Intimidated by the Berkey decision? Don't be! It's actually pretty straight forward once you understand the basics. We'll bring you up to speed fast with these 3 easy steps (approx read time = 7 minutes), and you'll magically become a junior expert! :) For you anti-readers out there, this video version is great too.
Step 1: Understanding the Berkey Gravity Filtration System
Berkey water filter systems have an upper and a lower chamber and work via gravity similar to a Brita, Pur, or Zerowater. Your source water (tap, well, pond, river, etc) is poured into the upper chamber where it gets forced through the filters via gravity, making its way into the lower chamber.
The Berkey difference is a result of it's superior filter ingredients and the extended time each water droplet is in contact with the filters. This allows for high performance filtration results that other filter systems simply cannot match.
These are counter top systems only, starting from the smallest Travel Berkey at 1.5 gallons (17" height) to the largest Crown Berkey at 6 gallons (30" height). The internal filtration elements, the Black Berkeys and the PF-2 fluoride filters (black berkey elements contaminant removal list), work in any of the system housing models we sell. This allows you to achieve the same high quality filtration results for any size you choose.
Berkey Water Filters
There are 6 system sizes in total (below), and all systems come standard with 2 of our black berkey filters in the upper chamber. Larger systems have the capacity to accommodate more upper and lower chamber filters thus increasing the speed of filtration. (See Flow Rate @ Full Expansion)
| System | Holding Capacity | Fully Expanded | Flow Rate @ Full Expansion |
| Travel Berkey | ~ 1.5 Gallons | 2 Elements(Filters) | ~ 2.75 Gallons / Hr |
| Berkey Light | ~ 2.75 Gallons | 4 Elements(Filters) | ~ 7.5 Gallons / Hr |
| Big Berkey | ~ 2.25 Gallons | 4 Elements(Filters) | ~ 7.0 Gallons / Hr |
| Royal Berkey | ~ 3.25 Gallons | 4 Elements(Filters) | ~ 8.0 Gallons / Hr |
| Imperial Berkey | ~ 4.5 Gallons | 6 Elements(Filters) | ~ 16.5 Gallons / Hr |
| Crown Berkey | ~ 6.0 Gallons | 8 Elements(Filters) | ~ 26.0 Gallons / Hr |
The lineup gives an example of how the filters stack up against each other in terms of height. The 1 quart stainless Go Berkey system and the Sport Berkey portable filter are shown on the right.
All systems come standard with 2 filters (go berkey excluded), represented by the shaded blue circle. White holes are stopped using blocking plugs (these come standard with your system), and additional filters can be inserted into these.
Step 2: Choosing a Berkey Water Filter Size
The golden rule for choosing a size is that bigger is usually better if you have the room in your home (kitchen counter, table, plant stand) or storage space. Put simply, the larger the system, the less often you need to refill it, which ultimately translates into convenience.
In addition, the higher water volume in the upper chamber increases the pressure that is placed on the filters helping to push water through the filters faster while still maintaining the same high quality filtration results.
The differences in cost between the various housing sizes is small when you consider that you will be using the same housing for 10-20+ years. Assuming a person drinks 8 eight ounce glasses of water/day, they will consume approximately 64 ounces/day (1/2 gallon). If you plan to use the system for cooking, you would also want to take this into account when sizing.
Here are some sizing guidelines:
Travel Berkey (1.5g) ~ 1-3 ppl
Big Berkey (2.25g) ~ 1-4 ppl
Berkey Light (2.75g) ~ 2-5 ppl
Royal Berkey (3.25g) ~ 2-6 ppl
Imperial Berkey (4.5g) ~ 4-8+ ppl
Crown Berkey (6g) ~ 6-12+ ppl
Big Berkey outside next to the sport Berkey portable water filter.
Step 3: Choosing Your Berkey Filters
Upper Chamber Filters
As mentioned above, all Berkey Water Filter systems require 2 upper chamber filters to operate and these come standard with each system purchase (2 Black Berkey filters). Increasing the amount of filters utilized in the upper chamber will not improve filtration quality, but will increase filtration speed and the volume of water that can be filtered.
For example, increasing from 2 Black Berkey elements to 4 Black Berkey elements will approximately double your filtration speed and double the amount of total life volume that can be filtered; 6000 total gallons up to 12000 total gallons.
The Black Berkey filters are our flagship filters, removing contaminants to the highest of degrees, and are available with all of our systems. The Black Berkeys are able to show off their prowess by being able to remove red food coloring from water.
How Long Do Berkey Filters Last?
* Black Berkey last approx 6000 gallons for a set of 2
Lower Chamber Filters (Fluoride and Arsenic Removal)
The lower chamber filters are referred to as PF filters. PF = Post Filtration. The PF-2's are specifically designed to work with the Black Berkeys. The PF filters are easily installed by screwing them onto the stem of the upper chamber elements so that they hang down into the lower chamber of any multi-filter Berkey Water Filter system.
PF filters are optional. If your municipality adds fluoride to your water, or your well water contains arsenic and/or fluoride, then adding the PF-2 Filters onto your Black Berkeys would be the choice to make.
How Long Do Berkey Fluoride Filters Last?
* PF-2 Filters (Black Berkeys) last 1000 Gallons per set of 2
So, that's it! You're officially a junior Berkey expert!! Be sure to brag to all your friends at the next dinner party. :) Here's a couple other videos you may like:
Begin Choosing Your Berkey Filter System HERE
or
Try Our Berkey System Calculator
About BigBerkeyWaterFilters.com: We are the largest, and one of the oldest licensed dealers of Berkey products in the world with an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. Don't be fooled by recent opportunistic newcomers and imitators. We offer:
- Same / Next Day Shipping
- Lifetime Warranty - For Stainless chambers and Hardware exclusive only to BigBerkeyWaterFilters.com customers
- 30 Day 100% Return Policy
- Full Time Support Staff - We are dedicated to foster a lifetime relationship with our customers; from helping you choose your first Berkey system to assisting you in maintaining it throughout the years.
- VIP Discount Program - Receive exclusive discount offers and save money on future purchases such as replacement filters.
