Can you use reverse osmosis water in a Keurig?
Emily Sparks
Published Jan 06, 2026
Filtered Water
Why can you not use reverse osmosis water in a Keurig coffee maker?
The problem with using reverse osmosis water (or distilled) to make coffee, is that it is missing good minerals too, like metallic ions, which draw out the aromatic flavors of the beans. Without the ions, the coffee will taste flat.
Is reverse osmosis water good for coffee makers?
Wondering what we wouldn't recommend? To start, don't use pure distilled or reverse osmosis (RO) water for coffee brewing. Sometimes these are recommended as they don't contribute to limescale buildup in drip machines, but they are simply too pure to brew coffee with and you'll leave a lot of good flavor behind.
What kind of water should you use in a Keurig coffee maker?
We recommend using bottled or filtered spring water in your Keurig coffee maker. Coffee and tea are over 98% water so quality water is necessary for a good coffee, tea or iced beverage.
Why does Keurig say to not use distilled water?
The Keurig 2.0 does not tolerate distilled water because it is too pure for its sensor. Due to electrical impulses, the unit may think there is no water in the reservoir. It will continuously alert you to add water. Using filtered tap water is the best option for this type of Keurig.
15 related questions foundCan you put purified water in a Keurig?
Is purified water good for Keurig? Absolutely! Using purified water from an RO filter or any other filter for that matter will greatly extend the life of your Keurig and also reduce the need for descaling it every so often. Purified water will also result in better tasting coffee.
Do I need to descale my Keurig if I use bottled water?
Bottled distilled water
Distilled water is purified and contains less than 1 PPM or parts per million minerals. If you use this water type, you do not have to descale your brewer often. However, you should only use this water for classic and original Keurig brewers.
Is it better to use distilled water in a Keurig?
A problem posed by distilled water
However, this isn't the answer either, as most Keurig machines are built with sensors that are meant to detect the mineral content in water. If there's no mineral content, as is the case with distilled water, you'll get an error message.
What's the best water to make coffee with?
SOFT VS HARD WATER
When it comes to making coffee, hard water is inferior because its high mineral content mutes the flavours of coffee. (Note that hard water is also worse for your coffee machine because it causes greater limescale build-up.) Soft water makes better coffee due to its lower concentrations of minerals.
How do you Remineralize RO water for coffee?
Another option is to add a little mineral salt in your drinking water. Natural salt, such as Himalayan salt, instead of common table salt, contains all the necessary trace minerals that are removed during the reverse osmosis process. This is one of the most cost-effective means of remineralizing water.
Is reverse osmosis good for espresso?
Due to it's ability to leach metals and cause corrosion, we do not recommend using distilled or reverse osmosis water in coffee and espresso equipment.
Can you use Brita water in a Keurig?
The most convenient filters are the kind that are housed within your refrigerator's water dispenser. If you don't have one of these, try a Brita or Pur filtered water pitcher. Even the Keurig website states that “Bottled or spring water works best when brewing with your Keurig.” Why?
Can I use soft water in my Keurig?
Not when it comes to your Keurig®. Softened water contains sodium ions that will form around coffee grinds and tea leaves making them less penetrable. This will slow down the extraction process, causing over extraction. Over extraction makes your coffee and tea taste bad and clogs your coffee maker.
What is the best water temperature for coffee?
Is There a Perfect Coffee Brewing Temperature? According to the National Coffee Association, the ideal water temperature for extraction is between 195°F and 205°F, which is a little below the boiling point of water — 212°F. What's handy about this temperature range is that it works across all brewing methods.
Can I use bottled water in my coffee machine?
Using bottled water in your coffee can be an excellent way to improve your brew's flavor and consistency. Indeed, most bottled water types will retain the minimum mineral content necessary to improve the coffee's overall flavor.
How do I descale my Keurig?
Descale Solution Pouch:
- Pour entire pouch of Keurig Descaling solution into water reservoir.
- Add 3 cups (24oz.) ...
- Place a large mug on the drip tray. ...
- Perform a rinsing brew by lifting and lowering the handle, and selecting the largest brew size.
- Repeat step 4 until ADD WATER is illuminated.
- Let the brewer rest for 30 minutes.
Do you remove the filter when descaling a Keurig?
Clean and Descale Internal Parts
To create a DIY descaling solution, mix one part white vinegar and one part water. If your Keurig has a water filter, remove it when descaling.
How often should you change Keurig water?
For best results, replace your cartridge every 2 months or after 60 tank refills to keep your water tasting pure and chlorine-free. Includes 6 water filter cartridges (12-month supply). Water Filters help remove chlorine from your water and should be changed every 2 months, or 60 tank refills.
Can I use vinegar to descale Keurig?
Grab the vinegar: White distilled vinegar will help descale (remove lime and scale buildup) your coffee maker, which is key to helping it run. (You can also use a descaling solution.) Fill the water reservoir halfway with vinegar.
Is distilled water best for coffee?
Distilled: Rather similar to filtered, distilled is not great for coffee making (unless you're brewing your grounds under pressure, making an espresso for instance). All in all, distilled is much better than tap.
Can you use softened water for coffee?
By comparison, water that replaces those minerals with sodium (softened water) will produce a cup of coffee that is flat. However, if you enjoy the flavor of your softened water, just brew a pot using hard water and one with soft water to see which one you like the best.
Can you use alkaline water in a Keurig?
The answer is yes. Magnesium and calcium minerals found in alkaline water help extract the fantastic flavours of the coffee. These minerals affect the coffee's sweetness, fruity flavours, body, and acidity.
Does Brita soften water?
Brita water filters do not soften water. Brita filter pitchers, bottles and faucet filters use carbon cartridges to improve taste, odor, and remove heavy metals. However, they cannot remove dissolved salts like calcium and magnesium. The Brita PRO Home system can be used to soften water.
Which filter is best for drinking water?
Reverse osmosis filters are top of the line for removing a large percentage of contaminants out of the water, potentially including dangerous waterborne bacteria. The filters work by pushing water through the reverse osmosis membrane using pressure.
What kind of water does breville use?
The BES870XL Barista Express espresso machine as with all Breville espresso or coffee products should be used in conjunction with filtered drinking water or tap water (with regular maintenance).