Berkey Water Level Spigot – Why You Need The Sight Glass – How To Install
I have a Royal Berkey Water Filter. I bought a water level spigot accessory. Not right away, but after using the system for awhile.
Do you want to know why I bought the sight glass spigot and why you should too? (assuming you already have a Berkey, or are thinking about it…)
CONVENIENCE!
If you don’t have a see-though ‘sight glass’ level spigot, there’s only one way to know how much water is in there. You can’t see though stainless steel!
You need to lift and raise the upper reservoir and look down inside the bottom reservoir.
It’s not a big deal. However it can be… especially if there’s water in the upper reservoir that’s still gravity-filtering through the elements (water is kinda heavy).
A hand on each side of the upper reservoir, securely holding and lifting. Guess what happens on a nice shiny stainless steel exterior? Hand prints! Can’t have that, right? So out comes the cloth to clean it.
But here’s another (more important) reason why you want the Berkey water level spigot… Ask me how I know…
Guess what happens when you over-estimate and add too much water to the upper reservoir? You’re going to get water oozing out of the seam between the upper and lower portions. And that’s gonna make a mess!
It’s totally worth it…
It won’t take long and you’re willing to shell out some bucks for the Berkey water level spigot!
Here’s mine:
TIP: To help know how much water to add to your Berkey. First, know how much water is the max for your model. My Royal model holds 3.25 gallons. Call it 3 for simplicity. As you can see in the picture above, the water level sight glass indicates just about half full. Which means I could add another 1.5 gallons up top if I wanted to.
How to install the Berkey water level spigot
It’s pretty darn easy. But you simply need to know which rubber washer goes on the outside and which one on the inside. Plus (important!) do not overtighten! Just good and hand tight – no wrench…
Here’s a quick “how to” from our buddy Jeff over at USABekeyFilters.com
Which Berkey Water Level Spigot Do I Need?
They make three different sizes (height). Here’s a quick reference:
- 7.5” for Travel Berkey®️ & Big Berkey®️
- 10” for Royal Berkey®️ & Imperial Berkey®️
- 13” for Crown Berkey®️
“This accessory serves as a replacement for the standard spigot that comes with the Berkey®️ system, along with an upgrade: an aluminum and glass water level gauge, allowing you to see at a glance how much water remains in the stainless steel lower chamber.”
Manufactured in the USA.
I suggest that you purchase yours from “the Berkey Guy”, a long time sponsor here who is running a small family business right here in the good ‘ol USA.
>> Berkey Water Level Accessory
[ Read: The Berkey Guy – Authorized Dealer in USA ]
[ Read: How to Clean Berkey Water Filters ]
I have a Sight Glass on mine.
Here is a suggestion or 3.
When cleaning the unit one of these days, and the Reservoir is empty, test fill the Reservoir using a 1/2 gallon Canning Jar. After each 1/2 gallon added mark the Sight Glass with a Magic Marker, really easy to know how much water is left doing this.
Also when removing the “test” water measure whats coming out with the same Jar, and mark the 1/2 gallon increments on the other side of the Sight Glass, that way if partial empty you will know how much water you ‘can’ add, without washing the Counter Tops and Floor.
Lastly, get the Wire Stand for the Unit, it’s really nice to have the ability to get water without setting it over on the Stool, see Kens Photo……
Yes for sure if budget allows. I have still over filled my Berkey even with the sight glass. Wire stand too. Can get a pot or water bottle underneath if on the stand. I notice Berkey has a metal spigot now too.