Anyone have experience with Berkeys?

[IndelibleDotInk]

Am leaning toward the largest one.

[DittonW]

NO! There are much better options for the same or less amount of money

, This company is a scam. It is hard to do legit research into them because they make their money on the propoganda that they are "the best". They spend a lot of money on marketing . It took a real deep dive for me to get the facts. I think one reason they get so many good reviews is because when people have spent that much money they want to believe they got the best. I have seen some incredible YOU TUBE videos where guys insist they are good for many more thousands of gallons if you shave the used charcoal off the outside , and thats just not the way charcoal filters work .


I purchased one during the initial covid panic because on of my friends asked me to help her get one and I figured she had done the research. I am really disappointed in this company because I assumed I would be able to filter water out of rivers or streams in an emergency . After doing the research I have no faith that they could be safely used for this purpose .

I ended up purchasing a handful of the life straws for my purposes. . https://www.lifestraw.com/products/lifestraw. 20$ each .

But you should be able to get reverse osmosis for less than a Berkey and they have the documentation to prove they work .


The long and the short of it- These are charcoal water filters that are exactly the same as Brita, and many other charcoal filters . Berkley tries to say that theirs are better some how. But there is absolutely 0% evidence that their filters are different than any other charcoal filter.

One of the first things I ran into when researching these, is that when you get into the reviews of water filters the articles will tell you that they cannot include Berkeys on their list because Berkey will not submit to the testing that every other water filter on the market has done. For this reason you cannot get Berkeys in California as they will not submit to the testing that is required in CA. If you look on the Berkey site, or the Berkey funded review sites they will say "thats because Berkey has independent testing and they don't want to reveal their proprietary secrets" If you think about that for a minute its absurd . They are willing to sacrifice the whole state of California as a market because they have a secret in their charcoal filters that they don't want to reveal .?

Berkey Filters will not be found on lists of "top 5 water filters". or "ten best water filters" - simply because there is NO independently verified information about how well they work . They claim its because it would cost too much to do the tests and get the licenses . But EVERY other filter on the market has paid for the tests and got the licenses.

https://4perfectwater.com/blog/berkey-filter/

I have seen independent tests of their filters that show they are no different than any other companies . They make their money by charging extravagant prices and insisting that they are the best - with no evidence to back it up .

- fluoride is notoriously hard to filter. Berkey makes extravagant claims about their Expensive flouride filter that Do not stand up to independent testing .

Do the research and ask the question : Why is Berkey illegal in CA? And if you really want one I have a Travel size that I will let you have for $50. It has probably had about 100 gallons through it . But if you just like the design you can just purchase two more filters for it . if thats really what you want . In fact - I'll send it to you for the shipping cost.

They DO work - but not nearly for as many gallons as they say and not for near as many particulates as they claim . and their replacement filters are outrageous. especially when compared to replacement Brita filters. That is all they are - A Big Brita filter , and they do filter water.

I know this is from a competing company but you will find many many links asking the same question . Why will they not submit to independent testing even though this is keeping them from markets.

https://ccbw.com/blog/the-truth-about-b ... -for-iowa/

[IndelibleDotInk]

You know, I had been wondering why they don't test for California, and am aware they are very similar to Brita. My sis used to work at the Dept of Water Supply here in Hawaii, and uses a Berkey in her Colorado home. I think the selling points are the Berkeys cost less than Brita over time, and the design - it holds a lot of water and is convenient if you need lots on tap. I'll have to consult her some more and do some internet digging. Thanks so much for your reply! Right now the military has two (leaky) fuel storage units above our (Oahu's) main aquifer, so looking for good filters.

[IndelibleDotInk]

Consulted with sis, she said the Berkeys have their pros: large reservoir they use cause constantly filling humidifiers and stuff around the house, able to filter even pond water (am aware your straws are able to do the same) as opposed to the Brita, which she says is more geared toward taste.

Cons: takes up room on the counter, is clunky, expensive. She would rather have done an under-sink install of some house filters.

So ended up ordering https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00 ... UTF8&psc=1. This model puts calcium into the filtered water to improve taste and alkalinize the water slightly. Similar models which don't have this last step are around $190, while this is around $230. Much cheaper than the biggest Berkey. Probably gonna have a plumber install it; hope the water pipes will accommodate having the water for the ice maker in the freezer get filtered.

[DittonW]

Consulted with sis, she said the Berkeys have their pros: large reservoir they use cause constantly filling humidifiers and stuff around the house, able to filter even pond water (am aware your straws are able to do the same) as opposed to the Brita, which she says is more geared toward taste.

Cons: takes up room on the counter, is clunky, expensive. She would rather have done an under-sink install of some house filters.

So ended up ordering https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00 ... UTF8&psc=1. This model puts calcium into the filtered water to improve taste and alkalinize the water slightly. Similar models which don't have this last step are around $190, while this is around $230. Much cheaper than the biggest Berkey. Probably gonna have a plumber install it; hope the water pipes will accommodate having the water for the ice maker in the freezer get filtered.

I think that is a good solid choice. I may look into that one myself. So , all that system needs to work is running water?

I admit I have somewhat of a grudge agains Berkey and I am still dismayed by the reach of Berkey propaganda schemes, so I will continue to strike back where I can .

While it is true that the Brita is not certified for something like pond water, Brita has done the NSF/ANSI tests that show definitively what is is capable or not capable of . Berkey still refuses get NSF/ANSI certified so there is simply no real way to know what they are capable of and I still find it suspect .

https://www.healthyfamiliesforgod.com/b ... your-water

https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/revi ... er-system/

https://4perfectwater.com/blog/berkey-filter/