How to Prime Berkey Filter?

How to Prime Black Berkey Filters Elements the Right Way?

Just like cleaning Berkey filter elements, priming also requires clean water until all parts of the filter media have been saturated with water. Following are the many ways how you can prime your Berkey filter elements the right way.

Priming Black Berkey Filters Elements with the Prime Rite Tool

Every Berkey water filter system you purchase includes a single blue silicone Prime Rite tool in the Quick Start Kit. The Prime Rite tool works by allowing you to attach the spout of your Berkey filter to its included valve and pump assembly, which quickly pushes air into the filter element. Priming Berkey filter elements this way reduces the amount of time needed to get your Berkey system up. Additionally, this method can be used on both standard and countertop models of Berkey filters. 

Follow the steps below:

1. Install the Prime Rite Tool to a faucet.
2. Take the wing nut and washer off from the Berkey filter element. Place them on a clean surface or towel.
3. Gently push the filter spout into the small opening at the bottom of the Prime Rite tool.
4. While holding the filter element in one hand, turn on the cold tap slowly. Aim for a steady water flow. If the device inflates, lower the water pressure.
5. Keep the water running for about one minute until you see beads of water coming out from the filter media.
6. Turn off the faucet and detach the filter element from the Prime Rite tool.
7. Do the same thing with the other filter element.

Priming Berkey Filter Elements with a Priming Button

Another easy way to prime your filters is by using a Priming Button. It is a thick tan washer and is included in every set of Black Berkey filter elements. It works by using controlled pressure from your tap water source to push out any air bubbles and debris that may be stuck in the pores of the filter elements.

1. Take the wing nut and washer off from the Berkey filter element. Place them on a clean surface or towel.
2. Take the wing nut back and attach it to the filter spout. The nut serves as a grip so you can push the filter against the faucet easier.
3. Press the rubber priming button onto the filter spout next to the wing nut and push the filter against the faucet.
4. While holding the priming button, turn on the cold tap slowly.
5. Allow the filter element to sweat beads of water for 10 seconds before turning off the faucet. It may take 3-4 minutes for the water to seep through the filter elements.
6. Do the same thing with the other filter element.

Priming Berkey Filter Elements with Black Berkey Primer

Another tool you can use to prime your Berkey filter elements is the Black Berkey primer. It is a hand-powered priming bulb that can prime your filter elements without the use of water pressure. 

This method is also much faster than soaking your filter elements. You can purchase the Black Berkey primer separately. Here is how to properly prime your Berkey filter elements with the Black Berkey Primer:

1. Assemble the Berkey primer by connecting the valves to the plastic tube and bulb.
2. Connect the threaded piece of the primer to the filter spout.
3. Fill a container with clean water. Use a deep container such as the lower chamber of your Berkey water filtration system. The water should be enough to cover the water filter media.
4. Place the filter elements in the container.
5. Squeeze the bulb until you see water coming out of the other end.
6. Do the same thing with the other filter element.

Priming Berkey Black Filter Elements by Soaking

The most cost-effective way to prime your new or dried Berkey water filter elements is by soaking them. Without using any tools, all you need to do is soak the filter elements overnight. This method is best helpful when priming Berkey filter elements outdoors where clean running water is not available. 

Also, in cases where the Prime rite tool is not compatible with your faucet, soaking your filter elements is a good option. 

Here’s how to do it:

1. Fill a container with clean water. Use a deep container such as the lower chamber of your Berkey water filter system. The water should be enough to cover the water filter media.
2. Place your black filter elements in it. Keep the filter spout upwards.
3. You can use a clean mug or anything to hold the filter elements down as they tend to float.
4. Immerse the filter elements for at least 8 hours.
5. Remove the mug and notice if the filter elements still float. If they do, it means they are not yet primed. Otherwise, priming is complete and you can now install them in your Berkey filter system.

Why You Need to Prime Berkey Filters

Upon receiving your new Berkey fluoride filters, you might notice how lightweight the filter elements are. They are dry from the factory and those micropores could act as air pockets trapping air in them. 

Those micropores could also accumulate manufacturing particulates. When air and debris are not released, they clog those fine pores, thus slowing down your Berkey’s water filter flow rate. Or worse, you might not get any filtered water at all due to complete blockage. 

Priming your Berkey purification elements saturates all those micropores with water, thus pushing air and debris trapped in them. The same applies to stored bone-dried water filter elements.

Also, the media inside each filter element is very dense and has a lot of surface tension. As a result, water cannot penetrate those micropores during the first use. Saturating the filter media with water eases this surface tension.

Points to Remember When Priming Your Black Berkey Element

When it comes to your Black Berkey purification Elements, proper priming is key. Doing so will ensure that your purification elements are functioning at their optimal performance level. Here are some key points to keep in mind when priming your Black Berkey purification elements:

1. Always use clean source water when priming your filter elements to avoid contamination. You can use distilled or previously filtered water.
2. Never use hot water to avoid damaging the filter element in the long run.
3. Use a gentle stream of water from your tap when using Berkey priming tools such as the Prime Rite tool and priming button. Using more pressure than required could damage the filter elements.
4. When soaking your filter elements, do not submerge the filter spout to allow trapped air to escape.

How to Make Sure You Primed the Black Berkey Elements Properly?

Observe the flow rate of your Berkey water filter system. On average, a set of  Berkey fluoride filter elements can filter a gallon of water in an hour. Adding another set of black filter elements cuts the time in half. 

However, one has to consider the quality of the source water as well. Water from ponds or lakes may take much longer to filter compared to pre-filtered source water.  

Final Note

Priming Berkey filter elements is a necessary process to prepare your filter system for its job. Failure to do may result in poor filtration and even compromise your Berkey filter system. By removing the air and debris trapped inside the micropores of the filter element, you are allowing water to flow inside those tiny pores freely thus preparing them before the first use.