Berkey Water Filters – My Experience with the Big Berkey
I got my Berkey Water Filter in September and I get a lot of questions about it. I wanted to answer some of the most common ones I get here on the blog so that I could elaborate a bit more. Berkey Filters sent me the Big Berkey and its stand and it has been absolutely amazing to have.
I mentioned this on Instagram when I first talked about our Berkey, but the water here in Salt Lake City is… Well… Gross. Straight from the tap, a glass of water literally smells like a swimming pool. It leaves a white residue on things from the minerals in it. It’s not something I wanted to be drinking, nor did I want our cats drinking it either. And it’s not just specific to our area or our home. We’ve been out at restaurants and the glasses of water smell so strongly of chlorine and other chemicals that I have a hard time drinking the water.
We had a pitcher filter and it was running through filters every 2 weeks. Before moving to Salt Lake City, we were able to go much longer before it needed to be changed. I didn’t like the waste factor of it, but it seemed to work well enough while we looked for another option. Once we moved to Salt Lake City and the filters didn’t last long.
It was too wasteful to be going through filters them so quickly. Using the pitcher filter system wasn’t cost-effective. It was also very clear to me that our water needed something a bit more heavy-duty.
Something needed to change and I started looking at other options. I had heard about Berkey Filters before and started to really research them. I am so thankful that I was able to work with them to add a Big Berkey to our home.
Editor’s Note: By using the affiliate links contained in this post you are helping to support Logical Harmony as we may receive a commission on purchases made (with no added cost to you). This helps keep Logical Harmony running, and we appreciate your support.
What exactly is a Berkey Water Filter?
The simplest explanation is that it’s a heavy-duty water filter. It sits on your countertop and you fill it with water as needed. Berkey water filters come in a few different sizes and there are some different filter options too.
By removing 200+ contaminants, it removes more than almost all other filters on the market. This includes pharmaceuticals in water, heavy metals, viruses, pesticides, and chemicals. They go into much more detail on their website.
What Berkey do you have?
I was sent the Big Berkey water filter. It came with two black filters. I was also sent the stainless steel stand, which makes it really easy to fill glasses and re-useable water bottles.
How often do the Berkey water filters need to be changed?
It depends on which Berkey you get. We have 2 filters in ours. It can hold 4 filters. Each filter can process about 3,000 gallons of water before it needs to be replaced. The Big Berkey holds 2.25 gallons. If it was refilled daily, it would be about 4 years before needing a new filter.
For comparison, before using the Big Berkey we were using a pitcher filter and had to replace that filter every 2 weeks. Before moving to Utah, those same filters needed to be replaced once a month. Annually, it was more expensive to be using the pitcher filter. It’s also more wasteful when you think about the packaging involved. If you want to compare the Berkey to your current filter, there are some helpful water filter comparison guides on the Berkey website.
How often do you need to refill your Berkey water filter tank?
This depends on how much water you’re drinking. Some people fill it up as they go, but Berkey recommends to empty it completely and then re-fill it. We probably refill our water filter tank every day. Since it holds over 2 gallons of water, it’s really not a hassle to refill like it was with the pitcher filters.
Everyone in this house, including the cats, drinks a lot more water now that we have our Berkey water filter. We also use Berkey water for cooking.
What are the basic upkeep costs?
Minimal to none, other than replacing the filters or if you wanted to swap out other elements of your Berkey water filter. You do need to clean them from time to time, and Berkey has instructions for that on the website.
Have you noticed any rust?
None!
Does Berkey water really taste that different from other filtered water?
YES! I cannot say this enough. Compared to the pitcher filter we had, and especially to straight out of the tap, the water is completely tasteless and scentless. You know, like water should be. There’s a reason people refer to it as Berkey Water. Even the mouthfeel is different.
Does the Berkey keep water cold?
Its purpose is to filter and not chill. It keeps it at room temperature. You could fill the tank with ice and it would help.
Is it worth the money? Where’s the best place to buy one?
I was sent our Big Berkey and it’s stand by Berkey Filters. That said, I completely think they are worth the money. It’s made such a huge difference for me and in our home. If we need to upgrade, I would have no hesitation buying a larger Berkey water filter or a second one. I’ve encouraged friends and family to buy them as well.
If you live in California, not all Berkey water filters can be shipped there. I’m not really sure why this is, but the Berkey team could help you figure out what your options are. I do know the Travel Berkey can be shipped there.
Editor’s Note: By using the affiliate links contained in this post you are helping to support Logical Harmony as we may receive a commission on purchases made (with no added cost to you). This helps keep Logical Harmony running, and we appreciate your support.
Thank you so much for sharing this Tashina! I’m going to buy Berkey next week and I’m so excited to try this.
We have the same Berkey water filter and we love it! Truly amazing!!