

  +1

  our Breville came with a water filter so we use it but I have yet to replace it after 2+ years. I thought about purchasing some new ones but like the OP am not sure if it is worthwhile. I mean, is is about flavour or maintenance of the machines? Flavour I do not concern myself with as I would not notice the difference in my cappuccinos but if it is to keep the machine running longer then that would be a different story.

  So is the water filter for flavour or Maintenance of machines?

  • 

    timmypete on 26/08/2020 - 17:47

    At this stage the poll has more people filtering than not, but only 1/13 using an in-machine filter.

    Would love to have set a second poll on why people use the filter but could only do one per post.

• 

  JIMB0 on 26/08/2020 - 13:55

  +1

  Waste of time in Melbourne as the water is quite good already. All you're going to get us is a build up of lime scale. Running a descaler through every month or so will keep it clean.

  • 

    timmypete on 26/08/2020 - 17:48

    Thanks JIMB0! This was sort of where I was at before posting and no one has changed my mind yet.

• 

  timmypete on 18/09/2020 - 13:59

  So the final poll result is 14 people who filter their water in some form, and 12 who don't (myself included).

  Of the filtering group, only two use in-machine units (both voted OEM, suggesting zero use third party in-machine units) with the rest using not-coffee-specific equipment.

  I've ordered two Delonghi filters via Amazon UK today. Will trial to see if there is any noticeable difference for my espresso. Long term a jug is probably better value. Assuming similar filter service lifetime, Brita jug filter replacements are cheaper than the Delonghi units.

• 

  sim36 on 21/10/2020 - 11:43

  +2

  Sunbeam Cafe Series machine - used filters for 10 years - changed em probably 3 times. Discovered you don't need them and removed - no issues in machine or taste of coffee. So no - filters aren't needed. BTW, I'm in Melbourne and we have good water.