Affiliate disclosure: In service of our commitment to community transparency, TheBerkey.com, an authorized Berkey dealer, asked us to evaluate the Big Berkey 2.25-gallon system. We agreed to learn how it might support healthier living. If you buy through our link, we may earn a small commission that supports this website at no extra cost to you.
If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably wondered if your tap water is really clean enough. After a few too many odd tastes in our drinking water (and some research on what might be in it), we decided it was time to try something better.
This Berkey Water Filter review is our firsthand look at how it works, how we set it up, and what surprised us most after living with it for a few weeks. Whether you’re on a homestead, in a rental, or just want better-tasting water, I hope this helps you feel more confident before buying one—or setting up the one you already have.
Clean, healthy, good-tasting water matters on any homestead, no matter the size. This Berkey water filter review walks through what it is, how we set it up, what we noticed in daily use, and who it’s best suited for. Let’s get to it!
In This Post
What Is the Berkey Water Filter and Who It’s For?
The Big Berkey is a countertop water filter system made from stainless steel. It’s gravity-fed, meaning no power or plumbing needed. Just pour water into the top chamber and let gravity do the work as it flows through the filters into the bottom.
We tested the 2.25-gallon Big Berkey, which is great for 1–4 people. It uses Black Berkey® elements—long-life filters known for removing chlorine, VOCs, some heavy metals, and more. With optional add-ons like PF-2 filters, you can reduce fluoride, too. Learn what Berkey filters have been independently tested to remove: Black Berkey Test Results
Best for
- 1–4 people who want better-tasting drinking and cooking water
- Apartments, rentals, or homesteads without under-sink space
- Preparedness when power or pressure goes out
Not for
- Anyone who wants plumbed-in, no-refill convenience
- Very tight counters unless you add a stand
Hands-On Berkey Water Filter Review
Durability
The stainless body feels solid. Lids and knobs seat well. After weeks of use and daily wipes, the finish still looks new without a scratch.
Ease of Use
Setup took ~20 minutes. Priming the black elements was the longest step. The included anti-vapor-lock clip helped keep the flow going just like designed. Refilling is simple – just lift the top lid and pour in the water to be filtered into the top container. The 2.25-gallon size suits one or two people for drinking and cooking. I’m in the habit of filling it in the morning as I wait for my coffee water to finish heating up.
Performance
Taste improved right away! The city water chlorine smell disappeared. Coffee and tea were cleaner-tasting and sweeter-tasting. Our first full chamber filtered in a few hours and sped up after proper priming. Flow depends on the water level and the number of elements installed. Our test was with 2 Black Berkey filters installed, and the water filtered through fast enough for our daily drinking and cooking needs.
Value for Money
Higher upfront cost, but long element life spreads expense over years. No electricity. No under-sink install. Easy to move if we rearrange the kitchen.
Sustainability / Materials / Repairability
No disposable plastic pitchers. Stainless lasts. Elements are replaceable. Optional add-on elements are available for specific needs, like fluoride reduction.
Specs & What Matters
- Capacity: 2.25 gallons (8.5 L). Good daily volume for small households.
- Height: ~21 in with lid and knob. Plan vertical clearance.
- Diameter: ~8.5 in. Check counter depth.
- Elements: Up to 4 black elements in the upper chamber. More elements increase flow.
- Flow rate: About 3.5 gallons/hour when full with two elements. Up to ~7 gallons/hour with four.
- Serves: 1–4 people.
- Fluoride option: Up to 4 PF-2 add-on elements can be threaded below if desired.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Tastes so much better than tap water
- Portable and easy to move
- No electricity needed
- Durable stainless steel design
- Long filter life (up to 3,000 gallons per filter)
Cons
- Takes up counter space
- Setup has a learning curve (but there’s a video below to help you out!)
- The first few batches are slower
- Spigot can leak if not installed correctly
- Periodic cleaning is needed to keep the flow steady
| Product | Key Difference | Best For | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Big Berkey 2.25 gal | Stainless, gravity countertop; long-life elements | 1–4 people, daily drinking + cooking | $$$ |
| ProOne Big+ | Similar gravity design; different element media | Similar households wanting gravity simplicity | $$$ |
| Alexapure Pro | Similar capacity; single-element core | Simple setup with one core element | $$–$$$ |
| Pitcher filter | Low cost, small volume, frequent changes | Solo users needing quick fix, not bulk volume | $–$$ |
How It’s Working for Us
- Taste – Right away, our water tasted better. The chlorine smell disappeared. Tea and coffee came through cleaner and smoother—no bitterness.
- Cleaning and Care – Every week, we wipe down the inside with mild soap and water. Once a month, we scrub the filters and check the flow rate.
- Performance – Keeping the top full helps maintain good speed. It filters about 3.5 gallons/hour with 2 elements.
- Adding more elements to increase flow speed – We don’t need to do this, but wanted to mention it in case you needed a faster turnover in filtered water. We’re doing fine with just the 2 Black Berkey elements.
A note from Rhonda
One of the best things about The Farmer’s Lamp is that we all get to learn from each other! I knew Rhonda had been using a Big Berkey for years, so while she wasn’t part of this particular 30-day test that the samples above are from, she had a few thoughts to offer from their experience.
From their years of drinking well water, they particularly liked how it filtered out sediment and said overall the water just tastes so good it goes down well any time. There was a time while they were on city water that the system broke, which required a ‘drinkable’ dye to be added to the water to help trace out the leak by the utility. The whole neighborhood’s water was brown and off-tasting, but Rhonda and Jay just used the Berkey. That’s one of their favorite things about the Berkey water filter system; it’s an easy way to bake a bit more security into your world by having it on hand!
How To Set Up Your Berkey Water Filter Video
This was probably the most intimidating part at first—but it doesn’t have to be. Follow these steps and you’ll be filtering clean water in no time.
What’s in the box:
- Stainless steel upper and lower chambers
- 2 Black Berkey elements (you can use up to 4)
- 2 washers, 2 wingnuts, 2 fluoride filter ports (if using)
- Spigot, lid, knob, and anti-vapor-lock clip
- Priming tools and instructions
Step-by-Step Setup
1. Prime the Black Berkey Filters
Before anything else, you must prime the filters. This forces water through the pores of the filters to prep them for use. Tip: You’ll know it’s working when water starts sweating out of the filter sides.
You can do this 3 ways:
- Standard Faucet Method (with tan priming button)
- PrimeRite™ blue tool (included)
- Off-grid bottle method (if no faucet)
2. Assemble the Upper Chamber
- Place a rubber washer on each filter.
- Insert them through the holes in the upper chamber.
- Secure with wingnuts underneath. Hand-tighten only.
3. Install Spigot on Lower Chamber
- Use included washers to seal both sides.
- Hand-tighten. If it leaks, adjust the washers and try again.
4. Stack Chambers
- Carefully place the upper chamber onto the lower one.
- Install the anti-vapor-lock clip to allow airflow and prevent seal.
5. Run Your First Batch
- Fill the top with water.
- Discard the first 2–3 full batches to “season” the filters.
6. Do the Red Dye Test
Add red food coloring (not beet juice or turmeric!) to the top water and check that no color makes it through. If it does, the filter isn’t sealed correctly. Fix and try again. See below for more on doing the Berkey Red Food Coloring Test
A Few Notes On How To Set Up The Berkey Water Filter
- Prime well. If the flow seems slow on day one, re-prime the elements and confirm the clip prevents a seal between chambers.
- Run and discard the first 2–3 fills to season the elements.
- The first three batches ran slightly slower, then settled in.
- A stand frees counter space and makes dispensing easier. Here’s an example of what I mean by a water filter stand for the kitchen.
Berkey Water Filter Use Tips
- Keep the upper chamber topped to maintain faster flow.
- Wipe chambers weekly; scrub elements per maker guidance.
- For well or surface water with heavy sediment, pre-filter through a clean cloth first.
- If you want fluoride reduction, add the compatible PF-2 elements.
Berkey Filter Red Dye Test
The Red Food Coloring Test is the only approved way to verify that your Black Berkey® elements are installed correctly and filtering as they should. This test checks that no unfiltered water is slipping through the system due to a bad seal, improper installation, or a faulty element.
It’s especially important to run this test:
- After the initial setup of your Berkey water filter system
- When replacing or reinstalling filter elements
- If you suspect a performance issue, like unusual taste or slower-than-normal flow
If the filter is working properly, the red food coloring will NOT pass through to the lower chamber. If any pink or red tint shows up in your filtered water, it means your system is leaking unfiltered water—and it’s not safe to drink yet.
Step-by-Step: Red Food Coloring Test for Berkey Water Filter
What You’ll Need:
- Artificial red food coloring (liquid, not gel—McCormick is a trusted option)
- Clean water
- A pitcher or measuring cup
- Empty the lower chamber and glasses or jars for testing
- Your fully assembled Berkey filter system (with fluoride filters removed if installed)
Note, as this is a bit different from how we choose ingredients for the recipes on The Farmers’ Lamp: Make sure to use artificial red food coloring that contains no natural ingredients like beet juice or turmeric. These natural dyes won’t behave the same and can give inaccurate results.
Step 1: Prepare the Upper Chamber
Remove the upper chamber from your Berkey and make sure it’s dry. Remove any PF-2™ fluoride and arsenic filters before starting the test. Set aside in a clean place.
Step 2: Mix the Red Dye
In a separate container, mix 10 drops of red food coloring per gallon of water your Berkey holds.
- Example: For a 2-gallon system, use 20 drops of food coloring.
- Stir well to evenly distribute the color.
Step 3: Pour into the Upper Chamber
Carefully pour the red-colored water into the upper chamber.
Tip: Make sure the filter elements are fully submerged—this ensures full contact with the dye.
Step 4: Let It Filter Naturally
Let gravity do its work. The water will start to drip down into the lower chamber, just like normal use.
Place a clear glass under each filter (or under each spout if using a glass-bottomed chamber). Wait until enough water has filtered through to observe the results—this usually takes a few hours.
Step 5: Check for Color
Look closely at the filtered water in each glass:
- Clear water = PASS → Your filters are installed correctly and working as intended.
- Red or pink tint = FAIL → That element is not filtering properly.
What to Do If Your Test Fails
If any pink or red color appears, don’t drink the water yet. Try the following:
- Check element placement – Make sure the wing nuts are hand-tight and that the washers are sealed firmly. Loose or misaligned filters can cause leakage.
- Re-prime the element – Use the Tan/Blue priming button or the PrimeRite™ Universal Primer to properly saturate the filter element. Dry or under-primed filters may not work correctly.
- Re-run the test – Once you’ve reinstalled or re-primed the filters, run the red food coloring test again.
If it still fails, you may need to replace the filter element, especially if it’s older or has been damaged.
A Word of Caution
I would be remiss in my responsibility to you if I did not offer a word of caution regarding the use of this water filter for any reasons other than those for which it has been verified by testing. The best resource I found for the latest testing was linked from New Millennium Concepts, the manufacturer of the Berkey® line of gravity-fed water filtration systems’ website.
How To Order Your Berkey Water Filter
Here’s a link to their Berkey FAQs, and here’s information on Black Berkey Elements testing. These elements are the ones we used during our testing period.
FAQs Berkey Water Filter
Does it remove fluoride?
Only with the optional PF-2 fluoride filters installed below the Black Berkey filters.
Can I use it with well or rainwater?
Yes! But pre-filter any visible debris with a cloth or coffee filter first. Refer to this link for the latest information on what the Black Berkey Filters are tested for in terms of filtration. If you are concerned about bacteria or viruses, please note that, as of the time of this Berkey Water Filter Review, these are not included in the testing.
How often do I replace the elements?
It depends on your use. The Black Berkey elements last for up to 6,000 gallons (3,000 per filter). Replace when flow slows down or taste changes.
How do I set up my Berkey water filter for the first time?
Prime the elements, install the anti-vapor-lock clip, assemble chambers, fill the top, and discard the first few batches. See our video in this post.
Is it heavy when full?
Yes, 2 gallons of water is almost 17 lbs. Place it on a stable surface or stand that has room to access the spigot so you don’t have to pick up the full Berkey Water Filter.
I heard something about a lawsuit?
Us too! There was some recent buzz about lawsuits. You can read the manufacturer’s response here. Just be sure you’re buying from a trusted source—not knock-off filter elements that may not have met the same testing standards as Black Berkey® elements.
How do I fix a leaky Berkey spigot?
First, double-check the leak really is coming from the spigot. See the photo in this article where the drip is clearly coming from the connection between the spigot and the metal container.
If the leak is at that location, empty your Berkey of water. Then retighten, remove the spigot, and double-check that the washers are correctly placed. Then reinstall the spigot and tighten it again. It took me a couple of tries to not over-tighten but snug up the washers to a proper amount. Once I got this correct, I haven’t seen a leak in over 45 days!
The other part of the spigot that could be leaking is the round pedestal underneath the lever. Tighten this clockwise if needed.
Final Thoughts
We’re glad we got our Berkey water filter. It’s now part of our morning routine—right up there with feeding the chickens and starting the coffee.
Yes, setup took a little patience. But once you get it running, it’s easy to keep going. If you’re serious about clean water without plumbing hassles, this filter is worth considering. For a small household that wants reliable, great-tasting water without having to install extra house plumbing, the Big Berkey is a strong choice.
Have you tried the Berkey or another countertop filter? Share your thoughts or questions in the comments. Let’s keep learning together!
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