Last Updated on February 20, 2022 by John Moretti
You are thinking about investing in a coffee maker, or you have just bought yourself one. You are sure to notice that there is a charcoal filter included. But, you might ask, what is a charcoal filter, and do you need it for your coffee maker? This post will discuss these and other vital questions regarding charcoal filters in coffee makers.
A charcoal filter is a beneficial, if not a necessary, addition to a coffee maker. A charcoal filter is essential if you are using tap water for your coffee maker. Although it is recommended that you use one regardless of the water, it protects your coffee maker and improves the taste of your brew.
Now that you know that you do, in fact, need a charcoal filter, especially if you are making use of tap water in your coffee machine, you may have some more questions, such as what a charcoal filter is or why do you need it? Read along and learn all about it.
Why Should You Use A Charcoal Filter In Your Coffee Maker?
Of course, you want to avoid ingesting the chlorine and impurities found in tap water when you drink your coffee. But there is another reason you should use a charcoal filter in your coffee maker.
The addition of chlorine to water is to kill harmful bacteria. However, chlorine not only leaves an unpleasant smell and taste in water, but studies have shown that it reacts with plastic and metal.
These reactions can further influence the taste of your coffee. But the biggest problem is that these reactions can also affect the longevity of your coffee maker.
A coffee machine has many plastic pipes and metal components. Over time, these components can start to break down due to the chlorine that is found in the water. It will cost you money and inconvenience to replace these parts when they break.
Furthermore, leaving out a charcoal filter from your coffee machine may affect the warranty. If your coffee maker breaks within its warranty period and you have not made use of the charcoal filter, you might have to pay out of pocket for the repairs.
Therefore, it is always best to use a charcoal filter in your coffee maker, especially if you use tap water.
What Is A Charcoal Filter In A Coffee Maker?
A charcoal filter is a filter that contains activated charcoal. It filters any harsh chemicals, such as chlorine, out of water. Charcoal is a good option for choosing a water filter because it does not remove the minerals from the water.
A charcoal filter acts like a sponge to absorb the chlorine and any other impurities from the water. These chemicals and contaminants stick to the surface of the charcoal. At the same time, the minerals and other elements of the water can pass through.
Charcoal filters do not remove other hard elements from the water, such as calcium and magnesium. Although beneficial to your health, these elements will cause buildup in your coffee maker.
Charcoal filters are an excellent option for filtering water because they help improve the taste of the water and remove any potentially harmful chemicals. It is essential to use a charcoal filter in your coffee machine if you are using tap water since it contains a lot of chlorine and impurities.
When To Replace A Charcoal Filter On A Coffee Maker?
You would want to replace the charcoal filter of your coffee maker every two months or after every sixty uses, whichever comes first.
Over time, the impurities that are trapped in the charcoal filter will start to build up, and the filter will become less effective. Therefore, you should replace the charcoal filter regularly.
As mentioned before, charcoal filters do not remove elements like calcium and magnesium from water. These elements can also build up in your coffee maker and, over time, can cause your coffee to taste like metal. This buildup can also cause a blockage in your coffee maker.
For this reason, you should descale your coffee maker in addition to replacing the charcoal filter. Ideally, you would want to descale your coffee maker every three months.
How To Replace The Charcoal Filter In A Coffee Maker?
Replacing the charcoal filter on a coffee maker is not a difficult task at all. It takes roughly 20 minutes total, and the steps are easy to follow.
- The first step to replacing the charcoal filter in your coffee maker is to soak the new filter in water for about fifteen minutes. While you wait for the filter to soak, you can remove the old charcoal filter by opening the water tank and removing the old filter from the filter holder.
- Then, you need to clean the filter holder with soap and water. Be sure to rinse the holder thoroughly to remove any soap residue.
- Next, you can insert the new filter into the holder and then rinse the holder again for a few seconds.
- Finally, you can put the filter holder back into the water tank, close it, and start using your coffee maker again.
It is also advisable to descale your coffee maker when you replace the filter to ensure that you are descaling your coffee maker regularly. To descale a coffee maker, you would run a brew sequence, using one part water and one part vinegar or descaling solution in the water tank.
This will ensure that all the buildup and germs are removed from your coffee maker.
Regularly replacing your charcoal filter and descaling your coffee maker will not only help to improve the taste of your coffee, but it will keep your coffee maker working correctly and help it to last longer.
Conclusion
It is essential to use a charcoal filter in a coffee maker, especially if you use tap water to brew coffee because it contains a lot of chlorine and impurities. In addition, not using a charcoal filter in your coffee maker could influence the warranty on your machine.
You should replace the charcoal filter every two months. You should also remember to descale your coffee maker every three months to remove any buildup and germs. Replacing your charcoal filter and descaling your coffee maker are essential steps to ensuring that your coffee maker works optimally.
