I'm looking for something I can use in several different locations, so I''m interested in a pitcher with a built-in filter, not the type of filter some people attach directly to their sinks.
I thought I found a bargain-- a $20 "Brita 36094 Pitcher" that's actually $17 if you select red rather than the default blue color (as if anyone gives a shit). 2,585 ratings, 4.5 star average. Figured I was good to go.
However, I notice the description said "CLEANER AND GREAT TASTING: The BPA free Brita filter reduces chlorine (taste and odor), copper, mercury, zinc and cadmium impurities found in tap water for cleaner great tasting water. *Substances reduced may not be in all users' water."
Before I even got to the asterisk about "Substances reduced may not be in all users' water," the word "reduces" was a big flag for me. I don't want less lead and chlorine, I want NONE, at least to the extent humanly possible to remove.
There were also reviews that spoke to this problem:
This is the best one I've seen, only $23: LEVOIT Water Filter Pitcher, 10 Cup Large Water Purifier(BPA-Free) with Electronic Filter Indicator, 5-Layer Filtration for Chlorine, Lead, Heavy Metals and Odor, 2-Year Warranty, White, LV110WP.
216 ratings, 4.5 stars, promises it's "5-layer filtration removes chlorine, odors, suspended particles, pesticides, and metals (such as lead, cadmium, mercury, copper, and aluminum), improving the taste of tap water for your whole family."
It seems to check out from the reviews but there are a number of health conscious people on here, so I figured I'd start a thread for myself and others-- What have been your experiences with filtered pitchers? What's the best one on the market?
I thought I found a bargain-- a $20 "Brita 36094 Pitcher" that's actually $17 if you select red rather than the default blue color (as if anyone gives a shit). 2,585 ratings, 4.5 star average. Figured I was good to go.
However, I notice the description said "CLEANER AND GREAT TASTING: The BPA free Brita filter reduces chlorine (taste and odor), copper, mercury, zinc and cadmium impurities found in tap water for cleaner great tasting water. *Substances reduced may not be in all users' water."
Before I even got to the asterisk about "Substances reduced may not be in all users' water," the word "reduces" was a big flag for me. I don't want less lead and chlorine, I want NONE, at least to the extent humanly possible to remove.
There were also reviews that spoke to this problem:
- I measured the TDS (total dissolved solids) after filtering. It remains the same as the unfiltered tap water (~150 ppm). I called the Britta Tech Support and was informed that the product only removes chlorine and certain metals such as copper. Not what I was expecting.
- I've had this filter for exactly a week now. Been having to run tap through it multiple times, for the water to taste clean. But that wasn't a big deal to me.
The real issue is, I just poured a little water to make tea with, looked in my cup, and noticed black flecks in there. Like little specs of dirt. I thought (since it was primarily at the bottom) that it might be coming from my cup (even though I'd just rinsed and wiped it, before pouring the water in). So I poured the same water through the filter again, and wiped the leftover specs from my cup, while it filtered. When I poured it again, I saw the black specs again!... Even after filtering it a 3rd time, I still saw specs. Less than the first time, but still unnerving.
I decided to compare, and see if it's stuff from the unfiltered water, getting through. So I poured a cup of straight tap, and THAT was actually CLEAR. I don't know if during the filtration process, the metals clump together, and THAT'S what I see as specs. But either way, I think it's reasonable to expect whatever it is, to not get through, and for your water to be clear, especially after multiple filtrations. And ESPECIALLY after only a week of using the filter.
This is the best one I've seen, only $23: LEVOIT Water Filter Pitcher, 10 Cup Large Water Purifier(BPA-Free) with Electronic Filter Indicator, 5-Layer Filtration for Chlorine, Lead, Heavy Metals and Odor, 2-Year Warranty, White, LV110WP.
216 ratings, 4.5 stars, promises it's "5-layer filtration removes chlorine, odors, suspended particles, pesticides, and metals (such as lead, cadmium, mercury, copper, and aluminum), improving the taste of tap water for your whole family."
It seems to check out from the reviews but there are a number of health conscious people on here, so I figured I'd start a thread for myself and others-- What have been your experiences with filtered pitchers? What's the best one on the market?
