Coffee Machine Water Filter

Pompeyexile

I don’t know about other machines but the Sage Dual Boiler has a water filter in the tank that has to be replaced every three months by one of these…

Now the cheapest I have seen a pack of four of the above brand on Amazon is £19.99 plus £4.99 delivery. Looking on Ebay I have found exactly the same brand for £19.90 free delivery, so it is pretty obvious the ones I have bought. Having said that, there are some ‘unbranded’ ones (maybe a chinese knock-off) on Ebay going for £18.59 free postage for a 4 pack or even £24.29 free postage for a 6 pack made by a company called Waterdrop who when I had a look seem a kosha water filter company and are also on Amazon.

So, my question is, for those that use the same type of filter, is there one brand that sits above them all in terms of quality that you swear by and even more important, what is the best price anyone has found them at and if so, where?

Not that I am tight, but I am a pensioner and as a certain supermarket chain says….Every Little Helps.

Dusk

Is the filter necessary? If you’re using decent water in the first place then I can’t imagine it’s needed

Pompeyexile

Well I use Waitrose water but I am a belt and braces type and don’t know if that water alone would stop the build up of anything in the machine. Plus it is part of the Sage setup and I guess I shouldn’t try and run it without the filter in the water tank.

Dusk

It’s only because my mum has a Bambino and I thought I’d read that it would work without the filter, I’ve told her to use Lockhills or Ashbeck and hope that that, along with perhaps an annual descale will be enough to keep it running for a good while

steve_07

I haven’t used a water filter in my Sage Dual Boiler for over a year. No issues at all. I use Ashbeck.

Uncletits

Let’s start the whole Zero water conversation again?

Pompeyexile

I can’t go down the Zero water rabbit hole because I am just not clever enough to understand it or have the taste buds sensative enough to notice a difference if the PH value or whatever changes. Plus I just want to put water in it, keep it as free from scale as possible and enjoy my coffee. I assume water filters are in some things for people like me who do not want or ar capable of delving into the science of water.

I used to use Ashbeck but since turned to Waitrose own I think because again it was recommended on here somewhere.

Uncletits

Pompeyexile if I understand it then you can. I have an Osmio Zero but as I only now use it for the coffee machine I have asked questions on here and now have a Zero Water jug and it’s cost me about £45 including everything. These give 000 TDS and with a simple concentrate added it’s always ready in the jug to add to the machine.

I don’t think the machine filters can ever give you this.

The Osmio is fantastic too as it also acted as our kettle but we are short of space.

SurreyAlan

You’re not alone, I never understood any of it either. I tried Zero but it never felt right to me always drying my mouth and so I went the Ashbeck route too though now that and Waitrose seem to be the same composition I use Waitrose. I occassionally use the ECM very mild descaler but I can’t say I’ve seen signs of scale when I take the E61 bits out.

Cuprajake

Easiest way to do it is with an rodi setup for marine fish, then add a few grams of potassium bicarbonate and you will have scale free water.

Uncletits

Cuprajake which is exactly what I now do