Water Quality Statement
Water makes up over 90% of your coffee, making it a critical ingredient in achieving great flavor and ensuring the longevity of your equipment. Proper water treatment is essential to maintain the quality of your product and protect your machine. During brewing or extraction, various substances, such as oils, minerals, salts, and sugars, are drawn into the water, impacting the taste. Every water source is unique, containing different minerals, chemicals, and compounds due to geographic and municipal factors. We strongly recommend thorough water testing to determine the best filtration solution for your specific needs.
Please note that All Espresso Service does not monitor changes in water quality resulting from municipal treatment. Damage caused by improperly treated water can void both the machine and manufacturer’s warranty. Key water factors to consider for equipment maintenance include Calcium Carbonate and Chlorides. Calcium Carbonate, a dissolved mineral, accumulates as scale within the machine, measured as water hardness. High levels of water hardness accelerate scale buildup, which can clog orifices and obstruct sensors, leading to improper readings. Chlorides can react with metal components in the espresso machine, creating salts that alter the flavor and cause corrosion.
Filtration Quick Guide
Filtration systems can be installed in-line directly before the machine or as part of a larger water management system. When integrating a machine into a building's water management system, ensure that water hardness, TDS, pH, and chloride levels are within recommended ranges. An additional in-line system may be necessary to compensate for deficiencies in the building's water management system.
Note: A water softener alone is often insufficient.
- Carbon Filtration: Uses granular carbon to retain compounds that affect taste and odor.
- Ion Exchange: Replaces undesirable mineral components with desirable ones, like sodium, by attracting ions to a membrane.
- Reverse Osmosis: Forces water through a semi-permeable membrane to remove ions, molecules, and larger particles, including bacteria. We recommend using a blend valve to achieve the desired mineral levels, targeting a TDS of 90-110 ppm.
Filter Cartridge Exchange: The schedule for replacing filter cartridges depends on usage, water quality, and manufacturer recommendations. Depending on the filter type (carbon, ion, or membrane), the flow rate may change, potentially affecting water pressure to the equipment. Refer to your filtration manufacturer for specific replacement schedules. Regularly changing filters extends equipment life and maintains product quality.
Standard Water Requirements
- Total Dissolved Solids (TDS): 30-150 ppm
- Total Hardness: 2-3 grains per gallon
- pH: 6-8
- Chloride: 0 ppm
- Chloramine: 0 ppm
- Silica: <5 ppm
- Flow Rate: ≥ 0.5 gallons per minute