When we talk about good home brews we mention wine making kits, distiller yeasts and a lot more, but very few of us mention the importance of good, clean water. Good home brew requires the presence of clean water, so that the liquid after the process is clean and pure to drink.
In a Hurry? Here are Our Top Choices
Most home brewers will find themselves in a conundrum when it comes to deciding whether they should incorporate a water filter into their home brewing system. However, one thing that these people need to consider is just how much work a water filter system can do to improve the end results you get out of the process. In this article we mention some of the best water filters for brewing beer, so that you are aware of the devices you should gift yourself this summer if you really are serious about brewing some cold and fascinating beer.
The 5 Best Water Filters for Brewing Beer
Note that while we will be approaching these water filters from a specific home brewing angle, these filters are also capable of giving a ton of other benefits to your entire household. These benefits include better health standards and a lot more. Also note that before you first order a kit, make sure that you test the water at home and know what’s missing. There are different water testing kits available in the market for this kind of work.
1. RCC7 5-Stage Reverse Osmosis Under-Sink Filter
The RCC7 5-Stage Reverse Osmosis Under-Sink Filter is a 5 stage filter that follows the reverse osmosis process. This filter can be installed under the sink to kill up to 99.99 percent of all the germs that are present in the water that you drink.
The filter can extract up to 95 percent of all salt present in the water, making it pleasant and easy to drink for the average adult. The fine carbon filter performs the fine polish at the end to make the water even better.
Pros
- Works quietly without making any noise
- Low maintenance
- Can filter over 75 gallons a day
Cons
- Has a low flow rate
2. MR-1050 Alkaline Countertop Water Filter
Rather than being attached under the sink, this MR-1050 Alkaline Countertop Water Filter conveniently sits on the countertop. The filter can be attached to most faucets inside the kitchen and gives an aesthetic look. The good part about this filter is that it adds minerals back into the water after it has been cleaned.
All of the calcium, magnesium and potassium are added back into the water to balance its pH levels and to make sure that it is less acidic for everyone when it comes to drinking the water.
Pros
- Adds minerals back to the water
- Has durability
- Balances pH level
- Lightweight
- Clear design
Cons
None
3. Brita Tap Water Filter System
This Brita Tap Water Filter System is attached to the faucet and does a brilliant job at reducing up to 60 contaminants that are present in the water that comes to your home. However, this performance is still less than what an average five-stage filter can give.
The filter removes 99 percent of all chlorine, lead, benzene and other contaminants. It can filter over 100 gallons of water. The filter is visible to the naked eye, which is why it isn’t the most aesthetic addition to your kitchen. There is a filter status indicator that can remind you just when you should get the filter replaced.
Pros
- Easy to install
- Easy to replace filter
- Quite inexpensive
Cons
- Only most common contaminants are removed.
4. PUR 11-Cup Ultimate Pitcher
This PUR 11-Cup Ultimate Pitcher is affordable and takes care of all common contaminants including lead. Research states that there is too much lead present in United States tap water, which isn’t good for your health.
This PUR 11-Cup Ultimate Pitcher removes excess lead by killing 99 percent of it. The product comes along with a pitcher, which works on its own to filter water and make it drinkable.
Pros
- Reduces or kills lead
- LED status
- Comfortable to manage
Cons
- The filtering process is slow
- The lid can be loose at times
5. Brita Ultra Max Filtering Dispenser
This Brita Ultra Max Filtering Dispenser is over 14 inches deep and up to five inches wide. The dispenser has the ability to hold over 18 cups of water and can save valuable fridge space from going to waste. The filter change reminder on the machine will let you know when it is time to replace it.
The filter usually lasts well for six months, after which it needs replacement. It surely is a crowd pleaser as it has plenty of good reviews on Amazon and other social media.
Pros
- The dispenser comes with an easy pour spigot
- Slim design
Cons
- Can be a bit difficult to clean
Things to Consider Before Buying the Best Water Filters for Brewing Beer
Fact is that you have plenty of options to choose from when it comes to water filters for brewing beer at home. Being a novice buyer, we don’t expect you to know which options you should overlook and which you should probably opt for. In this section we look at things you should consider before the purchase, so that you are more decisive about what you need and what you don’t.
Removing Contaminants
The very first thing you should consider when buying a water filter for your home is the process that it follows for removing contaminants from water. Some filters happen to remove just 25 contaminants from the water coming inside your home, while other filters are capable of removing almost all 60 contaminants that are guilty of being present in tap water. You ought to know facts related to this contaminant removal process, so that you don’t err later in the process.
Quality of Water Improved
The best water filter for brewing beer won’t just remove the contaminants present in water, but it will also ensure that the general quality of water you get at home is improved. Certain filters available in the market are equipped with re-mineralization techniques where minerals are conveniently added back into your water, after it has been cleaned. Tap water can lose its minerals in the way, which is why adding minerals back into the water can be a helpful procedure. There is a lot more to water than just purifying and cleaning it from impurities. You should also make sure that it tastes good.
Installation Cost and Cost of Operations
The budget you have for installing and then later operating the water filter can also play a significant role in determining whether the filter is right for you or not. The cost of a filter is determined by its filtration rate, the storage capacity of water and the stages it follows for cleaning water. All of these additions can increase the cost of operations and also the cost of installing the filter in your home.
Our Final Thoughts
Having studied some of the best water filters for brewing beer, along with the things you should consider before buying one, we expect you to know the right product to purchase.
