Berkey Big Water Filter
Gravity-fed water filtration for off-grid homes, caravans and emergency preparedness
The Berkey Big is a gravity-fed countertop water filtration system that requires no electricity, no plumbing and no pump. It uses a pair of Black Berkey purification elements to reduce bacteria, protozoa, chemicals, heavy metals and many other contaminants from tap water, rainwater, tank water and natural water sources.
Our Verdict
The Berkey Big consists of two stainless steel chambers stacked vertically. Unfiltered water is poured into the upper chamber, where it passes through the Black Berkey purification elements under gravity alone and drips into the lower chamber as filtered water ready to drink. No electricity, no water pressure and no plumbing connection is required — the system works anywhere you can place it on a bench or table. The standard configuration includes two Black Berkey elements, which can be supplemented with two additional elements to increase flow rate. Each element is rated to filter up to approximately 11,350 litres before replacement, giving a pair of elements a combined capacity of around 22,700 litres. The lower chamber holds 8.5 litres of filtered water, and the system can process around 13.5 litres per hour with two elements installed. The stainless steel construction is durable and easy to clean, and the system can be disassembled and packed flat for transport.
Pros & Cons
What we love
- No electricity, plumbing or pump required
- Works with rainwater, tank water and natural sources
- Long filter element lifespan (~11,350L per element)
- Stainless steel construction is durable and easy to clean
- Expandable to 4 filter elements for higher flow rate
- Portable — disassembles for transport
- Suitable for emergency preparedness
Worth knowing
- Flow rate is slower than pump-fed or mains-pressure systems
- Upper chamber must be manually refilled
- Does not remove dissolved minerals or soften hard water
- Filter elements are a recurring replacement cost
- Relatively tall — requires bench clearance
Specifications
Where to Buy
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