Info: Countertop Water Purifier Urn (Without a Ceramic Candle Filter)
The ideal table top water filtration system and dispenser for places you may go where there is no running water, and you need to drink the well, lake, or rain barrel water you're not entirely sure about. Simply pour the (unheated) water into the BPA-free plastic chamber on top, and gravity does the rest: the water's filtered down through the ceramic filter, ready to be dispensed by the built-in spigot at the bottom within about a minute.
Product Notes:
This water dispenser has a capacity of 8 litres and is designed to hold a Sterasyl Ceramic filter which also has activated carbon particles inside it. (These types of filters are often called “candle” filters because they somewhat resemble a candle in shape.)
The urn itself is quite large [it's nearly 18 inches tall (17-11/16"/ 45 cm) and is 9-1/2" (24 cm) in diameter] and is heavy. It can accommodate either 7" or 10" tall candle filters.
The micro-porous ceramic filters this gravity-fed water purifier is designed to use are impregnated with silver in its inner lining (a process its original developer, Doulton, calls "Sterasyl"; these days, they are also marketed under the British Berkefeld brand; one model that works in this urn is the model W9121200 7" Super Sterasyl Ceramic Filter Candle (or simply '8374'), as shown in the video). The silver prevents the growth of bacteria within it, and makes it self-sterilizing. Silver-impregnated ceramic filtration units are thus a good solution for cottages or campgrounds where electricity for a UV-sterilization light is not available.
Popular throughout the world (particularly in Brazil), ceramic water filters have been available in Canada since World War II, and are certified by the National Sanitation Foundation [N.S.F.] under Standards 53 and 42 for specified products.
With nominal ratings ranging between 0.5 to 0.8 microns, they provide very fine filtration. In addition to filtering out sediments, they can be recommended even for somewhat microbiologically unsafe water, to filter out 99.99% of at least five major categories of bacteria (including E.coli) and live Cryptosporidium and Giardia cysts.
Those typically have a flowrate of about one liter per hour under gravity, so it does take a little while after filling the reservoir at the top of the porcelain urn before it flows down to the bottom half to be ready to drink or cook with. These filters are apt to be able to process up to 1,000 gallons before its flow rate is so restricted you'll want to replace them -- especially if you occasionally clean the buildup on their exterior off, under tap water.*
*(If the incoming water contains sediment or particles, the flow will get gradually reduced. To clean it, DO NOT use any soap or detergent. First clean your hands, then remove it from the reservoir chamber (ensuring that you keep the bottom tip clean), and with a soft bristle toothbrush or fabric scouring pad, lightly scrub the exterior of the filter element (brushing upwards, away from the candle mount), while under running water (or in a bowl). Then place it in a container of clean water and boil it for 20 minutes. Let it cool before returning it to the unit.)