How to Prime BOROUX Water Filters

How to prime the filters using the blue priming tool

Priming means to fully saturate the interior and exterior of the filters with water. This process activates the carbon, which is key to trapping unwanted contaminants. The filters must be primed before use, and after cleaning.

Follow the instructions below to prime the BOROUX Foundation Black Filters using the Automatic Priming Pump.

Step 1

Remove the wingnut and washer from each BOROUX filter.

Step 2

Attach the blue silicone priming tool to the faucet, making sure you pull the primer up as far as possible to create a good seal with the water spout.

Step 3

Adjust the water flow so that a 12 oz cup fills within 45 to 60 seconds. Important: Use only cold water.

Step 4

While the water is flowing, gently push the stem of the Boroux filter into the blue primer.

Step 5

If the blue primer inflates as shown above, or if there is excessive water leakage around the primer, re-adjust the water flow so that a 12 oz. cup fills within 45 to 60 seconds.

Step 6

After 1 to 2 minutes, water will be visible on the filter surface Continue to prime for 1 to 2 more minutes, until water beads on the entire filter surface.

Step 7

Keep water flow running. Remove the filter from the primer. Set the filter aside on a clean surface.

Step 8

Repeat the priming process for each BOROUX filter (steps 4 through 7).

System Installation Instructions

Additional Priming Methods:

Automatic Filter Primer

Using the BOROUX Automatic Filter Primer is the most convenient way to prime your filters.

Remove from packaging and place on a towel. Remove wing nut but leave washer in place.
Rotate until snug (do not over-tighten!). Hand tighten only.
Place primer & filter in the lower chamber and hook it securely. Fill with water to the indicated level. Press “On” Press “Prime” to start. Primer turns off automatically.
Note: Do not fully submerge the primer since it is not water proof.
Remove the filter. Check the washer (reattach if needed). Repeat for all filters.
If the priming water isn’t clear, re-prime the filter.

Tan Priming Tool

Place the washer, wingnut, and tan priming button on the stem of the filter.
Press the priming button up against the faucet. Hold the stem between two fingers, and use the wingnut for grip.
Slowly turn on the water until it reaches a low but consistent flow, and be sure to use cold water.
Let water run through the filter for approximately one minute. A good indicator that the filter is fully primed is if you can see small beads of water appearing on the sides of the filter.
Turn off the water and remove the filter from the priming button.

Water Bottle

Take the lid off a full plastic water bottle and stretch the larger end of the blue priming tool over the opening.
Insert the stem of the BOROUX Foundation Filter into the small small end of the blue priming tool.
Squeeze the bottle to flush water through the filter. The filters should bead up or drip the entire length of the filters. This may take a couple of bottles of water, depending on the filter and bottle used.

Frequently Asked Questions

Priming the BOROUX Filters is necessary for proper function. This procedure is what activates the carbon and breaks the surface tension, so that the contaminants get trapped, and the water gets through. The filter is made of very dense material and priming forces water through the material so that it’s entirely saturated. This is a crucial initial step for using the filters.

The media that the BOROUX Filter is made of has a micropore structure. These micropores are miniscule which can create tiny pockets of air. Along with the high surface tension of the filter material, without being primed first, water cannot pass through those air bubbles. Priming uses water pressure to force water through those micropores so that when water is passing through only using gravity, it can. If the filters are not primed, the flow can be extremely slow, if not completely nonexistent.

Each filter is unique, some filters shows lots of water beads, others do not. As long as the filter is fully saturated, they are primed. Running water through the filter for 1-2 minutes fully saturates the filter.

The buoyancy test can determine if the filters are fully primed.

Fill the lower chamber or another large container with water
Place the filters in this container with the stems up.
If it sinks (or slightly floats), the filter is primed and ready to install in your system!
If the filter bobs back up quickly, prime again.

For a failed red dye test, double check these variables:

Do not pour dye directly onto the filters, it will overwhelm them.
Use the correct type of dye. It must be red, artificial liquid. Natural dyes contain minerals that pass through the filters. Gel food coloring should NOT be used because it is too viscous, it won’t result in accurate results.
Confirm a tight seal between the base of the filter and the upper chamber so that the only water getting through is going through the filter, not leaking through the hole. The washer should be on the stem of the black filter inside the upper chamber, and the wingnut should be secured on the filter stem on the underside of the upper chamber. Wingnuts should only be hand tightened. Do not use tools to tighten. If the wingnuts are too tight the stem threads could be damaged.
If re-testing a filter; rinse the filter, rinse the glasses or jars, prime the filters again, and then redo the test.
Contact us for additional help.