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OrangeSkies
March 08, 2006, 13:00
I moved a very remote area of Oregon last year for a new job. I absolutely love it here in 'Oregon's Outback" - there's no end to the outdoor activities available within just a few minutes from home. Fishing, hunting, hiking, camping, mountain biking, snow-shoeing, snow skiing, etc., etc. and more wildlife than I've seen in a long time.

One thing that I don't like, however is the taste of the water from my faucet. There's a heavy metallic and/or mineral taste that really bugs me. So for the last year I've been buying bottled water, but that's getting old (and expensive).

So, after doing a little internet research, I decided to buy the "Big Berkey®" water filtration system. It had nothing but rave reviews on every website I found that had information about it.

It uses a proven, 'old fashioned' system to filter almost any conceivable source of water from tap water to rice paddies to muddy brown lake, river, or creek water. Using micro-pourous (re-cleanable and re-usable) filters, it removes: "99.99% of particulates, cysts, parasites and pathogenic bacteria including E. Coli, Cryptosporidium, Giardia and Salmonella Typhi. Additionally, these filters will reduce chlorine, rust, sediment and organic chemicals. With filtration rating efficiencies of >98% down to 0.2 microns >99.9% at 0.5 microns >99.99% at 0.9 microns.

The Berkey® system is far superior to other filters because it removes harmful pathogenic bacteria. Its unique ceramic filtering system reduces unhealthy organic chemical contaminates and impurities while leaving in the beneficial minerals your body needs from water. It's simply the most healthful, clean and delicious water available."
The unit is constructed of durable, high-grade stainless steel and the model I bought holds about 2.25 gallons of some of the cleanest and freshest tasting water possible. It's small enough to sit on my kitchen counter for daily use, but will also be coming with me on any future camping trips or other wilderness outings, but the main reason I bought it was to have for both day-to-day use as well as for emergency situations where potable water might become scarce or unavailable.

This blurb is from one of the web sites I visited:
The Berkey® system's high quality and effectiveness has stood the test of time. First ordered by the Royal House in England, it's also been used by relief organizations such as the W.H.O., Unicef, the Peace Corps, and Red Cross Societies Internationally. What's more, British Berkefeld® systems have been used for over 150 years by missionaries, explorers and relief workers in over 140 countries around the world.
Based on about a week's use, I am very pleased with my purchase and would recommend this unit to anyone looking for a serious use-anywhere water filtration system. The 2.25 gallon model I bought (on eBay) cost me just $235 (including shipping). I probably spent close to that in bottled water over the past year...
"British Berkefeld® performs better than most of the 2,500 water filters on the market."
Matt Martello - Product Review: British Berkefeld® Water Filter,.... Backwoods Home Magazine May/June 1999

Da Nerd
March 08, 2006, 13:54
Yep good stuff. Enjoy

buckshot007
March 10, 2006, 13:45
I am considering getting one myself. I believe they are made here in the UK so I should be able to get a good deal, which makes a nice change. Normally I have to order everything from the states $$$:sad:

farranger
March 20, 2006, 18:32
We've been using ours since about 1996; love it, cleaned it once or twice in the thousands of gallons it's filtered.

0007
March 21, 2006, 11:03
Buy an extra set of filters and you are set for a very long time as long as you aren't putting mud in it.

Rawles
March 23, 2006, 13:03
RE:
>Buy an extra set of filters and you are set for a very long time as long as you aren't putting mud in it.

Sorry, but the Big Berkey uses one big ceramic filter.

If you will be filtering cloudy water during an emergency (roof run-off, pond water, et cetera) , you should pre-filter the water with few thickneses of T-shirts. This will greatly extend the life of the filter.

Powderfinger
March 23, 2006, 14:35
Originally posted by Rawles
RE:
>Buy an extra set of filters and you are set for a very long time as long as you aren't putting mud in it.

Sorry, but the Big Berkey uses one big ceramic filter.

If you will be filtering cloudy water during an emergency (roof run-off, pond water, et cetera) , you should pre-filter the water with few thickneses of T-shirts. This will greatly extend the life of the filter.

I'm confused. The Big Berkey 2.25 gal. says it has 4-9" filters.
What model uses 1?
http://www.stevequayle.com/Shop/Berkey/Berkey.technical.html

OrangeSkies
March 23, 2006, 14:58
My Big Berkey (2.25 gallon model) uses the 4 "Black Berkey" filters, too, not just one single filter. I can also add another 4 "PF-4 Reduction Elements" for an additional level of filtration of "MTBE's, Fluoride, Lead, and Arsenic" as well as "DBCP, THM's, herbicides and pesticides, and heavy metal irons" - all commonly found in "drinking water".

Ohio FAL
March 23, 2006, 15:37
I had a electric coffee pot that was burnt out. Place the dohickey that holds the coffee filter on top of the glass pot, place a few coffee filter's in it like you are going to make a pot. Pour your water into the filter area and let it trickle in, then take this water and pour into the top of your Berkley.
Sam:biggrin:

Powderfinger
March 23, 2006, 20:08
I ordered a Big Berkey with the 4 filters. Didn't see anything on the PF-4 elements. A family sized water purifier was a needed item for emergrency prepardness. This should "fill the bill".

Da Nerd
March 23, 2006, 20:34
I use a funnel like for canning with a wider mouth, and coffee filters to pre-strain water before filtering.....gets rid of lots of trash...

OrangeSkies
March 24, 2006, 13:21
Here's a link to some info on the PF-4 elements that you can also buy for your 4-filter 2.25 gallon model:

Berkey PF-4 Reduction Elements (http://www.frugalsquirrels.com/cgi-bin/miva?/merchant.mv+Screen=PROD&Store_Code=FSOS&Product_Code=SGMFLAPFREFBBFS4P)

Powderfinger
March 24, 2006, 13:27
Thanks for the link OrangeSkies.:bow:

win308
March 24, 2006, 23:28
Man....my tongue is dry and all of a sudden, after reading all this, I need a drink of cool, clear water !!

I gotta get me one of those..

0007
March 27, 2006, 13:23
Right. Mine has 4 filters, each about 1 1/2 inches in diameter. I think the replacement set was about $145.00 Of course that was about five years ago.