Can you use distilled water in a Keurig coffee machine instead of spring water or bottled water? To some people, it would make sense, but there is controversy on whether it improves the quality of your cup of coffee.
Most people know distilled water as a safe liquid to use in many things. Understanding what distilled water is will help you understand why you would or would not want to use it.
Distilled water has its purposes but is it the best option for your Keurig machine? This article will tell you what experts are saying about distilled water and whether using it will help or hinder your coffee-drinking experience.
Because distilled water is such a good solvent, it causes the coffee grounds to swell and slows the flow of water. This leads to bitter, over-extracted coffee or possible brew basket overflow.
As wonderful as a fancy espresso machine can be, it can be tiresome to jump through all the hoops to make a perfect cup of coffee. The grinding and the brushing and the tamping can be a bit much in the early hours of the morning before any caffeine is had.
Given that minerals in the tap water can cause problems for the machine, it might stand to reason that the best option for a Keurig is distilled water, which has had any impurities and minerals removed (via Healthline). However, this isnt the answer either, as most Keurig machines are built with sensors that are meant to detect the mineral content in water. If theres no mineral content, as is the case with distilled water, youll get an error message.
Keurig machines have their own series of drawbacks (depending on the model, they can be pricey, and there have been concerns about the environmental impact associated with using Keurig cups, according to Story of Stuff). However, they certainly have one thing going for them — theyre super convenient.
Since coffee is some 98 percent water, the water quality will affect the taste of your cup of coffee as well as how your machine operates over the long run (via Another Cuppa Joe). If you use hard water that comes out of your kitchen tap, for example, which is often packed with a number of minerals like calcium, it can build up in your machine, requiring a decalcifying method such as vinegar or lemon juice to break up the white buildup in the machine (via The Kitchn).
Instead of distilled water, you can try using bottled filtered water, although it can get pricey and produce quite a lot of plastic as well. Instead, you can try filtering your tap water through a home filter, such as a Brita filter. You can also purchase carbon filters that live in the water reservoir of the machine. Even if you are using another method to filter your water, you might consider using the Keurig branded carbon filters just as a backup since it cant hurt to filter twice.
What Makes Distilled Water?
The water you consume should be clean and refreshing, without the bad taste of chemicals. Distilled water contains no minerals and impurities, but consists of hydrogen and oxygen.
According to Healthline, the process of distilling water consists of boiling water and then condensing its steam back into a liquid. The distilling process also boils out the contaminants.
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FAQ
Is it OK to use distilled water in a Keurig?
Why should you not use distilled water in a coffee maker?
What water is best in a Keurig?
Is distilled water good for a Keurig?
Given that minerals in the tap water can cause problems for the machine, it might stand to reason that the best option for a Keurig is distilled water, which has had any impurities and minerals removed (via Healthline ).
Keurig vs Nespresso: Which is healthier?
Each Nespresso pod is made with a flat top and through a series of multiple and strategic perforations in the capsule, hot water is pumped through. Keurig provides a vast array of beverages and flavors and while Nespresso features the signature crema top layer that often characterizes a true cup of espresso coffee
Can you use filtered water in a Keurig?
It is so pure that the sensors in Keurig 2.0 can not operate properly with it. So if you own a Keurig 2.0 brewer, only use tap water or regular filtered water, and just descale your machine every so often. Can you use distilled water in your Keurig? You can only use distilled water in Keurig 1.0 models.
What kind of water should a Keurig use?
The best kind of water to use with your Keurig is filtered. This kind of water is the most purified where the amount of minerals is less than 1 PPM. This makes sure that your brewer won’t build up any extra lime or scale, and will regularly produce good-tasting coffee.