Water filter pitchers

AtomBomb

So I think I'd like to get a water pitcher with a filter in it. I was just going to pick up the Brita Grand at Target, but the reviews on Amazon are pretty bad. Some folks there recommended Pur, but the reviews for those aren't much better either. Since I trust PA more than Target or Amazon, does anyone have a recommendation? I won't use that flavor shit, but I don't mind if it's there (it's just not an advantage for me). I'm also pretty settled on a pitcher, I don't want one that attaches to the faucet.

Thanks!

OremLK

I've got a recent Brita Space Saver model, and it's been great. I like water pitchers a lot. The downside is of course that you have to fill them up a lot, but it's so great being able to stow them in the fridge and always have cool, filtered water at hand.

Daenris

I've had a Brita pitcher for years and haven't had any issues with it. Before that in college I had a Pur faucet filter for a year or so and never had any problems with that either. Now I have a Brita faucet filter.

Basically I'm saying I don't have a strong opinion one way or the other because I haven't noticed any differences in filtering quality, but I certainly would not rate Brita negatively.

Arikado

If you're on top of switching the filters out properly, there is no real pro-con other than pricing.

FyreWulff

Yeah, they're both pretty good brands. Just get the cheapest one of the two that you want.

Deathwing

I don't know what sort of bad reviews they've gotten on Amazon, but my wife and I have been using Brita pitchers in various styles for about 5 years now, and had no problems. We have one of the space saver models atm, and it works great.

Erandus

The water where I live tastes like *ass*, like so much that if I cook pasta or rice in it, I can taste it via the surrogate food. I have a Pur filter pitcher. It takes the taste away completely. Use the small filtered pitcher to fill up a larger pitcher that you keep in the fridge, and quantity isn't a problem. Not shilling for Pur, but definately endorsing the filter pitcher thing in general.

EggyToast

I would imagine most of the cons fall into stuff like "it doesn't take like bottled water," or something like that. Or "the filters don't last long enough." We got one a while back and we love it. We replace the filter about 2-3 months after it tells us it goes bad, so we're not burning through money just for water.

Remember that a lot of what makes water filter water taste better is that it's sitting in a fridge. That allows the minute traces of chlorine and fluoride to dissipate, and brings the temperature down. If you have particulates or other stuff in your water from your pipes, it will take those out too, but yeah, the water doesn't taste any different if the filter is brand new or 3 months "overdue," in my experience. They are good to change out every once in a while, though, since they can grow mold.

Scrublet

Honestly, it's never bad to get advice on brands for things. That being said, in 5 years of college I've drank water out of multiple brands of water pitchers. They've all tasted the same. Get the biggest pitcher you see and just be done with it.

Nitsuj82

Yeah, just get the one that you have to fill the least often. In fact, consider getting one of the dispensers that you can put in the fridge instead of a pitcher.

Dalboz

I've had a Brita pitcher for a few years that I picked up at Costco. Never had a problem with it. Just keep on top of changing the filter (they usually last about 2 months/8 weeks), and wash the pitcher while you are soaking the new filter. Seriously, I know some people that think maintaining their Brita just involves swapping the filter and their pitcher is utterly disgusting.

EggyToast

Oh, and don't just get a big one -- get one that fits in your fridge. Those old round ones were horrible.

AtomBomb

Thanks everyone. I went ahead and bought a Brita one that was on sale (plus, the filters were half the cost of the Pur ones). $30 for a 80oz one with a free nalegene bottle. So far so good. Thanks for all the advice.

Pheezer

Activated charcoal is activated charcoal. It's all the same magic, looking at the cost and availability of replacement filters should be your primary decision maker. Sounds like you made out pretty good.