Berkey Big Berkey - Maintaining Your System

Black Berkey
®
Element Storage
Assembly Verication
*
(Red Food Coloring Test)
This simple test veries that your system has been assembled correct-
ly, and that there are no internal leaks in your system. We recommend
this test be done after the rst assembly of this system, after removal or
replacement of Black Berkey
®
Elements, or the rst use after drying and
storing the elements for an extended period of time. Ensure that you
do not have Berkey PF-2™ Fluoride and Arsenic Reduction Elements
installed in the system when performing this test.
1. Addup to 1/8 teaspoon (10 drops) of the included red food coloring (list-
ed as part “O” on the rst page of these instructions) or articial red food
coloring (such as McCormick’s) for every gallonthat yourBerkey
®
Sys-
tem can hold into the upper chamber.Acceptable red food coloring
ingredients include water, propylene glycol, FD&C Red 40 and FD&C Red
3, and propylparaben. Avoid using food coloring that is not red, or
contains citric acid, sodium benzoate or natural ingredients such
beet juice, turmeric, etc. Using organic food colorings will result in a
false failed test (stating that your system is not sealed correctly).
2. Place cup under spigot and drain water.If dispensed water is clear or
does not have a red or pink hue, this indicates that elements are sealed
and system is assembled correctly.
*
Note: This test is meant to conrm that the system was assembled
as intended.
If water drained from system has a red or pink hue during
the assembly verication test, repeat the procedure again
in this manner to determine the source of the leak:
1. Place the upper system chamber only (with Black Berkey
®
Elements
installed) on top of same-sized cups or jars, each positioned so that
an element can drip water into it. This will help you identify which
blocking plug or element may be leaking.
2. Fill upper chamber with water and red food coloring as directed
above.
3. Allow system to lter water. Check color of water expelled from the
elements. If water is clear, the system is ready to use. If red food
coloring is still present, reinstall element(s) or blocking plug(s) where
leaking occurs and re-run test.
4. If system continues to fail the test, contact our Customer Service
department for assistance.

ü
Table or countertop
Berkey
®
system
upper
chamber
Red or pink-
hued water
Water with
red food
coloring
Clear
water
6
We recommend performing maintenance every 30 days as needed:
Clean the lower chamber and spigot
1. Remove upper chamber (be sure to drain any water and remove optional Berkey PF-2™ Fluoride and Arsenic Reduction Elements, if
attached).
2. With the Black Berkey
®
Elements remaining installed in the upper chamber, place upper chamber upside down or securely on its side
to ensure it will not roll o of your counter or other work surface. Caution: breaking an element’s stem will void its warranty.
3. Clean lower chamber with mild dish soap or a 1:1 mixture of water and vinegar, and rinse thoroughly.
4. Remove spigot and soak it in a 1:1 mixture of clean water and vinegar for 5-10 minutes to help remove any mineral deposits. Rinse
spigot thoroughly.
5. Reattach spigot. Reinstall any optional Berkey PF-2™ Fluoride and Arsenic Reduction Elements to the stems of the system’s Black
Berkey
®
Elements. With elements in place, carefully place upper chamber onto lower chamber.
Maintaining Your System
Cups or jars
(same size)