Olympia Maximatic - Second Look wrote:The pumps of most pourover espresso machines draw water through silicone tubing from a plastic tank. After a day or two, the plastic imparts an unpleasant taste to the water.

A 2007 study at Virginia Tech indicated that plastic flavor was only a problem for new plastic and goes away after about two months, depending on usage: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/08/070823141100.htm

It should be noted that, for people using tap water in homes with plastic pipe, the whole discussion may be moot.

Anyone want to serve some tank water for dinner?

is that plastic taste also the same cancer causing off gassing of the plastic?

it seems like if it tasted plasticy then there must be something in the water from the plastic.

jon

Anyone want to serve some tank water for dinner?

Thanks for the link to the interesting study.

I am guessing that baking plastic tanks and pipes inside an espresso machine may increase the odor imparted to brewing water. Perhaps all of the pipes in the study were on the cold supply side.

grong wrote:Thanks for the link to the interesting study.

I am guessing that baking plastic tanks and pipes inside an espresso machine may increase the odor imparted to brewing water. Perhaps all of the pipes in the study were on the cold supply side.

Maybe. But, if so, wouldn't it off-gas more quickly under heat, shortening the "break in" period?

Maybe. But, if so, wouldn't it off-gas more quickly under heat, shortening the "break in" period?

From my experience, I think a plastic tank can influence the taste and smell of water for at least three years, which is how long I owned my last machine that had a plastic tank. Regular water changes were a big help.

I think a stainless tank would be a popular upgrade.