Brita Filters

[wazaaap]

I use a Brita Filter jug at home for my tap water (i live in London)

What I'm trying to find out is , whats better the tap water or the Brita water, or none and something else.

also i was wondering if anyone had reports etc.. on these Britta filters, whats in the water it produces etc...

thanks.

[homebrew1973]

They filter most metals and gases but they don`t remove them all. A much better bet is a water distiller, either electric or solar-powered as they remove just about all impurities. There have been previous threads about them should you care to browse.

[phaid]

I use a similar filter jug, but I'd like to know if they're any use at all vs. fluoridated water.

[lordofangels]

I use a similar filter jug, but I'd like to know if they're any use at all vs. fluoridated water.



i'm afraid they do not filter fluride, check the websites.

[apekteina lordosis]

I use a Brita Filter jug at home for my tap water (i live in London)

What I'm trying to find out is , whats better the tap water or the Brita water, or none and something else.

also i was wondering if anyone had reports etc.. on these Britta filters, whats in the water it produces etc...

thanks.

i use a brita filter jug, i find it makes my tap water palatable. however if i leave the filtered water in the jug for a couple of days then drink it, then it tastes a bit dodge, thus i tend to filter some more instead.

[neomagic]

If you're serious about it it can be quite expensive.

Oh and fluoride is very hard to remove from water.

[wazaaap]

If you're serious about it it can be quite expensive.

Oh and fluoride is very hard to remove from water.

OK lets assume we have an endless supply of money - what can we do?

[psych641]

I remember something about them addium sodium to the water - its far from a straight filter. But im sure if you smash one open its mostly just carbon.

I stopped using mine months ago, cos i felt uneasy about the PPE container it fits in, which was producing noticable fumes. I have been meaning to sort some sort of new system out, but you know how it is.. :rolleyes: For some reason ive just been too apathetic & docile to find the motivation lately :D

[homebrew1973]

Oh and fluoride is very hard to remove from water.
It`s simple to remove by distillation as that works on the hydrologic cycle ie just H2O is removed from whichever source leaving the rest behind, but to be sure you can also use a carbon filter, either bought or home-made.

http://www.smartstill.com

[psych641]

Im thinking hesitanly about distillation - im not bothered about initial setup costs, but i have to think about electric costs.

I saw a glass/metal one that looked alright, but its output is 3L/3.5hrs @ 800W.
Thats about £0.13 litre.. at todays prices, which are likely to increase.

[homebrew1973]

Im thinking hesitanly about distillation - im not bothered about initial setup costs, but i have to think about electric costs.

I saw a glass/metal one that looked alright, but its output is 3L/3.5hrs @ 800W.
Thats about £0.13 litre.. at todays prices, which are likely to increase.
Actually mine is 335w per hour maximum, and consider what a rip-off bottled water is in places like bus and train station vending machines, costs about twice as much as petrol :eek:

[entheogen]

The ONLY way to remove fluoride from water is by using a reverse osmosis filter

Cost around £200 squid - but... heres the good bit

Dont pay your water rates for as long as it takes to re-coupe the costs of the filter - then write to your water company explaining why you havent paid - and if you live in an area where fluoride is put into the supplies then the water board will have no choice but to then reclaim the money from the strategic health authority

I know people that have done this and it works

[steevo]

They filter most metals and gases but they don`t remove them all. A much better bet is a water distiller, either electric or solar-powered as they remove just about all impurities. There have been previous threads about them should you care to browse.

Can you provide a direct link to a solar powered distiller please homebrew (if you have one).

[steevo]

Im thinking hesitanly about distillation - im not bothered about initial setup costs, but i have to think about electric costs.

I saw a glass/metal one that looked alright, but its output is 3L/3.5hrs @ 800W.
Thats about £0.13 litre.. at todays prices, which are likely to increase.

I still havent bought a distiller yet for the same reason, the cost of running it.

I have got this gravity water filterer (http://www.freshwaterfilter.com/category/Filters_for_Home/Gravity_Filters) but it doesnt filter out fluoride of course. You can buy fluoride filters that add on to this system but I'm not sure if they are any good or not.
I rang the company and asked them to price match so I got it for £103.28 (that price is inclusive of postage) and that includes FOUR ceramic filters. They then said they were gonna put their prices down on their website but dont seem to have done it yet.
It's not a British Berkefield but it's looks almost exactly the same. Mine works ok and the water tastes alot better now, but I'm not sure how it compares to a British Berkefield cos I have not used one of those before. But it's the FILTER ELEMENTS THAT ARE IMPORTANT.

[mercuryrapids]

I've got a Brita filter jug, and it was great at first, but I soon became ill (I got a really bad cough). When I stopped using the filter, my cough cleared up. Is this because I wasn't getting the crap in tap water or do the brita filters put something into the water???? :eek:

Or was it just a coincidence? :)

[steevo]

I've got a Brita filter jug, and it was great at first, but I soon became ill (I got a really bad cough). When I stopped using the filter, my cough cleared up. Is this because I wasn't getting the crap in tap water or do the brita filters put something into the water???? :eek:

Or was it just a coincidence? :)

Let's face it we dont know what is in these filters whether they be ceramic or any other type.

[homebrew1973]

Can you provide a direct link to a solar powered distiller please homebrew (if you have one).
When outdoors for camping etc and it`s a sunny day (which we haven`t had many of this summer) Solar Water Distiller - YouTube is but one example. Also survival books show you how to build them that`ll even work in a desert where there`s no source of water. There`s also a book called "Solar Projects for the Evil Genius" which is quite good, even shows you how to make ice from the sun.

But if it`s just for indoors on a not-too-big scale all I can suggest is a high capacity leisure battery (100 amp plus) and a 600w inverter and of course a decent wattage solar panel.

[steevo]

When outdoors for camping etc and it`s a sunny day (which we haven`t had many of this summer) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sqRvUzqDCE is but one example. Also survival books show you how to build them that`ll even work in a desert where there`s no source of water. There`s also a book called "Solar Projects for the Evil Genius" which is quite good, even shows you how to make ice from the sun.

But if it`s just for indoors on a not-too-big scale all I can suggest is a high capacity leisure battery (100 amp plus) and a 600w inverter and of course a decent wattage solar panel.

Thanks homebrew. Yeah I have seen that video before. It could possiblily be quite useful for the home if done on a larger scale maybe or even building multiple small ones. But like you say, we dont get much sun nowadays. Also, maybe we would have to use rainwater with it because I'm not sure if it would remove fluoride.

With regards to a solar panel, yeah it would have to be a very big one unfortunately :(

[homebrew1973]

With regards to a solar panel, yeah it would have to be a very big one unfortunately :(
You`re looking at a 200w+ one, and they cost close to £1000 :eek: I don`t know about any of you but I certainly don`t have that kind of money :(

But that solar book I mentioned earlier has some good plans in it, I think Amazon`s the cheapest place to get it (or certain websites as a PDF :rolleyes:)

[steevo]

I posted the following on another thread in the Survival section :-

I wonder if it's possible to use those old clay plant pots to filter water ? Are clay pots permeable ? I seem to remember that they might be but I could be wrong. I havent got one so i cant test it out at the moment.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31pQWFJYKZL._SL500_AA280_.jpg

[tyler]

Thanks Homebrew for this interesting topic. The electric distiller is a bit pricey,
Would it not be possible to make an efficient distiller oneself using a lettle perhaps?
Getting rid of fluoride will soon be important. We don't have it yet in London water but who knows what else they might soon put in our water.

How about boiling water in a billy can and somehow collecting the steam from a spout on the underside of the lid. Something that can be used on a campfire or over a camping stove.

[homebrew1973]

Thanks Homebrew for this interesting topic. The electric distiller is a bit pricey,
Would it not be possible to make an efficient distiller oneself using a lettle perhaps?
Getting rid of fluoride will soon be important. We don't have it yet in London water but who knows what else they might soon put in our water.
That would only be practical if said kettle was one that didn`t switch off when the water finished boiling. For the home a spare hot water tank with an adjustable thermostat (set at 100 degrees centigrade obviously) would be a better idea, also handy if you want to make moonshine :rolleyes:

[lordzoma]

Brita filters to not filter the water for harmful content!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!




ALL BRITA FILTERS DO IS REMOVE ODOR AND TASTE.

If you want clean water. Buy a real filter.

[apekteina lordosis]

Brita filters to not filter the water for harmful content!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!




ALL BRITA FILTERS DO IS REMOVE ODOR AND TASTE.

If you want clean water. Buy a real filter.

wowzer, i'm gonna agee with ya lordzoma for once :D

from the brita website re: maxtra cartridges
Step 1
Intensive Pre-Filtration
In a first step the water flows through a fine mesh filter. This is the pre-filtration. The mesh retains particles, which are present in the tap water.

Step 2
Ion Exchange Filtration
The ion exchange resin comes into action! It reduces the carbonate hardness, which causes limescale that affects the water quality and leads to a limescale build up in your household appliances. Also, levels of metals such as aluminium, copper and lead are significantly reduced.

Step 3
Activated Carbon Filtration
The granulated activated carbon is another step in the BRITA water filtration. It significantly reduces substances that affect smell and taste of your tap water such as chlorine, certain pesticides and organic impurities.

Step 4
Intensive Final Filtration
In the fourth and last step a special fine mesh filter retains the particle mixture.

i have a used brita maxtra cartridge, i might take it apart and check out its gubbins.

[stickwhistler]

I have got this gravity water filterer (http://www.freshwaterfilter.com/category/Filters_for_Home/Gravity_Filters) but it doesnt filter out fluoride of course. You can buy fluoride filters that add on to this system but I'm not sure if they are any good or not.
I rang the company and asked them to price match so I got it for £103.28 (that price is inclusive of postage) and that includes FOUR ceramic filters. They then said they were gonna put their prices down on their website but dont seem to have done it yet.
It's not a British Berkefield but it's looks almost exactly the same. Mine works ok and the water tastes alot better now, but I'm not sure how it compares to a British Berkefield cos I have not used one of those before. But it's the FILTER ELEMENTS THAT ARE IMPORTANT.

Phone kernowrat for filters.
http://www.kernowrat.co.uk/

They sell a similar filter to freshwaterfilters, but at approx 1/2 price.
The only difference re the supersterasyl is that the Berky filters are a
bit shorter. They will fit your freshwater unit - trust me - I have one.
Have a chat with Elaine - she is a very nice lady,
and will not stitch you up over the filter type you need.
They have recently changed premises, so if the phone number
on the web page doesn't work, send them an email
with yer phone number, and she'll call you.
She'll send them next day delivery too,
so no waiting about for your filters to arrive,
unlike some other people mentioned re replacement filters!!!

[steevo]

Phone kernowrat for filters.
http://www.kernowrat.co.uk/

They sell a similar filter to freshwaterfilters, but at approx 1/2 price.
The only difference re the supersterasyl is that the Berky filters are a
bit shorter. They will fit your freshwater unit - trust me - I have one.
Have a chat with Elaine - she is a very nice lady,
and will not stitch you up over the filter type you need.
They have recently changed premises, so if the phone number
on the web page doesn't work, send them an email
with yer phone number, and she'll call you.
She'll send them next day delivery too,
so no waiting about for your filters to arrive,
unlike some other people mentioned re replacement filters!!!

Have you tested out any fluoride filters from Kernowrat Stick ? Cos if they are any good I might buy some.

The reason I didnt get my filterer SYSTEM from Kernowrat is because the Kernowrat filters are shorter (like you already said) and I imagine that that makes them slower at filtering ? I have two filters inside my system and it filters at a good speed but in future I will just use one filter at a time so that I can make my supply of filters last twice as long, but obviously that means that they will filter the water twice as slow lol but I think that I will be able to cope with that.
Also, the Kernowrat filters filter 0.9 microns (per their website) and when I spoke to FreshwaterFilter over the phone, they said that THEIR filters filter out 0.5 microns size particles. Having said that, I couldnt find anything in writing that said 0.5 microns :cool:
Anyway, Freshwaterfilters Company price matched my system so that it was the same price as Kernowrat.

[keystone]

Im thinking hesitanly about distillation ..........................
Thats about £0.13 litre..Bloody cheap moonshine if you ask me. :D I'll get my coat shall I? :o

[psych641]

Actually mine is 335w per hour maximum, and consider what a rip-off bottled water is in places like bus and train station vending machines, costs about twice as much as petrol :eek:

IS that the smartstill? do you know roughly how long a cycle takes to produce x litres? then i could do some miserly sums :)

[jamesk]

brita produces acid water - check it with a litmus paper.

I use a water ionizer - it properly filters the water with 0.1 micron muti-phase hollow fibre biostone filter, then ionizes the water.

Ionized alkaline water is the best drinking water.

[psych641]

Thanks Homebrew for this interesting topic. The electric distiller is a bit pricey,
Would it not be possible to make an efficient distiller oneself using a lettle perhaps?


I doubt it as efficiency is everything when looking at running costs - i imagine a 20% difference would quickly wipe out the savings on initial outlay. Also if you mean electric kettles, youd have to be wary of their lifespan. They might burn out quickly if your using them far above their intended use.

[psych641]

The ONLY way to remove fluoride from water is by using a reverse osmosis filter..

Your saying distillers dont work? :confused:

[psych641]

I've got a Brita filter jug, and it was great at first, but I soon became ill (I got a really bad cough). When I stopped using the filter, my cough cleared up. Is this because I wasn't getting the crap in tap water or do the brita filters put something into the water???? :eek:

Or was it just a coincidence? :)

Ptrobably just a coincidence IMO, but they DO put stuff in the water, i cant remember where i read it, but i think theres an 'ion exchange' or something layer (im guessing the beige bit) that removes somethings and adds others including sodium. The page actually warned aginst people with cardiovascular problems using large amounts and ive also heard somewhere its not good for watering plants.

[stickwhistler]

Have you tested out any fluoride filters from Kernowrat Stick ? Cos if they are any good I might buy some.



I haven't tested any fluoride filters from anyone.

I don't use mains water :) - at least for drinking or cooking.
We now have capacity for 2500 litres of rain water,
and live in a rural area, so there is almost no pollution
as evidenced by e.g. lichen growth on trees and rocks etc.
As it hasn't rained for a day or so, we only have 2,470 litres left. :D
If we had to resort to mains water, I'd use my distiller to purify it,
as mentioned in previous 'chats'.

Freshwater do a fluoride filter that screws onto the ordinary
candle, but it involves aluminium compounds to bind the fluoride.
To be honest, I don't like the thought of either option.

Phone kernowrat up and have a chat.
Elaine seems quite knowledgeable,
so might have some ideas that you can use.

[astro zombie]

brita produces acid water - check it with a litmus paper.

I use a water ionizer - it properly filters the water with 0.1 micron muti-phase hollow fibre biostone filter, then ionizes the water.

Ionized alkaline water is the best drinking water.

Does a water ionizer remove the fluoride from the water by chance?

[homebrew1973]

IS that the smartstill? do you know roughly how long a cycle takes to produce x litres? then i could do some miserly sums :)
It`s leaflet claims that 4 litres (it`s capacity) will be done in 3-4 hours, I only do 2 litres at a time so I can`t confirm that. I can confirm though that 2 litres of homebrew "wash" can make 35-40cl of 60% moonshine in 100 minutes :rolleyes:

[psych641]

It`s leaflet claims that 4 litres (it`s capacity) will be done in 3-4 hours, I only do 2 litres at a time so I can`t confirm that. I can confirm though that 2 litres of homebrew "wash" can make 35-40cl of 60% moonshine in 100 minutes :rolleyes:

1/3 kw/h per litre. about 4p That sounds more like it! :)

overproof liquer eh? - great for those medicinal tinctures ;)

I might order one when i get back from this trip - For the next 4 days ill be drinking copper-tainted water out a local spring that makes your hair go green :eek:

[jamesk]

Does a water ionizer remove the fluoride from the water by chance?

I don't know - some writers say that water ionizers either remove the hexafluorosilicic acid (also known as hydrofluorosilic acid) or convert it into a benign form. Others say that ionizers reduce, but do not remove all the fluoride.

I don't worry about it, ionized water has colloidal alkaline minerals, microclusters and low ORP (good antioxidant) - which make it ideal drinking water.

Distillers, reverse osmosis devices in my view are an overkill - you are removing all the health giving substances from the water, making it virtually useless or harmful to the body.

If nature wanted you to drink distilled, de-ionized water then all the natural mountain spring water would have been devoid of mineral content - but it isn't, its full of alkaline minerals.

[cmdr_sabbathius]

I
Distillers, reverse osmosis devices in my view are an overkill - you are removing all the health giving substances from the water, making it virtually useless or harmful to the body.

If nature wanted you to drink distilled, de-ionized water then all the natural mountain spring water would have been devoid of mineral content - but it isn't, its full of alkaline minerals.

From what I've read, jamesk is correct. Distilled water is 'dead' water and one of the main health problems that people have is having too much acidness in their diet.

Now where does one get an ionizer and how much does it cost?

[thelucifer]

I don't know - some writers say that water ionizers either remove the hexafluorosilicic acid (also known as hydrofluorosilic acid) or convert it into a benign form. Others say that ionizers reduce, but do not remove all the fluoride.

I don't worry about it, ionized water has colloidal alkaline minerals, microclusters and low ORP (good antioxidant) - which make it ideal drinking water.

Distillers, reverse osmosis devices in my view are an overkill - you are removing all the health giving substances from the water, making it virtually useless or harmful to the body.

If nature wanted you to drink distilled, de-ionized water then all the natural mountain spring water would have been devoid of mineral content - but it isn't, its full of alkaline minerals.

I agree James.

Distilled and filtered water is not good, lest one adds minerals and corrects the PH.

[homebrew1973]

I agree James.

Distilled and filtered water is not good, lest one adds minerals and corrects the PH.
There you are, mineral supplements can be bought at a number of places. Better that and distilled water than water laced with poisons like fluoride.

[r3sonator]

not to be bigheaded just my rule for drinking water:

I filter my water through a brita filter with reverse osmosis.
Put it in the sun durin the day when you're off to work in a GLASS container with a lid for dust etc...

Plastic bottles are pure poison (think fluoride, aspartame etc....), i used to work a few months in a factory that produced plastic bottles, all the plastic granulate bags that's used has about 20 warnings for carcinogenic effect, health risks etc..., point is they don't rinse the bottles, straight up filling them with liquid of choice.

Write on scotch tape love, health, energy (anything positive) like you mean it and stick it onto the jar.

vibes you put out, you get in, universal karma at it's finest, check dr emoto like http://www.life-enthusiast.com/twilight/research_emoto.htm and others

R3s

[astro zombie]

I don't know - some writers say that water ionizers either remove the hexafluorosilicic acid (also known as hydrofluorosilic acid) or convert it into a benign form. Others say that ionizers reduce, but do not remove all the fluoride.

I don't worry about it, ionized water has colloidal alkaline minerals, microclusters and low ORP (good antioxidant) - which make it ideal drinking water.

Distillers, reverse osmosis devices in my view are an overkill - you are removing all the health giving substances from the water, making it virtually useless or harmful to the body.

If nature wanted you to drink distilled, de-ionized water then all the natural mountain spring water would have been devoid of mineral content - but it isn't, its full of alkaline minerals.

Thank you! From what i can tell ionized drinking water seems to be the best route...plus you can always get a filter that only removes flouride, there just kinda pricy.

And r3sonator, yes!! Everyone needs to try this!

[biblegirl]

not to be bigheaded just my rule for drinking water:

I filter my water through a brita filter with reverse osmosis.
Put it in the sun durin the day when you're off to work in a GLASS container with a lid for dust etc...

Plastic bottles are pure poison (think fluoride, aspartame etc....), i used to work a few months in a factory that produced plastic bottles, all the plastic granulate bags that's used has about 20 warnings for carcinogenic effect, health risks etc..., point is they don't rinse the bottles, straight up filling them with liquid of choice.

Write on scotch tape love, health, energy (anything positive) like you mean it and stick it onto the jar.

vibes you put out, you get in, universal karma at it's finest, check dr emoto like http://www.life-enthusiast.com/twilight/research_emoto.htm and others

R3s

Thank you so much for that link! I had been searching for that exact article for a while now, and you just made it easy for me. The pictures are amazing! :D

And BTW your insight regarding plastic bottles is thought provoking. Anytime I drink out of a plastic cup I feel like I am tasting plastic water :eek:.

[r3sonator]

some more pics about the effects of words, music...on water can be found here:
https://www.hado.net/watercrystals/index.php

you can find more links about this, when you click "links":D

Also avoid aluminum cans in any way, one cause for alzheimer disease, there's alot of discussion on the web if this is true or false, but i say better be safe then sorry.
Anyway open a bottle of beer and alumnium can of beer of the same brand, and taste the difference, it's huge (and if you think not it's the perfect excuse to have "one more") :D

But this site where they discuss myths about alzheimer, well turn everything around what they say then you will know the truth, the disinfo makes me furious.Like they say aspartame doesn't cause memory loss, because there is no scientifical evidence, yeah right:mad:

http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_myths_about_alzheimers.asp

[jamesk]

From what I've read, jamesk is correct. Distilled water is 'dead' water and one of the main health problems that people have is having too much acidness in their diet.

Now where does one get an ionizer and how much does it cost?

Hi cmdr_sabbathius,

Prices range from $700 - $4000, depending on model and where you live - in the US there is a wide choice and are cheaper at the moment with the low dollar.

In the UK/EU you can buy ionizers from our site (
http://glowing-health.com). The Microlite JP107 (the model we've used since 2004) is £395, the JP104 £695 incl VAT.

If you get 3 or more units you'll get a distributer discount of 25% (£296 and £521)

A good book is the "The Tao of Detox" by Daniel Reid, who first got me into water ionizers. This is an excerpt:
http://detoxifynow.com/tao_of_detox_excerpt.html

[steevo]

Hi cmdr_sabbathius,

Prices range from $700 - $4000, depending on model and where you live - in the US there is a wide choice and are cheaper at the moment with the low dollar.

In the UK/EU you can buy ionizers from our site (
http://glowing-health.com). The Microlite JP107 (the model we've used since 2004) is £395, the JP104 £695 incl VAT.

If you get 3 or more units you'll get a distributer discount of 25% (£296 and £521)

A good book is the "The Tao of Detox" by Daniel Reid, who first got me into water ionizers. This is an excerpt:
http://detoxifynow.com/tao_of_detox_excerpt.html

Surely if that is YOUR site then there is a conflict of interests. Are you only here to sell stuff ?