Living in a hard water area can sometimes feel like a total pain, especially when making purchase decisions of items that get exposed to or use water.
This is mainly because unlike regular or soft water, hard water is richer in mineral ions, making the water heavier or “hard” due to higher mineral content.
Even when it comes to getting a coffee maker, you have to keep your water type in mind as hard water is more of a problem than a solution. We have no intention to confuse regarding all the scientific mumbo jumbo, but do know that these extra ions in the water alter the taste of your coffee.
While some prefer the enhanced/adulterated coffee taste, most do not. The higher mineral content also results in your device needing more regular cleaning. It causes a faster build-up of scale, thus resulting in the reduction of a regular device’s lifespan.
Hence, today we are all about the best coffee makers for hard water to eliminate all the above-discussed troubles, thus providing the ultimate coffee every time!
Comparison Chart For Top 9 Coffee Makers For Hard Water
| IMAGE | Name | Water Filter | Clean Alert | Maximum Capacity | price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
  |
CHULUX Single Serve | Yes | No | 1 cup (12 ounces) | |
  |
Hamilton Beach FlexBrew (49950C) | No (purchasable) | Yes | 12 cups | |
  |
Mr. Coffee BVMC-PSTX95 | Yes | Yes | 10 cups | |
  |
Cuisinart DCC-3200P1 Perfectemp | Yes | Yes | 14 cups | |
  |
Cuisinart SS-10P1 Premium Single-Serve | Yes | No | 1 cup | |
  |
Hamilton Beach FlexBrew (49950C) | No | No | 12 cups | |
  |
Mr. Coffee 31160392 | Yes, 2-step | Yes | 12 cups | |
  |
Touch Choice Single Serve- T414S | No | No | 1 cup (26 ounces) | |
  |
Braun KF6050WH BrewSense | Yes | Yes | 12 cups |
Best Coffee Makers For Hard Water Reviews
1. CHULUX Single Serve
Composed of plastic body and stainless steel interior, this model by CHULUX is an impressive single-serve device that accommodates cups of 5-12 ounces. The drip tray is removable to accommodate larger mugs effortlessly as well. Feel free to use ground coffee or pods as desired to brew yourself the perfect cup every time.
The model is equipped with an auto-shutdown feature that turns the device off as soon as the brewing cycle is complete. Hence, you can enjoy a safe usage without the hassle of remembering to turn it off. The water reservoir holds ample water for single-servings, thus ensuring you the freshest cup.
A blue indicator light flickers during the brewing process, getting you piping hot coffee within just 2-3 minutes! The inclusion of a water filter basket is a great addition that significantly filters hard water for providing unadulterated coffee flavor. A single knob and just one power button make this device super-easy to operate too!
The removable filter basket & drip tray can be washed directly under water to make your life easier. Simply brewing water with a single touch of a button gets the device clean in no time, and adding vinegar to the water takes care of limescale. Hence, this single-serve device is all geared up to effectively withstand hard water usage indeed!
Highlighted Features
- Single-serve device that produces 5-12-ounce cups
- Compatible with coffee pods or grounds
- Water filter basket included
- Easy operation due to single knob & power button
- Auto-off and removable parts for easy cleaning
2. Hamilton Beach FlexBrew (49950C)
Whether you want to enjoy a single cup of caffeine bliss or make large batches for group or future consumption. This 2-in-1 model has got your back. Thanks to its 12-cup capacity carafe, you not only get to produce single servings but make coffee in bulk too.
Unlike most models, it comes with dual water reservoirs, one for brewing into your carafe and the other for single servings. Both are easy-view, thus letting you know when any of them are running low. An auto-off feature after 2 hours ensures that your coffee stays hot for long hours while saving power.
Hence, you can bid farewell to the worries of leaving your device on too long. The product’s programmable features enable you to pre-set brew times up to 24 hours ahead, speeding up your days when in a rush. Water filters are compliant with the device and can be purchased separately when using hard water.
When producing single-servings, this model brews coffee both from pods or grounds as you desire. An Auto Pause & Serve feature allows you to remove the carafe without dripping during brewing. The needle for piercing pods detaches easily to facilitate convenient cleaning, thus preventing any clogs due to heavy usage.
Highlighted Features
- Dual water reservoirs- one for carafe & one for single serves
- 12-cup capacity carafe
- Auto-turn off after 2 hours, keeping coffee hot for longer
- Programmable to set up advanced brewing times up to 24 hours ahead
- Compatible with water filters purchasable separately
3. Mr. Coffee BVMC-PSTX95
Equipped with a washable water filter, this model is a great device to use when you have a hard water source. The water reservoir is detachable too, making it convenient to refill and wash any time. This incredible coffee maker brews the freshest and hottest coffee superfast- 10 cups in under just seven minutes!
The stainless-steel carafe holds the coffee keeping it hot when you need it. An auto-off feature turns the device off after 2 hours for safety & to save energy. This model includes a fresh brew timer which tells you how fresh your brewed coffee is so that you never get your mood ruined with stale coffee!
The thermal carafe effectively holds the flavor and temperature of the coffee without needing any hot plate ensuring that every cup tastes perfect. If you expect to be in a rush, simply set up future brewing cycles up to 24 hours ahead to speed up your schedule.
The Auto Pause & Serve features enables you to pour yourself a cup in the middle of the brewing process without dripping. A special cleaning cycle feature not only tells you when your device needs to be cleaned but effectively removes mineral build-up to get your device as clean as new even when you have a hard water source!
Highlighted Features
- Removable water reservoir with washable water filter
- Fresh brew timer to notify how freshly-brewed the coffee is
- Auto pause & serve feature for removing carafe mid-brew without drips
- Special cleaning cycle notifies and eliminates calcium build-up
4. Cuisinart DCC-3200P1 Perfectemp- Best Drip Coffee Maker For Hard Water
Compact and sleek, this stylish modern-looking design is a great addition to any home or kitchen. Whether you intend to get yourself a cup or make a large batch of coffee, this is the device that does it all. A 14-cup capacity glass carafe keeps your coffee hot and ready to serve any time.
You get to enjoy hotter coffee without any burnt flavor thanks to its ultra-modern technology while getting full flexibility to choose the strength of your brew. The device includes an auto-shut-off feature of 0-4 hours which not only keeps your coffee hot for longer but saves power as well.
The temperature you want your coffee to maintain in the carafe is adjustable, thus providing you with flexibility that meets your palate. This self-cleaning device indicator light notifies you when you need to decalcify your device, thus making it an optimum choice for when you have to use hard water.
A charcoal water filter is included as well to filter your hard water, thus providing you perfect-tasting coffee at all times. Tight schedule tomorrow? No need to worry. This magnificent device allows you to pre-set your brewing times, up to 24 hours ahead!
Highlighted Features
- Self-cleaning & included water filter
- 14-cup glass carafe and auto-off feature
- Brew strength controls
- Provides hotter coffee without altering coffee taste
- Adjustable temperature of stored coffee
5. Cuisinart SS-10P1 Premium Single-Serve
This is another great device by Cuisinart that produces single-servings of 5 sizes between 4-12 ounces. It brews your desired coffee in under a minute with minimal heating time. Hence, even if all else wait, your coffee cravings don’t have to. The drip tray is removable as well to accommodate larger cups for bigger doses of buzz any time!
The 72-ounce water reservoir is detachable too, making it easy to refill and clean. The inclusion of a charcoal water filter filters hard water effectively, protecting the device while providing you perfect-tasting coffee. A rinse button instantly cleans the interior of the brew chamber whenever you want, even in the middle of brews.
This K-cup compliant model possesses an easy-to-use LCD backlit along with an adjustable clock. This lets you choose the brew size, temperature of the brew, auto on-off, and more. A hot water button also provides you with just hot water when you feel like refreshing your palate with hot chocolate or tea instead!
A reusable filter cup is included with the device to make the use of coffee grounds easier and better for the perfect single-serving every time. With all these conveniences packed together, this model sure is worth checking out!
Highlighted Features
- Produces single servings of five sizes
- Removable 72-ounce water reservoir with water filter
- Rinse button for instant cleaning any time
- Gives out just hot water too for hot chocolate, tea, etc.
Coffee Maker For Hard Water Buying Guide
The Basics
Just like when purchasing regular coffee makers, you need to focus on some key factors when purchasing a model fit for hard water. These include whether you’re choosing a single-serve device, an espresso machine, or a regular coffee maker.
Other factors include the device’s maximum water, coffee grounds/bean, cups of coffee capacity, etc. These will determine how often you need to make refills. Durability is key too as hard water wears away your device especially the heating element faster.
Hence, opt for models composed of high-quality strong materials that can withstand the hard water and frequent cleaning. Stainless steel, aluminum, ceramic, etc. are great options.
Water Filter
If your device comes with a water filter already built-in, you’re winning at life already. Models with included/built-in filters for water are a massive plus point when using hard water. This is because they will effectively filter the water to remove the majority of the minerals from passing through to the brewing system.
As a result, not only does your coffee flavor remain untainted, but the extra ions of the hard water don’t reach and settle on the device parts. Your device hence lasts longer since lime build-up is significantly reduced. Feel free to purchase models that are compatible with water filters so that you can add them separately.
Ease Of Cleaning
Devices that use or come in contact with hard water need to be more frequently cleaned than normal. This is because mineral deposits build up faster when hard water is used as it contains more mineral ions.
The best coffee makers for hard water should thus be effortless to clean so that no part goes unnoticed. Models with detachable reservoirs, drip trays, brewing units, etc., and other parts are thus a great option as it makes it easier to clean every inch due to enhanced flexibility.
Dishwasher-safe parts are also a lifesaver as all you have to do is pop them into your dishwasher and let it do all the work. Brewing a simple solution of water & vinegar is more than enough to regularly descale & clean up the device perfectly in no time!
Self-Cleaning Or Cleaning Alerts?
Self-cleaning coffee makers are highly recommended when you use hard water. But don’t get fooled by what it exactly means. No device is entirely self-cleaning-enough to deal with the harsh effects of hard water.
Let’s take a look into why that’s the case. A self-cleaning device, at best, can mean either of the two things.
- Your device either has an indicator that just notifies you when your device needs to be cleaned up/descaled. And don’t get me wrong, this is a superb feature to have especially when you need to frequently clean your device. But that’s about it.
- Or, your device is equipped with an automatic cleaning system that cleans the device inside at the press of the button. While that’s fairly “self-cleaning”, it still isn’t entirely so. Because that automated cleaning cycle is good for regular cleaning, not for descaling, and thus not effective against hard water damage.
The regular cleaning cycle brews and runs water throughout the device to remove milk, coffee, etc. particles from its parts and doesn’t work on scale/mineral-buildup. You’d need to add some sort of descaling solution or vinegar to deal with the effects of the hard water.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How Do You Get Rid Of Hard Water In A Coffee Maker?
You can get rid of hard water from coffee makers by buying coffee makers that come with filters built-in. Another thing you can also do is descaling the machine frequently to make sure there are fewer traces of the minerals and ions.
Is Hard Water Bad For Coffee?
While hard water isn’t exactly bad for coffee, soft water does do a better job. Because of all the extra minerals and ions in hard water, it can mute the coffee flavors. Not to mention, hard water is also bad for the coffee machine since it leaves a lot of scales.
Which Drip Coffee Maker Makes The Best Tasting Coffee?
If you want the best tasting coffee from a drip coffee maker, then the Technivorm Moccamaster is what you can look at. It comes with a thermal coffee pot to keep the coffee hot for longer. The capacity is also good at 10 cups. Moreover, it is affordable and reliable, and simple to use.
Conclusion
Dealing with hard water is, well, hard. if you’re struggling with poor-tasting coffee due to your hard water source, maybe it’s high time to change your coffee maker
Hopefully, after going through our article, choosing the best coffee maker for hard water will no longer be as difficult as it was before.
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