Big Berkey

Questions on Big Berkey

• From bdorf at 8/29/12 2:21 AM
  • What are the pros/cons between choosing two filters or four filters?
    I'm looking at the Big Berkey, kitchen use for two people.
  • Hi Bdorf -
    
    The quality of filtration with 2 or 4 filters will be exactly the same; so no difference there. The 2 differences will be in filtration speed (4 filters will filter the water approx 60-70% faster than 2 filters), and longevity (2 filters will last approx 6000 gallons and 4 filters will last approx 12000 gallons).
    
    Thanks
    Dan
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• From Pat at 9/3/12 11:16 AM
  • The Big Berkey has two filters, but you can expand it to 4. Does 4 filters take out more stuff?
  • Hi Pat -
    
    Yes, the system comes standard with 2 filters and 2 blocking plugs. Down the road you can remove these blocking plugs and add 2 additional filters if desired. If you order a Big Berkey with 4 filters, the system still comes with 2 blocking plugs so that you can still plug the 2 holes and the other 2 filters for a future date.
    
    Thanks
    Dan
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• From Ted Phelps at 9/23/12 11:57 AM
  • Will the filters (black) in the Berkey filter systems filter out salt?
  • Hi Ted -
    
    No, the filters do not remove beneficial minerals, salt being one of them.
    
    Thanks
    Dan
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• From Melanie at 10/8/12 10:19 PM
  • What does this filter system remove from the water? And will I need a oreofessional to install the kdf shower filter? And how will I know if the Shower filter will fit on my shower head?
  • Hi Melanie -
    
    A great place to start to understand the systems and what they remove from the water is found in this article:
    
    http://www.bigberkeywaterfilters.com/blog/berkey/help-me-choose-a-berkey-filter-system/
    
    A professional is not needed to install the shower filter (just a wrench) and it fits standard home piping, so your shower filter should be able to screw onto this shower filter as it is most likely standard piping sized and not custom sized.
    
    Thanks
    Dan
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• From Melanie at 10/8/12 10:21 PM
  • How long will this filter last? And how do I replace the filters? and how often do i change them?
  • Hi Melanie -
    
    The black berkeys last 6000 gallons per set of 2. Most customers do not have to consider changing the filters for at least a few years, and some go upwards of 10 years depending of the amount of throughput.
    
    Thanks
    Dan
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• From irene French at 10/24/12 4:45 PM
  • how can you tell how much water is in the upper chamber of the stainless steel type?
  • Hi Irene -
    
    The size of the system represents what each chamber of the system can hold. In other words, the big berkey is a 2 gallons system and thus can hold 2 gallons in the upper chamber and also 2 gallons in the lower chamber. However bear in mind that if the lower chamber is full, you do not want to add anymore water to the upper chamber. This is because the water being filtered will have nowhere to go when it reached the lower chamber and thus would overflow out of the middle wear the 2 chambers meet. This is how they are purposefully designed.
    
    Thanks
    Dan
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• From monique at 12/30/12 2:50 PM
  • What are the differences between the ceramic and black berkey filters in terms of rate of filtration, longevity, quality of filtered water and costs.
  • Hi Monique -
    
    Here you go:
    
    http://www.bigberkeywaterfilters.com/blog/berkey/the-difference-between-black-berkeys-and-ceramic-filters-a-quick-history-and-comparison
    
    Thanks
    Dan DeBaun
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• From Kay Rushton at 2/16/13 10:57 AM
  • What type of warranty comes with the Big Berkey?
  • Hi Kay -
    
    Details of the warranty can be found approx halfway down this page:
    
    http://www.bigberkeywaterfilters.com/shipping-returns
    
    Thanks
    Dan
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• From Molly at 3/5/13 10:15 PM
  • This is probably a dumb question, but here goes. I am assuming the system has to sit at the edge of a counter to be able to use the spigot, correct? Our kitchen really isn't set up with a good spot, so I was hoping you had a stand available to set it in a pantry area up off the floor. I do see the small base you have available but it really wouldn't work for our kitchen. Any advice would be appreciated.
    
    Thanks!
    Molly
  • Hi Molly -
    
    Yes, you would need to hang the spigot over the edge of your countertop, put the system on a small stand, or hang the spigot over the corner of your sink (this is a popular option). If you need a stand, wooden or metal plant stands work well too. You can get them in a few inches to a few feet in height, so you have some versatility in options for you kitchen.
    
    Thanks
    Dan
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• From Manny at 3/7/13 12:13 AM
  • Are any parts of the Berkey filtration system manufactured outside the United States? If so, what parts and where?
    
    Thank you kindly.
  • Hi Manny -
    
    Everything is made in the US except for the stainless steel. This comes from India.
    
    Thanks
    Dan
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• From Ken at 3/8/13 7:30 PM
  • Apparently there is no way to judge the amount of water left in the lower chamber. If I want to add water to the upper chamber to keep from running out, how do i know how much to add to the upper chamber in order to avoid overflow? Since both chambers have the same capacity, any water other than a trace in the lower chamber would result in overflow, wouldn't it? Thanks.
  • Hi Ken -
    
    You can take a peak inside to see what your water level is. Also, you can estimate the water level, by how fast the water is coming out of the lower spigot. You'll get a feel for this. If either of those options do not seem manageable to you, we do offer a sight glass spigot that shows the water level in the lower chamber. This is offered as a discounted item with the purchase of the system for $25.
    
    http://www.bigberkeywaterfilters.com/sight-glass-spigot.html
    
    Thanks
    Dan
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• From Kelly at 3/12/13 2:30 PM
  • Does it remove hexavalent chromium?
  • Hi Kelly -
    
    Yes, the black berkeys do.
    
    Thanks
    Dan
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• From Amber at 3/19/13 12:11 AM
  • I am new to the Big Berkey water filtration system. I am interested in purchasing one, but wanted to know if it keeps water cold, since it sits mostly on a counter?
    
    Thanks for your help!
    Amber
  • Hi Amber -
    
    No, the system would keep the water at room temperature. For customers who like their water cold, they usually put the filtered water into a pitcher and store it in the fridge.
    
    Thanks
    Dan
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• From Bronwynn at 4/8/13 8:27 PM
  • Are these suited for well water? I know some filters just can't handle water that's not already been treated, so I want to make sure. How about water from a rain collection system?
  • Hi Bronwynn -
    
    Yes, these systems were originally designed and engineered for filtering non-treated water, so both well and rainwatercollection system are acceptable sources.
    
    Thanks
    Dan
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