Is the Berkey the best overall nonportable water purifier?

ozarkeagle said:

http://www.berkeywaterfilterstore.com/black-berkey.php
This sure reads to me like the black is the best filter. Maybe I am missing something or do you believe this is marketing hype?

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I can't really confirm or deny, but a poster above mentioned the ongoing internet debate about the validity of the tests concerning the black filters. Then again,it's his first post, and he's sellling ceramics, so DYODD.:thumb:

So.....I may have just missed it, but how many gallons of water can one of the Big Berkey with the 9" filters purify before the filters need to be replaced? Just wanting the info. so I can decide how many replacements to purchase. I would assume that for the price we're talking thousands of gallons, but then again, that's why I'm asking.

Pure water is two hydrogen molecules combined with one oxygen molecule, but most of us really wouldn't recognize it from what we're used to drinking and even if we were, our bodies wouldn't be satisfied without the other trace minerals in a long term situation.


I spent 8 days onboard a US Submarine where we lost the ability to produce potable water. Alot of guys were brushing thier teeth with canned fruit juice, (no kidding), I used DI water which is described as above.

It tastes like nothing. Not good either. But no sugar.

Impamy said:

So.....I may have just missed it, but how many gallons of water can one of the Big Berkey with the 9" filters purify before the filters need to be replaced? Just wanting the info. so I can decide how many replacements to purchase. I would assume that for the price we're talking thousands of gallons, but then again, that's why I'm asking.

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IIRC, Each black filter is advertised as being able to filter about 3000 gallons, depending on obvious variables. So a Big berkey with a max of 4 filters installed would filter,under ideal conditions,about 12,000 gallons. I believe this would be filtering clear,tap water. If filtering creek or lake water, I think you'd expect about 1000 gallons per filter. The websites provided above should provide the details correctly, I'm going from memory here.

JBinc said:

Just a little heads up info….the “Black” British Berkefield filters are NOT true British Berkefield filters!

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I'm looking into buying a filter too. This sounds like a great one but I'm confused again. What does this mean that the "Black" British Berkefield filters aren't the true British Berkefield filters? I don't know what the real ones do or are so not sure why this statement should make a difference when buying the Berky & filters. Can you explain? Please?

(Quote) "I'm looking into buying a filter too. This sounds like a great one but I'm confused again. What does this mean that the "Black" British Berkefield filters aren't the true British Berkefield filters? I don't know what the real ones do or are so not sure why this statement should make a difference when buying the Berky & filters. Can you explain? Please?"

As told to me by the folks at the two companies I mentioned above, the British Berkfield filters are the ceramic filters that have been around for over a century. A great product,to be sure, but the black elements are newer,and are supposedly a little better,supposed to filter a few things the ceramics don't. Of course, I don't know any of this to be absolute fact.
I'd suggest calling the folks at these two companies. They're nice folks that are well informed and will happilly answer all your questions...:thumb:

http://www.berkeywaterfilterstore.com/berkey-light.php
http://www.jamesfilter.com/

sunny225 said:

I'm looking into buying a filter too. This sounds like a great one but I'm confused again. What does this mean that the "Black" British Berkefield filters aren't the true British Berkefield filters? I don't know what the real ones do or are so not sure why this statement should make a difference when buying the Berky & filters. Can you explain? Please?

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Fairey Industries….the owner and manufacturer of British Berkefield and Doulton filters do NOT make the “black” filters, nor do they endorse the use of the “black” filter.
For all the facts, call the North American Rep for British Berkefeld and Doulton.
Toll Free: 888.236.8586