Reliable, Everyday Water Filtration
The Big Berkey® System is a popular freestanding water filtration system with a 2.25-gallon capacity — ideal for small to medium households. This gravity-fed unit works without electricity or plumbing and features a durable stainless steel design that looks great on any countertop.
Cost-Effective and Convenient
Included are two Black Berkey® Filtration Elements, designed to reduce a broad range of potential contaminants that may be present in treated tap water, such as certain heavy metals, chlorine, VOCs, and other common substances. Each pair of filters lasts for up to 6,000 gallons under normal usage — offering clean, great-tasting water at less than 2 cents per gallon.
Customizable and Easy to Maintain
The system can be expanded with up to four Black Berkey® Elements to increase flow rate. Optional PF-2™ Fluoride and Arsenic Reduction Elements are also available to further enhance your filtration setup.
Made by Berkey, Trusted Worldwide
Constructed from high-grade stainless steel, the Big Berkey is known for its quality, longevity, and ease of use making it a favourite for everyday water filtration needs in homes and offices.
**Not available for sale to residents of California and Iowa. *Not recommended for use with softened water as softened water may reduce the filter element’s lifespan.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is included with the Big Berkey BK4X2-BB Water Filter System?
The Big Berkey BK4X2-BB system includes a 2.25-gallon stainless steel upper and lower chamber, two Black Berkey purification elements (expandable up to four), a spigot, rubber base gasket, and priming button for element conditioning. This gravity-fed system requires no electricity or plumbing, making it ideal for home use, travel, or emergency preparedness situations.
How long do the Black Berkey elements in the BK4X2-BB last?
Each pair of Black Berkey purification elements in the Big Berkey BK4X2-BB has an impressive lifespan of up to 6,000 gallons (3,000 gallons per element), which typically equates to several years of use for an average family. If you expand the system to four elements, the total capacity doubles to 12,000 gallons before replacement is needed.
What contaminants does the Big Berkey BK4X2-BB remove?
The Black Berkey elements in the BK4X2-BB are tested to reduce over 200+ contaminants, including pathogenic bacteria (>99.9999%), viruses (>99.999%), heavy metals like lead and mercury, chlorine, chloramines, trihalomethanes (THMs), pharmaceuticals, pesticides, herbicides, petroleum products, and fluoride (when paired with optional PF-2 fluoride filters). Performance has been verified through independent third-party laboratory testing.
What is the flow rate and capacity of the Big Berkey BK4X2-BB?
The Big Berkey BK4X2-BB holds 2.25 gallons of purified water in its lower chamber and produces approximately 3.5 gallons per hour with two Black Berkey elements installed. Upgrading to four elements increases the flow rate to around 7 gallons per hour, making it suitable for families of 1–4 people with standard configuration.
Does the Big Berkey BK4X2-BB require priming before first use?
Yes, the Black Berkey elements must be primed before initial use to remove trapped air from the micro-pores and activate the filtration media. Use the included priming button and a standard faucet to saturate each element for about 30 seconds. Proper priming ensures optimal flow rate and purification performance throughout the life of your Big Berkey BK4X2-BB system.
