[french_guy]

Hello all
I need to replace - again - the water filter in my Frigidaire side by side fridge
The OEM filter is $50.....last time, I ordered 2 filters from Amazon, but it seems I can't find them anymore
Question: what is the purpose of a fridge water filter bypass ? Is it mainly to use a different water filtration, cheaper and/or more efficient?
I was thinking to install a filter in the basement, on the line that feeds the fridge....

Thanks

 

[BayouRunner]

To me that’s the way to go. That’s all we use. A filter installed in the water line behind the frig. As a manufacturers rep we can’t even get a discount on the filters from some manufacturers. In some cases they won’t even list a part number. I don’t think they are worth the money. The bypass is for if your filter stops up or another issue. Just that, it bypasses the filter altogether. They would never suggest you buy a $10 filter to put behind the frig vs buying one of their own

 

[french_guy]

To me that’s the way to go. That’s all we use. A filter installed in the water line behind the frig. As a manufacturers rep we can’t even get a discount on the filters from some manufacturers. In some cases they won’t even list a part number. I don’t think they are worth the money. The bypass is for if your filter stops up or another issue. Just that, it bypasses the filter altogether. They would never suggest you buy a $10 filter to put behind the frig vs buying one of their own

So do I need a bypass filter to put in place of the current filter, and then install an inline filter downstairs on the line that feeds the fridge?

 

[surferdude2]

So do I need a bypass filter to put in place of the current filter, and then install an inline filter downstairs on the line that feeds the fridge?

I just used a compression coupling to connect the line together.

I use a Whilpool WHCF-DWH filter installed on the basement wall. It also serves the cold water at the kitchen sink. Our local water stinks most of the time and this filter stops that. It takes the common 10" filters that are easy to get at the big box stores... Walmart even has them. I use the charcoal type.

You can't see it in the picture but I have a ball valve on both sides (highly recommended) to make it easier to change the filter without draining the house lines.

 

[HotRodx10]

Use the OEM part number in a search on Ebay and Amazon; you'll probably find 3rd party filters for a reasonable price.

 

[diyorpay]

View attachment 597329 Problem is the 'market' is flooded with counterfeit filters.

Here's Frigidaire's statement:

https://www.frigidaire.com/Filters-...r-Filters/Spotting-Counterfeit-Water-Filters/

There are interesting Youtube videos where they cut open filters to demo why counterfeits don't work.

Consumer's problem is cost appears too high. It is. Just like the inkjet business, when ink was considered way overpriced, aftermarket competition entered the arena. Some filters are near equivalents while others merely look like the manufacturer's on the outside.

Sometimes, by taste, you will have to replace these knockoff filters more frequently because, even though they may do the job somewhat, they do not last as long. The value is questionable let alone not knowing if they really work.

Some refrigerators will not even dispense water or make ice if a filter is not installed. I would not buy that brand merely because that manufacturer has gone too far protecting its brand.

Surferdude2 offers good advice. A system of filters that removes multiple problems may be best for locations with water issues.

A system like we installed goes under the kitchen sink. Cuzn makes some long lasting combo filters as well as multi-staged systems although there are many. Our solution (using tees and hoses) gives us unfiltered cold water out of original faucet water spout, filtered water out of a second, added water faucet (using soap dispenser counter hole), and filtered water to refrigerator for water and ice. A bit more to invest for a much more reliable system not dependent upon a refrigerator brand.

 

[HotRodx10]

Problem is the 'market' is flooded with counterfeit filters.

Here's Frigidaire's statement:

What do you expect from am OEM manufacturer? An endorsement of aftermarket filters that cost far less than theirs?


However, even in their warning, they had to hint at the reality: "Genuine water filters are NSF certified and have the symbol stamped on the product." There are many 3rd party filters made to fit almost any fridge, that are NSF certified, and have the same 5 stage filtration as the OEM's, for half the price. Granted, probably not the ones that are 1/4 of the price and shipped from China or India.



For my father-in-law's Kenmore, the OEM filters are $40-$50. The 3rd party ones I bought for him are NSF certified, fit and work as well as the OEM, with all the same filtration components, for around $24. They last him about 6 months, and his water is from a well.



That reminds me, all the refrigerators with filters I've seen so far, tell you to replace the filter after a certain number of gallons, whether the filter really needs to be replaced or not. Most often, you can remove the filter and put it right back in a couple of times before it actually needs replaced. Kind of like printer toner cartridges.

 

[diyorpay]

It's buyer beware for sure.

from NBC Virginia:

https://www.nbc12.com/2019/07/22/fa...-have-prestigious-water-safety-certification/

 

[HotRodx10]

I rigged a similar system for my kitchen sink, diyorpay. I used one of the inline ice maker filters, and split it after the filter to a single handle spout on the sink and the line to my icemaker, since my fridge doesn't have an internal filter. It works well - filtered water on tap and and for ice.

 

[surferdude2]

I change filter cores when the seasons change... easier to keep track of that way.

If you have a filter and never change it when you are supposed to, the story is it's worse than no filter at all. Supposedly the core element can rupture from old age and you could get a concentrated dose of whatever the filter has protected you from. I'm not so sure I believe that, but nonetheless I change the core element on schedule.

If you decide to use a whole house filter like I have pictured, be sure to mount it solidly, since it takes a good pull on the housing tool to loosen it up when changing cores. I had mine mounted in the void above the drop ceiling in the basement originally and the housing stuck down through the ceiling tile. It was lots of fun changing the core while on a ladder and holding a bucket to catch the water. I moved it down to the wall the first chance I got.

Tip: It has an "O" ring gasket, so don't over tighten it... hand tight and very little more will work. Tip #2: Buy the name brand filter cores... they have their reputation at stake as well as their deep pockets... the foreign cheapies have neither and I don't trust them. The premium ones go for $14.99/pr. so you can't safe much there anyway.

 

[BayouRunner]

I don’t know offhand if your particular model if you need a bypass filter. An easy check would be to remove your oem filter. If your water still comes out the door you are good to go ahead and install the filter downstairs. I really think that you can come up with a more quality filter this way for less money in the long run


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[HotRodx10]

If you have a filter and never change it when you are supposed to, the story is it's worse than no filter at all.

I would agree. Much depends on how much gunk is in the water coming in to the filter. I was just that the internal filters in all the refrigerators I've dealt with seem to be on a schedule that assumes really horrible water quality, that is very conservative for most people's water. This would be especially true if you have an inline or whole-house filter before the internal filter in the fridge. The fridge is still going to tell you that the filter needs changed after the same 3000 gallons, or whatever, even though it's filtering almost nothing.

 

[Colbyt]

I buy the generic ones for about 1/10 of the OEM.

 

[french_guy]

I don’t know offhand if your particular model if you need a bypass filter. An easy check would be to remove your oem filter. If your water still comes out the door you are good to go ahead and install the filter downstairs. I really think that you can come up with a more quality filter this way for less money in the long run


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

For this time, I was able to order online 3 filters for $40 ("Mountain Flow")
Not sure if they are good, average or bad (fake)....Will see
But for sure, I would like in the future to get rid of those filters and install something better and if possible easier to find, in the basement
I will have to try if the fridge is still dispensing water w/o the filter installed. What I know is the instruction manual is saying to turn the ice maker OFF on the main panel before replacing the filter......not sure if it's an indication that the fridge can or cannot operate without a filter?

 

[BayouRunner]

Sorry really don’t have any idea. But most run without

 

[french_guy]

Sorry really don’t have any idea. But most run without

I chatted with Frigidaire, and they said I would need a bypass cartridge....But they also said I could try without a filer, the risk being to have a leak....
So I'm not so sure they know what they are talking about !!!

 

[HotRodx10]

they said I would need a bypass cartridge

Which probably costs more than a 3rd party filter...


If you decide to install the inline filter, just put a filter in the fridge, and just take it out and put it back in when it tell you to change it.


It seems with the inline filter on your main water supply, or even just the line to the kitchen, you'd be filtering alot of water that doesn't need to be filtered.

 

[french_guy]

Which probably costs more than a 3rd party filter...


If you decide to install the inline filter, just put a filter in the fridge, and just take it out and put it back in when it tell you to change it.


It seems with the inline filter on your main water supply, or even just the line to the kitchen, you'd be filtering alot of water that doesn't need to be filtered.

Yes, this stupid blank cartridge is almost the same price than the OEM filter (~ $50)
So are you saying with a filter downstairs installed on the line that feed the fridge, the filter inside the fridge will not have much to filter and can stay much longer in place ? Just need to remove and put it back in to reset the alarm?

 

[BayouRunner]

Well I would still remove the current filter and see if the water works. You are probably talking about a 30 second process. If it leaks or won’t work there’s nothing stating you can’t bypass the interior filter assembly with plastic tubing. Would be a simple process

 

[HotRodx10]

So are you saying with a filter downstairs installed on the line that feed the fridge, the filter inside the fridge will not have much to filter and can stay much longer in place ? Just need to remove and put it back in to reset the alarm?

Exactly.