Berkey Big Berkey User manual

Tools you’ll need: standard screwdriver (not included). We recommend setting up your system on a countertop or other waterproof surface.
• Wash your hands, stainless steel chambers and spigot before assembly to reduce the chances of contaminating the system's components.
• Be sure to keep all parts and original packaging in the unlikely event that your system needs to be returned to the manufacturer.
(A) Upper System
Chamber
(B) Lower System Chamber
with rubber ring attached
(G) Standard
Spigot
(H) Spigot Hex Nut
or Wing Nut
(style may vary)
(C) System
Lid
(I) Spigot Flat
Washer (x2)
(E) Knob Screw
Failure to read, thoroughly understand, and follow all instructions may result in injury, water damage, or voiding of the warranty! It is the assembler’s responsibility to make sure all
components are properly assembled and installed using the instructions provided. While your Berkey
®
System should not have any leaking problems, there is always the chance that
a leak might occur due to being improperly assembled or perhaps a faulty part. In an overabundance of caution, we recommend that for the rst 24 hours the lled system be placed
in an area wherein if such a leak were to occur, the resulting spillage would not damage anything.
Knob
screw (E)
4. Install Vapor Lock Clip
Climate, elevation and other factors can
create a tighter t, preventing air ow
between chambers, which slows down or
prevents water ow (a natural phenom-
enon known as vapor lock). To prevent
vapor lock, create air ow by placing clip
on edge of lower chamber, making sure
that the long portion of the airlock clip is
hanging inside of the lower chamber.
Note: All systems may not include a vapor lock
clip. If you experience vapor lock, please contact
our Customer Service department to obtain a clip.
For customers outside the United States, please
contact a local Authorized Berkey
®
Dealer.
(K) Black Berkey
®
Elements (quantity varies by system)
(D) Small Metal
Washer
(J) Vapor Clip (optional)
System Parts List
Berkey®Stainless Steel System Spigot
1. Attach Knob to Lid
Fit knob onto lid by inserting the knob screw up through the
washer into hole in the underside of lid, then screw on the knob.
System lid (C)
Small metal
washer (D)
Hex
nut (H)
2. Assemble Spigot
To assure a proper seal, place one washer on stem of spigot. Insert
spigot into system and turn spigot counterclockwise to the 9 o’clock
position. Then, place the other washer on stem inside of the system,
then the nut, and hand-turn nut until it is tight while holding spigot
at the 9 o’clock position. Then, hold nut in place and rotate spigot
clockwise until spigot is upright.
Washer
(I)
Washer (I)
Black Berkey®Elements
Standard
spigot (G)
Berkey
®
System
lower chamber wall
(F) Knob
Parts shown for illustration
only and are not to scale.
Lid knob
(F)
System Assembly
Berkey
®
System
lower chamber
(B)
(K)
1. Loosen wing nut (O) on Black
Berkey
®
Element (K) stem
until the top of wing nut (O)
reaches the top of stem’s
threads (about 1/8" from top
end of stem).
3. Place the
threaded stem
of element
between
ngers,
and press tan
priming button
up against
faucet.
4. Slowly turn on cold
water (gradually
increasing water
pressure) while
holding element
and tan priming
button rmly
against faucet
to create a seal,
allowing water to
saturate element.
5. As water pushes air out of element,
allow element to sweat beads of
water for 1 minute. Water may be
discolored at rst, as excess media
exits element. Continue running
water until it runs clear, and the
entire element appears to
be saturated.
2. Place tan priming
button (M) on top of
wing nut. Top of tan
priming button should
be slightly higher than
the top of the stem. Tip: Your Black Berkey
®
Elements will be wet after priming them—we recommend placing
your elements in a clean bowl or sink while assembling the rest of your system.
1/8"
Element is now primed and ready
for installation. Repeat steps 1-5
for remaining elements.
(O) (O)
(M)
(K)
(K) (K)
(K) (K)
3. Insert Blocking Plugs
Use blocking plugs to ll remaining open holes in the upper chamber where you will not be installing
Black Berkey
®
Elements. For push-in blocking plugs, simply press plugs into holes from inside the
upper chamber (smaller end rst). For screw-type blocking plugs, place one washer on threaded stem,
and insert plug (stem) through one of the holes inside the system’s upper chamber. Place other washer
on the threaded stem outside of system, then the nut. Hold plug securely with one hand inside system,
and hand-turn nut on outside of system until snug. Do not over-tighten. Repeat for remaining plugs.
Berkey
®
System upper chamber (A)
(inside chamber)
or
Blocking
plugs (L)
Instructions for Big Berkey®, Crown Berkey™,
Imperial Berkey®, Royal Berkey®and
Travel Berkey®water ltration systems
Priming Method 1: Using the Included Prime Rite™ Universal Primer
(P)
5. Allow element to sweat
beads of water for 1 minute.
Water may be discolored at
rst, as excess media exits
element. Continue running
water until it runs clear, and
the entire element appears
to be saturated.
Element is now primed
and ready for installation.
Repeat steps 1-5 for
remaining elements.
3. Keep one hand on element
and use other hand to slowly
turn on faucet. Use only cold
water. Do not allow element
to dangle unsecured.
4. Gradually increase water
pressure until a moderate
ow is reached. If primer
inates like a bulb,
immediately reduce
water pressure.
1. Attach blue Prime Rite™
Universal Primer (P) to
faucet, with end of primer
pulled up as close to
end of faucet’s spout as
possible.
2. Hold Black Berkey
®
Element (K) in one
hand, and gently push
element’s stem into
primer.
(A)
5. Prime the Black Berkey®Elements
Priming uses water to displace air out of the elements’ pores, ensuring that water can ow freely. Elements will not operate properly if they are not primed.
We recommend setting up your system on a countertop or other waterproof surface. If process dust is present, wipe it o with a Scotch-Brite
®
pad under cold running water.
Priming Method 2: Traditional Method Using Tan Priming Button
We strongly recommend using the Berkey Primer™ (sold separately), a handheld priming pump that makes the elements easy to prime without the need for faucets or hose
connections. Berkey Primers™ are available from Authorized Berkey®Dealers worldwide.
Black Berkey®Elements may also be primed using a bottle of ltered water. Have one person hold the element, with the priming button attached and facing upward. Have a second
person press the mouth of the bottled water against the priming button and squeeze until water is forced through entire exterior wall of element and it begins to sweat beads of water.
Priming Method 3: Without Pressurized Faucet / Alternative Priming Options
Assembly Instructions - Stainless - V4 2023 © Copyright 2002-2023 - New Millennium Concepts, Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
(P) (P)
(L) Blocking
Plugs
(style and
quantity varies
by system)
(O) Wing Nut
(1 per
element)
(P) Prime
Rite™
Universal
Primer
(N) Sealing
Washer
(1 per element)
Tip: Your Black Berkey
®
Elements will be wet after priming them. We recommend placing your primed elements in a clean bowl
or sink while priming and installing your other remaining Black Berkey
®
Elements.
The Prime Rite™
Universal Primer (P)
ts both smaller
and larger water
faucet styles.
May not be included
with all systems.
(M) Tan
Priming
Button
(K)
Illustration of
assembled
system
Vapor lock
clip (J)
Screw-type
blocking plug
assembly
Washer
Washer
Nut
Stem

Assembly Verication*(Red Food Coloring Test)
This simple test veries that your system has been assembled correctly, 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 articial red food coloring (must be red)for every gallonthat yourBerkey
®
System can hold into the upper chamber.We recommend
McCormick’s red food coloring or any articial food coloring.Acceptable food color 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 a cup under spigot and drain water.If dispensed water does not have a red or pink hue, this indicates that the elements are sealed and system has been assembled correctly.
*Note: This test is meant to conrm that the system was assembled as intended.
• Avoid placing your system in direct sunlight or near a heat source such as a
stove, indoor heater, etc. Excessive heat can create conditions that facilitate
microbiological growth inside the upper chamber.
• When lower chamber is partially lled, be cautious not to overll upper
chamber, as this could cause lower chamber to overow.
For example: if the lower chamber is 1/3 full, the upper chamber can be relled by 2/3.
If the lower chamber is 1/2 full, the upper chamber can be relled by 1/2, etc.
• Never allow wet Black Berkey
®
Elements to freeze—exposure to freezing
temperatures can expand the water into ice, which may damage the elements and
cause them to crack or break. Allowing elements to freeze will void your warranty.
6. Install Primed Black Berkey®Elements In Your System
1. Remove wing nut from threaded stem while leaving sealing washer on Black Berkey
®
Element.
2. Place threaded stem, with sealing washer attached, into the hole in the interior base of your
system’s upper chamber.
3. Secure element in the base of the chamber by screwing wing nut onto threaded mount un-
til hand-tight. Caution: hand tighten only. Over-tightening wing nut can strip the nut’s
threads, which could cause the system to leak. Repeat these 3 steps
for remaining elements.
4. With elements in place, carefully place upper chamber onto lower chamber. Your system is now
assembled and ready to use.
Use of softened water or salt water can clog the lter’s pores and will void your warranty.
Avoid placing your system in direct sunlight or near a heat source such as a stove, indoor heater, etc.
1. Fill upper chamber with cold or room temperature water. DO NOT use hot or boiling water.
2. Place lid on system. Allow water to lter into lower chamber.
3. Open the spigot to completely empty the lower chamber, and discard water. If water is slightly discolored
due to any remaining particulate, do not be concerned—simply repeat steps 1-3 in this section as many
times as needed until dispensed water is clear.
4. Your system is now ready to use. Rell upper chamber with water.
If you are going to be leaving the system unattended for 4-15 days and want to
reduce the necessity of re-priming the elements, remove the elements from your
system and place them in a sealable plastic bag (gallon-size or larger) while elements
are still damp (this allows the elements to stay wet, making priming unnecessary).
Then, place the elements in your refrigerator where they will not freeze. When ready,
thoroughly rinse elements under cold water, then reinstall them in your system.
For longer-term storage, we recommend completely drying the elements rst.
Ensure they are bone-dry (zero moisture) before storing them long-term. Shake
excess water from elements, then air-dry by leaving them on a windowsill or other
sunny location for 1-3 days until completely dry.
Once elements are bone-dry (zero moisture), store them in a sealable plastic bag
(gallon-size or larger)—this prevents elements from absorbing odors. When you are
ready to re-use your elements, clean them by scrubbing the outside with a sti brush
or a Scotch-Brite
®
pad under cold running water. Then re-prime the elements before
putting them back in your system.
Alternatively, you can use a Berkey Primer™ (sold separately) which assists in both
priming and purging. Purging speeds up the drying process by pushing water out
of the element before you place them in the sun or air dry to complete the process.
Note: when purging, valves on the Berkey Primer™ must be reversed.
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.
Using Your System
Precautions
Black Berkey®Element Storage
Maintaining Your System
Berkey
®
System
upper
chamber
(A) Wing
nut
(O)
Sealing
washer
(N)
Black Berkey
®
Element (K)
System Troubleshooting
After prolonged use, ow rate may decrease signicantly. To improve ow rate:
1. Slow ow rate could be caused by vapor lock. Insert vapor lock clip, if supplied. See page 1, assembly step #4.
2. Carefully remove the elements from the upper chamber and gently scrub them with a sti brush or Scotch-Brite
®
pad under cold running water (never apply soap or other
cleaning agents to your Black Berkey
®
Elements). Re-prime elements, and reinstall them inside the upper chamber.
3. Place upper chamber back onto lower chamber, then perform the Assembly Verication process (Red Food Coloring Test). Your system is ready to use.
Notes:
• It may take up to 15 minutes for elements to begin dripping
water from the upper chamber into the lower chamber.
• Maximum ow rate will be achieved after the initial 12-24
hours of use as micro air pockets within the elements
are replaced with water.
• It is normal to have a few inches of water left in the upper
chamber when using the system, as it is gravity fed and the
water cannot process through the bottom of the element.
Cups or jars
(same size)
Table or countertop
Berkey®
system
upper
chamber

ü
New Millennium Concepts, Ltd. Limited Warranty
New Millennium Concepts, Ltd. warrants their product against defects in materials or workmanship during ordinary consumer use. This Limited Warranty does not cover product issues
caused by any other reason, for the time periods and conditions set forth below when purchased directly from an Authorized Berkey®Dealer. New Millennium Concepts, Ltd. shall not
be held liable for incidental or consequential damage to personal property from, but not limited to, a defective unit, improper use, abuse, accident, or neglect, etc. It is the customer’s
responsibility to prevent misuse of the system and to replace parts, when, due to the natural course of wear and tear, they must be replaced. To obtain warranty service, you must
provide a dated receipt for the product and may be responsible to pay for any shipping charges incurred to return the product to New Millennium Concepts, Ltd. when required.
This warranty will not apply to units which have been used for purposes not intended, which have been altered so as, in the manufacturer’s judgment, to adversely aect its per-
formance. This warranty is for the original retail purchaser only, and cannot be transferred. For a period not to exceed the specied warranty coverage from the date of receipt of
the product by the original purchaser on the original invoice, New Millennium Concepts, Ltd. will, solely at its discretion, replace said product or component that New Millennium
Concepts, Ltd. deems is not functioning properly during the stated warranty period. The laws of the state of Texas, USA will govern any disputes regarding this warranty or claim
made. This warranty, which is given expressly in lieu of all warranties, expressed or implied, or merchantability and tness for a particular purpose, constitutes the only warran-
ty made by New Millennium Concepts, Ltd. This warranty applies only to products manufactured or exclusively distributed by New Millennium Concepts, Ltd. and its Authorized
Berkey®Dealers, and does not apply to extended warranties oered by some Authorized Berkey®Dealers. Berkey®System Housing: Berkey®System upper and lower cham-
bers including lids, excluding orders for factory-blemished systems, are covered under a one-year warranty. The warranty period begins from the date of receipt of the product
by the original purchaser on the original invoice. Black Berkey®Elements: Black Berkey®Elements are covered under a two year limited prorated warranty, calculated in six-
month intervals. Warranty period begins from the date of receipt of the product by the original purchaser on the original invoice. Included spigot and accessories that are sold
separately are covered under a six-month warranty. The warranty period begins from the date of receipt of the product by the original purchaser on the original invoice.
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 the color of
water expelled from the elements. If water color
is clear, your system is ready to use. If red dye is
still present, reinstall the 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.
Clear
water
Red or pink-
hued water
Water with
red food
coloring
Assembly Instructions - Stainless - V4 2023 © Copyright 2002-2023 - New Millennium Concepts, Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
Prime Rite™ is a third-party trademark and Berkey®makes no claim to ownership of such trademark.
Questions About Using or Assembling Your Berkey®System?
Phone: [phone] Monday - Friday 9AM - 5PM CST
Holiday hours may vary.