Berkey Filter ModelsBerkey Learning Center Water Filter Elements

Priming the Black Berkey Filters

Priming Instructions

1. Place the washer, wing nut and tan colored priming button on the Black Berkey element as shown in the picture to the left.
2. Place the stem of the Black Berkey element between the fingers and using the wing nut for grip press the priming button against the faucet.
3. While holding the priming button against the faucet. Turn on the water slowly, allowing the water to fill the inside of the Black Berkey element.
4. Allow the exterior wall of the Black Berkey element to sweat beads of water for about 5 seconds.
5. Rinse dust dust fines from the exterior of the filtration element. The element has now been successfully primed. Repeat steps 1-5 for each water filter element.

Priming the Black Berkey® Purification Elements when water pressure is not available?
The micro pore structure of the Black Berkey® purification elements are minute in size, in fact they are so small that red food coloring will not pass throughenough. The main reason thi is so important is because it provides a greater efficiency at removing pathogenic bacteria and other contaminates. The downside is that too much water tension can require that the purification elements be primed before they will flow to their full potential. From the factory the purification elements, are dry and air is trapped within the tiny micro fine pores. In some places water has more water tension than in other places and this can change from season to season. The higher the water tension, the more difficult it is for the water to force the air out of the micro fine pores using gravity alone. This trapped air does not allow water to pass through the filter. This then causes the system to either filter very slowly or not at all.

Before traveling to and using the system in an area without water pressure we recommend that the purification elements be primed using the priming button. If this is not possible the elements can be primed approximately 50% by using the below method. In other words using this method, the elements will not purify as fast as they would using the priming button method however they will filter water significantly faster than if the elements had not been primed at all. This alternative priming method is as follows:

STEP 1: If your system is assembled, remove the purification elements from the upper chamber. Next, fill the lower chamber with water, then place the purification elements into the water in the lower chamber, upside down with the stems facing upward, and put a ceramic coffee cup (or something else that will hold them under the water) on top of each purification element stem to force the element down under the water. Let the purification elements soak in the water for several hours. This will force some of the air out of the stubborn pores. NOTE: Make sure that opening in the stems of the purification elements are not underwater as we want the water to be forced through the pores rather than entering through the hole in the stem.

STEP 2: The inside of the purification elements should now be full of water and significantly heavier. Try to keep as much water on the inside of the purification elements as is possible as you reassemble the purification element into the upper chamber by keeping the stems facing upward. Empty the water from the lower chamber and place the upper chamber back onto the lower chamber. Immediately fill the upper chamber with water.

When the purification elements have water within the bore (inside core), more force is generated to draw water through the purification element. This is because the water that drips out of the purification elements also hydraulically pulls new water into the purification element as the purification element begins to work like a siphon. Thus, in addition to the "Push" of gravity, there is also a hydraulic "pull" and this drastically improves the ability of the water to force the air from the micro pores. The above method is less efficient than priming the purification elements with the priming button but should be about 75-80% effective in clearing the blocked micro pores.

Let the water in the lower chamber run to waste and refill the upper chamber with water. Your Black Berkey® elements are now primed and ready for use.