3M Aqua-Pure FF101 Replacement Water Filter Cartridge for Aqua-Pure System 3M FF100, Reduces Lead, Microplastics, Chlorine Taste and Odor, Cysts, Select VOCs

Excellent water filter. The filtered water tastes just like bottled water. I can say this because after installation we did a blind taste-test. My wife only drinks bottled water because she hates the taste of tap water, and she thought the water from the filter was the bottled water. Now we don't need to buy bottled water anymore. The filter is NSF certified so performance and specifications can be trusted. As expected, water flow from the sink faucet was reduced a bit since water is now going thru a filter, but it was not reduced significantly from 1.7 to 1.4 gal/min. The water flow is fine. The replacement filter cartridge uses a 1/4-turn quick-connect mechanism so it will be easy to replace in 1 yr (or 6,000 Gal).IMPORTANT INSTALLATION GUIDANCE: The filter is very easy to install. However, DO NOT install it as shown in the Installation Instructions that come with the filter or the 3M video that is found online. They both show Polyethylene Tube (i.e. Plastic Tube) being used to make the water connections, and we initially installed it that way but learned that there are several reasons not to use the tubing:1) The main reason not to use the plastic tubing is the risk of a major water flood situation. This is because the coupling of the tubes into the compression fittings can be flaky since the tube is just pushed in and compressed. In our installation, one of the tubes popped out after 48 hours. Fortunately we were near the kitchen so we heard the water flow, and were able to quickly shut-off the water. In just a short amount of time, we had water all over the floors. If we hadn't been home, it would have been a major and expensive flooding disaster.2) Other reasons are that there is a safer, cheaper, and easier way to install the filter. This installation uses standard braided water supply lines connected directly to the filter (see pictures). This is safer because all water connections are screwed-in so they cannot pop out. The installation is cheaper and easier because there are less parts and less connection points. A description of two filter installations with the list of parts required follows.1st Installation to Faucet (Pictures 1 thru 3):---------------------------------------------------The first filter was installed to feed a kitchen faucet. Parts required were purchased at HomeDepot:• Qty 2 of Everbilt Lead-Free Compression Adapter 3/8" OD x 3/8" MIP (Model #800669) $4.43/ea(Note: These fittings are used to connect the water supply lines to the filter. The MIP side of the fitting screws into filter head; one for the input and one for the output. You will unscrew and not use the pieces in the 3/8" OD side of the fitting because the supply lines will connect directly to the male end left after unscrewing the pieces).• Qty 1 of Oatey Fast Tape 1/2 in. x 260 in. PTFE Thread Seal Tape (Model #306212) $2.97(Note: This is the teflon PTFE tape to wrap the 3/8" MIP end of the fitting that screws into filter head to make it leak proof. We wrapped it using 5 loops around. If the MIP connection develops a slow leak, the thing to do is to unscrew it and rewrap it with new PTFE tape and perhaps add one or more loops of tape. Trying to over tighten the fitting connection doesn't fix the leak. If you use the white PTFE tape that is very thin instead of this Oatey tape, you may not be able to stop the leak. We experienced this with one side of the filter, and wasted lots of time redoing it over and over. Online we read about people fixing leaks with higher-quality, thicker PTFE tape. We got the Oatey tape and wrapped it 5 times around the fitting, and it immediately fixed the leak. This tape is color grey).• Qty 1 of BrassCraft 3/8" Comp x 3/8" Comp x 20" Braided Polymer Dishwasher Connector (Model #B1-20DW F) $4.58(Note: This is the water supply line to connect the filter to the incoming water valve at the wall. Only one water line is needed if you already had a line going from wall to faucet. That existing line will now go from the output of the filter to the faucet).2nd Installation to Faucet & Ice Maker (Picture 4 with brass Tee-connector):--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------We liked the filter so much that we got a second one. This one was installed to feed a faucet and an ice machine so the water needed to be diverted with a tee-connection. The ice machine was far from the sink so had to route a long water line on the back of the cabinets behind the drawers. In addition to the parts and installation done in the first two bullets of the 1st installation above, the following parts were ordered from Amazon:• Qty 1 of BrassCraft GIDDS-131737 Female Compression Tee, 3/8" Od x 3/8" Od x 1/4" Od, Lead Free $5.98(Note: The 3/8" OD female side of this fitting was connected directly to the Everbilt compression adapter that is screwed to the filter head as described in the first bullet of the 1st installation above (see pic 4). The 3/8" OD male is connected to the water line going to the faucet. The 1/4" OD male is connected to the water line going to the ice maker. Since the two fittings attached together extend a pretty good amount from the filter head, the existing water line going to the faucet was creating strain. We got a longer and more flexible line to eliminate the unwanted strain; see below Fluidmaster B1F30)• Qty 1 of Certified Appliance IM180SS Braided Stainless Steel Ice Maker Connector (15-foot) $13.43(Note: The ice maker line has 1/4" female compression fittings on both ends. One end hooks to the 1/4" OD in the compression tee, and the other end connects to the ice machine. There are other lengths in the Amazon listing).• Qty 1 of Fluidmaster B6F16 Faucet Connector, Braided Stainless Steel - 3/8" Female Compression Thread x 3/8" Female Compression Thread, 16" Length $4.29(Note: This is the water supply line to connect the filter to the incoming water valve at the wall. There are other lengths in the Amazon listing. Only one water line is needed if you already had a line going from wall to faucet. That existing line will now go from the output of the filter to the faucet).• Qty 1 of Fluidmaster B1F30 Faucet Connector, Braided Stainless Steel - 3/8" Female Compression Thread x 1/2" I.P. Female Straight Thread, 30" Length $7.51(Note: New longer line going to faucet to replace existing line).

First off this is about $100 more than every other filter thats on the market, but they say it'll last for 9-12 months, so once a year replacement is about what I wanted for an under sink filter. I replace a 5 year old 50k gallon filter and you can easily taste the water quality difference, at least I can. I will also likely not use the filter this kit comes with an opt for a cheaper version. $250 for a single filter once a year is insane, there are a few on here that are just under $100 that fit and have similar specifications that I'll likely get instead, unless I can find the OEM filter for substantially cheaper. When I did research before buying people were saying you can buy it at Walmart but who knows. These filters are this price seem like a racket.Install:If you didn't already do so, you need to figure out what size water hose you need, most will be 3/8 and you'll need buy a second one, this can be done at any home Depot or Lowes type store.You're going to need to buy 3/8 Tube OD to 3/8 NPT - male to male. I got it off Amazon, it's a 5 pack but cheaper than two at your local store, so you figure out how that works.You're gana need a roll of fasttape or something similar, two full wraps of this on each thread (clockwise) and then hand tighten into the filter flow device thing.Once you attach the water hoses you'll need pliers to tighten it, it will move the adapter as well, that's fine, just tighten it until you get the center part right against the plastic. Be careful because too much torque will absolutely break the plastic, especially using metal adapters.The three screws they included don't do much in terms of attachment and most people have drywall or sheet rock under their sink, use some kind of anchor. Make sure you measure at least 18 inches from the bottom of the cabinet, you want enough clearance in the future. After I measured with a level I used EZ Ancor stud silver (it's metal) and each one is rated for 50lb. Total overkill but I figure I'll have this under my sink for the foreseeable.Attach the head flow piece with the screws, and installed the filter with a simple turn. It's pretty self explanatory.You have to run the water for a few minutes. I ran it for two minutes and took a glass filled it half way, it was obviously cloudy and turned clear. I kept the water running for another two minutes and checked the water it was clear. Tasted it and it was good to go.Random thoughts:Water flow is fine, plenty of pressure.The taste was obviously different so it's clearly functional, I'll have to check it periodically to see if it changes.It was easy to install so I assume it'll be easy to change.Remember to turn off your water flow before you install and when you replace.When I replace the filter I'll update this review.

Full disclosure - I worked for 3M Company who makes this product for 37 years, which makes me biased.But that also makes me knowledgeable. In this case this filter will attach to the cold water line under your sink and provide full flow (2.5 gpm) filtered water for drinking and cooking. This is SO much better than installing a “shepherds crook” faucet on top of your counter that filters well but takes forever to even fill a glass. You can also use the same water line to feed your ice maker.It removes all the bad stuff you would worry about and makes the water taste great too.I believe the life of the filter is about 10,000 gallons or so. I replace mine every year. The replacement is very easy - a twist off/twist on process.Have recommended to all my friends and everyone that tries it loves it. Replacement cartridges are expensive but the ease and utility makes it worthwhile for us.