| Product: |
Brita Water Filter |
| Date: |
08/06/05 (2550 review reads) |
| Rating: |
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Advantages: Simple filtration, Inexpensive, Looks good
Disadvantages: Have to check that the lid is secure.
On the whole I am satisfied with the quality of water which flows through my taps. It is clear, clean and tastes ok, although occasionally smelling of chlorine while leaving scale behind in both kettle and iron. However the annual suggestion that we avoid topping up our garden ponds during the summer, as the water company doses its product with chemicals, makes one wonder. It comes to mind that if the H2O supplied to our homes is hazardous to pondlife, what is it doing to us? I am being a little facetious, but it was this thought which edged me towards buying a Brita Water Filter. Also, although in my opinion the modern civilised world errs too much on the side of caution at times thus reducing immunity, the stuff of life should be as pure as possible.
I was surprised at the choice of Brita models - ranging in size and shape from small fridge shelf convenience to large countertop chic, priced from £12.95 to £39.95 - and decided on the best known jug, which fits the fridge door and costs £17 something from tesco.com. Carrying 1.6 litres of filtered water (2.6 in all) the Brita Fjord is an elegant 9.8cm wide which means nothing to me at all. Checking I find this weighs in at 4".
Made in Germany means that here we have a clear plastic receptacle which is coolly and practically designed and has a handle which always feels as if it can easily take the weight of the contents. I do have to give an extra tap to the lid, though, to make sure it has slotted in. For this a star was removed. The lid extends to a hinged flap which covers the spout and pouring, whether a dribble into my scotch whisky or a lot into the kettle, is accurate and totally non drip.
Altogether this is a product which has only 3 parts (plus lid) and takes moments to put together. A neat rectangular funnel fits snugly within the top of the Brita, into which slots the filter cartridge. Pour water into the funnel but not directly onto the cartridge and watch the sparkling result quickly fill the bottom of the jug. I could not see a maximum line, so filled the funnel again. This leaves water in suspension waiting until the filtered level drops before being treated itself thus meaning that I do not empty the jug too often. A cartridge was supplied with my purchase and is expected to last a month. Further cartridges cost £3.95 each and can be bought in packs of six. Instructions for priming the cartridge and attaching to the funnel are clear.
Here is the time to tell you about the Brita Memo. Built into the lid, this is a device which measures the cartridge use and tells the user when to replace. Memo when activated looks like a bar code with 4 graduations and pressing "Start" brings up 4 bars which cancel out one by one weekly as the month progresses. A flashing dot in a corner of the strip advises you that all is working. The cartridge will filter up to 150 litres of water, but I prefer to trust the memo rather than keep a running total of the amount used.
What does my magic toy actually do? Firstly I must impress that we are talking good British tap water here. If the Water Company, food preparation or medical instructions tell you to boil your water, do so. The Brita will not remove nitrates fluoride or extreme nasties but is intended to reduce limescale, chlorine, various metals and the impurities generally found in our household supply, some of which can often be tasted. I have certainly noticed a recent lack of limescale formerly trapped in the spout of my kettle. A quick taste test for the purposes of this review is inconclusive and I have not noticed any difference in my tea or coffee. My little dog can't tell me whether her water bowl is more inviting, but I feel better about filling it with the filtered stuff and this is really what is is all about when we come down to basics.
Using the Brita has quickly become a habit and I am drinking more water than before, which has to be good. In addition I now have something which costs me considerably less than alternative mineral and spring waters in bottles. The average price of bottled waters is £0.89 per 2 litres against £0.05 for the same quantity of Brita filtered water. * Using these figures, treatment is almost free and by refilling a small bottle I am certainly saved the 50p I pay at the gym. I am told that cut flowers last longer in their vases and indoor plants look happier with a drink of the pure stuff. Maybe it is psychological, but I would miss seeing the clear cool narrow jug set within my fridge door and altogether think it was a good buy.
The cartridges may be recycled by sending them to a Freepost address given in the instruction leaflet or on the website. Not to be forgotten is that the Memo is part of the lid and should have a life of approximately 5 years. For a small charge the manufacturer will forward a replacement.
*Source http://www.brita.com/
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