dumb question re: Britta filters

[ewatkins]

We bought a Britta water pitcher with filter at the end of the summer. I replaced the filter and now I'm not sure how it is supposed to work. How long does the water take to get thru the filter? The first time, when we refilled the water, it just ran right thru the filter down to the bottom of the pitcher. Now, it takes a while to get to the bottom. Is the second method correct? Maybe I had the filter in wrong the first time (fast filling)? TIA.

[gertdog]

It should take a while for the water to run through. It sounds like maybe the first filter wasn't tightly in place. If you look at the filter and the pitcher, the filter has a deep groove along one side, and the slot in the pitcher has a corresponding ridge. The filter should be inserted so the groove and ridge line up; the lip around the top edge of the filter should be flush with the top of the filter slot.

Another reason the water might run through the filter quickly is if the filter wasn't soaked before inserting, or if the filter is allowed to dry out. The instructions for my (5-year-old) Brita pitcher say that the bottom of the filter should always be in contact with water. Otherwise the charcoal material in the filter dries up, which would allow the water to run through pretty quickly. But it sounds like your water ran through quickly every time, so it was probably the first problem and not the second.

[VegasDramaQueen]

Gertdog's advice is right on. You have to pre-soak the filter for about 15 minutes before you use it for the first time other wise the water will run through it. If you turn the white hopper upside down when you're putting the filter in, you will notice grooves need to line up with the screen on the filter (the white crossbars that is.) The filter needs to poke through the holes so it will work properly. Just keep pushing lightly and turning til the filter pops through. Be sure to change the filter after about 40 uses or you'll be introducing bacteria into your water. And NEVER touch the filter or you will contaminate it. Handle it with the paper that it comes wrapped in.