Berkey Water Filters: Big Berkey

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We all know that clean drinking water is a part of the foundation to good physical health. Nothing can substitute for that.

Today, obtaining this whole-some drinking water may be harder than one might expect. Water may contain chlorine, lead, high levels of harmful bacteria, and other unwanted contaminants. Sometimes, these contaminants produce unpleasant tastes and odors, but often, they are undetectable by our senses. Even bottled water can contain these same contaminants, and can be expensive.

The British Berkefeld Water Filtration Systems are the ultimate in water filtration. They're used world-wide for over 150 years to provide virtually the most delicious, sparkling clean water possible. This system is the most advanced passive water filter available. It removes pathogenic bacteria, cysts, chemicals including herbicides, pesticides, foul tastes and odors, and reduces heavy metals without removing the healthful and nutritional minerals your body needs!

Other filtration systems are inferior. Most do not remove pathogenic bacteria and many remove beneficial minerals from the water as well. In addition, the Big Berkey is powerful enough to filter raw, untreated water from sources like lakes, streams, rivers and ponds.

Contaminants are captured on and within the micro-porous filtering element and are separated from the water. Each durable and efficient self-sterilizing element can be cleaned with a toothbrush or scrub pad and will last for 6,000 gallons.

Its stainless steel construction and easy to assemble design has made it the choice of thousands, including missionaries, campers, home owners, emergency agencies and the preparedness community.

The chambers and base join together so it is convenient to transport even while it is filtering water. Each unit holds 2.25 gallons and filters at the rate of 3.5 gallons per hour.

It comes packaged with two Black Berkey purifying elements and sets up in minutes. Simply screw in the filtering elements and spigot, snap the chambers and base together and you are ready to filter! These filters work by gravity, so electricity is not involved.

For those of you who only have city water available, this filter is a great way to get rid of the excess chemicals and dead bacteria found in your water as a result of the chemicals.

Those with access to well or spring water will find it filters out all the excess minerals that give the water an odor and/or funny taste.

We have also known missionaries over the years that have used these water filters overseas with great success. Many have given it raving reviews. No matter where you live, this will guarantee you pure, drinking water at any time.

Facts

  • Can be purchased with 2 - 4 Black Berkey purifying elements
  • Filters up to 3.5 gallons per hour using 2 Black Berkey elements
  • Filters up to 7 gallons per hour using 4 Black Berkey elements
  • Storage capacity is 2.25 gallons of purified water
  • 19.25 in. tall and 8.5 in. wide

For more information on the Big Berkey and other Berkey products, please visit the Berkey FAQ

Berkey Systems Capacity Comparison

HoldsFlow per Hour
Go Berkey1 quart1 Element = 1 gal
Travel Berkey1.5 gal2 Elements = 2.75 gal
Berkey Light2.75 gal2 Elements = 4.25 gal
Big Berkey2.25 gal2 Elements=3.5 gal/4 Elements = 7 gal
Royal Berkey3.25 gal2 Elements = 4 gal / 4 Elements = 8 gal
Imperial Berkey4.5 gal2 Elements = 5.5 gal / 6 Elements = 16.5 gal
Crown Berkey6 gal2 Elements = 6.5 gal / 8 Elements = 26 gal

Customer Reviews

Please, take a moment and comment on this product.

Sheila
October 25, 2007 at 10:37 pm    reply?

i bought this filter several years ago because the water pipes in my old house were very rusty & the water tasted nasty. i've since replaced the rusty galvanized pipes with pvc, but am so used to using the filter, that i continue to use it. the water is not 'dirty' as in the rough, so the filters have lasted a very long time between changes. i use filtered water for drinking, cooking and making ice. have never had a complaint with the Big Berkey....owner since 1997.

Alex
December 3, 2007 at 2:27 pm    reply?

I've had my Big Berkey for almost two weeks; best water I've ever tasted and will never be w/o it.

My only complaint is with the base. The spigot lies at the bottom of the base so that you have to allow the entire unit to sit right on the edge of your counter top in order to draw water. Often, a drop or two of water ends up on the floor beneath so I usually take a paper towel and blot the end of the spigot when I'm done. Annoying.

I'll probably make a base for the unit that will allow me to draw a glass w/o having the unit so close to the edge of the counter top but an optional elevated base would look nicer.

    Simon
    December 12, 2007 at 2:20 pm    reply?

    Or you could get the Berkey Light which ships with its own base.

Kathy
March 26, 2008 at 10:44 am    reply?

I got the Big Berkey a little over a month ago because a friend recommended it. I have hideous well water so full of iron and minerals that we couldn't drink it and the smell coming out of the tap turns your stomach. The Big Berkey makes that awful well water into really great water and we can now enjoy our water. I had the Culligan man come and remove his reverse osmosis system and figure the Big Berkey will pay for itself in just a few short months.

TR
February 25, 2009 at 2:54 am    reply?

What makes this product so good? How is it better than a Britta water filtering pitcher, for example?

It's certainly a LOT of money, and if it's no better than Britta, why buy it?

I also noticed on their website that it's not available in California or Iowa. I know that CA is supposed to have top notch regulations in regard to environmental issues. I wonder if they don't find that the product lives up to its claims.

My local water is rather yucky, and I need to do something. I just want to make the best decision for the money.

    Steve
    February 25, 2009 at 6:59 am    reply?

    As a user, the thing that separates this series of filters from the crowd to me is the ability to clean the filters very easily and re-use them. Yes, the initial investment cost me more than my Brita countertop unit we had been using but I've now been using the filters which shipped with my unit for almost 2 years and they continue to do their job well with just a few cleanings.

    In other words, you will make back the initial investment and much more over time. And the water purity is fantastic!

    Hope that helps.

    Kathi
    March 20, 2009 at 2:02 pm    reply?

    You asked some good questions did you ever find the answers? I'm considering carrying this unit all the way to Fiji so I want to be sure it's the best I can get for stream water purification. Yes and what's with the not in CA thing anyway? I'd appreciate any info you found. Thanks

    DM
    August 22, 2009 at 5:57 pm    reply?

    Supposedly CA does not allow filters to be purchased that they have not tested and/or approved or nonsense like that. CA is a nanny state, so it's no wonder. As for this versus the brita, A friend of mine owns both the brita and the Aqua Rain (similar filters) and he says the water is much smoother and boils slightly faster as well. Go with the black berkey or aqua rain systems.

      Debra
      October 24, 2009 at 10:27 pm    reply?

      Apparently, California regulations require systems using more than 2 filters to conform to under-the-counter standards. This explains why the Travel Berkey can be shipped to CA but not the larger models. As a CA resident, I'm glad to know that this is just a glitch in legal definitions, not a quality problem! I'm thinking I'll have mine shipped to my sister out of state, and ask her to forward it to me :)

      When comparing these filters to others, like Brita, be sure to check what is filtered out as well as the filter rate, how long the filters last, etc. I strongly suspect that you won't get the same features in the cheaper systems...

        Debra
        January 23, 2011 at 8:26 pm    reply?

        Debra,

        I know it's been a while but in case you see this (or anyone else that knows), what does it mean when Berkey two filter systems do not conform to to California under the counter systems. It doesn't sound like they fall short on purification removal levels do they? I tried searching for more information online but came up empty on this subject. Thanks!

        David

      Ric
      May 8, 2011 at 10:34 pm    reply?

      As I understand it, Brita has lobbied and paid off a enough CA lawmakers to the point of being the "preferred" filtration manufacturer for the state and the citizens residing in the state. Berky simply didn't pay off enough of the right politicians. I don't know why Berky's aren't shipped to Iowa.

Julie
August 22, 2009 at 9:37 am    reply?

My Big Berkey has really slowed down!Do I need to clean the filters?How do I do that? I have only had it about 6 months.

    DM
    August 22, 2009 at 5:58 pm    reply?

    yes, scrub the elements down with a new green scrubbie pad or stiff brush.

Thomas A
January 22, 2010 at 12:09 pm    reply?

I am a registered nurse who worked in the ED during the cryptosporidium outbreak in Milwaukee.I own the big berkey with 4 elements.Any Questions?Buy one for you and your family.

Amon
January 2, 2011 at 2:38 am    reply?

The Berkey filters flouride from tap water.Brita does not filter flouride. The ability to filter flouride itself is worth the cost unless, you are into chemicals.

    Royce
    September 7, 2011 at 12:46 pm    reply?

    In response to Amon's comment that the Berkey removes fluoride, it should be pointed out that the standard filters actually do not. Berkey does offer additional filters that expand the system's capabilities to do this. Both types of filters must be used to accomplish this.

    Also, to quote Dr. Dean Dean Burk, Chief Chemist Emeritus for the National Cancer Institute, "...fluoride causes more cancer death, and causes it faster, than any other chemical."

Adrian
January 15, 2011 at 10:51 pm    reply?

Can you use the base on the Stainless Steel Big Berkey or just the Berkley Light?

Steve
March 10, 2011 at 9:03 am    reply?

I haven't used the Big Berkey, but comparing it to Brita is a joke. Brita removes three things, everything else is just "odor and taste" - so it doesn't remove chlorine, it only removes the odor and taste.

The list of what the black filters remove is here:

VIRUSES
Exceeds purification standards:
MS2 - Fr Coliphage


PATHOGENIC BACTERIA CYSTS AND PARASITES
Exceeds purification standards:
E. coli - Klebsiella - Pseudomonas Aeruginosa - Giardia - Cryptosporidium - Raoultella Terrigena


TRIHALOMETHANES
Removed to below detectable limits:
Bromodichloromethane - Bromoform - Chloroform - Dibromochloromethane
Health effects: muscle & nervous system disorders, cancer


RADIOLOGICALS
Removed to below detectable limits:
Radon 222


INORGANIC MINERALS removed to below detectable limits:


CONTAMINANT----------HEALTH EFFECTS
Chlorine Residual-------cancer, birth defects


Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
Removed to below detectable limits


Alachlor
Atrazine
Benzene
Carbofuran
Carbon Tetrachloride
Chlorine
Chlorobenzene
Chloroform
2,4-D
DBCP
p-Dichlorobenzene
o-Dichlorobenzene
1, 1-Dichloroethane
1, 2-Dichloroethane
1, 1-Dichloroethylene
cis-1, 2-Dichloroethylene
Trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene
1, 2-Dichloropropane
cis-l,3-Dichloropropylene
Dinoseb
Endrin
Ethylbenzene
Ethylene Dibromide (EDB)
Heptachlor
Heptachlor Epoxide
Hexachlorobutodiene
Hexachlorocyclopentadiene
Lindane, Methoxychlor
MTBE
Pentachlorophenol
Simazine
Styrene
1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane
Tetrachloroethylene
Toluene
2,4,5-TP (Silvex)
1,2,4-trichlorobenzene
1,1,1-trichloroethane
1,1,2-trichloroethane
Trichloroethylene
o-Xylene
m-Xylene
p-Xylene


HEAVY METALS reduced by up to 95%:
CONTAMINANT---------HEALTH EFFECTS
Lead---------------------kidney, nervous system damage
Mercury-----------------kidney, nervous system disorders
Aluminum---------------respiratory, nervous system disorders
Cadmium---------------kidney damage
Chromium--------------liver, kidney, circulatory system disorders
Copper-----------------gastro-enteric diseases


ALSO REMOVES OR REDUCES:
Rust, Silt and Sediment foul taste and odors

    Wes
    January 22, 2012 at 11:57 am    reply?

    I would like to know how do you know then you need to replace the filters.
    Thanks

Sally
May 14, 2011 at 9:56 am    reply?

Could someone give me some insight? I am trying to decide between the Berkey Light (plastic) and the Big Berkey (steel). My only hesitation with the steel is that it will give the water a "metal taste." This tends to happen when I leave water in a stainless steel water bottle too long and I attempt to drink it. Any thoughts? Thank you!

    Kamila
    May 22, 2011 at 10:54 pm    reply?

    Sally, I have the Berkey light for about 2 years now and I'm getting the Berkey Imperial. I have a son with autism and I'm trying to reduce every and all plastic use.
    Also my B.L. have been getting mildew spots here and there in the lower chamber and with the plastic you have to be really careful what you clean it with not to scratch it. Other than that I liked it a lot. You can see the water clearly which is a plus. The main reason for the switch is the higher capacity. I used the filtered water for cooking and drinking and the B.L. is just not enough for our family.
    KS.

Thomas
May 16, 2011 at 11:32 pm    reply?

The water goes from smelling like a rusty swimming pool to clean pure water. The water is so bad at my place that when I set up the berkey, my landlord claimed the water tasted "bland". Goodness! He was so used to the bad water, he couldnt believe the water was so good. The shipping took a long time, but that was because it was/is backordered. No wonder, because it is so effective.

Carol Smith
June 20, 2011 at 11:13 am    reply?

My husband bought us the BB several years ago and we don't use any other water. We even travel with it. Now that I've seen a few comments, I wonder if we are to be concerned about the "plastic" containers? Also, we have the extra filters that reduce the flouride...can they be used in the larger Berkey units.

elizabeth
December 31, 2011 at 7:34 am    reply?

How long does a big berkey last before I need to replace the filter? More than a year? I am looking for something I can bring with me back to China where I live and only go to the states about 1x a year. Would a big berky be enough with 2 elements for a family of 2 adults and 2 toddlers?

    Frans
    May 17, 2012 at 3:01 am    reply?

    Since you are transitioning and you also want to grow your hair long, pricvttoee styles and styles that require low manipulation are your best bet. It sounds like you already have a good routine or regimen going on with how often you wash your hair and deep condition it. Two great resources you may want to look into using are NaturallyCurly.com and CurlyNikki.com. I've used them from the moment I started transitioning to now when I am nearly two years into my natural journey, I've used both sites and they're great. I've given you the links to both websites' transition sections. I hope this helps!

Theresa
April 16, 2012 at 11:52 pm    reply?

Has anyone had trouble with their black filters coming apart from the plastic bottom? When I take them out to clean them the plastic bottom falls off and then the filter leaks and is no good.

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