Recommend a water filter

I've been happy with carbon block for my brewing water. It's not an under-sink mounted system, so I cannot comment on that. I would recommend carbon block, and I specifically use DuPont filters.

 

I bought my water filter at home depot. I have been happy with the results.

 

Consider RO water at a grocery store for $.30 a gallon. It's easy to build up a water profile. Not as easy to filter out a water profile. That's where I'm at with it, anyway.

 

If all you need is chlorine removal then carbon is the way to go. If you are just using the filtered water for brewing it doesn't matter too much what you install, so long as it is carbon,

Some things that differentiate one carbon filter from another.

• Weight. Big box filters are pathetic. There is little carbon in there. Pick up a pleated paper filter and compare it to the carbon filter, virtually the same.
• Size. Standard is about 9" x 2" but there is also 9" x 4", 20" x 2 and 20" x 4", with the price to match. 9"x2" size is sold everywhere.
• Carbon block or granular activated carbon. GAC is usually preferred, it is one dense block of carbon and offers better filtration usually, and a longer life. However, if you have chloramine go with GAC.
• Carbon for chlorine specifically. The filters sold for retail are typically made so that they can claim all of the VOCs they adsorb. Few people if any have those problems. Look for a virgin coconut shell carbon if possible.

My preferred vendor has been www.ohiopurewater.com for years.

That should be enough, if you have any questions feel free to ask.
Cheers.

 

Camden tablets will take care of chlorine. My city used chlorine for the longest time but switched to chloromine. If I had been using Camden tablets I would not have three band aid beers right now.

 

flow rate is about residence time, the length of time the water is in contact with the carbon. don't sweat it. in practice you would not be blasting the flow from the faucet. higher quality, greater capacity filters will have a higher flow rate listed, so it can be used for comparison. more or less. 1 gpm is a decent flow rate. ​

smaller micron is tighter and will clog faster but again don't worry about that too much. you should consider a sediment pre filter. the pre filter is cheap and will preserve your expensive carbon filter from being plugged with sediment. carbon is not meant to block sediment. again, if you aren't using it frequently it isn't a big deal. but if you are using the filtered water all the time the sediment filter at maybe 20 micron will keep your carbon from being plugged up with dirt. the amount of junk that can be removed from utility water is surprising. you should decide how much effort and money you are willing to invest. for whole house filtration, showers, clothes washing included, then you definitely want good sediment filtration. for just occasional water use at the kitchen sink it is probably more hassle than needed.

there are also 2 in one carbon filters that incorporate a bit of sediment filtration wrapped around the carbon.
Cheers.

 

This one hooks up with garden hose connections and flows like a boss.

http://www.watersentinelfilters.com/products/homecare/wsrv12.html

It produces very good tasting water. You'll want to remove more than chlorine. Water soluble heavy metals such as iron, lead, etc. are detrimental to beer. This will remove them. Your regular brewing minerals won't be removed.

You could install it under your sink, but why bother? Fill a few jugs with drinking water. Fill buckets with brewing water as needed.

 

This is probably a fine filter for removal of all the things you mention. There is a very important caveat though. Anyone on a municipal supply, that is anyone with chlorine, does not have to worry about the removal of metals or anything else. Volatiles, semi volatiles, viruses and everything else. Utility water is regulated, treated and safe across the country. Modern miracle really. There may be some concern with lead leaching into standing water within household pipes but that is a separate issue from brewing. Lead is a health concern that goes well beyond the casual installation of a $40 filter.

What I am saying is don't believe the marketing.
Cheers.

 

What part of their marketing is untrue according to you? It obviously isn't intended to remove Flint levels of lead.

My city water flows through 10 miles of 80 year old pipes. It tastes like metal. It tastes excellent after filtering.

 

I didn't say it is untrue. I said you don't need it.
What metals do you need to have removed from your water? How do you know? Have you had pre and post filter samples collected? Do you have a problem with metals in your water? Benzene? Cryptospordium? Is there any single component of the water being supplied to you that exceeds the EPA or State regulated standards for health or aesthetic reasons?

If you like the quality of your filtered water that is great, but you don't know anything about the treatment needs of anyone else's water. The overwhelming odds are that chlorine removal is the only requirement for brewing with municipal water. And we aren't discussing building a water profile here either, which involves a lot more than carbon treatment.

Cheers.

Edit- Actually, removal of Flint levels of lead is something any good carbon system can do. The filter you selected is a very good choice for that situation. It is small not intended for whole house use, but it will deal with the lead issue quite well. Two in series will do it. Plan to change frequently.

 

You said I don't need it, but you don't know my water. In other words, you don't know what I need or want. Yes, I've had pre and post filter water tested. It turns out, the filter actually does reduce metals I don't want in my beer or drinking water.

Have you ever tasted a beer and thought, hmmm, this beer needs more iron? Of course not. Even trace amounts aren't doing beer any favors, so it's prudent to remove it.

 

I'm not the one telling people that because they are using a certain filter it will work well for them. I don't know your water. Why are you telling anyone how to fix their water? We are talking about chlorine removal.

You are making assumptions. No, iron is not good for brewing. Have you tasted everyone's water or their beer? So why the hell are you telling people to get a filter for iron removal? Why are you insisting that anyone other than you needs a filter to remove iron, or any compound, that aren't even present? Dig in all you want. It's other peoples money.

Cheers.

 

Because this filter isn't significantly more expensive than a filter that doesn't reduce metals and no one needs iron, etc. in their beer. Pretty simple.

That's not an assumption. It's a FACT !! Show me a city water report that contains zero iron. Good luck with that.

If all you want to remove is chlorine, why bother with a filter at all?

 

I use RO for drinking, homebrewing and the refrigerator. My water is well water w/ iron, manganese and other stuff. The RO produced water tastes great. I use iSpring's filter.
I'm not sure I'd have one if I had town water but after getting used to non-chlorinated water, I find town water has a nasty chlorine taste( and smell) to it.

The best time to install RO when you do a kitchen remodel. You need to drill a large hole (1" or so) for the tap. Easy enough with a stainless sink if you have the drill bit but if you have an under mount enamel sink with a nice granite countertop it's not for the timid do-it-yourselfer.