This weeks preps check-in

[Brent S]

I pulled out my Berkey water filter today. I decided it was time to actually start using it vs letting it sit in a box. Anyways, a few minutes of assembly and I have a 4 ceramic ‘candle’ filter sitting on the counter top. I figured I’d make a pot of coffee with the filtered water, so I filled the upper chamber and waited, and waited, and waited. Well, it may be really good at filtering water, but it sure isn’t in a hurry to do it! Being just gravity fed it is really slow. So I re-evaluated my use of it from now on. I will keep it full from now on and use it as I need, refilling each time as I draw from it. I guess the main reason I posted this is to remind everyone to test out their prep items so they are thouroughly familiar with them before having to rely on them in an emergency.

 

[WGregMiller]

I pulled out my Berkey water filter today. I decided it was time to actually start using it vs letting it sit in a box. Anyways, a few minutes of assembly and I have a 4 ceramic ‘candle’ filter sitting on the counter top. I figured I’d make a pot of coffee with the filtered water, so I filled the upper chamber and waited, and waited, and waited. Well, it may be really good at filtering water, but it sure isn’t in a hurry to do it! Being just gravity fed it is really slow. So I re-evaluated my use of it from now on. I will keep it full from now on and use it as I need, refilling each time as I draw from it. I guess the main reason I posted this is to remind everyone to test out their prep items so they are thouroughly familiar with them before having to rely on them in an emergency.

Did you prime the filter before putting it in?

They make a gizmo to prime them, but I used a plastic coke bottle and did it. And made a mess as well.

We fill ours weekly. It’s slow, but it’s good. Maybe it’s in my head, but the lack of chlorine in my coffee really is better.

Oh yeah, and ours sprung a leak around the tap. We replaced it with a metal one and it’s a lot better than the plastic one.

Matter of fact, my wife likes it so much she bought a small one for work.

 

[Brent S]

Did you prime the filter before putting it in?

They make a gizmo to prime them, but I used a plastic coke bottle and did it. And made a mess as well.

We fill ours weekly. It’s slow, but it’s good. Maybe it’s in my head, but the lack of chlorine in my coffee really is better.

Oh yeah, and ours sprung a leak around the tap. We replaced it with a metal one and it’s a lot better than the plastic one.

Matter of fact, my wife likes it so much she bought a small one for work.

I rinsed the filters, but didn’t see anything about priming. There is no doubt that filtered water makes better tasting coffee. After all, it’s 99% water! I use the fridge filter for most things, but have used the tap for the coffee pot for a while now and just kind of got used to it. I’m drinking the first cup of filtered now and it is a noticeable improvement.
I noticed a wet spot from the tap as well. I tightened the nut and still see a droplet welling up so will replace it today. I bought a stainless spigot when I got 4 extra ceramic filters a while back luckily. Have you used the black filters? I need to read the usable life of those before trying them.
My son and I have talked it over and decided it’s time to have a well drilled on the property here. The county water is ok but has a strong chlorine smell and taste. The average well here is 400’ and drilled thru granite, running 8 to 10k. Considering the county water bill is about 40.00 a month it would be cheaper to stay on their system, but this is just another step in our preps.

 

[WGregMiller]

I rinsed the filters, but didn’t see anything about priming. There is no doubt that filtered water makes better tasting coffee. After all, it’s 99% water! I use the fridge filter for most things, but have used the tap for the coffee pot for a while now and just kind of got used to it. I’m drinking the first cup of filtered now and it is a noticeable improvement.
I noticed a wet spot from the tap as well. I tightened the nut and still see a droplet welling up so will replace it today. I bought a stainless spigot when I got 4 extra ceramic filters a while back luckily. Have you used the black filters? I need to read the usable life of those before trying them.
My son and I have talked it over and decided it’s time to have a well drilled on the property here. The county water is ok but has a strong chlorine smell and taste. The average well here is 400’ and drilled thru granite, running 8 to 10k. Considering the county water bill is about 40.00 a month it would be cheaper to stay on their system, but this is just another step in our preps.

Here is a link to a priming video - https://www.berkeyfilters.com/berkey-answers/how-to/black-berkey/prime/

We have 4 ceramic filters but have 2 black ones in it now (and others for backup). The more filters you put in the thing, the faster it will filter, of course.

 

[Brent S]

Here is a link to a priming video - https://www.berkeyfilters.com/berkey-answers/how-to/black-berkey/prime/

We have 4 ceramic filters but have 2 black ones in it now (and others for backup). The more filters you put in the thing, the faster it will filter, of course.

I’m using 4 ceramics in it now. I was wondering about a plug for some of the holes if I ever had to use just two filters. I have a bunch of rubber stoppers for the wine stuff and bet one would fit. Even with four filters the thing is in no hurry though, so yeah, the more the better! Either way, the water definitely tastes better.

 

[WGregMiller]

I’m using 4 ceramics in it now. I was wondering about a plug for some of the holes if I ever had to use just two filters. I have a bunch of rubber stoppers for the wine stuff and bet one would fit. Even with four filters the thing is in no hurry though, so yeah, the more the better! Either way, the water definitely tastes better.

Seems like (been more than a week) that ours came with a couple or 3 threaded plugs with washers. I’ll look and see.

Ours isn’t a speed demon by any means, but works well. It does seem like it worked better after priming the filters though.

 

[Brent S]

Here is a link to a priming video - https://www.berkeyfilters.com/berkey-answers/how-to/black-berkey/prime/

We have 4 ceramic filters but have 2 black ones in it now (and others for backup). The more filters you put in the thing, the faster it will filter, of course.

Oh, I got the original spigot tomquit leaking so will keep the stainless one for a spare still!

 

[Proud Prepper]

Today was a beautiful day. While I was cooking chicken on my charcoal grill. I put a little gas in my 2 generators to test them and ran them, untill the gas was all used up. I filled up all my 5 gallon gas cans and tested all my backup solor panels and battery chargers. Getting everything ready for hurricane season.

 

[Silent Earth]

I pulled out my Berkey water filter today. I decided it was time to actually start using it vs letting it sit in a box. Anyways, a few minutes of assembly and I have a 4 ceramic ‘candle’ filter sitting on the counter top. I figured I’d make a pot of coffee with the filtered water, so I filled the upper chamber and waited, and waited, and waited. Well, it may be really good at filtering water, but it sure isn’t in a hurry to do it! Being just gravity fed it is really slow. So I re-evaluated my use of it from now on. I will keep it full from now on and use it as I need, refilling each time as I draw from it. I guess the main reason I posted this is to remind everyone to test out their prep items so they are thouroughly familiar with them before having to rely on them in an emergency.

We simply keep ours topped up and in use all the time, We could not imagine not having one. We have the stainless Berkfield in the kitchen and the plastic one on the camper van.

 

[Silent Earth]

Here is a link to a priming video - https://www.berkeyfilters.com/berkey-answers/how-to/black-berkey/prime/

We have 4 ceramic filters but have 2 black ones in it now (and others for backup). The more filters you put in the thing, the faster it will filter, of course.

I remember reading a very long thread on Survivalist Boards about a major quality control issue with the black carbon candles on US made Berky Candles, something to do with the candles separating from the the mounting plates.

 

[Brent S]

I remember reading a very long thread on Survivalist Boards about a major quality control issue with the black carbon candles on US made Berky Candles, something to do with the candles separating from the the mounting plates.

I haven’t got any charcoal ones yet, but probably will sooner or later. I have 8 of the ceramic ones due to the extended lifespan of them. I have been using it for a couple weeks now and am really pleased. I wasn’t impressed with the speed it filters at first, but just had to adjust my expectations. Now whenever I drain off filtered water I just add an equal amount to replace it, keeping it topped off at all times. I know one thing for sure, my coffee tastes way better!

 

[SheilaT.]

Today was a beautiful day. While I was cooking chicken on my charcoal grill. I put a little gas in my 2 generators to test them and ran them, untill the gas was all used up. I filled up all my 5 gallon gas cans and tested all my backup solor panels and battery chargers. Getting everything ready for hurricane season.

When I read the matter of factness like this, it makes me very glad my country has such a temperate climate. We have our moments, but nothing like you.

 

[Maverick]

I have two SS Berky’s I think people that buy them at first they think in minutes of filtration instead of hours and get disappointed . That how I got one of the SS berky’s at a yard sale, it took to long to filter water. People’s expectations are too high concerning the filter’s flow.

If One gets a berky spare parts are a must, even though I have the berky’s I also made a couple out of 5-gal food grade buckets that I prefer in the back country, more robust and diffidently not as fragile as the berky.

 

[Silent Earth]

I haven’t got any charcoal ones yet, but probably will sooner or later. I have 8 of the ceramic ones due to the extended lifespan of them. I have been using it for a couple weeks now and am really pleased. I wasn’t impressed with the speed it filters at first, but just had to adjust my expectations. Now whenever I drain off filtered water I just add an equal amount to replace it, keeping it topped off at all times. I know one thing for sure, my coffee tastes way better!

which is EXACTLY what we have done since 1992, you soon get used to it and enjoy the benefits, and enjoy the fact you are getting water as good as it gets without using electricity or pumps or pressure. just add water to the top and get safe water out the bottom. I used the super Ser types from Berkfield they are ceramic and silver impregnated.

 

[Silent Earth]

When I read the matter of factness like this, it makes me very glad my country has such a temperate climate. We have our moments, but nothing like you.

My thoughts exactly, our climate like our flora and fauna is very boringly safe compared to what our cousins contend with. When we lived in KS a while John our friend invited us for a walk with the dog, just like back home........................ should have known better, we were issued with a Ruger revolver each loaded with shotshell cartridges to keep Rattle snakes at bay that liked to sunbath on paths and to ambush small dogs. John carried another side arm to keep coyotes at bay who also are partial to small dogs.

One day the local weather service radio made a noise so john shot outside to bring his two vehicles under the galvanised tinned roof car port just before hailstones the sized of golfballs came hammering down, two cars out on the road had their windscreens shattered.

And when his wife was given a medical appointment with a cardiac specialist they had to " Drive to town" in Wichita 4 1/12 hours away . The US is indeed very different to the UK in many ways.

BUT for warmth, loyalty, generosity, kindness, hospitality and friendship You simply cannot get better than Okies, Kansans Nebraskans, salt of the earth types.

 

[Arcticdude]

My thoughts exactly, our climate like our flora and fauna is very boringly safe compared to what our cousins contend with. When we lived in KS a while John our friend invited us for a walk with the dog, just like back home........................ should have known better, we were issued with a Ruger revolver each loaded with shotshell cartridges to keep Rattle snakes at bay that liked to sunbath on paths and to ambush small dogs. John carried another side arm to keep coyotes at bay who also are partial to small dogs.

One day the local weather service radio made a noise so john shot outside to bring his two vehicles under the galvanised tinned roof car port just before hailstones the sized of golfballs came hammering down, two cars out on the road had their windscreens shattered.

And when his wife was given a medical appointment with a cardiac specialist they had to " Drive to town" in Wichita 4 1/12 hours away . The US is indeed very different to the UK in many ways.

BUT for warmth, loyalty, generosity, kindness, hospitality and friendship You simply cannot get better than Okies, Kansans Nebraskans, salt of the earth types.

Speaking of rattlers and bears, saw my first bear of spring a couple days ago and first rattlesnake yesterday warming up on a rock.

 

[MaterielGeneral]

Speaking of rattlers and bears, saw my first bear of spring a couple days ago and first rattlesnake yesterday warming up on a rock.

Speaking of bears.
One of those bastards just walked behind my house the other night you can see his tracks in the snow (yeah we still have snow).

And with that how's everybody doing? I have been off playing militia which bided my time and it turned out to be a waste of time. I am not messing around with that anymore I'm just going to work on building a prepper group.

It is a newer about a year old Statewide group but from my experience with the military I don't really want to mess with them.

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[Danil54grl]

Just got back from berry picking. 5 gallons Mayhaws & only about 4 cups of blackberries. None of the mulberries were ripe yet but plenty red ones. If I didn't need to go to bed for work soon I'd make a BlackBerry cheese pie. . . After work project .

 

[MaterielGeneral]

Just got back from berry picking. 5 gallons Mayhaws & only about 4 cups of blackberries. None of the mulberries were ripe yet but plenty red ones. If I didn't need to go to bed for work soon I'd make a BlackBerry cheese pie. . . After work project .

Must be nice, we are just entering spring.

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[DrPrepper]

My husband went to a gun show and bought me a military style backpack. I just transferred everything I had in my regular backpack into it. Lots more space in this new bag... more room for more prepping