I love all things coffee but go cross-eyed and day-dream when researching water. I did rpavis water for a bit but fell off in favor of LM's suggestion of Crystal Geyser Salem Spring water. I can get them in 1 gallon at my local grocery for $1 per gallon. I use it both for brew and for my tanked GS3 right now. This has been fine for awhile but I'm getting tired of buying 10-15 gallons of the stuff and filling my trunk up every few weeks. The plastic is wasteful too at the volume my family blows through it.

So, I'm considering plumbing in. Getting water to the machine is easy. My utility room is on the other side of the wall where the espresso machine is sitting in the kitchen. My water pipes are easily accessible in there. I already have a 1/4in line running to my refrigerator through the same wall so adding another is no problem.

My question becomes, what is the KISS method for getting espresso machine safe water in a residential setup?

• RO into remineralizer? Since it is going through RO does a water quality report really matter? I know our area has very hard water. I couldn't find a report through my local water department online. Perhaps I'll need to call.
• Is there an off-the-shelf option for espresso machines and if so, what is the current best option?
• I'm also wanting access to the water through a spout to use for brewing. Best option for through-the-countertop spout?

Lastly, I don't have room for an elaborate tank/pump system and I don't mind dumping the waste water in the sink right next to the machine. Waste line isn't needed.

Thanks!

I needed to rig something up to test out the LM Micra. For my grinders and coffees, I tend to use "custom mix" water. I ended up buying an Aquaflo demand pump, Watts regulator, and cheap gauge based on Espresso Cart - Goodbye Plumbed In I was feeding it from the one-liter jar I mix in. A half-gallon or gallon jug would work as well. It was functional without an accumulator, though I'd buy a small one if I rig it up again. For me, I'm tempted by a sub-liter accumulator so that it is easier to change water formulation.

Unfortunately I don't have room for all the gear under the espresso machine. I can house in-line filters in my utility room but not enough room in there for tanks, pumps, and the rest of the gear.

I'm using RO with a remin cartridge (iSpring brand remin) for filling my reservoir.

The remin water is "fine" but I like a little more buffer in my water since I drink a lot of light roasts. Thankfully, I have a whole-house softener that leaves my tap water at 0ppm hardness (GH) and north of 300ppm buffer (KH). This allows me to add a little tap water in to "sweeten" my brewing water a touch and tame acidity in my espresso.

When (not if) I plumb my machine, I will just use a needle valve to dial in a little bypass around the RO into the espresso machine feed. I plan on placing a ball valve near the machine so I can fill the reservoir from the supply line and dial in the amount of bypass to get my water balance where I want it before making the switch to plumb in.

The biggest concern is staying on top of the remin cartridge, as RO plus alkalinity (KH) is a great recipe for corrosion in stainless steel.

**edit**
Not sure what I was thinking. Rpavlis water is only buffer. Chloride and no buffer = corrosion.

Jake_G wrote:I'm using RO with a remin cartridge (iSpring brand remin) for filling my reservoir.

The remin water is "fine" but I like a little more buffer in my water since I drink a lot of light roasts. Thankfully, I have a whole-house softener that leaves my tap water at 0ppm hardness (GH) and north of 300ppm buffer (KH). This allows me to add a little tap water in to "sweeten" my brewing water a touch and tame acidity in my espresso.

When (not if) I plumb my machine, I will just use a needle valve to dial in a little bypass around the RO into the espresso machine feed. I plan on placing a ball valve near the machine so I can fill the reservoir from the supply line and dial in the amount of bypass to get my water balance where I want it before making the switch to plumb in.

The biggest concern is staying on top of the remin cartridge, as RO plus alkalinity (KH) is a great recipe for corrosion in stainless steel.

Are you using the iSpring RO setup too? The somewhat sad part is, the cost is roughly the same as buying Crystal Geyser so there isn't a savings aspect. The system says it is good for 75 gallons before filter replacements. It does seem more convenient but adds the possibility of not being on top of the filters.

Na,

I'm using a cheap Amazon 5-stage unit with the iSpring remin added right before the tap, after the carbon block filter.

Replacement cartridges for the first 3 stages are pretty cheap, and the block filter is "polishing" the RO, so it will last a mighty long time. I've been keeping my eye on the GH/KH coming out of the remin and so far, so good after about 2 years.

- Jake