The water you put in your steamer affects how it works. For steamers we normally recommend distilled water because it is limescale-free. But for two of our models, Steamer – Elite – Topmodellen (item no. 80130-00) and Steamer – Prof. modellen (item no. 80120-00), a different recommendation applies. Here we explain why.
In short
You can use ordinary tap water.
- Use regular tap water or a mix of 50% tap water and 50% distilled water.
- Do not use 100% distilled or demineralized water.
- Descale the steamer regularly.
The automatic stop protects the machine
Both the Elite and Prof. modellen have an automatic stop that protects the machine if the water runs out or if it is forgotten. The stop detects the water via the minerals in it.
Why the steamer beeps with distilled water
100% distilled or demineralized water contains no minerals. Therefore the machine thinks the tank is empty and just keeps beeping. The steamer is not broken. The automatic stop simply cannot detect the water.
Tap water or a 50/50 mix
You can use regular tap water. If you want less limescale in the machine, you can use a mix of 50% tap water and 50% distilled water. The mix produces less limescale, and the automatic stop will still work.
Whatever solution you choose, the steamer must be descaled regularly. See how in How to descale your steamer and extend its lifespan.
Why we normally recommend distilled water
For steamers we normally recommend distilled water because it is limescale-free. That advice simply does not apply to models with this type of automatic stop, such as Elite and Prof. modellen.
An important clarification of our descaling guide
In our descaling guide it says you can use distilled water instead of tap water. That is not correct for the Elite and Prof. modellen. For those two models, the advice in this article applies: tap water or a 50% tap water / 50% distilled water mix.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my steamer beeping?
If you use 100% distilled or demineralized water in the Elite or Prof. modellen, there are no minerals in the water. Then the automatic stop cannot detect the water, and the machine thinks the tank is empty. That is why it beeps. It is not broken. Use tap water or a 50/50 mix instead.
Can I use distilled water?
Not 100% distilled water in these two models. You can use a mix of 50% tap water and 50% distilled water. That reduces limescale, and the automatic stop will still work.
What about demineralized water?
The same applies. 100% demineralized water has no minerals, so the automatic stop cannot detect it. Demineralized water may be PCB-free, but that is not the deciding factor here.
How often should I descale?
Descale the steamer regularly, even when using a 50/50 mix. You can find the step-by-step procedure in our descaling article.
Does this apply to all steamers?
No. For steamers we normally recommend distilled water because it is limescale-free. The advice to use tap water or a 50/50 mix applies to models with this type of automatic stop, such as Elite and Prof. modellen.
Still having trouble with your steamer?
If your steamer still isn't working as it should, you can read about our help in Steamer – is it acting up? You are also always welcome to contact us.
