Setting Up a Berkey: 15-Minute Assembly
Berkey systems ship in two stainless chambers (upper and lower), Black Berkey filter elements, blocking plugs, and a primer button. Assembly: (1) Prime each Black Berkey element: hold the element over a sink with the threaded end up. Press the primer button over the hole at the top, fill with water, and allow water to flow from the pores on the element exterior -- repeat until water flows freely from all pores. (2) Insert primed elements into the upper chamber holes, threading the wing nut from below to secure. Install blocking plugs in unused holes. (3) Stack the upper chamber on the lower chamber. (4) If using the Berkey sight glass spigot (sold separately), install in the lower chamber before stacking. (5) Fill the upper chamber with source water and allow gravity to pull water through the elements.
PF-2 Fluoride Element Installation
Berkey PF-2 fluoride/arsenic reduction post-filters screw onto the bottom of each Black Berkey element (inside the upper chamber, below the black element body). They are secondary filters -- water passes through the Black element first, then the PF-2. Install PF-2 elements by threading them onto the wing nut attachment point below each Black element. Prime PF-2 elements before first use by soaking in clean water for 5 minutes. PF-2 elements reduce fluoride and arsenic and are rated at 1,000 gallons per pair -- replace annually for a 2--4 person household at $50--$60 per pair.