Berkey water filter: all models, sizes and parts at a glance

What is a Berkey?

A Berkey is a gravity filter: two stainless steel chambers stacked on top of each other. You pour tap water into the upper chamber, gravity pushes it through the filter elements, and the filtered water is ready in the lower chamber behind a tap. No power, no connection to the water mains, no installer. The chambers are made of polished stainless steel (AISI 304) and last for decades; it is the elements that you replace. For exactly how this principle works, see how does a gravity filter work.

The brand comes from the United States; the brand owner is New Millennium Concepts. All models work in the same way. What differs is the capacity of the chambers and how many elements fit inside.

Which size suits you?

The table above gives the shop's guideline for each model in number of people. A handy rule of thumb: allow roughly two litres of chamber capacity per person as a daily buffer. If you are torn between two sizes, choose the larger one: you will have to top up a larger upper chamber less often, and the larger models hold more elements, so the water flows through faster.

The Travel Berkey is the compact choice for a small household, and also fits in a camper or holiday home. The Big Berkey is the classic for home. The Royal Berkey gives a larger family room to breathe, and the Imperial and Crown are for large households, an office or a group. For on the go there are the Go Berkey and the Sport Berkey drinking bottle with filter.

What about the Black Berkey elements?

In early 2023, the US environmental agency EPA ruled that the Black Berkey elements fall under the American pesticides act: the elements contain silver, and claims had been made about bacteria and viruses. Since then, individual elements have no longer been supplied. Alternatievemiddelen.nl still sells the systems themselves with two original Black Berkey elements inside, from the remaining stock. The expectation is that Berkey will supply them with Phoenix Gravity New Millennium Edition elements as standard in future.

For replacement there are three successors that fit in the same housing:

• BOROUX Foundation Black: the same basic formula as the Black Berkey, made by the team behind the largest American Berkey dealer together with the factory that made the original formula. Guideline: a maximum of three years per set.
• Phoenix Gravity New Millennium Edition: made on behalf of New Millennium Concepts, the brand owner of Berkey. Friendly price; guideline a maximum of one year.
• Coldstream FTO PLUS: ceramic, no priming needed and it also filters fluoride. Guideline a maximum of six months.

The guidelines apply to Dutch tap water and average use; they are not fixed periods. You can read the whole story in Black Berkey alternative.

Fluoride and arsenic

The black elements (Black Berkey and BOROUX Foundation) do not filter fluoride. If you want that, you screw add-on filters underneath: the original Berkey PF-2 fluoride and arsenic filters, or the BOROUX ProActive fluoride filters. These work with an upflow design and also fit directly under Black Berkey elements. You use one add-on filter per black element and replace them after a maximum of one year.

Priming, cleaning and replacing

Black elements are primed before first use: you saturate them with water so that the water flows through them properly. You can do this with a primer, with BOROUX's electric priming pump, or you can let the shop do it with the Prime Service. If the upper chamber starts to empty noticeably more slowly after a while, priming again or a clean will help. More on this: cleaning and maintaining a water filter and how often do you replace a filter element?

In short. A Berkey is a stainless steel gravity filter without a connection, in sizes from compact to very large. The systems are still for sale with original Black Berkey elements; for replacement, BOROUX Foundation, Phoenix Gravity and Coldstream FTO PLUS fit in the same housing. You filter fluoride with an add-on filter under each black element.

Frequently asked questions

Is Berkey still for sale in the Netherlands?

Yes. Alternatievemiddelen.nl sells the Berkey systems with two original Black Berkey elements inside, while stocks last. You can see what is in stock today under the models on this page. Individual Black Berkey elements are no longer available; for those there are the successors.

Which Berkey suits a family of four?

According to the shop, the Big Berkey is suitable for 1 to 4 people, the Royal Berkey for 2 to 6. With four people you are at the upper limit of the Big. If you cook a lot with filtered water or prefer not to top up often, choose the Royal.

Does a Berkey have to be connected to the water mains?

No. A Berkey works on gravity: you fill the upper chamber by hand. No power, no connection, no installation.

Do BOROUX Foundation elements fit in a Berkey?

Yes. The BOROUX Foundation Black elements fit in any Berkey system, as do the Phoenix Gravity elements and the ceramic Coldstream FTO PLUS. If you are unsure about your system, the selection guide points out the right element for each brand.

How long do the elements last?

That depends on your water and your consumption. As a practical guideline for Dutch tap water and average use, Alternatievemiddelen.nl advises: Black Berkey and BOROUX Foundation a maximum of three years, Phoenix Gravity a maximum of one year, Coldstream FTO PLUS a maximum of six months. If the chamber starts to empty noticeably more slowly or the taste changes, it is time sooner.

What is the difference between Berkey and BOROUX?

BOROUX is a brand of its own, set up by the team behind the largest American Berkey dealer together with the factory that made the Black Berkey formula. The BOROUX Foundation elements fit in a Berkey; in addition, BOROUX makes its own stainless steel systems (Legacy and Legacy Compact), also in white, black and sage green. Alternatievemiddelen.nl is the only BOROUX dealer in Europe. More in the BOROUX story.

Where can I find parts for my Berkey?

On this page, under parts and accessories: stainless steel taps and taps with a sight glass, stands per model, rubber rims, wing nuts, rings, blocking plugs and primers. You order through the online shop.