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ACTIVE CHARCOAL WATER FILTER & COIL

ACTIVE CHARCOAL WATER FILTER & COIL

Regular price £9.95
Regular price Sale price £9.95
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Upgrade your water bottle into a 'filter bottle' and enjoy great tasting tap water

Colour: Steel

Description

A natural charcoal filter and locking coil that upgrades any standard bottle into a ‘filter bottle’ using a traditional Japanese Binchotan charcoal method for cleaner tasting water.
  • Removes Chlorine
  • Adds Minerals
  • Natural Water Filter lasts for 6 months
  • High quality stainless steel

Specification

  • EGS001-1C
  • It makes tap water taste great!
  • 1 binchotan active charcoal filters (6 months life) + 1 stainless steel coil
  • vacuum packed individually
  • pre-washed and ready to use
  • Fits any* bottle (*minimum spout opening 30mm / 1.2in)
  • Our charcoal is made from natural wood sticks and dimensions vary (15 to 28mm diameter, maximum length 118mm)

FAQs

Where did Binchotan charcoal come from?
It was during the Edo Period (17th century) that a man called Binchuya Chozaemon made it popular, but the origins are not completely clear. A form of Binchotan charcoal (sometimes referred to as 'white charcoal') is thought to have been introduced to Japan by a Japanese monk and scholar called Kukai 1,200 years ago.

What is the process for making Binchotan charcoal?
This ancient process for making Binchotan charcoal is very interesting, and also intense. The wood needs to be raised to very high temperatures in a kiln, and then rapidly cooled by being covered in a mixture of soil, sand and ash. This gives the charcoal it’s very hard and smooth appearance, and if you tap it, you’ll hear a clear, metallic sound.

What makes it a good water filter?
Not only does Binchotan charcoal remove impurities from water, it can also release minerals back into your bottle, improving health and taste. The surface of the charcoal is full of tiny holes, which draw in contaminants like chlorine and bind them, away from the water you drink. There’s so many holes in Binchotan charcoal that the surface area of just 1 gram is 500mᒾ.

What capacity does one charcoal stick filter?
It will filter about 1.1L of water for 3 months if used every day. If you’ve got a larger container or jug you want to filter, just increase the number of charcoal sticks accordingly.

How long does each stick last?
3 months, if using every day and in our ‘Eau Good’ bottle, or another 800ml bottle. Afterwards, you can just boil it for 10 minutes to ‘recharge’ the charcoal, and then use it for another 3 months.

Should I throw away my charcoal stick when it’s finished?
Absolutely not, one of the wonderful things about this special charcoal is that it has so many great secondary uses. It can remove the moisture from the air in your wardrobe, helping your clothes avoid becoming mouldy, it also absorbs bad smells, so it is great to use in a cat litter or nappy bin. It even adds nutrients to the soil of houseplants if you break it up and add to the pot.

Does the charcoal need to be washed or cleaned?There is no need to, it can go straight from the packaging into your bottle.

Can I add things to flavour my water if I also use a charcoal stick?
If you want to use your Binchotan charcoal water filter, you CANNOT add anything else to the carafe or bottle.

Do you sell Binchotan charcoal by itself?
We do sell charcoal by itself, simply go to the Accessories page to view products.

Is charcoal dangerous if swallowed?
No, it isn’t dangerous to swallow charcoal. Active charcoal actually has many medical uses such as being used to treat flatulence, high cholesterol and upset stomachs.

Am I able to wash my bottle with soap?
When washing your bottle, carafe or other vessel with soap, make sure you remove the charcoal stick first.

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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).