Is drip coffee hot enough to kill germs.

Posted by fdixon63 @fdixon63, Apr 25 10:55am

Since the beginning of my diagnosis of MAC and pseudomonas I've used distilled water in my drip coffee maker. Does the water get hot enough to kill germs if I just use tap water--or even bottle water? I don't have a thermometer to check the temp. Thanks.

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cwal | @cwal | Apr 27 3:45pm

In reply to @reneemc "Is drip coffee hot enough to kill bacteria?" + (show)

I don't know the answer to that. I would imagine the temperature varies from coffee maker to coffee maker. I use my Lifestraw water in my coffee maker so that I don't have to wonder.

scoop | @scoop | Apr 27 6:31pm

In reply to @reneemc "Is drip coffee hot enough to kill bacteria?" + (show)

The hot water created in a drip coffee maker will reduce any NTM considerably. Also, it's challenging to figure out where one's own NTM exposure is coming from. So we do a little bit of this and that and hedge our bets. My 2 cents.

drwholigan | @drwholigan | Apr 30 8:28am

In reply to @reneemc "Is drip coffee hot enough to kill bacteria?" + (show)

NTM is killed by boiling for at least 10 minutes. I don't think a coffee pot can do that. Also, there is the problem with slime building up in the reservoir.

Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Apr 30 8:46am

@fdixon63 I think I have the solution to that - at least for me. I use filtered water to cold-brew my coffee concentrate (about 3X strength) and pour the concentrate into a carafe which I store in the refrigerator. For each cup of coffee I mix 1/3 brewed coffee with 2/3 filtered water and heat in the microwave. Or 1/3 brewed coffee with 2/3 protein drink and heat - instant latte!
The cold brew container is lined with a one-time use filter bag, and it and the carafe are thoroughly scrubbed with dish soap and hot water every time so no bio-film forms. If I can't filter the water, I use bottled spring water.