Water filtration

[EnglishBrew]

What do you guys use for water filtering? I want to get away from the primo bottles. I'm going to brew an Imperial Stout with a 1.10 OG so will need lots of water.

I'll be brewing on the 26th. Wife is going to visit her family and I'm not, so I've got nothing better to do but sit at home and make beers. PM if you want to join me.

Thanks!

[aleguy]

Most of us use a standard household carbon filter available at Lowe's for about $50. I added fittings that allow me to screw it to a standard garden hose on one end and put a 1/2" brass hose barb on the outflow. (Brass is OK for water.)
Run the filter for a few minutes to remove any stray bits of charcoal, then back it down to a trickle to increase contact time. It should take about 20 minutes to fill five gallons.
If you really want to get fancy, you can install a reverse osmosis filter, but then you will need to add minerals and brewing salts.

[EnglishBrew]

What sort of hose do I need? I heard that your water tastes like plastic if you use a standard garden hose.

[redtail28]

The white garden hose you can find them at R/V supplie
places. Maybe even Wal-mart.

[aleguy]

Pretty much any hose that says "drinking water safe" will do. You will still want to run the water until you have fresh stuff coming out.

[jimmiec]

I hope you were not exchanging the Primo bottles at the stores (Albersons, Home depot, etc.). There are several Watermills throughout Lafayette, which you can refill the 5-gallon bottles for $1.50. The Watermill water has an extremely low ppm.

[aleguy]

As for me, You just can't beat the convenience of having a filter. It allows me to brew whenever the opportunity arises. I don't have to pre-plan anything, or go running around before I get started. I just set up and brew.