*DIY Water Filter*
I always thought the Berkey type water filters were a good idea, but I really did not want to commit the financial resources to purchase one. I began to look at alternatives. I had seen the DIY one made with 5 gallon buckets but did not like using plastic, even if it was food grade. One day, I was at the local dollar store (DEALS) and spotted some cheaply made and inexpensive stainless steel pots. They were too thin for any serious cooking, but should work well for a water filter. At $10 each, I thought it was worth a try. I checked the length of the Berkey filter and, at around 9", they are too long to work with the pots. But, a ceramic dome filter is available from
http://shop.monolithic.com/products/just-water-ceramic-drip-filter
for $27.50. I bought a filter and spigot. It works great with this application.
First, I removed the handle from one of the lids by flattening it with a pair of pliers and then bending until the handle broke off.
Next, I placed a pot on top of the lid and drilled a hole with a step drill to accommodate the stem of the filter, inserted the filter and rubber washers and hand tightened the nut.
The second pot needed a hole on the side near the bottom to accommodate the spigot. This was drilled as close to the bottom as possible, without letting the spigot touch the counter top.
After installing the spigot and cleaning up everything, we were in business.
The finished product:
Assembled...
Disassembled...
In my application, we have a section of cabinets that are only 12" deep. The filter sits on this counter top with just enough room to fill your glass with water. Using clean water, I scrub the pots and ceramic filter with a scotch brite pad, clean water and no soap.
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