Big Berkey Water Purifier Filtration System: Review + Proper Set Up

(Can you tell which is which?)

My first choice for drinking water is fresh spring water. However, I think the Berkey Purifier and Filtration System is an awesome 2nd best solution. I feel comfortable drinking it and I am grateful to have in case of emergencies, for cooking, watering plants and in the rare circumstances I am without spring water. Therefore, I am very glad to be an owner of a Big Berkey. I opted to set up with 2 Black Filters and PF-2 Elements (more on these parts below), and it's great!

As you can see or not from the image above there is a difference in the quality of water. Purifying and filtering makes quite a big difference. From the left: spring water, tap water and Berkey filtered on the right. It may be a little hard to tell from the image, but the tap water is the most murky and when I put towards my nose you can really smell "chemicals". Ew! The spring water is the most pristine and the Berkey water doesn't fall that far behind.

(PF-2 Filters, Black Elements)

If you do some research you will find the Berkey has the best reputation out there. It's a gravity filter allowing you the flexibility to be off the grid and use outdoors. The Black Berkey filter removes 99.9999% of contaminants and has been laboratory tested and proven to remove viruses, therefore it does qualify for EPA's definition to be called a 'purifier' versus just a 'filter'. It's so efficient that you can purify stagnant swamp water.

Please note: it does take some time to filter (this is a good thing- sorry but I don't think Brita's and the like cut it).

(The Big Berkey system minus the filters came in this box-
which is approximately: 9" square x 14" high.
An easy size to store and travel with.)

All the Berkey's are pretty much the same - where they differ is in their size, how much water they hold, and how fast they are able to filter it. There is a great video comparison HERE so you can see all the choices. If you do decide to purchase a Berkey, I would suggest you check out all these informative videos- it will be more efficient to set up. I was one of those who didn't "prime" properly.

The Big Berkey is a stainless steel and 8.5" wide and 20" tall. It can house up to 4 filters, which can filter up to 7 gallons per hour, and hold 2.25 gallons of water. The 2 Black Berkey filters/elements can purify up to 6,000 gallons before needing to be replaced. The PF-2 reduction elements are designed to be used with Black Berkey water purification elements to adsorb Fluoride, Arsenic V and pre-oxidized Arsenic III, and other residual heavy metal ions found in drinking water. There is also the option for ceramic filters which would use PF-1 elements to go with, but I suggest you get the black elements- they are the best choice as they are more precise filters.

This video explains proper priming. If you feel like your Berkey is hardly filtering any water 9 times out of 10 this is due to not properly priming the filters prior to use.

This video shows how to properly install PF-2 reduction elements that are designed to be used with Black Berkey water purification elements to adsorb Fluoride, Arsenic V and pre-oxidized Arsenic III, and other residual heavy metal ions found in drinking water.

Related Posts:
- The Story of Bottled Water
- The Tap is Legal but May Be Unhealthy