TRAVEL Berkey Water Filter System Includes 2 Black Berkey Filters

Step 1:  Starting from the bottom, place the black rubber ring on the bottom of the lower Berkey chamber.

Step 2:  Install your spigot. See the video for detailed instructions for both the plastic and the stainless steel spigot.

Included with all systems and filters, the Berkey Priming Button is a thick tan washer. It can be used with either of the filters. It funnels water into the filter interior to saturate the media and flush out air and manufacturing dust.

Step 1 - Place the washer, wing nut, and tan-colored priming button on the Black Berkey Filter.

Step 2 - Place the stem of the Black Berkey Filter between the fingers, and using the wing nut for grip, press the priming button against the faucet.

Step 3 - While holding the priming button against the faucet, turn on the faucet slowly, allowing the water to fill the inside of the Black Berkey Filter.

Step 4 - Allow the exterior wall of the Black Berkey Filter to sweat beads of water for about 10 seconds.

Step 5 - The Black Berkey Filter has now been successfully primed.

When water pressure is not adequate or available, use this method to Prime Black Berkey Filters. The priming method can also be used if PrimeRite isn't compatible with certain faucets. Filters must be left overnight or for an extended period of time to become fully saturated.

Fluoride Filter cannot be primed effectively without water pressure.

Step 1 - Place the filters upright (stem up) in a container such as the bottom chamber. Place a mug or glass over the filters to weigh them down.

Step 2 - Let soak for at least eight hours.

Step 3 - Remove mugs. If filters float, they may need additional priming. If they sink, they are now primed.

Add 1 teaspoon of artificial red food coloring (we Recommend McCormick’s Red food coloring or any artificial food coloring) for every gallon that your Berkey^® System can hold into the top chamber.  Place a cup under each Black Berkey^® Purifier in the bottom chamber to catch the water.  As long as the water in the cups does not have a red or pink hue, the purifiers are working properly.

Ensure that you do not have the Berkey PF-2^™ Elements installed in the system when performing this test.  This test should be performed upon initial setup and every six months after that.

If you are going to be leaving the system unattended for 3-4 days or less, remove the elements from the top chamber and drain out any water within them.  Once drained, place them in a sealable bag while the carbon is still damp and force out any air in the bag.  Store the elements in the front of your refrigerator to maintain freshness while not exposing them to the colder temperatures in the back of the fridge.  Store the elements this way for no more than two weeks.  Re-prime the elements before reinstalling them in your Berkey^® System.

If you will be storing your elements for more than 3-4 days, remove the elements and thoroughly dry them.  You can do this by either placing them on a windowsill that’s exposed to sunlight for 1-2 days, or by drying them with the Black Berkey Primer^™.  Once they are bone-dry, store the purifiers in a sealable bag at room temperature.  The elements will have an indefinite shelf-life as long as they are stored this way.  Re-prime the elements before reinstalling them in your Berkey^® System.

You can follow these simple steps to clean your Berkey stainless steel chambers:

• To dissemble the Berkey water system:   remove the Black Berkey  Elements (and fluoride filters, if applicable) and store them in a clean, safe place where they will not roll around or break. Remove spigot and washers ( and blocking plug, if applicable). For stainless steel Berkey Systems, remove the lower chamber rubber base ring.
• To  wash the chambers: you can either  place them in the dishwasher with mild dishwashing soap, or you  can   wash them by hand using warm water with a mild dishwashing soap. Rinse afterwards, and ideally, allow to air-dry. 

NOTE THAT THIS MEHTOD OF WASHING IS FOR THE CHAMBERS ONLY. CHECK OUT OUR PAGE ON HOW TO WASH THE FILTERS. 

• Reassemble your Berkey filter by replacing all parts and ensure that they fit snugly. 
• Now you can once again enjoy using your cleaned Berkey water system!

With repeated use, miniscule pollutants   become trapped on the surface of the filter. This will cause filtration speed to slow. Clean your  elements whenever you notice a decrease in flow. Depending on frequency of use, you would need to clean the filter elements  approximately every 4-6 months and your chambers once a month. 

If you just purchased your Berkey system and the filters are hardly filtering water, the problem is typically due to high water tension. The more you use the water filter, the more it gets clogged so the slower it will get. This high water tension prevents the air from being purged from the micro pores of the new elements. It's important to change the water filter cartridge at the recommended time.

The average Berkey water filter flow rate is about one gallon per hour with two Black Berkey Elements. Since the Big Berkey holds 2.25 gallons, it will take about two hours and fifteen minutes for the entire upper chamber to be filtered through to the bottom chamber.  For each additional pair of Black Filters, you can expect the time to be cut in half.

This is an essential procedure to make sure your filters are filtering at an optimal rate. If you don't, they will filter extremely slowly, to the point where you could leave it all night, and barely any water will filter out.