scale - WHAT - scale? (Brita Water Filter)

Member Name: David A. Brett

Product:	Brita Water Filter
Date:	15/10/01 (297 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: reduces lime scale, removes impurities

Disadvantages: cartridge cost

Brita water filter systems are almost an essential item for every household these days. But first let me tell you a little about the company and its products etc.

The company

Heinz Hankammer founded the company in Germany in 1966. It’s head quarters remain in Taunusstein Germany, though it’s now an international company, and still family owned! The company makes water filter systems in Germany (of course), England, Switzerland, and India. The products of the company are sold in over 76 countries worldwide, and they employ 720 staff.

The products

Brita offer water filtration systems, in a range of styles. The Atlantis is capable of holding some 2.2litres of filtered water, though you probably need a large fridge for this one. The Fjord (the one I have) will fit snugly into the fridge door (for those of us with small fridges); the Fjord is capable of holding 1.6 litres. The Aluna will hold 1.9 litres, and the cool 1.3 litres, though they Aluna will not fit in your fridge door, as it is more round in shape.

The cartridges and memo timer

Brita recommend (what else?) that you only use their cartridges, though there are others on the market, which are a bit cheaper in some cases. Most systems now have a Brita ‘memo’! Basically this is a little device, which is on top of the lid, and when you press the start button – it will duly count down the weeks until you need to replace the cartridge. Normally a cartridge will last about a month, and each week a section of your ‘memo’ will disappear.

Prices

A typical Brita water filter will set you back around £18 - £20. The cartridges can be picked up for around £14 for four. Currently Argos has an offer where you get four cartridges and a water filter for £29.99, which could save you around £3 to £5. The systems are guarantees for thirty days to ensure you are entirely happy, and then covered by a further two ye
ar general guarantee.

How do they work?

Each filter has two active components: activated carbon and ion exchange resin. These work to filter out the impurities in your water and reduce hardness. The Carbon reduces levels of chlorine and chlorine compounds, pesticides, colour etc. This makes your water clearer and tastier. Next, the ion exchange resin works by reducing the hardness in your water, which in itself can save on de-scaling your kettle.

Do they work?

In a nutshell yes they do. We have a fjord system, which as stated fits nicely into our fridge door. We have extreme hard water here in Suffolk, and we are permanently de-scaling our kettle and shower (at least once a week). Now we are using the water from the water filter we haven’t de-scaled our kettle once! It really has kept it free from scale. As for the taste, what beats a nice glass of ice-cold water from the fridge on sunny day? Water in my opinion tastes like water, whether from a bottle, tap, or in this case jug. Simply put we wouldn’t be without the filter now, if only for the fact it substantially reduces the lime scale, but the fact that it filters out all the other impurities is an added benefit!

Now several months on, the water filter has saved us a small packet on the de-scale liquid, not to mention time. It doesn’t totally eliminate the problem, but it DOES greatly reduce it! Worth the initial outlay, and cartridge costs!

Cartridges and Jugs are available from Boot's, Argos, Sainsbury's and most major stores (and some local)

Thanks for reading - Dave

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