Do You Have a Kitchen Water Filter?

[Texas Star]

Got a water filter on the kitchen sink?

What kind (brand/model) and how often do you have to change filters?

Has it made a difference in the flavor of your water? Do you like it, and is it worth getting one?

Thanx,


T-Star

 

[n4zov]

It all depends on the quality and taste of the water coming out of your faucet. We don't have one because we have excellent city supplied water, but I've visited in other areas where they were essential. Unless you can detect something wrong with the taste of your water or you know there is something harmful in your water, I think they are a waste of money.

 

[DeathGrip]

I'm on city water,so a 2stage filter works for me.I use the 10inch Matrex to 5 microns on the first and .5 micron to final.I change mine out about once a year.You really should have a dedicated faucet for the filtered water if you want it to last.I wouldn't be with out one.Taste is greatly improved with out the chlorine and other goodies they put in city water.
Well water is another thing all together.That would require a reverse osmosis filter to get the TDS levels down to acceptable levels.(total dissolved solids)
Hope this makes sense to you and everyone else because it's important.
I do this for a living so if you need more info just ask.



DG

 

[Smith357]

I currently use a Pur filter on my kitchen sink, our water is pretty good save the chlorine taste. Yes, it makes the water more palatable, and i believe it is worth getting one, but that is me, in my city, with my water. Only you can determine your water needs.

I use the filters long past the time the indicators tell me to replace them. I only swap filters when the water flow slows down noticeably.


I have also used the Britta filter and both work well enough, though neither fixture is very strong and they do seem to break after about a year or two. The current one in the kitchen is leaking and needs to be replaced, when i buy the new one I will get whichever brand is cheapest or on sale and pick up a half dozen filters.

 

[Texas Star]

Thanks. I have only one kitchen faucet. I see the Brita filters at the grocer.

Are they pretty good?

T-Star

 

[Indiana George]

Here's a little eye-opening study on water:

What?s in Your Water - Interactive Feature - The New York Times


With regard to filters, ANY type of filter, softener or conditioner has the potential to be a bacteria trap. While most of these bacterias are pretty harmless, (to healthy humans) it may be worth consideration.

 

[DeathGrip]

If you're on city water and its decent enough I guess the britta is OK.
Beats buying bottled water.

DG

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

Culligan. It tastes about $15 a week better than the bottled water I was paying for.

 

[DeathGrip]

Culligan. It tastes about $15 a week better than the bottled water I was paying for.

What system do you have?I'll bet its a lot more expensive than the system I sell.It could even be the same,just their label on it.I really don't like their business structure.They send out a salesman that won't touch anything that aint theirs.You have to replace yours even if its working.Rather pushy.I'll work on most anything and wont sell you something you don't need.Huge difference.I sell,install and service.You don't get that with the Culligan Man.

DG

 

[GatorFarmer]

A British Berkenfield, aka Big Berky is probably what you want, since it is multipurpose and has been used since the mid 19th century with good results. Failing that, I'd just buy a distillation unit. Distilling your water - using solar energy or other forms of heat - with salt added to it initially is the only way to really make sure that you get almost all the crud out.

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

I use this.

 

[DeathGrip]

I stand corrected.I don't sell those types.Didn't know they did.

DG

 

[DeathGrip]

A British Berkenfield, aka Big Berky is probably what you want, since it is multipurpose and has been used since the mid 19th century with good results. Failing that, I'd just buy a distillation unit. Distilling your water - using solar energy or other forms of heat - with salt added to it initially is the only way to really make sure that you get almost all the crud out.

Reverse Osmosis will do anything a distiller will.No power needed.Just water pressure.

DG

 

[ladder13]

I'm on well water now, was on city water for 45 years, and love it. Smells and tastes fresh, no horrible chlorine. Get my water tested every year for contaminants.

 

[Alpo]

I put a pur on my sink. Water pressure dropped to, maybe, a half a cup a minute. That was ridiculous. I took it off and tossed it.

I have a Berkey. Sits on the counter. Lots bigger than the "attach to the faucet" one, but also lots better. I pour 2 gallons in the top, and an hour or so later there's 2 gallons in the bottom. How long will it last? They say 4000 gallons per filter element, so with two elements, that's 8000 gallons. I filter, maybe, ten gallons a week. 500 a year, so sixteen years. Now, the elements are 50 bucks each, but I think it's worth it.

 

[PDL]

We used to have a pur on the faucet. It was good water to start and I didn't notice that much difference. But when my kids would visit from WA, they wouldn't touch the straight water, and they noticed a significant difference when the filter was used. Just goes to show you can get used to anything.

As far as does the Britta work, we were camping and the water was a pump well that had so much iron in it the water was orange. Put thru a Britta pitcher and the water was clear and normal after.

 

[Harrison]

We live down on the coast and the local water tastse like it came out of the bay and has about the same amount of salt in it. We have a culligan reverse osmosis unit for drinking water and refrigerator. If you use the local water to cook, you don't need to add salt.

 

[Snapping Twig]

My filter is on the main incoming line to the house.

2 whole house filters from Lowe's and a couple 1/4 turn ball valves and a 100# gage on the "out" side does the job for me.

Keeps sediments and debris out of the solenoids, water heater and generally treats all the water we use.

First filter is 5 micron spun cotton, second one is 2 micron activated charcoal.

 

[enfield]

We use a similar setup under the kitchen sink with a dedicated faucet, just for drinking/cooking/coffee water. Our water isn't that bad, but it doesn't make good coffee. It was a kit from Lowe's that included the little faucet. The faucet sits in the space that the sprayer used to occupy.

Reverse osmosis isn't an option with a septic system since they run water down the drain constantly and can overload the drainfield.

 

[gunlovingirl]

I don't have a faucet filter, but do use a Brita pitcher. Love it.