# Can you use distilled or bottled water in a coffee machine Source: https://beanandcrema.co.uk/blog/distilled-water-in-coffee-machines Published: 2026-10-12 Publisher: Bean and Crema **In short:** Distilled water is not recommended for most coffee machines. With no minerals, it makes flat-tasting coffee and some machines rely on minerals in the water to detect water levels, so they may report an empty tank. Very soft water can also be slightly aggressive towards metal parts over time. The best choice is filtered tap water or a low to moderate mineral bottled water, with your machine's hardness setting matched to it. If you live in a hard water area, which covers much of England, limescale is the enemy of coffee machines. It is tempting to avoid it completely by using distilled water. But coffee and coffee machines both need some minerals. Water that is too hard causes scale; water that is too pure causes other problems. This guide explains the trade-offs and what to use instead. Always follow your machine's manual, which may state which water types are suitable. ## Why not distilled water Distilled and reverse osmosis water have almost all minerals removed. Minerals such as calcium and magnesium help extract flavour from coffee, so very pure water tends to give flat, sour or hollow-tasting espresso. Some machines use conductive probes to sense the water level in the boiler or tank. Those probes rely on minerals to conduct a small current. With distilled water, the machine may think the tank is empty or refuse to fill the boiler. Very low-mineral water can also gradually affect some metals. For these reasons, many makers advise against it. ## Water types compared | Water | Scale risk | Taste | Machine safety | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Hard tap water | High | Can taste chalky | Needs regular descaling | | Filtered tap water | Reduced | Cleaner | Good choice for most | | Low-mineral bottled | Low | Good | Good, check labels | | High-mineral bottled | High | Can taste heavy | Not ideal | | Distilled or RO | Very low | Flat | Not recommended for most machines | Which water to use ## UK hard water and what to do Your water company publishes hardness for your postcode, usually in mg/l calcium carbonate or degrees Clark. Our [water hardness converter](https://beanandcrema.co.uk/tools/water-hardness-converter) translates it into the units your machine uses. Then set the machine's hardness level so it asks you to descale at the right time. Our [hard water guide](https://beanandcrema.co.uk/blog/hard-water-and-coffee-machines) explains the hardness bands. For most people the best balance is filtered tap water: either the machine's own filter cartridge or a jug filter. This removes much of the hardness and chlorine while leaving enough minerals for flavour and sensors. Change filters on schedule, as an old filter stops working. ## Bottled water If your tap water is very hard or tastes strongly of chlorine, a low-mineral still bottled water can work well. Check the label for total dissolved solids or dry residue and for calcium and magnesium; lower values mean less scale. Avoid sparkling water and high-mineral waters, which can scale up machines quickly. Bottled water is convenient for occasional use but adds plastic waste and cost. A good filter jug or in-tank filter is the more practical long-term solution. ## Do you still need to descale? Yes, unless the maker says otherwise. Even filtered or soft water deposits some scale over time. Using the right water simply makes descaling less frequent. Use the maker's descaler, and follow the programme. Our [descaling explainer](https://beanandcrema.co.uk/blog/descaling-coffee-machine-with-vinegar) covers why, and [not working after descaling](https://beanandcrema.co.uk/blog/coffee-machine-not-working-after-descaling) helps if the machine misbehaves afterwards. [See bean-to-cup machines with water filters](https://beanandcrema.co.uk/best/best-bean-to-cup-coffee-machine) ## Using your machine's own water filter Many bean-to-cup machines and some espresso machines take a filter cartridge that sits in the water tank. Brands such as De'Longhi, Philips, Jura, Siemens and Sage each use their own design. Fitting one usually involves soaking or rinsing it, pushing it into its holder and telling the machine it is fitted, so the descaling counter adjusts. Our [Sage water filter guide](https://beanandcrema.co.uk/blog/sage-barista-express-water-filter) shows a typical process. Replace cartridges at the interval the maker gives, often every two months or after a set volume of water, even if the machine has not prompted you. An exhausted filter does little, and an old one left in a warm tank can harbour bacteria. If you live in a soft water area, you may not need a filter at all; check your hardness first with the test strip that came with the machine. ## Water and taste Coffee is mostly water, so water changes flavour more than many people expect. Hard water can mute acidity and make espresso taste chalky. Very soft water can make it taste sharp and thin. Chlorine adds an off taste. If your coffee tastes dull despite fresh beans, try a filtered or low-mineral bottled water side by side with your tap water. It is a cheap experiment that often surprises people. ## Frequently asked questions **Why not use distilled water in a coffee machine?** It makes flat coffee, can confuse level sensors and may be harsh on some metal parts over time. **Is filtered water good for coffee machines?** Yes, it is the best choice for most UK homes, especially in hard water areas. **Can I mix distilled and tap water?** Some enthusiasts do to lower hardness, but it is simpler to use a filter. Check your manual first. **Does a water filter mean I never descale?** No. It reduces how often you need to, but scale still builds slowly. ## Buying guides on this topic - https://beanandcrema.co.uk/best/best-bean-to-cup-coffee-machine - https://beanandcrema.co.uk/best/best-espresso-machine-without-grinder ## Sources - [Drinking Water Inspectorate](https://www.dwi.gov.uk/)