Water Filter Reviews

I'd give this 3 1/2 stars if I could.
When you first attach the PUR filter, it works beautifully. Water comes out fast, and comes out clean. But fairly soon, and well before the filter is supposedly used up, the filter cuts down on the flow as it gets more and more clogged. After a while it can take 30 seconds to fill up a glass of water. Ours also has a leakage problem that is exacerbated the more clogged the filter is (the leak comes from the plastic covering that tells you how used up the filter is)...Don't know if ours is defective or if this is typical.

We have since bought a PUR pitcher filtration system, and that seems to be more convenient to use because you don't have to sit there like a ... waiting for your glass to fill up.

PUR is superior to BRITA filters, by the way, because they also filter giardia and cryptosporidium, two bacteria that can cause intestinal illnesses. This is especially important if you live in areas with iffy water systems (i.e. St. Petersburg, Russia, which is full of giardia/Mexico) or if you have a weak immune system.

The PUR filters work out to about 25 cents per gallon of filtered water. It costs more to filter dirtier water and less to filter cleaner water.

When you finally throw out the used filter, try cracking it open and having a look at all the nasty gunk that you didn't put into your body. It's definitely worth the price, don't you think?

We recently purchased the Pur water filter that is the horizontal faucet model. It not only works great but it also looks great, too. We purchased the shiny chrome model so aesthetically it blends right in with our faucet and looks fabulous. We had just installed a new faucet not too long ago and the water coming from it did not smell or taste very good. After installing the Pur water filter, the water tastes like bottled water and the odor is completely gone. I had chosen the Pur system over the Brita water filtration system as someone who reviewed the Pur system had said it tackles a couple of bacteria that the Brita system does not like giardia so I was grateful for their input as I didn't realize that. I used to own a Brita model and was never that pleased with the water as far as taste goes, but I am very happy with the Pur faucet model and would highly recommend it. The horizontal model has an easy toggle that enables you to switch back and forth between the filtered water and the unfiltered water for when you don't need the filtered water. The water doesn't flow out as quick when it's filtered but it's worth the wait. The cost was $39.99 but again it seems like it was worth the cost.

I like the product , but I am unable to find the filters. It is just a leaning post because it will not work once the filter stops after 150 gals. Buy at your own risk.

This has worked great for me over the last several years, and I have become accustomed to the great-tasting water I get from the Brita pitcher (yes, you will be able to tell the difference!). I have begun drinking more water because it tastes better, and everyone would agree that is certainly a benefit worth my 4 stars... However, I have a (rather small) side-by-side fridge and with milk, juice, etc., etc., on the same shelf, this pitcher takes up too much room. I am currently shopping for another model of Brita filtration pitcher to replace it with a little narrower profile.

This is the largest Brita pitcher I could find - 50% larger than the original pitcher (3 qts vs. 2 qts). We use a lot of filtered water, including cooking spaghetti, filling the room humidifier, etc., so the larger size is more convenient.

It does require removal of the whole lid to refill - the "Deluxe" model is similar, but has a flip-top to refill more easily.

Be aware that when full, this model is heavier to handle, especially as it extends out due to its shape - so it is a little more awkward than a gallon jug of milk even though it holds less.

Brita has good customer service over the phone, but the warranty for the pitcher is only 90 days. (Ours tend to get cracks in about 3-9 months.)

The water filtration is excellent, but you must remember to replace the filters at the proper interval (about monthly) to maintain the water quality. Some other models have built-in reminders - we just replace it at the beginning of each month.

Note that Brita does NOT soften water or take out sodium - it does take out Lead, Mercury, and other metals and contaminants. It also improves the taste.

I've been using the Brita faucet mount for 2 years now. Our water is VERY hard, with sulfur smells and rust, and the Brita works as well as our reverse osmosis unit, which has three in-line filters. Plus, it doesn't slow down like the reverse osmosis unit does when using lots of water (family gatherings, etc). It is NOT as fast as normal tap water, so don't go thinking you'll get tap-water speed out of such an intense filter. I have to replace the filter approximately every 2-3 months, depending on usage. Very handy when the r/o unit starts running out of water. I tend to use both the r/o and the Brita when filling a pot for boiling, etc just to make it go faster. I've used both the PUR and Brita, Brita works better on our water, although, for best taste, I also run it through a pitcher filter (as I said, our water is BAD). Tastes better than spring water!

Beginning with the Coffee Team Plus, Capresso introduced the concept of a water filter in the water tank of their automatic coffee makers. If you use tap water, the filter is a wonderful idea. It removes impurities and chlorine before the water is heated. Clean water and a clean coffee maker = great coffee.
The manufacturer's recommendation is to change filters every 6 weeks or 60 pots of coffee. I usually change them every two months, or so. I imagine the effectiveness of the filter may depend on the quality of the water you use. I haven't had a problem yet.
Usage tip: Each filter is individually wrapped in plastic to keep it fresh until opened. When you open a filter, first soak it in cold water for about 15 minutes. Then rinse it under running water for another minute or two until the water dripping from the filter is clear. If you still see black particles dripping from the filter, run a pot of water through the coffee maker, with the new filter inserted, without coffee beans and discard the water afterward, or use the water for plants (when it is cooled, of course.)

Submitted for your approval...

Much as every person is a product of both their genetics and the environment, so is coffee the product of the bean and the water used to brew it. Whilst many of us focus obsessively on the bean, from Kona to Brazilian Cup of Excelence, we still use tap water in the resevior.

Well I say NO MORE!

Take up arms against that sea of floridation and badly sealed pipes called the Local Water Utility. While using natural spring water or some other pure essence of life would be the best for the bean, filtering the evil from tap water is the first step to socially correct coffee.

The bean sacrifices itself for our morning. Do not dillute that sacrifice with bad water.

Price is a little [costly](ok), Installation was fairly easy (good), Water is clean and tastless(great).

I have tried many filtration system (piture, sink, countertop) and I do like this the best. Does not take up room in fridge, no clunkie faucit attachment, and great filtration.

When I was looking at these I couldn't find dimensions for them anywhere so I thought I'd put them out here. I just used a tape measure on the one I bought so I'm sure these are not precisely right but they are reasonably close. By all means if anyone has better measurements please feel free to correct me.

Inches:
Base: (oval) 8.5 x 5.75 (the handle adds about 1.5 to the overall legnth, for a "total unit legnth" of about 10".)
Height: 10.75

Metric (just converted from the above measurements):
Base: 21.6cm x 14.6cm (+ 3.8cm for handle, totalling 25.4cm)
Height: 27.3cm

In short, it is rather large as pitchers go and does take up a bit of fridge space.

Something else that is hardly ever mentioned is that the filters are not intended to be used with hot water. The manual indicates a maximum temperature of 82F/28C. I believe this is typical of drinking water filters (I know there was a similar maximum on the faucet-mount I used to have), I'm just putting that out here for general information.

It does take a while for the water to work its way through the filter. To me that's to be expected, the water is just draining through the filter with no real pressure to push it. I suppose some people might grow impatient with that.

To me it is a rather attractive unit. My sister even commented on how "nice" it was when she saw it. The lid includes a hinged cover over the spout (it just opens itself when you pour), that's a nice little touch.

Overall I'm happy with it. It's an alternative for those of us who like filtered water and don't want to use the various mounted units for whatever reason.

We loved the concept of this coffee maker we bought one for ourselves and one for our mother. Both died, same symptoms as all the others first the clock would stop working then it would not stay warm, and finaly would not brew. We recieved replcements about 1 1/2 months ago for both, and already both have stoped brewing.

This product needs to be recalled it, is extremly poorly designed from the inside. The circuit board is not shielded form the moisture that builds up in the lower 1/2 of the coffee maker.

I read all the reviews AND waited for two months before writing a review.

I LOVE mine and have had no problems with it. My cabinets are low so the height didn't bother me, I've always had to pull out my coffee maker to fill it. I was suspecting a HUGE appliance, but it wasn't all that big.

It's very easy to use. Very modular. I love the way the coffee tank pulls out for easy filling. I find it easier to measure the right amount water then other coffee makers.

I had problems with leaking because I was in a hurry and wasn't using the right sized coffee filter. I followed the easy directions in the manual for getting trapped coffee grinds out of the pot, then got the right sized filters and haven't had a problem since.

I don't really have a problem with the clock - set it and forget it. I never had a unit with a clock feature before so I'm not that fussy. Programming the clock was very easy.

I love mine. Maybe they've gotten the bugs worked out. Just don't throw away the manual. It's a very easy coffeemaker to use once you get the hang of it. And a very efficient way to flush out trapped coffee grounds it you need to.

We installed this machine in our school several months ago. It is wonderful. There is no concern about drips or leaks. I will admit that the coffee tastes no better than it does from an ordinary machine. However, I would also note that the coffee is hotter and stays "good" longer than in an ordinary machine.

The machine is easy to clean and to use. It's also very difficult to break (which is a good thing for me).

All of our teachers use it easily, and the coffee comes out quickly enough to be useful. I wish it brewed a little faster, but I'm going to halfway blame that on the city water. The same issue was true of the old machine until I ran vinegar through it. I plan to do the same with this machine this weekend.

The 2-hour shutoff is a particularly nice feature. Several times, with the old machine, it was left on and heated dry. This one will not.

I have seen none of the reliability issues other users have reported. While I don't discount them, my experience is that this is a solid, reliable machine, even under heavy use in a teachers' lounge.