Great Tasting Coffee

GYBER Replacement Charcoal Water Filters for Krups Coffee Makers-Set of 12 Pack （Box-Packed）

These improve the taste of coffee substantially.

This box provides a year's supply or more. It really depends on how awful your tap water is to start with. They could last a week or two months.

Either way, I could taste the difference, so yes they really work beautifully.

Water Quality Meter

Boboai Digital Aid Professional Quality Water Test Meter. TDS, EC and Temperature Meter. 0-9990ppm. Accurate and Reliable Water Test Meter. Ideal For Drinking Water, Aquariums, Ponds.

High TDS results in undesirable taste which could be salty, bitter, or metallic. It could also indicate the presence of toxic minerals. The EPA's recommended maximum level of TDS in water is 500mg/L (500ppm)

TDS is acronym is for Total Dissolved Solids
PPM is acronym for Parts Per Million
EC is acronym for Electrical Conductivity

The instructions that arrive with this meter are vague. The enclosed case for the meter is handy for protecting the meter when not in use.

I did not realize the battery was not installed and there was nothing on the meter or the instructions to indicate where the battery was housed. Typically products shipped with a battery have a tabbed protective plastic liner inserted to prevent the battery making contact until the liner is pulled away. I took off the caps on both ends of the meter and couldn't figure out where the removable tab for the  battery was supposed to be.

The instructions did not indicate where the battery was installed. Removing the top I could see a tiny piece of metal and what looked like the skinny end of an electronic board. Finally I found the battery jammed in the bottom of the black case housing the meter and a tiny piece of paper with vague instructions. I was relieved to find it stuck down there. Now I had to figure out how and where to install it through trial and error. I delicately inserted it next to the metal tab and the meter didn't work, I tried it the other way and it did finally work. I was worried about accidentally touching the electronic board or breaking the meter.

I have included a picture that shows the battery installed in the top of the meter.

So yes, the battery is included look for it jammed in the bottom of the case.

From other websites featuring similar meters, I found out the bottom cap is for storage and protection only, not to be used for scooping out water to test.  For best results, use a  large clean cup  so there is a larger volume of water that will be tested.

Turn the meter on.

Remove the cap from the bottom of the meter. Swirl the bottom inch of  the meter in the water. Do not let water get above the cap line. The numbers will run up and down, when they stop, hit the hold button so the number will remain constant while you find a place to write this down.

To ensure a long lifespan of your product, the TDS/EC sensors should be stored dry. Remove battery if you use the meter infrequently. (This is true for any battery operated product.) You can install the battery again when you are ready to use it. It will fit in the bottom of the enclosed case as I found out.

Total dissolved solids (TDS) are the total weight of all solids (minerals, salts or metals) that are dissolved in a given volume of water expressed in milligrams per liter (mg/L), or in parts per million (PPM). The lower the TDS level in the water, the more efficiently your body's cells actually get hydrated by the water that you drink. The higher the TDS levels in the water, the greater the probability of harmful contaminants that can pose health risks or hinder the absorption of water molecules on the cellular level. 17 PPM of TDS = 1 grain of hardness.

You will have to do your own research further to decide what the numbers mean for your particular use whether it is testing your drinking water or aquarium or hydroponic garden etc.

Great Water Quality Meter but the included instructions about use, safety, storage and battery location could be drastically improved.

Boboai Digital Aid Professional Quality Water Test Meter. TDS, EC and Temperature Meter. 0-9990ppm. Accurate and Reliable Water Test Meter. Ideal For Drinking Water, Aquariums, Ponds.

Fantastic Water Everyone Should Look Into Owning This System

The review below was written February 2014. As of March 2017, I am EXTREMELY pleased with my Berkey's performance. My health has enjoyed a great deal of improvements in many areas. Amazing what purified water can do for one. I do not trust bottled water one bit! It's not regulated and you have zero control over what's in it. The endless water bottles are clogging up our landfills and I see them littered liberally all over our beautiful countryside. 

I personally use a stainless steel water water bottle (flask) that I can refill from home thousands and thousands of times. I also use stainless steel drinking tumblers in my motorhome. Stainless steel is safe, non-toxic, unbreakable and free from BPA. As a bonus, you can store the stainless steel cups in the freezer (where I keep mine) so you always have icy cold drinks.After removing from the freezer,  I shove mine in a cozy cup so they are insulated and don't leave water rings when I set them down. 

My original review of the fantastic Berkey water purifier is posted below. If you don't own this, you aren't living right. Our bodies (and our pets) need good healthy water. Go green and be kind to mother nature. Stop buying bottled water and purify your own for drinking and cooking. Improve the health of you and your pets. 

Berkey Water Purifiers Come In Assorted Sizes

I own the one on the far left, which is 

18 inches high with a diameter of 7.5 inches

First off, do the math. This system will save you money. The filters in the one I bought last about 6,000 gallons, if I use 2 gallons per day for drinking and cooking, that works out to a filter life of over 8 years. I wanted quality stainless steel and was prepared to return this unit immediately if anything at all was flimsy about it. I have been vagabonding in a mini-motorhome for 4 years, so I need quality products that can stand up to the rigors of travel.

Water quality in the areas I travel varies widely, so this filter system will get a good workout over the years. There are times I camp remotely and the ability to filter water from natural sources that may or may be contaminated is awesome. I'm not expecting a major disaster, but I've lived overseas in a disaster zone and this would have been a coveted treasured item to have had then.

I ordered direct from Amazon because I've been a devoted fan of Amazon for many years. They have always been extremely attentive and prompt on solving issues on returns of faulty products. This one arrived well packed and in excellent shape. The directions are a bit clumsy, they could do so much better, but after a day of reading and rereading, I finally figured it all out.

I was extremely impressed with the stainless steel. It's heavy, shiny, quality stuff built for lifetime use. A super 5 stars on the quality. Follow the instructions carefully, it's a bit fussy to get the filters primed and all set up. At first mine filtered super slow, maybe I didn't prime it right. I kept tossing out the initial water filtration's per the instructions, so that it was almost a week from arrival until I started actually drinking the water. In the interim I continued with my old Brita pitcher. I have no beefs with Brita, they've been good to me and my health for decades, but Berkey is superior so bye bye Brita. Also, no need to buy filters every month, a huge relief. I never liked the plastic pitchers Brita supplies because they always look crazed no matter how delicately you clean and polish them.

After starting on the Berkey water, I am delighted over and over. The taste is HEAVEN ON EARTH! The water quality after filtering is just fantastic. Even though I've been filtering with Brita for 30 years, I could tell a difference in my coffee and green tea as well as plain water drinking.

I did tons of research on water filtration. I can't afford the ridiculous plastic bottled water. 90% or more of the cost goes to the plastic bottle and the rest to the water. I have no idea where or how they bottled that water, the landfills are overflowing with a a zillion water bottles, it's estimated that less than 10% are actually recycled. I volunteer for 5 months per year picking up litter in public parks, the mountain of water bottles I find tossed in the bushes is absolutely astounding. The same people that love nature, seem to also enjoy trashing it. Even crazier are the folks who throw out half full water bottles.

I have my own reusable bottles to take with me hiking and biking, I would never go buy someone else's water, I have to have my own Berkey filtered water. Good clean tasting water is a daily treat. Amazingly, I was having some health issues, they cleared up right away, whether by coincidence or maybe I was lapsing on changing out my Brita filters often enough. Now I don't have to worry for at least 8 more years before buying replacement filters.

I have used Brita water filter pitchers for about 30 years. But I was concerned that I failed to change my filters often enough. I never liked the plastic pitchers, they crazed super easily

So now it's Berkey all the way. I even managed to build my Berkey into a lower cabinet under the sink in the motorhome that is still a foot off the floor due to the air exchanger beneath the cabinet.This is perfect for dispensing the filtered water. I am able to refill the top with the pull-out kitchen faucet but the Berkey is lashed into the cabinet, so that when I go bouncing down the highways, the Berkey won't go dancing.

I bought the Rubbermaid 2 quart clear carafe (from Amazon) for storing filtered water on my counter top since the Berkey is built into my cabinet. That is one good looking carafe with a super tight lid. The opening in the lid is perfect for draining out the filtered Berkey water into the Carafe. The carafe is a beautiful addition to a dinner table or a party where delicious water is desired. I make my ice from the filtered water too, I can add ice to the carafe for dinner parties or for hot days when I am working inside and outside. To me, the carafe makes a perfect addition to the Berkey. Also, it allows me to drain out the Berkey, then refill the top without worry of overflowing.

LOVE MY BERKEY! If the RV is on fire, you will see me run out the door carrying the dog in one hand and the Berkey in the other. He loves the Berkey water in his water bowl too.

Berkey BT2X2-BB Travel Stainless Steel Water Filtration System with 2 Black Filter Elements