Berkey filter longevity

[desert_sailing]

So I have seen the canned response on their website of 50k gallons till you need to replace your black filters. I searched at how that test was done but have not seen the actual model. I am assuming that is simply tap water bring filtered and not wilderness water.

For those of you with some real world experience with these filters.. could you give an idea at how often you change yours and what was the murkiest water you have run through them.

I have the travel size .. 2 black filters in it... So I think 1.5 gal.

Do you also use the flouride filters?

 

[highdesertranger]

I don't use the fluoride filters. I always pre-filter. my pre-filter is just straining the water through a clean bath towel. you would be surprised how well that works for removing the larger stuff. make sure you use the bath towel as a one way filter only. I want to get a food grade stainless steel strainer, one day.

I am on my first set of black filters just over 1 year old. it still filters real fast. I haven't even had to clean them yet. but I only put water through that looks clean to the eye that I have pre-filtered. trust me it is not safe to drink until it goes through the Berkey filter. I have microscopes and I have done before and after tests.

one other point I would like to make. I have been sick from drinking bad water appox 30 years ago. you don't want to go through that, trust me.

highdesertranger

 

[wayne49]

Black filter replacement depends on the water content that is input into the system. The number of cleaning cycles is mentioned as the limit of when to replace a filter. The cleaning cycle depends on how much gunk is in the water.

I pre-filter through an inline (Camco) filter on the hose.

This is the official site's page about cleaning the black filters.

https://www.berkeyfilters.com/pages/clean-black-berkey

"our black filter elements can be cleaned up to 100 times before the need to purchase a replacement."

"Cleaning the water filter is needed when the flow rate decreases and the output slows to the point that it is no longer meeting your needs. This point depends on the amount of contaminants you are removing. For household use we suggest cleaning every six months, and for field use weekly, possibly daily in the harshest conditions."

 

[Dingfelder]

I haven't taken cleaning it seriously, though I have been using it for a year and a half out of two years constantly for all my daily water. No slow down. But that's from tap water. It was never lightning fast, but never really a burden, so I can't tell the difference. Mine is the size that holds a bit more than a gallon, if you push it .. but then you'll find it leaking.

I have two black and one white filter. I have yet to find any trace of anything yucky in either top or bottom container.

I easily drink two liters a day, usually more. Probably closer to a gallon.

Good to hear that you don't have to worry until the flow starts slowing down. No problems so far, then.

I can't imagine arbitrary timelines would be worth anything at all, unless it is to sell filters. It must be more appropriate to gauge your replacement cycle on the wear and tear and clogging on your filters.

All that said, if you get a Berkey ... it's not like companies don't run out of business. Even when successful! If you got an extra set of filters, it would be good insurance.