What is Pre-infusion? A Simple Guide to Better Espresso
Pre-infusion is one of the small details that can make a noticeable difference in the cup! Let's take a closer look.
The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Right Water for Your Espresso Machine
If you live in Calgary, choosing the best water for your espresso machine is especially important. Calgary is known for its hard water, and over time, that can have a significant impact on your machine.
In this guide, we’ll explain which type of water we recommend, why it matters, and how you can give your machine a longer life.
Why Water Matters More Than You Think
Every cup of espresso begins with water.
As water travels through your machine, it passes through the boiler, pipes, valves, and other internal components. If that water contains high levels of minerals, those minerals gradually build up inside the machine.
This buildup, known as scale, can eventually:
-Reduce heating efficiency
-Affect brewing performance
-Increase the need for servicing
-Shorten the lifespan of your espresso machine
A little prevention can go a long way. Choosing the right water is one of the simplest ways to help keep your machine performing at its best.
Which Water Is the Best?
Here’s our recommendation for the most common water options.
Filtered Water: Best choice! It helps reduce minerals while keeping enough for healthy machine operation.
Tap Water: Not recommended. Calgary's water is very hard and can cause mineral buildup over time.
Bottled Water: It depends. Mineral levels vary by brand. Some are suitable, while others are almost as hard as tap water.
Distilled Water: Not recommended. It is too pure. Many espresso machines can't detect it properly. Use with 1/3 of tap water if you want to choose it.
Why Filtered Water Is the Best Choice
As mentioned above, filtered water is the best choice for most espresso machines.
Calgary’s tap water contains lots of naturally occurring minerals such as calcium. While these minerals are perfectly safe to drink, they can gradually build up inside your espresso machine, causing serious damage. Then, distilled water may seem like the safest choice because it contains almost no minerals. However, many espresso machines are designed to work with a small amount of mineral content. If there's no minerals in the water, your machine won't start working.
For most Calgary homeowners, filtered water offers the best balance between protecting your espresso machine and producing great-tasting coffee.
Should You Install an Espresso Machine Water Filter?
If you make espresso regularly, installing a water filter is one of the best ways to protect your machine over the long term.
Rather than dealing with scale after it forms, a water filtration system helps reduce excess minerals before they reach your espresso machine. It’s a simple step that can help minimize maintenance, reduce the risk of costly repairs, and keep your machine performing at its best.
If your kitchen has plumbing available under the sink, we recommend a BWT under-sink filtration system. Designed to soften Calgary’s hard water before it reaches your espresso machine, it’s a true “set it and forget it” solution. Depending on your household’s water usage, the filter typically only needs replacing every one to two years.
It’s a convenient way to enjoy great-tasting coffee while helping protect one of the most valuable pieces of your coffee setup.
Final Thoughts
Taking care of your espresso machine starts with something simple: the water you use every day.
Choosing the right water doesn’t just improve the taste of your coffee, it also helps reduce mineral buildup, extend the life of your machine, and minimize the need for repairs.
If you’re unsure which water filtration solution is right for your home, visit us at Espresso Works! We’d be happy to answer your questions, recommend the right filtration system, and help you enjoy great coffee while protecting your machine for years to come.
