You wake up in the morning after sleeping like a baby and do some light prepping and brush your teeth. It’s time for that morning coffee that gets you going.
Except there is one problem. There is no water in the reservoir. Sure, you can just pour some extra water in the reservoir or from the top. But doing that all the time can get cumbersome. That is why many coffee enthusiasts or professional espresso machine setups use plumbing with tubes and filters.
We will show you how to install tubing for espresso machine filters. There are quite a few reasons why you would want to add plumbing to it.
Why Even Bother Adding Tubing and Plumbing?
Well, that is a good question to start with. Contrary to what it might seem like, we aren’t showing you how to add plumbing to an espresso machine just because it makes things easier (although it certainly does). Here are some other legitimate reasons.
Constant Water Supply
A good reason to add tubing and plumbing to your beloved coffee maker is to always have a water source. When you plug in the espresso machine, the water is always there. Things get very easy and convenient.
There is no need for you to refill every time it runs out of water. If you own a coffee shop, it makes all the sense in the world. Constantly having to refill water will take time and make things tedious.
While serving coffee as a means of income, it is best to make it as easy for you as possible. And hey, even if you aren’t selling coffee, rather you drink a lot of it, it’s still worth it.
Get Better Water to Make Your Delicious Coffee
Good water quality is crucial for good coffee. It is as simple as that. In fact, water is 98% of what makes a cup of coffee. Many enthusiast coffee drinkers use filtered water to get the perfect cup of coffee.
Bad water negatively affects your coffee’s taste; not surprising right? Bad water isn’t all that helpful for longevity, either. Some high-end espresso machines can cost you thousands of dollars. You definitely want to get the most out of that investment.
Water has a scale. A high scale is when the water has a lot of minerals and calcium. Well, calcium carbonate, to be exact. These can build up and potentially cause serious damage.
If you set up the plumbing with your espresso machine, it is always a good idea to set it up with a BWT water filter. Later on, in the article, we will give you a step-by-step guide on exactly how to do so.
If you have no prior plumbing experience, there isn’t a reason to worry. It’s easier than you think.
How to Install Tubing for Espresso Machine Filters?
Alright then, you are convinced that adding plumbing to your espresso machine is the way to go. But how do you go on doing it? It’s super easy.
Before we go into it, there are some things you need to note. Plumbing fitting standards in Europe are different compared to the United States or Canada. Europe uses what is called a ‘British Standard Pipe Thread’.
While in North America, the ‘National Pipe Thread’ standard is used. If your machine is made in Europe (most of them are), you will need a conversion hose. What confuses most people is the measurement.
The main difference is the size. But they are both 3/8″ though. So, what is the problem then? In North America, the outer diameter is measured, and in Europe, the inner diameter is measured. This size difference and the thread pitch are why these two aren’t compatible.
To state the obvious, you will need some sort of converter. You can find conversion hoses or tubes for exactly this reason. All good? Great. Let’s start. There are two methods of doing this.
Method 1
Step 1: Prepare your filter
BWT filter heads come with British pipe thread connections. The heads are 3/8″ BSPT connections.
On BWT filters, you will see an arrow that tells you the water flow direction. Essentially there is an input and output for the water flow. Attach the conversion hose on the input side of the filter and tighten it firmly with a wrench.
The other end of the conversion hose will connect directly to your water supply whether you’re using tap water or any other supply.
Here is a pro tip: you can easily find shut-off valves or a tee fitting at any hardware store. We recommend attaching a shut-off valve or tee on the other end of the conversion hose connected to your main water source.
Having a shut-off valve to be able to shut the water supply when needed is very convenient and something you’ll thank yourself later for installing.
Step 2: Attach the Tubing That Came with the Espresso Machine
Next up, your espresso machine should come with a plumbing hose as well. Most of them do, and chances are it will fit with the BWT filter out of the box. Connect that hose/tubing with the output side of the filter.
Tighten it with a wrench. The last thing you want is water leaking or the connection coming loose that will not be a fun mess to clean up.
Step 3: Attach the Output Tube Machine
You’re almost done. All there is left to do is to connect the other end of the output tubing that came with your coffee maker to the machine itself. The connection on most of them will be at the back.
Take off the cap and connect the end of the output pipe to your machine. Make sure to turn it into plumbing mode. Congratulations, you have just installed tubing with a water filter.
Method 2
This method uses John Guest fittings. This can be used when you do not have a conversion hose. The only difference here is you need a special John Guest fitting.
Connecting John Guest Fitting to Filter Input
You will need a 3/8″ female BSPT to John Guest 3/8″ fitting. Thread the fitting to the input side of your filter and attach your tubing from the main water supply. Steps
Wrapping Up
See? That wasn’t so hard. Enjoy your delicious espresso with cleaner water than before. Since this beverage is used to create a host of other coffee drinks, having the perfect shot of it is a good place to start.
Recommended article: How to Fix an Espresso Machine Gauge