water filter, Need help deciding.

[Spambot 1]

This was spam- but good info here on TDS, RO and filtering so leaving this here for that information.

 

[Yooper]

None of those.

Brewing water is not simply filtered water especially if it 'sometimes tastes bad". You need a complete water report.

Now, this post seems extremely spammy and not brewing related, but I'll give you the benefit of the doubt. For a minute.

 

[Dave Y]

Agree with @Yooper, get a water report.

I got a reverse osmosis system from Buckey Hydro - because I saw a lot of brewers sing their praises for their helpfulness. I echo that sentiment.
Set me back about $200 all in but I can filter the water directly into my brew kettle, rather than transfer from my fridge to a gallon container, to the brew kettle, which was a PITA. I have good water as it stands. Very good actually, but R/O removes any ambiguity and establishes a “known” to start from.

The downside is you need some chemicals sometimes to get an optimal mash. Typical fridge filters are carbon and remove some impurities, but not all.

 

[Bigbre04]

I have made beer just using a basic trap/carbon filter setup on city water in Savannah. get a basic whole house if you can swing it. If you want a cheaper route, you can find basic filter housings on amazon for not too much money. A particulate and a carbon filter are probably sufficient. I would get the filter sorted out and then get a water report.

IMO RO is a waste as long as you arent on some nasty swampy well water.

 

[Dave Y]

I have made beer just using a basic trap/carbon filter setup on city water in Savannah. get a basic whole house if you can swing it. If you want a cheaper route, you can find basic filter housings on amazon for not too much money. A particulate and a carbon filter are probably sufficient. I would get the filter sorted out and then get a water report.

IMO RO is a waste as long as you arent on some nasty swampy well water.

;-)
Yeah, I was going for garage located water and by the time I got all the connectors, etc. it was the same cost as RO. I just don’t like the manual filling of the kettle. This I can set and leave and the water shuts off when the float closes. Easy PEASEY!

You’re right though, if the water coming in is good enough and not too many contaminants, carbon filter would work.

 

[Semper Sitientum]

A year ago when I moved into my new workshop, I went with this set up - RV water filter and potable water hose. Yes, it’s just a carbon filter and I connect it to a spigot. I let it flow slowly. Got it tested and work from there.

 

[Minbari]

I bought this.

https://a.co/d/dwfatQP

Takes your water TDS down to about 3. Has nothing in it, completely tasteless! You will have to add in all your brewing salts, but gives you a nice clean slate to start with

 

[Semper Sitientum]

I bought this.

https://a.co/d/dwfatQP

Takes your water TDS down to about 3. Has nothing in it, completely tasteless! You will have to add in all your brewing salts, but gives you a nice clean slate to start with

I know nothing about RO systems but read that they are wasteful in the sense that the flushed waste water is as much as the RO water generated? Is that accurate?

 

[Minbari]

I know nothing about RO systems but read that they are wasteful in the sense that the flushed waste water is as much as the RO water generated? Is that accurate?

Absolutely true.

You can reduce that with a permeant pump. But waste water is part of how it works. It has to continuously flush the RO membrane or it doesn't work

 

[jschein]

I know nothing about RO systems but read that they are wasteful in the sense that the flushed waste water is as much as the RO water generated? Is that accurate?

Between 3 to 4 gallons of waste for each gallon of RO water produced. Each system will tell you how much is wasted

 

[Craigerrr]

RO water + BOT = ROBOT yes?

 

[Minbari]

Between 3 to 4 gallons of waste for each gallon of RO water produced. Each system will tell you how much is wasted

What system wastes that much? Mine is 50%. So 1/2 gallon per gallon produced

 

[jschein]

From Apex, they sell at home depot

 

[Bigbre04]

Commercial ones are wasteful as hell. I have only seen one brewery actually using one on the large scale. They had no idea what they were doing and only survived for about 3 years.

 

[Yooper]

What system wastes that much? Mine is 50%. So 1/2 gallon per gallon produced

It depends on what the original water is. I waste a LOT- I fill my washing machine, fish pond, etc, and still have a lot to drain. I do small batches now, starting with 7.5-8 gallons of RO water now, and probably toss 30 gallons. Very wasteful for sure.

I now could probably go with 5 gallons of RO and 2.5 gallons of my tap water, and add more acid to drop the alkalinity, but that doesn't really save much time and screws up my pH prediction calculations so right now I'm accepting it, but I'm brewing those smaller batches and left often than I used to.