1). Big Berkey, 2.25-Gal w/2 Blk Filters. Extremely Effective. See Review
2). Sport Berkey Water Filter Bottle Convenient On the Go Travel Filter! See Review
Also see Pitcher Water Filters review page for other portable water filters.
1). Big Berkey, 2.25-Gallon, Gravity-Fed Water Filter with 2 Black Purification Filters
New Millennium Concepts, Ltd. (NMCL) is the manufacturer of Berkey® line of gravity-fed water purification systems. They are a privately-owned company headquartered in Hurst, Texas. NMCL only sells their products through an exclusive network of authorized dealers.
Sold around the world, Berkey systems are of the highest quality, and most rigorously tested gravity-fed water purification products available anywhere.
Berkey stainless steel chambers are assembled in the USA from US and imported parts. Black Berkey Purification Elements are made and assembled in the USA.
Berkey Water Filter Systems
Why are Berkey Filter Systems considered superior to other gravity-fed purification systems?
Berkey Filter Systems remove the much more harmful bacteria, viruses, chemical contaminants, foul-tastes and odors than any other filter system. Moreover, Berkey purifies water 8X more quickly than other competing brands.
Contaminants are removed to well below detectable levels, while leaving in the beneficial minerals your body needs.
Worldwide, Berkey Systems are the first choice for emergencies and disaster preparedness, because they’re easy to use and highly portable. They assemble in minutes without the need for tools, electricity, water pressure, or Plumbing. No pumping is necessary.
You simply pour water into the upper chamber and gravity does the rest. Purified water collects in the lower chamber where it’s easily dispensed through the spigot.
You can add more elements, in order to purify your water more quickly. Also, you may add available Post Filters to remove fluoride from your water.
Berkey Systems have a six-month manufacturer’s warranty and the elements have a pro-rated two-year warranty.
So why wait any longer Berkey, the gold standard in personal water purification.
Why are Berkey Filters so Popular?:
Tested for Effectiveness:
Berkey uses several independent third-party labs to test a broad range of potential contaminants and conducts Extreme Testing for lead and PFC’s in order to show the effectiveness of their Black Berkey Purification Elements.
NSF International Standard #42 covers systems “designed to reduce specific aesthetic or non-health-related contaminants such as Taste and Odor, and particulates that may be present in public or private drinking water.
NSF Standard #53 addresses “systems designed to reduce specific health-related contaminants, such as Cryptosporidium, Giardia, lead, Volatile Organic Chemicals, Chlorine, MTBE that may be present in public or private drinking water.”
The tests that Berkey has conducted are much more rigorous than those required by NSF for the certifications mandated by every state in the U.S.A., including the state of Iowa, which has some of the most stringent.
Berkey’s purifiers have been rigorously tested by third-party independent accredited labs, that far surpass the standard of taste, odor and chlorine reduction. Berkey’s systems have been tested for the removal of hundreds of contaminants including heavy metals, pesticides, herbicides, pharmaceuticals, pathogenic bacteria and viruses.
These test results are published and available to all consumers on Berkey’s Test Results page. Independent, third-party tests have confirmed Berkey’s superior performance to it’s competitors water filter systems.
What’s included in the Box:
- Upper and lower stainless steel chambers
- 2 Black Berkey® Purification Elements
- 1 stainless steel lid, knob and screw
- 1 spigot, rubber gasket to protect the base
- 2 wing nuts, 2 washers
- 1 priming button
- 2 blocking plugs
Filter Capacity and Recommended Replacement Schedule:
Each set of black Berkey elements can purify approximately 6,000 gallons (22, 700 liters) of water. You may add an additional pair of elements, which are sold separately, to add an additional 6,000 gallons of purification capacity to your system. These filter will last for years and will only need changing when the filters approach their effective capacity
Black Berkey Purification Elements average just 2 cents per gallon of purified water. Compare that to other, inferior systems, or the cost of bottled water at about a dollar fifty per gallon and you’ll realize that Berkey is virtually the most economical system available.
In determining the best time to change the filter, people will see how slowly water is flowing through it. Others can notice the taste of the water changing. When you get used to it, you can use all of these methods to determine the best time to change your filter.
Product Description:
| Capacity: | 2.25 gallons (8.5 liters) |
| Size: | 8.5″ x 19.25″ (21.6 x 49 cm) |
| Shipping Weight: | 9.0 lbs. (4.0 kg) |
| Material: | AISI 304 Stainless Steel |
My Thoughts on Berkey’s Filter System:
I have not come across another gravity-fed filter system that reduces contaminants levels as much as this one. I found this filter to be the most effective model on the market for the price point.
Pros:
- Independent, extreme testing rates Berkey as the most effective gravity-fed filter system available.
- Removes 99.9999% of pathogenic bacteria, and greater than 99.999% of viruses
- Removes or greatly reduces a wide range of chemical contaminants to a high degree.
- Can expand to 4 Black Berkey® Purification Elements total, to speed up filtering.
- Filters are very long lasting with a capacity of 6,000 gallons per pair before needing replacement.
- No special tools, electricity or plumbing needed
Cons:
- More expensive upfront than other Gravity filters.
- Cannot visually see the level of the water in the reservoir. Installing an optional Berkey Sight Glass Spigot will instantly let you know how full it is.
Conclusion:
Berkey systems are capable of purifying both treated water and untreated raw water from sources like lakes and streams, stagnant ponds and water supplies. This is a great option if you’re traveling to foreign countries, where regulations may be substandard at best.
This system is so effective, it can remove red food coloring from water. It does this without removing minerals. It’s perfect for everyday use and a must in hostile environments where electricity, water pressure or treated water may not be available.
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2). Sport Berkey® 22oz Filter Bottle
Berkey’s Sport Filter Travel Bottle allows you to purify available water, any where you go. It’s a convenient way to quench your thirst with purified water while hiking, biking, hunting, fishing, traveling or even during unexpected emergencies.
Get in the habit of filling your filter bottle in the morning for your day. This is a great alternative to those sugary, health-wrecking soda pops and other expensive drinks.
Benefits and Product Description:
- The Bottle is made from an FDA approved, BPA-free, LDPE #4 Medical-grade, non-leaching polymer. The Cap is made of FDA approved, BPA-free, HDPE, non-leaching polymer. The Straw is made of FDA approved, BPA-free, PolyPro. so you can feel good about the safety of the materials.
- The filter element used in the Sport Berkey will remove or dramatically reduce and wide range of toxins and chemicals.
- It’s effective on heavy metals, VOC’s, pesticides, herbicides, chlorides and chlorine, pharmaceuticals, petroleum-based products, odors and unpleasant tastes, silt, sediment and a host of other contaminants.
- The Sport Berkey Filters use the same highly-effective filter medium as the larger Black Berkey Filter elements, so you know it’s extremely effective.
- The Sport Berkey Filter will last about 640 refills (100 gallons) if you’re filling it with municipal tap water.
- You can expect the Sport Berkey Filter to last about 160 refills (25 gallons) if your source water is from untreated raw-water sources.
Tested for Effectiveness:
Berkey uses several independent third-party labs to test a broad range of potential contaminants and conducts Extreme Testing for lead and PFC’s in order to show the effectiveness of their Black Berkey Purification Elements. See the Test Results for the Sport Berkey Filter Element.
NSF International Standard #42 covers systems “designed to reduce specific aesthetic or non-health-related contaminants such as Taste and Odor, and particulates that may be present in public or private drinking water.
NSF Standard #53 addresses “systems designed to reduce specific health-related contaminants, such as Cryptosporidium, Giardia, lead, Volatile Organic Chemicals, Chlorine, and other chemicals.
What’s included in the Box:
- Sport Berkey® 22oz Filter Bottle
- 1 Sport Berkey® Purification Element
Filter Capacity and Recommended Replacement Schedule:
- The Sport Berkey Filter will last about 640 refills if you’re filling it with municipal tap water.
- You can expect the Sport Berkey Filter to last about 160 refills if your source water is from untreated raw-water sources.
Product Description:
The Berkey sport bottle is designed as a straw bottle. You draw the water just like a regular straw, not squeezed. Squeezing is only necessary if you’re using it for the first time, or when you replace the filter.
The maximum temperature the Sport Berkey® can withstand is 115º F (46º C) .
You may refrigerate the Sport Berkey®, but don’t let it freeze. Freezing can expand the pores within the filter element and compromise the integrity of the filter element.
Do NOT put boiling hot water into the Sport Berkey. It can break down the filter element and compromise its efficiency.
If you plan to not use your Sport Berkey bottle for awhile, remove the filter and fill the unit with water and about 5 drops of un-scented bleach, or a 50/50 mix of 3% Hydrogen Peroxide. Shake or allow to stand a couple of minutes, then emplty and rinse. Allow the parts to dry thoroughly with the cap removed. Re-assemble and seal in an air tight container if possible.
Don’t allow the filter to freeze, and do not place in a microwave oven, or run hot water through the filter.
It’s important to periodically clean the Bottle, the Top and the Straw with a good soapy cleaning. Follow the standard cleaning procedures which are on the instructions that come with each bottle.
It may be necessary to soak the parts in warm dish water before cleaning, or use a fine brush in the straw. Typically soaking in soapy water or vinegar water takes care of any build-up inside the top/straw. Rinse the parts thoroughly.
The materials of the Sport Berkey® Bottle has a shelf life of 50 years.
My Thoughts on Berkey’s Filter System:
This is an excellent way to making sure you get the purest drinking water while being on the move. Berkey’s proven filter media is used in this travel mug, allowing you to use whatever water is on hand.
Pros:
- Uses the same highly effective and tested filter media as Berkey’s larger filter systems.
- Removes or greatly reduces pathogenic bacteria and viruses.
- Removes or greatly reduces a wide range of chemical contaminants.
- The Filter is very long lasting with a capacity of about 640 refills when using tap water, or about 160 refills if using untreated water.
- Convenient – Fill it and Go!
Cons:
- Hot liquids will compromise the filter, however, I don’t see why you couldn’t remove the filter if you ever want to fill the bottle with hot liquids.
Conclusion:
Berkey filters are capable of purifying both treated water and untreated raw water from sources like lakes and streams, stagnant ponds and water supplies.
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