This is confusing to me Tom's Test Kitchen. From my research, 'The Big Berkey' and 'British Berkefeld' use different filters, the British Berkefeld uses the white ceramic filters which last for 2000 litres (according to their website) or 6-12 months. They are MUCH cheaper than the Berkey filters which are black, washable and therefore last up to 23,000 litres or 11 years (according to their website). The Big Berkey is about £230, the British Berkefeld is approx £110. I am having trouble deciding whether to fork out lots of cash for the Berkey and not have to change the filter for years, or go for the cheaper Berkefeld and change every year. Replacement filters: white ceramic x 2 (£27), black washable Berkeys x 2 (£95). Now you have confused me further by combining the merits of both systems as if they are the same system. They're not.
From what I found out so far, Berkey does NOT certify their black Berkey filters, they claim a bunch of bullshit, but they can't provide any credible independent LABORATORY test. The Berkefeld filters DO. So be careful about Berkey, it seems to be just a bunch of quacks after your money.
years ago an american business shark discovered that the nickname 'berkey' was never copyrighted or trademarked by doulton so they stole the name and put it on their chinese knockoff system. the reason doulton says the filters have to be replaced every 6-12 months is because the filters contain activated carbon, which does not last forever but the filters will still filter water long after the carbon has expired, so they don't have to be replaced unless you need the carbon absorption for smells, etc. the reason the knockoff berkey filters are black is so you can't see the mold growing on them. really.
Berkeys fikters have only been tested to 200 gallons! Their claims are bullshit! The ceramic filters are far superior & they remove fluoride without two additional plastic filters. Do some research!
The British Berkefeld vs. the Berkey, the Brit seems to have a better chassis, but the New Millennium Concepts (Berkey) has the better "Black Berkey" filter. From what I can gather, the Brit was the original, but they also own Berkey. I think the ultimate would be to outfit a Brit with Black Berkey filters which are an improved designed by the original company. I'm probably not tracking exactly, but I don't think Berkey is Chinese. Looks to me like the Brits own it (originals).
Doulton (1827 first filter systems) Britisch Berkefeld ( Berkefeld filter[1] is a water filter made of diatomaceous earth (Kieselguhr). It was invented in Germany in 1891, and by 1922 was being marketed in the United Kingdom by the Berkefeld Filter Co.[2] Berkefeld was the name of the owner of the mine in Hanover, Germany, where the ceramic material was obtained. The Berkefeld is a good bacterial water filter used in microbiological laboratories, in homes and out in the field) and Berkey filters are two very different companies. In fact New Millenium Concepts (NMC) Ltd. received a license to distribute British Berkefeld filters in North America. However, they developed their own purification element in 2003, called the "Black Berkey," which is used in "Berkey" water filters. NMC's Black Berkey purification elements employ a mix of six different filtration media, whereas the British Berkefeld water filter's purification elements were composed primarily of diatomaceous earth in the meantime this filters are Silver impregnated ceramics with a aktive carbon core more exact information you can find here: doulton.com/media/attachment/files/attachment/f/i/filter_performance_table_f.pdf. Berkefeld Filters are approved by the British armee, WHO, and several countries regarding water quality.
For anyone reading this in 2024 onwards, Berkey filters are being continuously debunked as not as effective as advertised. They also REFUSE third party certification. The British Berkefeld in this video uses Doulton water filters that are certified by third parties and meet regulatory standards. Many people with a Berkey are replacing their black charcoal filters with Doulton filters as they are compatible. So if you're reading this, the original comment from 11 years ago is INCORRECT. Doulton filters are much better than Berkey.
Their website says the filters are good for 800 gallons! No way that’s 10 years!! I replace mine annually because that’s approximately how much water I use in a year.
@@127cmore Filters didn’t exist in the 1800’s 😂 If you continuously use a filter beyond its capabilities, bacteria grows in them and you’d be doing more harm than good. You’re lacking in critical thinking skills.
Yes indeed looking at more videos on it, would sure be good to not have to do this water runs, but @ 2.5 gallons, in 2 hours seems, longer than I would like to get the highest filled although I wouldn't have to fill them all at same time so might not be a problem
Hi Tom, I just got out my Berkefeld after storing it for 2 years because our town water got corrupted and I didn't want to go buy bottled water constantly. But now it's leaking from the tap. I've lost the instructions for putting it together. Could you do a demo of how to assemble the Berkefeld (mine is same as yours) tap part? Thanks. Otherwise, I got good service from it when I was using it.
+Nancy Peterson Thanks, you should be able to replace it very easily. If you look on the inside there should be a threaded ring and a gasket. Just unscrew the ring, the tap should come out from the front, they just put the new one in the same way you took the old one out.
Lord Percy I love this model. But I also need to remove fluoride from my water I'm in central London UK. Could you advice me on a models that will remove everything? I'm so desperate I've even considered a water distiller. I'm very concerned about all the filth in our water as well as fluoride, we live in a rental unfortunately. Thank you I've been loving all you advice👌
neat! i love how the filters last for 10 years and it is a foxy looking thing to boot. gonna have to look into this product $250 is not chump change but over 10 years it clearly will pay for itself. we have a filter on our sink and one of the filter jugs for the fridge but man those cost a pretty penny & i can not lie some times i do not change them out promptly. xoexo
Thanks to everyone who helped me out. Going fine and no problems. Maybe one question: after storing (mine for 2 years) do you have to recondition the filtres? I didn't and water tastes ok.
Ive just bought one of these, and changed the tap to metal but still cant get the water flowing from the tap it just drips slowly. the bottom chamber is full up as should be. It seems like a vacuum is building up between the two chambers creating this issue. Any ideas?
Got both berkefeld and berkey. White ceramics are so much better, the black berkeys are made in India and it seems consistency is low. I now use the berkey as prefiltered water before I put it through the sterasyl.
I use the 5 gallon water jugs myself and its a pain but I really like having it in my machine because mine cools and heats the water. I like the idea of not going and refilling my jugs but I would want to still use my water cooler with that hmm
Thank you. We still haven't bought one. I'm still buying huge bottles from the shops. It's such a drag as I'm the water buyer. What about fluoride ? Is their any chance of ridding this? If this water filter is used in 3rd world countries. Then it should work in London UK our water is cloudy and tastes like crap. Yet we are told it drinkable and I know it's full of all the bad stuff not to mention the 42 tons of tablets they drop into the systems Bleach etc. who wants all that?? I'm saving up to buy this, but enjoy watching how it's all going. I've 2 teenager at college just us 3 is I'm in a tight budget. But money I spend on water as you say works out cheaper. Thank you so much👏👏👏
The two filter model is terrible. The Berkefeld actually has four holes but two are sealed up and it's the two sealed holes that are a major problem. The water eventually starts getting through the seals and into the bottom reservoir and that at a faster rate than what goes through the filter, meaning you end up with more tap water than filtered water. If your actually thinking of using the two filter model for something water that is less cleaner than tap water you could be putting yourself at serious risk.
That's right it can be. Since posting my comment I have managed to fix my leaking seals by sliding dental floss under the loose seals and wrapping it around like plumbers tape. There is no dripping now, the water is taking longer to fill the bottom reservoir and tastes much cleaner.
I saw one for £85.00 I'm in the UK but I'm sure it had only 2 filter. I became worried thinking how can 2 filters do a great job of killing all the metal, fluoride , viruses , etc etc .. Does this water filter really get rid of all those nasty things in our drinking water? I'm in London UK our water is disgusting.. I buy it none stop for my family
We have had our British Berkefeld unit for about a year now. I am very happy with it. Though we do use a fair amount of water, it's just for my wife and I. She is a regular tea drinker and we use it for cooking as well. So for our use, 2 candles are sufficient, providing one gets into a rhythm of adding water to the top tank when taking some through the tap. I especially take care to top it up before bedtime so there is a a good supply of filtered water ready before morning. If you use a great deal of water, as in the case of a larger family, then the doubly fast filtration provided by 4 candles may be preferable. Bear in mind, though you can order a separate filter designed to remove fluoride, its results are not as effective for gravity filtration (this design) compared to mains pressure filtration. Aside from that, be sure the cartridges you order are at least Super Sterasysl, as these also have carbon for removal of chlorine and most other organics. The Sterasyl is mostly for removal of larger particles and microorganisms. The ATC Super Sterasyl candles are the top of that range, also removing heavy metals such as lead. Find out from your local water company whether they add fluoride to your water. And, if your water is coming through old lead pipes, then it's a good idea to order the ATC Super Sterasysl. We live in South Bucks (High Wycombe) where I am happy to say our water is NOT fluoridated, as far as I know. I hope this helps.
1 fikter can do the same job as 4 filters, but much slower, which is the reason as to why 4 filters are installed. Filtering overnight is the solution.
If you get the chemical test strips for water, you'll find these filters do not remove chemicals. I just tested mine and its the same as tap water.
this filter should be used only with drinkable water
This is confusing to me Tom's Test Kitchen. From my research, 'The Big Berkey' and 'British Berkefeld' use different filters, the British Berkefeld uses the white ceramic filters which last for 2000 litres (according to their website) or 6-12 months. They are MUCH cheaper than the Berkey filters which are black, washable and therefore last up to 23,000 litres or 11 years (according to their website).
The Big Berkey is about £230, the British Berkefeld is approx £110. I am having trouble deciding whether to fork out lots of cash for the Berkey and not have to change the filter for years, or go for the cheaper Berkefeld and change every year. Replacement filters: white ceramic x 2 (£27), black washable Berkeys x 2 (£95).
Now you have confused me further by combining the merits of both systems as if they are the same system. They're not.
From what I found out so far, Berkey does NOT certify their black Berkey filters, they claim a bunch of bullshit, but they can't provide any credible independent LABORATORY test. The Berkefeld filters DO. So be careful about Berkey, it seems to be just a bunch of quacks after your money.
years ago an american business shark discovered that the nickname 'berkey' was never copyrighted or trademarked by doulton so they stole the name and put it on their chinese knockoff system. the reason doulton says the filters have to be replaced every 6-12 months is because the filters contain activated carbon, which does not last forever but the filters will still filter water long after the carbon has expired, so they don't have to be replaced unless you need the carbon absorption for smells, etc.
the reason the knockoff berkey filters are black is so you can't see the mold growing on them. really.
Berkeys fikters have only been tested to 200 gallons! Their claims are bullshit! The ceramic filters are far superior & they remove fluoride without two additional plastic filters. Do some research!
These do not last ten years. Manufacturer (Doulton) website states 6 months.
The British Berkefeld vs. the Berkey, the Brit seems to have a better chassis, but the New Millennium Concepts (Berkey) has the better "Black Berkey" filter. From what I can gather, the Brit was the original, but they also own Berkey. I think the ultimate would be to outfit a Brit with Black Berkey filters which are an improved designed by the original company. I'm probably not tracking exactly, but I don't think Berkey is Chinese. Looks to me like the Brits own it (originals).
Doulton (1827 first filter systems) Britisch Berkefeld ( Berkefeld filter[1] is a water filter made of diatomaceous earth (Kieselguhr). It was invented in Germany in 1891, and by 1922 was being marketed in the United Kingdom by the Berkefeld Filter Co.[2] Berkefeld was the name of the owner of the mine in Hanover, Germany, where the ceramic material was obtained.
The Berkefeld is a good bacterial water filter used in microbiological laboratories, in homes and out in the field) and Berkey filters are two very different companies. In fact New Millenium Concepts (NMC) Ltd. received a license to distribute British Berkefeld filters in North America. However, they developed their own purification element in 2003, called the "Black Berkey," which is used in "Berkey" water filters. NMC's Black Berkey purification elements employ a mix of six different filtration media, whereas the British Berkefeld water filter's purification elements were composed primarily of diatomaceous earth in the meantime this filters are Silver impregnated ceramics with a aktive carbon core more exact information you can find here: doulton.com/media/attachment/files/attachment/f/i/filter_performance_table_f.pdf. Berkefeld Filters are approved by the British armee, WHO, and several countries regarding water quality.
So would I be able to use the Black Berkey filters in my British Berkfeld container?
For anyone reading this in 2024 onwards, Berkey filters are being continuously debunked as not as effective as advertised. They also REFUSE third party certification. The British Berkefeld in this video uses Doulton water filters that are certified by third parties and meet regulatory standards. Many people with a Berkey are replacing their black charcoal filters with Doulton filters as they are compatible. So if you're reading this, the original comment from 11 years ago is INCORRECT. Doulton filters are much better than Berkey.
I am trying to put 2 extra filters but couldn't figure it out howtake the 2 plugs off.
The white filters in this vid last two people under a year not as stated ten years , that is the claim of the black berkeys.
Their website says the filters are good for 800 gallons! No way that’s 10 years!! I replace mine annually because that’s approximately how much water I use in a year.
Think it's a con to buy more filters. There's no way Victorians around the world were swapping them regularly
@@127cmore Filters didn’t exist in the 1800’s 😂 If you continuously use a filter beyond its capabilities, bacteria grows in them and you’d be doing more harm than good. You’re lacking in critical thinking skills.
Thanks for the video! How do you clean the insides of the tanks (top and bottom) so there's no bacteria long term? Just soap/water/and a brush??
Yes indeed looking at more videos on it, would sure be good to not have to do this water runs, but @ 2.5 gallons, in 2 hours seems, longer than I would like to get the highest filled although I wouldn't have to fill them all at same time so might not be a problem
Hi Tom,
I just got out my Berkefeld after storing it for 2 years because our town water got corrupted and I didn't want to go buy bottled water constantly. But now it's leaking from the tap. I've lost the instructions for putting it together. Could you do a demo of how to assemble the Berkefeld (mine is same as yours) tap part? Thanks.
Otherwise, I got good service from it when I was using it.
+Nancy Peterson Thanks, you should be able to replace it very easily. If you look on the inside there should be a threaded ring and a gasket. Just unscrew the ring, the tap should come out from the front, they just put the new one in the same way you took the old one out.
+Nancy Peterson Hi Nancy, you can also get a replacement tap online. Just search for a British Berkefeld replacement tap.
Lord Percy I love this model. But I also need to remove fluoride from my water I'm in central London UK. Could you advice me on a models that will remove everything? I'm so desperate I've even considered a water distiller. I'm very concerned about all the filth in our water as well as fluoride, we live in a rental unfortunately. Thank you I've been loving all you advice👌
neat!
i love how the filters last for 10 years and it is a foxy looking thing to boot.
gonna have to look into this product
$250 is not chump change but over 10 years it clearly will pay for itself.
we have a filter on our sink and one of the filter jugs for the fridge but man those cost a pretty penny & i can not lie some times i do not change them out promptly.
xoexo
Thanks to everyone who helped me out. Going fine and no problems. Maybe one question: after storing (mine for 2 years) do you have to recondition the filtres? I didn't and water tastes ok.
That's a great idea, especially now that water is becoming a rare commodity with this drought around here. Restrictions are in place!
Ive just bought one of these, and changed the tap to metal but still cant get the water flowing from the tap it just drips slowly. the bottom chamber is full up as should be. It seems like a vacuum is building up between the two chambers creating this issue. Any ideas?
Got both berkefeld and berkey. White ceramics are so much better, the black berkeys are made in India and it seems consistency is low. I now use the berkey as prefiltered water before I put it through the sterasyl.
The Black Berkey elements are manufactured in the United States.
Good review, thanks.
I just filled this tonight. I have not had to clean the filters since installing.
It is not also known as the big berkey. Thats a different company.
How many litres does yours take? I'm trying to figure out the size you bought.. Love your video it's very informative thank you👏👏
Thanks, it's 5.5 liters. I'm still using it and have never had to change the filters.
I use the 5 gallon water jugs myself and its a pain but I really like having it in my
machine because mine cools and heats the water. I like the idea of not going and refilling my jugs but I would want to still use my water cooler with that hmm
Does the water test like water now? is it ok good, or really really good now?
The water tastes great, we have not had any issues with the water quality.
Thanks for going over the unit. I got one many years ago and forgot I had it. Just saying LOL. Anyway good review.
Thank you. We still haven't bought one. I'm still buying huge bottles from the shops. It's such a drag as I'm the water buyer. What about fluoride ?
Is their any chance of ridding this? If this water filter is used in 3rd world countries. Then it should work in London UK our water is cloudy and tastes like crap. Yet we are told it drinkable and I know it's full of all the bad stuff not to mention the 42 tons of tablets they drop into the systems
Bleach etc. who wants all that?? I'm saving up to buy this, but enjoy watching how it's all going. I've 2 teenager at college just us 3 is I'm in a tight budget. But money I spend on water as you say works out cheaper. Thank you so much👏👏👏
Hey thanks for the post dude! Just set mine up and found your video while conditioning the filters! Peace
I just ordered one, thanks for the helpful video :)
That's awesome, I still have mine and love it. It has more than paid for itself over the years.
The two filter model is terrible.
The Berkefeld actually has four holes but two are sealed up and it's the two sealed holes that are a major problem. The water eventually starts getting through the seals and into the bottom reservoir and that at a faster rate than what goes through the filter, meaning you end up with more tap water than filtered water. If your actually thinking of using the two filter model for something water that is less cleaner than tap water you could be putting yourself at serious risk.
Yeah, sounds like the two filter model is a bad idea.
That's right it can be. Since posting my comment I have managed to fix my leaking seals by sliding dental floss under the loose seals and wrapping it around like plumbers tape. There is no dripping now, the water is taking longer to fill the bottom reservoir and tastes much cleaner.
How do you take those two seals if you want to put 2 extra filters on it?
I saw one for £85.00 I'm in the UK but I'm sure it had only 2 filter. I became worried thinking how can 2 filters do a great job of killing all the metal, fluoride , viruses , etc etc .. Does this water filter really get rid of all those nasty things in our drinking water? I'm in London UK our water is disgusting.. I buy it none stop for my family
I think fluoride is too small to filter but it gets everything else. You could put nasty pond water in and it will come out great.
We have had our British Berkefeld unit for about a year now. I am very happy with it. Though we do use a fair amount of water, it's just for my wife and I. She is a regular tea drinker and we use it for cooking as well. So for our use, 2 candles are sufficient, providing one gets into a rhythm of adding water to the top tank when taking some through the tap. I especially take care to top it up before bedtime so there is a a good supply of filtered water ready before morning.
If you use a great deal of water, as in the case of a larger family, then the doubly fast filtration provided by 4 candles may be preferable.
Bear in mind, though you can order a separate filter designed to remove fluoride, its results are not as effective for gravity filtration (this design) compared to mains pressure filtration.
Aside from that, be sure the cartridges you order are at least Super Sterasysl, as these also have carbon for removal of chlorine and most other organics. The Sterasyl is mostly for removal of larger particles and microorganisms. The ATC Super Sterasyl candles are the top of that range, also removing heavy metals such as lead. Find out from your local water company whether they add fluoride to your water. And, if your water is coming through old lead pipes, then it's a good idea to order the ATC Super Sterasysl.
We live in South Bucks (High Wycombe) where I am happy to say our water is NOT fluoridated, as far as I know.
I hope this helps.
1 fikter can do the same job as 4 filters, but much slower, which is the reason as to why 4 filters are installed. Filtering overnight is the solution.
Thank you for the video
You are very welcome.
the filters won't last 10 years
These filter suck they broke after only 3 months of use
+raquelle louise Hello Louise, please can you explain that? Ceramic does not just break?
ROFL