LA NATURAL TERRACOTTA WATER FILTER COOLER
IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS FOR CARE AND MAINTENANCE
PREPARING FOR USE
There will
be five components in the box, a terracotta base with pre-installed tap, a
filter container, filter candles and a lid. Carefully unpack these items from
the box.
Because the
base is made of terracotta earthenware, you can expect your water to taste
“earthy”, initially. However, you can quickly get rid of the taste by simply
placing only the terracotta container upside down in bottom rack of dishwasher
with spigot attached. USING NO DETERGENTS, run dishwasher on hottest heat
setting 5 or more times of complete cycles. This should greatly reduce the
earthy taste. If dishwasher is not available, soak terra cotta container in
hottest water in kitchen sink, rotating occasionally. When water cools, repeat
several more times. You can use the juice from a fresh squeezed lemon or a
small amount of citric acid commonly found in the canning department of your
local grocery store during the soak cycle. Although this seems like a lot of
preparation, the taste of the water and the health benefits will be worth it. Your
system is now ready for assembly.
ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS
The diagram
below is a line drawing of the La Natural Terracotta Water Filtration system.
1) Place the BPA free plastic water filter container on
its side on a soft cloth.
2)
Remove each filter from their box and unscrew the wing
nuts and removing the washers as well unless already loose in the box.
3)
Insert the thread of each filter through the holes in
the filter container, place washer over thread and tighten firmly with wing
nut, holding the base of the filter candle not the ceramic part.
4)
Carefully place filter container onto the top opening
of the terracotta base.
5)
Fill with water to the top of filter container and
place lid on top of the filter container.
Run several
batches of filtered water through the system but don’t throw it away, use it on
plants and to water your pets. All done! Enjoy drinking water the way nature
intended (sometimes it is advisable to place a brand-new filter upside down in
a glass of water to soak for a few hours, before installation, to increase the
rate of flow).
Note: If you
have been using a plastic filter jug to filter your water, you will notice that
ours flows much more slowly. This is because the filter is so fine (2 micron);
just one of the reasons why independent laboratory tests have shown our water
filtration to be so efficient. You can expect after ¼ gallon per filter per
hour after preparing for use.
FRAGILITY
The water
filter system is relatively sturdy, by earthenware standards, but you should
bear in mind that is made of terracotta and handle, transport, and position it
accordingly.
POSITIONING THE SYSTEM
The
terracotta system will self-cool the water due to a natural evaporative process
that’s cools the water as it slowly evaporates thru the porous terracotta. This
natural effect has been used by our ancestors for over a century. To maximize
this effect place in a well aerated place, and not in direct sunlight. Ideally,
it is best placed in front of an open window, as the airflow tends to enhance
the cooling process.
DISPENSING AND REPLENISHING WATER AMOUNTS
Before dispensing water from the gravity unit, always replace
same amount into upper reservoir. This will insure a constant water level in
lower unit and eliminate possible running out of water and/or overflowing. REMEMBER; REPLACE BEFORE YOU DISPENSE.
CARE OF THE FILTER CANDLE
As
impurities in the water are trapped in the porcelain outer layer of the candle,
the flow of water will become restricted. This is an indication that the candle
needs cleaning. The frequency of cleaning will depend on the amount of use and
the condition of the water supply. To clean the candle remove it from the unit
and scrub the whole surface with a 3M scotch brite pad or toothbrush, while
holding it under gently running water. Do not use soap or detergents to clean
the candle. Occasionally, an airlock may occur inside the candle, causing it to
fill very slowly or to stop flowing altogether. This can usually be rectified
by removing the candle and shaking it vigorously. The activated charcoal inside
the candle will eventually become saturated and therefore no longer able to
remove unpleasant tastes and odors from the water. This is an indication that
the filter candle needs changing. Each filter candle should last six months to
a year depending on use and water quality. Replacement filter candles are
readily available from www.epicwater.com.
CARE OF THE FILTER UNIT
The filter
system should be cleaned regularly to ensure that it works effectively and
remains in a pristine condition. Natural evaporation, taking place through the
terracotta, makes the filtration unit feel cool and at times moist to the
touch. Natural salts in the water (calcium salts) may precipitate on the
outside of the terracotta and can build up over time. In addition, household
dust can be attracted to the outer surface, resulting in an unsightly
appearance. To prevent this and to guard against mildew you can use a lemon or
small amount of citric acid and water can be
applied regularly to the outside surface, on a clean, dry sponge. You should
not do this before carrying out the “preparing for use” process. DO NOT SCRUB
THE OUTSIDE WITH A HARD BRUSH OR ABRASIVE SCOURING PAD.
