Travel Berkey Water Filter

Yes, an empty Travel Berkey can generally be packed in carry-on or checked luggage. TSA permits empty water bottles in both, but it does not specifically list the Travel Berkey. The final decision rests with the TSA officer, and your airline’s baggage rules still apply.

Before traveling, completely empty and dry both stainless steel chambers. Secure the spigot and other loose components, and pack the filter elements carefully to protect their stems from impact. When nested for transport, the Travel Berkey is approximately 12 inches tall and 7.5 inches in diameter.

After passing through airport security, you can reassemble the travel water filter at your destination and use the filtered water to fill a separate reusable water bottle.

The Travel Berkey includes two Black Berkey® Elements and has a published filtration rate of more than 2.5 gallons per hour when the upper chamber is full.

The system holds approximately 1.5 gallons, or 5.7 liters of water. Based on the published flow rate, filtering 1.5 gallons would theoretically take less than 36 minutes at the initial full-chamber rate. Actual full-batch time can be longer because gravity-fed filters naturally slow as the water level in the upper chamber drops.

Incomplete priming or buildup on the elements can also reduce the flow rate. Properly priming and maintaining both elements helps the system filter water as efficiently as possible.

Black Berkey® Elements use a dense filtration structure designed to reduce particulates and a wide range of contaminants from drinking water. However, microplastics vary significantly in size, and the currently published Black Berkey® test results do not provide a specific percentage reduction claim covering every type and size of microplastic.

For that reason, we do not claim that every microplastic or nanoplastic will be removed. Customers concerned about a particular contaminant should review the current Black Berkey® contaminant information and test results before relying on the system for that specific concern.

Black Berkey® Elements use a dense filtration structure designed to reduce particulates and a wide range of contaminants from drinking water. However, microplastics vary significantly in size, and the currently published Black Berkey® test results do not provide a specific percentage reduction claim covering every type and size of microplastic.

For that reason, we do not claim that every microplastic or nanoplastic will be removed. Customers concerned about a particular contaminant should review the current Black Berkey® contaminant information and test results before relying on the system for that specific concern.

Wash the Travel Berkey’s stainless steel chambers, lid, and spigot with mild dish soap, then rinse and dry them thoroughly. Do not use soap or other cleaning agents on the Black Berkey® Elements themselves.

If the elements develop surface buildup or the flow slows, remove them and gently scrub the exterior under cold running water with a stiff brush or Scotch-Brite® pad. Re-prime the elements before reinstalling them.

For short periods of non-use, follow the manufacturer’s storage instructions for keeping the elements refrigerated while still damp. For longer-term storage, shake out excess water and allow the Black Berkey® Elements to air-dry until they are completely bone-dry. This can take approximately one to three days in a sunny or well-ventilated location.

Once completely dry, store the elements in a sealed plastic bag at room temperature to help prevent them from absorbing odors. Clean and re-prime both elements before reinstalling them for your next trip.