FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Can't find your answer? Email sales@berkeyonline.com or call 1-866-746-8734.
Is Berkey going out of business?
No. New Millennium Concepts, Ltd. (NMCL) continues to make Berkey® products and sell them through its network of Authorized Berkey® Dealers - including us. In its own words, NMCL "manufactures and sells Berkey® water filtration systems, accessories, and other products through a network of Authorized Berkey® Dealers worldwide." The filter NMCL currently endorses for Berkey systems is the Phoenix Gravity New Millennium Edition™ element, in lieu of Black Berkey® Elements (BB9-2).
Phoenix vs Black Berkey - what's the difference?
Phoenix Gravity New Millennium Edition elements are the only filter officially endorsed by New Millennium Concepts, Ltd. for use in Berkey systems in lieu of Black Berkey Elements (BB9-2). Phoenix is certified to NSF/ANSI 42 and NSF/ANSI/CAN 372, filters water faster than Black Berkey elements, and has been tested by independent third-party labs to remove or reduce 200+ typical waterborne contaminants found in municipal water supplies. Same size and fit. More about Phoenix.
Do Phoenix filters fit my older Berkey?
Yes. Phoenix elements are made for all Berkey water systems, including the Go Berkey Kit, Travel Berkey, Berkey Light, Big Berkey, Royal Berkey, Imperial Berkey and Crown Berkey, plus most other brands of gravity-fed water filter systems.
How often do I replace filters?
Phoenix: every 2,750 gallons per element (5,500 gallons per pair). PF-2™: after 1,000 gallons under normal conditions. Filters may need replacing sooner depending on the quality of your source water.
Do I need the PF-2 fluoride filters?
Only if you want fluoride and arsenic reduction. Berkey PF-2™ elements attach to the bottom of Phoenix (or Black Berkey) elements in the lower chamber and adsorb fluoride, arsenic(V) and pre-oxidized arsenic(III), and other residual typical heavy metal ions. They can't be used on their own. See the Phoenix + PF-2 combo.
How do I prime the filters?
Priming flushes carbon dust out of new elements and pushes air out of the pores so water flows freely. Berkey's instructions give three methods:
- PrimeEasy™ Universal Primer (included): stretch it over your faucet, attach the element, and run cold water through it.
- Sealing washer method: hold the element's washer against the faucet and run water through.
- Off-grid bottle method: force water through the element from a bottle - handy without running water.
How do I do the red dye test?
After installing primed elements, add up to 1/8 teaspoon (10 drops) of red food coloring per gallon of system capacity to the upper chamber. If the filtered water is clear, your elements are sealed and working. Use red coloring only - natural or organic dyes can give a false fail. Remove any PF-2 elements before testing.
What should I never do with my filters?
- Never use softened water or salt water - it clogs the pores and voids the warranty.
- Never let wet elements freeze - it can crack them and voids the warranty.
- Away 4-15 days? Bag the damp elements and refrigerate. Longer: dry them completely (1-3 days in the sun), bag them, then scrub and re-prime before reuse.
How fast do you ship?
Free shipping on every order to the contiguous U.S. Orders ship within 1 business day (Mon-Fri, excluding holidays) from Grand Rapids, MI. Typical transit is 2-5 business days, and tracking is emailed when your order ships. We can't ship Phoenix products to California or Iowa, and don't currently ship to Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico or APO addresses. Shipping policy.
What's your return policy?
30 days from delivery. Unopened items get a full refund of the item price; opened but unused systems have a 15% restocking fee. Filter elements that have been primed, installed or used can't be returned for hygiene reasons - defects are handled under the manufacturer warranty. Buyer pays return shipping unless the item arrived damaged, defective or wrong. Contact us before shipping anything back. Full return policy.
What warranty do I get?
Systems bought from BerkeyOnline.com get our BerkeyOnline Lifetime Stainless Warranty: for as long as you own it, we'll replace any standard part that came with it - stainless chambers and lid, spigot, washers and wing nuts - if it fails under normal use. Filter elements are consumables covered by the manufacturer's separate warranty. Warranty details.
Why buy here instead of Amazon or Walmart?
Marketplaces mix authorized sellers with third parties, and counterfeit Berkey filters have been sold online. Buying from an Authorized Berkey® Dealer means genuine product from authorized supply, eligibility for manufacturer warranty coverage, our own lifetime stainless warranty, and a real Michigan team to call if anything goes wrong.
Do Phoenix filters work on lake, river or rain water?
Phoenix elements are tested against typical non-biological contaminants in municipal (treated) tap water. We don't claim they remove bacteria, viruses or parasites, or make lake, river, rain or other untreated water safe to drink. For questions about untreated sources, contact Berkey support at (888) 803-4438.