Knowing how often to change your charcoal filter in a coffee maker will help you maintain the quality of your amazing drip coffee. Using a faucet filter is great, but they aren’t enough on their own. Without charcoal or carbon filters, you’ll deal with mineral deposits, chlorine deposits, and more.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- You should typically change your reusable coffee filter every two months or so, according to factors like whether you’re using distilled water or not.
- A couple of noteworthy companies are creating these coffee machines, including some Cuisinart coffee makers and Braun charcoal filter models.
- Using cold tap water in your coffee brewer is fine if you have a filter, but without one, you might notice a bad taste in your cups of coffee.
The best coffee maker will provide barista-quality coffee and be able to process an assortment of coffee. For example, a Cuisinart coffee maker performs a wide range of tasks. These filters allow you to craft amazing coffees by removing chlorine from water. They help your coffee grounds shine with full flavor.
What are Charcoal Water Filters?
Charcoal filters are made of activated charcoal. They’re able to capture all kinds of impurities before those impurities end up in your coffee cup. Whether it’s removing mineral deposits or chlorine residues, you’re in good hands with a charcoal filter.
Beyond removing all kinds of impurities, they’re great for making sure all the cups of coffee you make have a stronger taste.
Insider Tip
Almost all major retailers carry coffee pots with a permanent filter so that you can be more confident in the product of your brew cycles.
Replacement Schedule for Charcoal Water Filters
Your replacement schedule will change depending on the coffee maker models you use. Most drip coffee makers will require changes on a bi-monthly basis. However, this can change from time to time, depending on how often you’re brewing delicious coffee.
Using cool water from the tap in your brew cycles will increase the need for filter replacements, as will using the wrong size coffee grounds. If that has you thinking, “How should I grind my coffee for a coffee maker?” then we have an excellent article for you.
How Often to Change Charcoal Water Filters
The general rule of thumb is to change your charcoal water filters every couple of months. It might be longer or shorter, depending on how often you use your coffee brewer.
If you go too long without switching out filters, you’ll want to clean your coffee machines deep. If you weren’t aware you had to, we suggest reading the article “How often should you clean your coffee maker?”
Consequences of Not Changing Water Filters
If you fail to change your coffee filter, there are a few things that will happen. You’ll notice an impaired taste in your coffee cup, which may prompt you to dump the coffee pots contents. This is due to the impurities from water. Coffee machines that lack a filter are prone to developing mineral deposits, as well.
Benefits of Charcoal Water Filters
Coffee machines with these filters are fantastic for a variety of reasons:
- They filter out impurities from water
- You can turn tap water into freshwater
- It’ll fix the impaired taste of your coffee
Drawbacks of Charcoal Water Filters
There are a few cons to using this type of coffee water filter:
- Only specific coffee machines have these filters
- These coffee maker models tend to be expensive
Warning
If you have a high level of chlorine residues showing up, have your water tested and get a professional out that can remove chlorine from water.
F.A.Q.S
What is water hardness, and how does it affect my coffee maker?
Water hardness refers to the overall water quality you have in your home. Tap water has trace amounts of minerals, which can create limescale and become a problem for your coffee machines.
What are my options for coffee machines with a great filter?
There are a couple of different coffee maker models that come highly suggested. Overall, it seems that a Cuisinart coffee maker is the best bet. However, the Braun coffee maker is a suitable choice, as well.
What are carbon filters, and are they safe?
A carbon filter is the same thing as a charcoal filter. The Braun charcoal filter is also a carbon filter, for example. They are entirely safe and can improve your health by removing water impurities that would otherwise end up in cups of coffee.
Is a Cuisinart coffee maker worth it?
A Cuisineart coffee maker is an investment. While a Cuisinart coffee maker might be notoriously expensive, they are well worth the price tag. These coffee maker models come loaded with unique features to make every cup of coffee feel like a luxury.
STAT: 79% of Americans regularly brew coffee at home. (source)
REFERENCES:
- https://www.researchgate.net/publication/341387361_Evaluation_of_Potential_Use_of_Charcoal_as_a_Filter_Material_In_Water_Treatment
- https://www.ag.ndsu.edu/publications/environment-natural-resources/filtration-sediment-activated-carbon-and-mixed-media
- https://www.me.psu.edu/cimbala/me433web_Spring_2015/Lectures/Activated_Carbon_or_Charcoal_Filters.pdfr
- https://ag.umass.edu/cafe/fact-sheets/activated-carbon-treatment-for-drinking-water-supplies
- https://nicholas.duke.edu/news/not-all-home-drinking-water-filters-completely-remove-toxic-pfas
