ardy2d Senior Member Joined: 22 Jun 2004 Posts: 62 Location: San Jose Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Old Gaggia Grinder: Old Gaggia mdf Roaster: Popper--original poppery
Posted Fri Jan 7, 2005, 11:23am Subject: Re: Distilled Water: is it a DO or DON'T?
Minerals do have flavor... few people choose to drink disilled water because it lacks taste we are simply not accustomed to drinking distilled water
I suggest you do your own taste test test some decent drinking water against distilled water. If distilled tastes fine to you... should be OK for coffee... just not optimal
Interesting note: I use an in-line water softener for my machine This needs to be "renewed with a salt water soak now and then I have tried tasting the salt water soak that carries away the "extra" minerals from the softener. Of couse this water tastes very salty... but it is also noticably bitter For me---This experiment really confirmed the idea that these minerals have flavor. Too many minerals can add an unpleasant flavor ... not enough minerals and the water is flat
Posted Sun Jan 9, 2005, 9:08pm Subject: Re: Distilled Water: is it a DO or DON'T?
ardy2d Said:
. . . I have tried tasting the salt water soak that carries away the "extra" minerals from the softener. Of couse this water tastes very salty... but it is also noticably bitter For me---This experiment really confirmed the idea that these minerals have flavor. Too many minerals can add an unpleasant flavor ... not enough minerals and the water is flat
You're absolutely right, though. Water without mineral content is flat and insipid tasting. You use distilled water where you don't want mineral buildup. . .like in steam irons.
Posted Wed Jan 19, 2005, 4:27pm Subject: Re: Distilled Water: is it a DO or DON'T?
Do you use the in-line water softener that looks like a plastic case filled with sand? I have one of those but I'm a little leery of getting "sand" in my machine's pumps, inards, etc. Any experience with that?
Posted Wed Jan 19, 2005, 5:03pm Subject: Re: Distilled Water: is it a DO or DON'T?
Fillmore Said:
Do you use the in-line water softener that looks like a plastic case filled with sand? I have one of those but I'm a little leery of getting "sand" in my machine's pumps, inards, etc. Any experience with that?
I just ordered a new pump because of this exact problem. Originally I thought my OPV setting was drifting because my backflush pressure went down ~1/4 bar. It turns out that the "sand" (resin) leaked into the line and some made it to the pump so it has been steadily degrading over time. I cleaned it all out but that only put off the inevitable (sp?). Last night my backflush pressure had dropped another 1/4 bar. So the new pump and tubing on the way from Chris'Coffee (dang they're awesome - they shipped the same day I ordered it).
The tech at Chris' said once that stuff is in the pump you can't get it all out and you'll need a new pump. At least he said the the new one is a better-made pump than the original so I can consider this an "upgrade". I should be able to install the new pump this weekend...
Posted Thu Jan 20, 2005, 7:15am Subject: Re: Distilled Water: is it a DO or DON'T?
JonR10 Said:
I just ordered a new pump because of this exact problem. Originally I thought my OPV setting was drifting because my backflush pressure went down ~1/4 bar. It turns out that the "sand" (resin) leaked into the line and some made it to the pump so it has been steadily degrading over time. I cleaned it all out but that only put off the inevitable (sp?). Last night my backflush pressure had dropped another 1/4 bar. So the new pump and tubing on the way from Chris'Coffee (dang they're awesome - they shipped the same day I ordered it).
The tech at Chris' said once that stuff is in the pump you can't get it all out and you'll need a new pump. At least he said the the new one is a better-made pump than the original so I can consider this an "upgrade". I should be able to install the new pump this weekend...
declan Senior Member Joined: 6 Jan 2005 Posts: 21 Location: Scotland Expertise: Just starting
Espresso: Gaggia Evolution Grinder: Gaggia MDF
Posted Fri Jan 21, 2005, 6:56am Subject: Re: Distilled Water: is it a DO or DON'T?
I could be wrong here, but isn't there a problem with some boilers (esp Gaggia) where the boiler can corrode over time. I have heard that distilled water can greatly delay this process. I read somewhere else that you only need worry if you are in a "hard" water area. Is any of this true? Is it worth distilling water to avoid problem? And how in the name of god-shot do you know if you are in a "hard" water area?
Declan (From Ireland - Living in Scotland) (Newbie!)
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