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Permalink Reply by Tom Schimmel on June 14, 2012 at 6:01pm

It often depends on the water you start with. I have found the the water quality should be the  same for both espresso and drip. You can allow some minerals throug and still protect your equipment.

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Permalink Reply by Brady on June 14, 2012 at 7:08pm

Yes it is hard to find recommendations for what to use, because it varies greatly depending on what you start with. You ought to filter and soften your espresso machine water. You ought to filter your drip machine water. If it's really bad you need something more. The SCAA and machine manufacturers have detailed recommendations, which differ from drip to espresso (espresso machines like much lower TDS than drip).

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Permalink Reply by Tom Schimmel on June 15, 2012 at 6:16am

I have found that right around 150 PPM is perfect for for both espresso and drip. I service about 60% coffee shops and they all seem to love that formula; some a little lower, never higher. 

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Permalink Reply by Brady on June 15, 2012 at 2:13pm

Assuming of course that hardness for espresso is below the machine manufacturer's recommendation... and that the PPM are the right mix of minerals.

Unless you aren't really worried about warranty coverage.

Tom Schimmel said:

I have found that right around 150 PPM is perfect for for both espresso and drip. I service about 60% coffee shops and they all seem to love that formula; some a little lower, never higher. 

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Permalink Reply by Rod Gwinn on June 17, 2012 at 11:50am

I am in a similar situation and have done a lot of reading and searching. Our water at our location is pretty good, so I am just installing a dual-purpose filter for odor and taste. The filter I found seems pretty good in concept (3M CUNY DP290), it has two outlets, one for drinking water, and one for machines with a scale inhibitor. So, I will use it to serve our Brewer, Espresso Machine, Ice Maker, and Soda Fountain. This model is rated @ 10 gpm. 

*updated for new model info

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Permalink Reply by Scott on June 18, 2012 at 7:29am

When you say your water is "Good" what does that mean?  Do you have a water test for your site with some metrics?  

That Cuno systems is expensive to service.  Uses proprietary cartridges that cost 10 times  more then comparable standard 2.5 x 20 filter media. Actually, the whole thing is expensive, over $700. Depending on the quality of your water, the Cuno system may have to be serviced up to once a month - that's $300 a month just for water filtration.  Those "Scale inhibitor" cartridges are $30+ a pop, way more then salt for a softener.  And acomplete waste if you don't need to soften your water.  Get a test and find out.    

Rod Gwinn said:

I am in a similar situation and have done a lot of reading and searching. Our water at our location is pretty good, so I am just installing a dual-purpose filter for odor and taste. The filter I found seems pretty good in concept (3M CUNY DP290), it has two outlets, one for drinking water, and one for machines with a scale inhibitor. So, I will use it to serve our Brewer, Espresso Machine, Ice Maker, and Soda Fountain. This model is rated @ 10 gpm. 

*updated for new model info

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Permalink Reply by Rod Gwinn on June 18, 2012 at 1:15pm

Thanks Scott, very good advice. I did a simple water test, but I have not done a hardness test. I will get that done before I purchase any filtration devices. And thanks for your feedback on the Cuno system, I was thinking of a 6 month duration on the filters. 

I appreciate your feedback, and I did not mean to mis-lead any fellow members. 

Rod

Scott said:

When you say your water is "Good" what does that mean?  Do you have a water test for your site with some metrics?  

That Cuno systems is expensive to service.  Uses proprietary cartridges that cost 10 times  more then comparable standard 2.5 x 20 filter media. Actually, the whole thing is expensive, over $700. Depending on the quality of your water, the Cuno system may have to be serviced up to once a month - that's $300 a month just for water filtration.  Those "Scale inhibitor" cartridges are $30+ a pop, way more then salt for a softener.  And acomplete waste if you don't need to soften your water.  Get a test and find out.    

Rod Gwinn said:

I am in a similar situation and have done a lot of reading and searching. Our water at our location is pretty good, so I am just installing a dual-purpose filter for odor and taste. The filter I found seems pretty good in concept (3M CUNY DP290), it has two outlets, one for drinking water, and one for machines with a scale inhibitor. So, I will use it to serve our Brewer, Espresso Machine, Ice Maker, and Soda Fountain. This model is rated @ 10 gpm. 

*updated for new model info

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Permalink Reply by Philip Cesario Min-Oh Suh on June 18, 2012 at 11:20pm

check it out jorge! http://www.big-rick.com/coffee/waterfaq.html

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