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ACTIVE CHARCOAL WATER FILTER x2

ACTIVE CHARCOAL WATER FILTER x2

Regular price £14.95
Regular price Sale price £14.95
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The Japanese have been using natural active charcoal to filter their water for centuries

Colour: Black

Description

Filter your tap water naturally with binchotan charcoal. It removes contaminants and leaves your water tasting clear, pure and delicious. Sustainably sourced and produced in Laos following traditional Japanese methods, it’s made from the branches of fast-growing native trees harvested from protected woodlands to ensure minimal impact on the local environment. A fantastic way to avoid single-use bottled water and save money, Active Charcoal Water Filters make it easy to stay hydrated all day.
  • Removes impurities like chlorine
  • Adds minerals like potassium
  • Each stick lasts for 6 months, this 2-pack will last 1 year

    Specification

    • EGS002
    • x2 Binchotan active charcoal filters (6 months life each)
    • Vacuum packed individually, pre-washed and ready to use immediately
    • Can be used in our Eau Good bottle, Eau Carafe using our Active Coil to hold it in place (*minimum spout opening 30mm)
    • Please take care when dropping into glass bottles and jugs. Charcoal is incredibly dense and could cause the glass to crack, only add after filling with water.
    • Made from natural, sustainably-sourced wood therefore dimensions vary (15 to 28mm diameter, maximum length 118mm)

    FAQs

    When was Binchotan charcoal first used?
    It’s been identified as first used in Japan by a monk named Kukai about 1,200 years ago. Although the Japanese have been using a form of charcoal for centuries, this type of binchotan “white charcoal” became really popular in about the 17th century.

    How do you make Binchotan charcoal?
    A piece of sustainably-sourced wood is placed in a low-burning kiln for a long time. Towards the end of the heating process, the temperature is suddenly increased to 1000°C, causing the wood to become red hot. It’s then removed, and placed under a combination of sand, soil and ash. This rapidly cools it, leaving behind a white residue (this is why it’s sometimes referred to as “white charcoal”). After it’s completely cooled, it has a very hard and smooth surface - and when tapped it will make a metallic sound.

    How does it filter impurities?
    Binchotan charcoal doesn’t just remove impurities, it also is able to release minerals like potassium back into the water. It’s covered in tiny little cavities which attract impure negative ions like chlorine and binds them to the charcoal, leaving the water filtered. In fact, there are so many of these tiny holes that just 1 gram of charcoal has enough surface area to cover one-tenth the size of a football field.

    What amount of water can be filtered with a charcoal stick?
    You can filter about 1.1L of water for 3 months if you want to use your bottle daily. Just add more charcoal sticks if your container or jug is larger.

    How long does a charcoal stick last?
    If used daily to filter 1.1L of water, each stick will last about 3 months - however, it’s important to pay attention to the taste of the water as it lasts as long as you notice the change in the flavour of your water. After 3 months, you can “recharge” your charcoal stick by placing it in a pot of boiling water for 10 minutes. This releases all the impurities it’s gathered over the past 3 months, leaving it ready to filter again.

    What should I do with my charcoal stick when it’s done?
    One of our favourite things about using charcoal to filter your water is that it has so many afterlife uses! It removes bad smells if added to cat litter trays or nappy bins, it removes moisture from the air if you add it to your wardrobe or drawers, and adds nutrients to the soil if you pop it in with your houseplants (break it up first).

    Should I wash my charcoal?
    No, it’s already washed and can be used immediately.

    What else can I add to the water with my charcoal stick?
    You shouldn’t add anything else to the water you want to filter with a charcoal stick, this includes fruit, herbs, teas or infusions.

    Is charcoal bad for you if you swallow it?
    Sometimes, small pieces or flakes of charcoal will break off and be found floating in your water. Don’t worry if you should swallow any of these, they are not dangerous. In fact, charcoal is sometimes used to treat things like upset stomachs, diarrhoea and even hangovers.How do I wash my bottle if the charcoal is in it?Simply remove the charcoal stick before washing any bottle, carafe or another vessel with soap.

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    Features

    why charcoal for filtering water?

    As an active carbon, charcoal works by attracting the negative ions in impurities like chlorine, and binding them to its surface. It has been used in Japan to purify and soften water for centuries.

    how do i use it for filtering water?

    Our binchotan charcoal can be used immediately - simply remove it from its packaging and place it in any bottle or jug. Once filled with water you’ll notice an improvement in taste after about an hour.

    does it ever stop working?

    If used daily to filter 1.1L of water, each stick will last about 3 months. You can then “recharge” your charcoal stick by placing it in boiling water for 10 minutes. This process reactivates the charcoal and removes the contaminants that have been building up on its surface and allows it to filter your water for another 3 months.

    what to do if it breaks?

    Your charcoal will still work even when broken. However, if you’d prefer to buy another, you can still use the broken pieces in many different ways. To know more about this, have a look at our blog.

    A word from the designer

    As a designer, when searching for a solution, it is always good to look to the past for inspiration and also other countries. We discovered in Japan they have been using Binchotan Charcoal to filter their water for centuries. The advantage this material has over so many other commonly used filters in the West, is that it has no additional plastic packaging, allowing it to be recharged and used for six months and even have many secondary uses after this. Since this discovery, we have been educating the market on the advantages of Binchotan Charcoal as a water filter, all aimed at encouraging people to drink their local potable tap water by making it taste better and to stop buying bottled water which is bad for the planet (if in doubt why it is bad, watch the Story of Stuff video here).