6 Best Coffee Makers for Hard Water (2021)
Want a way to enjoy your morning cup of coffee, but your hard water is messing it up? Are you looking to buy the best coffee maker for hard water on the market?
While hard water, overall, is not a bad thing. It can really cause problems for your coffee maker if you don’t maintain it properly.
In this article we will discuss both the type and models of coffee makers that are the best for dealing with hard water. We will also discuss what you need to do to maintain your coffee maker, so that it lasts a long time.
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6 Best Coffee Makers for Hard Water:
We all want a bold, delicious cup of coffee in the morning. Unfortunately, if you use hard water to brew your coffee if can make your coffee taste weird or watery. You need to keep your coffee maker clean and descale it often to help combat the affect that hard tap water has on your coffee machine.
This will not only give you that bold and tasty cup of coffee you want. It will also increase the lifespan of your coffee maker. Some coffee makers are better than others when it comes to hard water.
Here are the best coffee makers for hard water that you can own and use right now:
1. Cuisinart DCC-1150BK Classic Thermal Programmable Coffee Maker
The Cuisinart DCC-1150BK Classic Thermal Programmable Coffee Maker is a popular model that gets high scores and reviews online. The double-wall insulated thermal carafe keeps the coffee hot, so you can enjoy it all morning long. It is also constructed with stainless-steel that will help the temperature stay hot.
The brew-pause function allows you to enjoy your first cup before the brewing process is complete. If you need to get some caffeine in your system quickly, then you will love being able to pause the brewing process in the morning. The self-cleaning function helps you to keep the coffee maker well-maintained easily.
While you should still clean and descale it regularly, the self-cleaning function allows you to do it less frequently than other models. The charcoal filter purifies the water and ensure that no sediments or mineral build up gets into the carafe.
Pros:
- Double walled carafe keeps coffee hot for hours
- You can pause the brewing process to quickly enjoy that first sip of coffee in the morning
- Self-Cleaning Function helps you to easily maintain the system
Cons:
- Water fill line is located on the back and hard to see
- Water reservoir is too small
- The carafe handle may separate from the glass
Overall, this is a durable and long-lasting coffee maker for you to buy.
The Hamilton Beach FlexBrew Coffee Maker gives you the flexibility to brew both a full pot of coffee and a single cup, depending on your needs. If you like having plenty of option with your coffee, then this is a great choice for you.
There are two separate water reservoirs. You can make a full pot of one flavor of coffee and a single cup of a different type. The single serve option allows you to brew coffee for a small coffee cup or a tall travel mug. The glass carafe keeps your pot of coffee hot and ready to drink for you to enjoy a second or third cup in the morning.
You can program the coffee maker to be ready to brew at a specific time so you can wake up to a hot, fresh pot of coffee in the morning. There is also the brew-pause function for those that can’t wait to enjoy the first sip. You won’t have to wait until the brewing process is complete before pouring your first cup of coffee in the morning.
Pros:
- Can use both k cups and reusable pods for the single serve coffee
- Can program to brew coffee in the morning
- Brew-pause function to enjoy a cup during the brewing process
- Automatically shuts off after two hours
- Separate water reservoirs
Cons:
- Doesn’t feature a hot plate which would keep coffee hot for longer than the carafe does
- The coffee machine’s cord is very short
- Single-cup takes a while to brew your cup of coffee
- The lid on the carafe doesn’t always open properly causing spills to occur
This is the perfect choice for those that want the flexibility of enjoying a full pot of coffee on some days and a single cup of coffee on others. It also allows you to enjoy different flavors of coffee at the same time. Whether you share with other people in the house or in a small office, this is a great coffee maker to consider buying.
The CHULUX Single Serve Coffee Brewer is perfect if you enjoy having a fresh cup of coffee each and every time. This single serve option allows you to enjoy whatever flavor you want every time you brew a new cup.
The brew time is only 2-3 minutes. So you won’t have to wait long until you feel that kick of caffeine you need to get through the long day ahead of you. The cleaning system helps to prevent mineral build up from occurring. This makes it a great choice if you use hard water to brew your coffee.
However, you will still need to clean and descale this machine if you want it to last a long time. It comes in many color options for you to choose. You will easily be able to match your kitchen décor, no matter what it is.
Pros:
- Simple, one-button operation
- Auto shut-off feature
- Cleaning system helps you to handle hard water easily
- Brews quickly, so you can enjoy that first sip in no time at all
- Flexibility to enjoy a different flavor of coffee with each cup
Cons:
- No window in the water reservoir so you don’t know how much water it has in it
- Some coffee grounds get through the filter and into your coffee cup
- Holding plate is not as sturdy as other models
This is a simple to use and compact model that can easily fit in any kitchen. If you want a single serve coffee maker that is convenient to use and store away, then this is the one you should buy.
The Braun BrewSense Drip Coffee Maker allows you to make anywhere from one to a full pot of coffee at one time. This is perfect because you won’t need to own different coffee makers. You can use just this one as both a single serve and a traditional drip coffee maker.
The charcoal filter purifies the water and helps to prevent mineral build up in the machine. This is great, especially if you use hard water in your coffee maker. The cleaning feature is adjustable, based on the hardness of the water you use.
This machine also features both a programmable timer and an auto shutoff. You can wake up to a fresh pot of coffee in the morning and get on with your day. The coffee machine will automatically turn itself off, so you don’t have to worry about forgetting to do it on the way out the door.
Pros:
- Can make both a single cup and a full pot of coffee
- Programmable timer allows you to wake up to a fresh pot
- Auto shutoff feature makes it simple to use
- Brew-pause feature allows you to enjoy your first cup before the brewing process is fully complete
- Filtering system helps reduce the amount of mineral build up that occurs in the machine
Cons:
- The keep warm control doesn’t always work properly
- More expensive than other models that give you the same features
This is the perfect coffee maker if you want to wake up to a fresh cup, or pot, of coffee and be out the door. You can have it ready to go and not have to worry about touching the machine or turning it off.
The HAMSWAN Drip Coffee Maker features a narrow, compact design that can easily fit on any counter. It is simple and easy to use. If you want a convenient coffee maker without all of the complicated bells and whistles then this is a great option. It features the options you care about and none that you don’t.
This coffee maker will brew you a full pot of coffee in six minutes. Can’t wait that long? No need, you can use the brew-pause feature to enjoy your first cup before the full brewing process is done.
You can use the keep warm feature to enjoy hot coffee all morning long. The auto shut off allows you to walk away without worrying about turning the machine off when you are done using it. This coffee maker is simple to clean when you are done.
Pros:
- Compact design to fit in small spaces
- Simple, easy to use coffee machine
- Brew-pause allows you to pour a cup before the process is complete
- Auto shut off will automatically shut of the machine, so don’t have to worry about forgetting to do so
- Keep warm feature allows you to enjoy hot cups of coffee all morning long
Cons:
- Coffee grinds may get stuck in the filter and are hard to clean and remove
- Buyers have complained about the water pump working sporadically on their machine
This is a straightforward and simple coffee machine to use. Whether you want a single cup of coffee or a whole pot you can make it with this machine. It allows you to enjoy delicious, hot coffee all morning long and will automatically shut off when you are done using it. The coffee maker is quick and simple to clean when you need to without any issues.
The Touch Choice Single Serve Coffee Brewer features a compact, simple design that can easily fit in any space. You will have no problem using this coffee machine. There are only a few options and buttons to learn.
The water tank is clear allowing you to see how much water it has and when you need to refill it. the water reservoir is also removable and easy to clean. Just add the coffee grounds you want and choose what size coffee you want to brew. It doesn’t get much simpler than that.
The drip catches any coffee, so you don’t make a mess on your countertops. It is also removeable and simple to clean out. The automatic shut off feature allows you to walk away when you are done without worrying about turning off the coffee maker. You can just make your cup of coffee and be on your way out the door for work.
If you are looking for a simple coffee machine that will brew the hot, bold cup of coffee you want then this is the one for you. You can choose how strong you want your coffee brewed; mild, medium, or bold.
This is a great coffee maker that allows everyone in the house to brew a cup of coffee that meets their personal preference. You can brew anywhere from 6 ounces to 26 ounces at one time.
Pros:
- Small, compact design fits in small places
- Simple to use operation with few buttons
- Can brew 6 to 26 ounces at one time
- Allows you to choose how bold you want your coffee to brew
- Auto shutoff allows you to walk away without any worries
Cons:
- More expensive than other models that have same features
- Some buyers have complained that the water pump only works sporadically on their coffee maker
This is an efficient and easy to use coffee maker. It will make a hot cup of coffee that is personalized to your preferences. It is a great single serve coffee maker that can also make a carafe full of coffee if you have a couple people that want to have a cup. If you want a simple coffee machine that will quickly brew your coffee in the morning, then this is one you should consider purchasing.
How to choose the best coffee maker for hard water:
There are a couple of key features that you should consider before choosing which coffee maker for hard water to buy. They include:
1. Self-cleaning Feature: A coffee maker that has a self-cleaning feature will help to reduce the amount of mineral build up a machine gets. This will allow you to manually clean and descale your coffee machine less often.
2. Filtration System: You should consider buying a coffee maker that has a good filter on it. This will help to filter the hard water and is another way to prevent build up and deposits ruining your machine. It will also help with the taste and quality of your coffee.
There are also other features you may want such as auto shutoff, keep warm, programmable timer, and many others. However, these won’t help deal with the hard water problem. They are just additional features that you may want depending on your needs and lifestyle.
How does hard water affect the taste of the coffee?
Hard water affects the taste of the coffee beans that you are using to brew your cup, or pot, of coffee. The roasted coffee beans, or ground coffee, has its own bold and unique flavor profile. When you use hard tap water to brew your coffee it changes the flavor profile of the coffee beans.
Why you ask? The hard water contains compounds such as magnesium and calcium that create higher levels of ions in the water. The higher the level of ions that are present in it, the harder the water becomes. These compounds attach to the coffee beans or ground coffee and change the taste of the coffee you are brewing.
While the flavor that emerges may taste good, it can also cause the coffee to taste weird too. The compounds in the hard water will also cause your coffee machine to be damaged over time if you don’t clean and maintain it properly.
How does hard water affect a coffee maker?
The compounds in the hard water combine over time to form solids. These solids create mineral build-up over time inside of your coffee maker. The mineral build-up enhances the flavor profile of your cup of coffee. While this can be good, depending on the taste it creates.
It is also bad because it will damage your coffee machine if it is not properly maintained. You need to make sure that you are cleaning and descaling your coffee maker on a regular basis, especially if you use hard water.
What happens if you don’t descale your coffee maker?
We all know that we need to clean our coffee maker, just like we do for all of our other small appliances. However, many don’t realize that we also need to descale your machine.
Descaling a coffee maker is different from cleaning it. Descaling requires using thorough cleaning materials to get the job done. Here is some things that you will deal with if you don’t descale your coffee maker:
- The brewed coffee won’t be as hot as before
- The brewed coffee will taste weaker and more watery than it used to
- The mineral build up inside of the machine will cause damage and eventually break the coffee maker
How often should you descale your coffee maker?
This is a hard question to answer because it really depends on the type of machine you have and how hard the water is that you are using. Many people recommend that you descale your coffee machine once a month.
However, we all know that most of us aren’t going to do that due to lack of time and convenience. You want to be sure that you descale your coffee machine at least once every two to three months to be safe.
If you have a coffee maker with a self-cleaning process and a water filter built in to it, then you can probably get away with doing it every three months. If it doesn’t then you should do it at least once every two months.
More is even better, but it’s up to you. You definitely don’t want to wait any longer than three months because it will start affecting how your machine functions and how your coffee tastes.
How to descale your coffee maker:
While it does take a little time and effort to descale your machine. It is not difficult to do. Just follow these steps:
1. Clean your coffee maker: you should remove all of the parts and thoroughly rinse out the machine with soap and warm water. This will help remove some of the build up and grime from your coffee maker. Let the machine completely dry before you move on to step two.
2. Add water with either your descaling solution or white vinegar to the water reservoir: If you are using a descaling solution then be sure to follow the directions on it. If you are using white vinegar that you want to use equal parts water to the vinegar, or a 1:1 ratio.
3. Run the brew cycle on your coffee maker: You want to run the brew cycle until the water reservoir is at the half-way point, or half empty. Then let the solution sit for an hour. After an hour, you should continue running the brew cycle until the water reservoir is empty.
4. Run the brew cycle with just water: Next you want to run the brew cycle with just clean water until the water reservoir is completely empty. This should be enough to clean out the vinegar or descaling solution. You can do more cycles if you feel they are needed.
5. That’s it, enjoy a fresh cup of coffee!
Which type of coffee maker is best for hard water?
Hard water creates mineral build up over time. This not only affects the flavor of your coffee. It also can damage your coffee machine. While you can deal with this by cleaning and descaling your coffee maker on a regular basis.
You can also help the situation by choosing the best coffee maker to use with hard water. This is because the hard water affects different types of coffee machines in different ways, such as:
1. Traditional Drip Coffee Makers: The traditional coffee maker is the most durable type of coffee machine that you can use when it comes to hard water. A traditional drip coffee maker is a simple machine that brews a whole pot of coffee for you to enjoy all morning long.
Because it is a simple machine, it can withstand the mineral build up longer. However, even the most durable machine will be affected by hard water if not properly cleaned and maintained regularly. Not only are traditional coffee makers the most durable.
They are also the easiest to clean and descale. If you take care of this machine it will last many, many years for you. These are also an affordable choice, which is a great bonus for you.
2. Single Cup Coffee Makers: While a single cup coffee machine is efficient and simple to use. It does not do well with hard water. When it comes to this machine, it is highly recommended that you use filtered or bottle water with it. However, if you choose a one cup coffee maker that can handle hard water and maintain it properly you should be fine.
3. Espresso Machines: These machines, like the single serve coffee maker, are best used with filtered and bottled water. The espresso makers don’t do the best at dealing with limescale and mineral build up.
They are very sensitive and will be affected quickly by any debris inside of the machine. Many believe that espresso machines should not be used with hard water at all. If you do choose to use an espresso machine with hard water, then it is vital that you keep it well maintained.
As you can see, the traditional drip coffee maker is the best type of machine that you can use when it comes to hard water. The single serve coffee makers and espresso machines are more sensitive to the mineral build up that hard water creates.
However, no matter which type of coffee maker you choose you will have to regularly clean and maintain it in order for it to last. While you can use the two other types if you choose, you will have to keep on top of descaling and cleaning them often. If you want a coffee maker that is easy to use, efficient, and durable then I suggest you go with the traditional coffee maker.
Final Thoughts:
While all of these coffee makers for hard water are great choices. The overall best choice is the Cuisinart DCC-1150BK. Not only is this one programmable and simple to use, but it features a self-cleaning system that will help you with maintaining it.
As a coffee drinker, the last thing I want is to waste my money on a machine that won’t last. You won’t have to worry about that happening if you purchase this model. The charcoal filter helps to purify the water and you can adjust the cleaning feature to the hardness of the water that you use. Overall, this is an amazing and long-lasting machine that can handle hard water really well.
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