It’s a common question that many homeowners have – can you overfill a Brita filter? The answer is yes, you can definitely overfill a Brita filter. But what does that mean for the quality of your drinking water?
Most Brita pitcher filters have a Max Fill line to let you know how much water you can put in the pitcher. Brita warns against overfilling because water will spill into the handle and leak out of the pitcher. Overfilling also makes it difficult to pour water from the pitcher because the reservoir is on top and unfiltered water can spill into your glass.
In this blog post, we will discuss what happens when you overfill a Brita filter and how it can affect the quality of your water. We will also provide some tips on how to avoid overfilling your Brita filter and ensure that you are getting the best possible quality of drinking water!
Overfilling a Brita Pitcher Filter
Brita pitcher filters are all designed the same. They have a reservoir on top that you fill with untreated water. This water flows via gravity through the filter into the pitcher below.
The standard Brita filter is designed to last for 40 gallons or about 2 months, whichever comes first. The Longlast+ can treat 120 gallons of water and should last for 6 months.
In the tutorial on filling the pitcher, Brita provides the following steps:
- Completely open the Fill Lid.
- Fill the reservoir with water all the way to the labeled “Max Fill” line.
- Shut the Fill Lid.
- Do not keep the Fill Lid open for longer than 5 seconds unless you are filling the reservoir with water.
How much water does a Brita pitcher hold?
Each Brita pitcher has a different capacity. The standard Brita pitcher can hold up to ten cups of water, while the larger Ultramax dispenser can hold 27 cups. The smaller Space Saver pitcher holds only 6 cups.
The following table summarizes the water capacity of each Brita pitcher and dispenser.
| Pitcher model | Capacity |
| Cascade Stream Water Pitcher | 12-cup |
| Champlain Water Pitcher | 10-cup |
| Champlain Water Pitcher | 10-cup |
| Huron Water Pitcher | 10-cup |
| Lake Water Pitcher | 10-cup |
| Metro Pitcher | 6-cup |
| Monterey Water Pitcher | 10-cup |
| Pacifica Water Pitcher | 10-cup |
| Rapids Stream Water Pitcher | 10-cup |
| SoHo Water Pitcher | 6-cup |
| Space Saver Water Pitcher | 6-cup |
| Tahoe Water Pitcher | 10-cup |
| Wave Water Pitcher | 10-cup |
| Basic Water Filter Faucet System | 100 gallons |
| Complete Water Filter Faucet System | 100 gallons |
| Ultramax Water Dispenser | 27-cups |
| Ultraslim Stream Water Dispenser | 25-cups |
What is the max fill line on a Brita pitcher?
The Max Fill line is located on the inside of the reservoir. It lets you know how much water to add to the pitcher.
Brita explains in the User Manual that you should fill the reservoir all the way to the Max Fill line, but no more. They note that if you overfill the reservoir, the water will spill into the handle and out of the pitcher.
I’ve noticed that some of this water also flows into the pitcher. Not much, but some does make its way around the filter.
Can I fill my Brita pitcher all the way to the top?
You should not fill your Brita pitcher all the way to the top. The Max Fill line is there for a reason – if you overfill the reservoir, water will spill into the handle and out of the pitcher.
Overfilling also makes it difficult to pour water from the pitcher because the reservoir is on top. If you don’t hold the lid in place, it is possible that the lid and reservoir can come loose and spill all of the unfiltered water. Fortunately, the lid fits fairly snug, so this usually won’t happen.
What is the correct way to fill a Brita filter?
Brita provides very clear and easy to follow instructions for filling your pitcher filter. Here is the step-by-step process to properly fill a Britia pitcher filter:
- Fill your pitcher either directly from the sink or from a container filled with water.
- Lift the lid (make sure the filter is in place) and fill the reservoir with cold water. Never use hot water to fill your Brita filter.
- Fill your pitcher up to the Max Fill line, but no more. Some filters do not have a Max Fill line. If yours doesn’t, fill it up to the top of the reservoir.
- Allow the water to flow through the filter into the bottom of the pitcher.
What does Brita say about overfilling their pitcher filter?
Brita provides very clear instruction – do not fill your filter above the Max Fill line. Here is the direct quote from the Brita website:
“Avoid filling above the MAX FILL line. The purpose of this line is to help you avoid overfilling the reservoir, which can cause water to spill into the handle and leak out of the pitcher.”
What Happens if a Brita Pitcher is Overfilled?
OK, what happens if you overfill your Brita filter?
It’s obviously not the end of the world. You should only be filtering tap water with your Brita pitcher, so nothing toxic or dangerous will spill out. In addition, your tap water should be safe to drink. The Brita filter is only needed to improve the taste and quality of your water.
Brita points out that if you overfill the pitcher, water can flow into the handle and spill out of it. I’ve overfilled my pitcher a few times, and it just made a mess on the counter.
However, I noticed that some of the unfiltered water ran down the side of the pitcher into the treated water reservoir. This gave my water a swimming pool taste and smell – my tap water has a lot of chlorine in it.
I had to dump the water out of the pitcher, rinse it out, and filter another batch of water.
How to Prevent Overfilling Brita Pitcher Filters
The best way to prevent overfilling your Brita pitcher filter is to simply follow the instructions. Fill the reservoir up to the Max Fill line, but no more.
If you don’t have a Max Fill line on your filter, fill it up to the top of the reservoir. It’s also a good idea to keep an eye on the water level in the pitcher as you’re filling it.
If you notice that the water is getting close to the top, stop pouring and wait for some of the water to filter through before adding more. I also find that filling the pitcher directly from the faucet can be tricky because the water comes out pretty fast. To compensate for this, I fill it about 2/3 of the way and then reduce the flow to a trickle.
By following these simple instructions, you can avoid making a mess and ensure that your filtered water tastes great.
What is the correct fill level for a Brita filter?
Most of the pitcher filters made by Brita have a “Max Fill” line in the reservoir. This mark indicates the level you’re supposed to fill the tank to.
Brita explains that you should add water right up to the line. No more. No less.
Where is the Max Fill line on my Brita filter?
The Max Fill line of all Brita pitchers is inside the reservoir. Not every pitcher has a Max Fill line.
If yours doesn’t have one, then you’ll have to just fill the reservoir up to just below the top.
Final Take on Overfilling Brita Pitcher Filters
Brita makes a lot of really great products. Their pitcher filters are some of the most popular on the market.
While it’s pretty easy to use a Brita pitcher filter, there are some things you need to be aware of to avoid making a mess or ruining your filtered water.
The most important thing is to never fill your pitcher above the Max Fill line. If you don’t have a Max Fill line, then fill the reservoir to just below the top. While it’s not the end of the world if you overfill your Brita pitcher filter, it’s best to avoid doing it.
By following these simple instructions, you can avoid overfilling your Brita filter and ensure that your filtered water tastes great.