How Long Does It Take A Brita Pitcher To Filter Water? (Tested)

You’re thirsty, you’ve got a glass in hand, and your Brita pitcher is empty.

You go to fill your pitcher with that nasty tap water – full of fluoride and other contaminants that we know have a negative impact on your health…

The question now is:

How long will it take to filter all that tap water so you can enjoy a crisp, clean sip of filtered goodness?

We’ve all been there, watching the water trickle through, wondering if there’s a speed boost button somewhere.

To get to the bottom of this, we decided to put the Brita filter to the test and find out exactly how long it takes to filter water.

Why Does Filtering Your Water Take Time?

Brita filters work by passing your water through activated carbon, which removes impurities like chlorine, lead, and other potential contaminants.

This process naturally takes some time because the water needs to come into contact with the carbon to work its magic. The better the contact, the cleaner the water!

But how long are we talking?

Well, that’s where things can vary depending on the condition of your filter, the amount of water, and even the type of water you’re filtering.

Our Testing Process & Results

To keep things accurate, we used the Brita pitcher model OB61 with a model OBO3 filter which has a filling capacity of 10 cups of water.

Keep in mind, this was not a brand new filter…

These are the steps we followed:

Fill the pitcher with tap water up to its capacity.
Start the timer as soon as the water begins pouring into the pitcher.
Wait for the water to filter completely before stopping the timer.

Here’s what we found:

First Run: Roughly 6 minutes 10 seconds
Second Run: Roughly 6 minutes 15 seconds

Factors That Can Affect Filter Time

While our tests give a good general idea of how long it takes, a few factors can change your personal Brita filter experience:

Capacity/Model: The size of your Brita filter pitcher or dispenser can play a big role in how long it takes to filter water. The more water you’re filtering, the more time it will take.
New vs. Used Filters: New filters are much quicker, since they aren’t backed up with all the impurities old filters have collected.
Water Quality: If you have harder water or more impurities, your filter might slow down over time.
Temperature: Colder water can sometimes take a bit longer to pass through than room-temperature water.

What’s a Normal Filter Time?

According to Brita, the standard filter should take anywhere from 10-15 minutes, but in our testing, we saw times ranging closer to 6 minutes.

So, is your Brita performing within this range?

If not, it might be time to check your filter or consider replacing it for optimal performance.

Tips for Faster Filtering

Here are some tips to make sure your filter is working as efficiently as possible:

Keep it Clean: Regularly rinse out your pitcher and don’t let water sit too long. Stale water could affect flow.
Don’t Overfill: Filling your pitcher to the brim can slow down the process. Stick to the fill line.
Replace Your Filter: If you’ve noticed a significant slowdown, it might be time to swap out your filter. Most Brita filters are good for a minimum of 40 gallons (151 liters) of water and could be much more based on the model/quality of the filter.

Conclusion

So, how long does a Brita filter take to filter water?

Based on our hands-on testing, which will vary depending on the pitcher model and filter condition, but on average, you’re looking at around 6 minutes for a full pitcher/if you fill the reservoir all the way.

Keep in mind, the filter we used has already been used for quite some time and a newly replaced filter may do so in much less time.

While it’s not instant, knowing you’re getting fresh, cleaner water makes the wait worth it.

Got your own Brita filter? Give it a test and see how your results compare!