We purchased this filter (AquaFresh WF285) from another online retailer as a less expensive alternative to our Whirlpool brand filter. Bad choice.
Immediately after installing it we noticed it was producing lots of very tiny black particles of debris in the water, even though we had run the recommended 2 quarts of water through it. Long story short, over 30 minutes and 20 quarts of water later, the water was still filled with these very small carbon pieces, almost like black dust.
We removed it and put our Whirlpool brand filter back in, and within 4 quarts the debris started to go away, and after 6 quarts the water was running clean again.
So, we assumed that we must have simply received a defective filter. Not so.
We contacted the online retailer and they sent us a new one in exchange, and the new one gave us the same exact results. We ran gallon after gallon of water through it (thoroughly rinsing the jug between fills to make sure we weren't seeing lingering remnant debris), and still the second replacement WF285 kept producing water filled with black carbon dust.
However, you do need a keen eye to notice it so I'm guessing that's why we haven't found other negative reviews of the product yet. We believe it's likely that most people simply don't notice the carbon dust after a few quarts because it's so fine, and I'm willing to bet that a lot of people are drinking some carbon-dusty water right now because they've never taken a close look at their water after using this.
If you have this product, fill a white (or very light) colored bowl or juice jug with it and let it sit for a few seconds and watch it under good lighting. You will notice that as the water settles the carbon dust begins to rise to the top and swirl together, making it more visible for people with poor eyesight.
We've switched back to the actual Whirlpool brand and our fridge water is perfectly clean again. Too bad, we were really hoping to save some money because the Whirlpool filters are so much more expensive, but it's totally not worth drinking nasty water from poorly made filters to save a lousy 10 bucks. This experience has us back to buying filters direct from Whirlpool now at a premium. Major bummer. AquaFresh Replacement Filter for Whirlpool 4396508
I bought this filter because it was the cheapest of the whole bunch. It really is true.....you get what you pay for. This filter doesn't help with the taste and odor of my water. I just purchased another filter from ABT that is the original filter for my refrigerator for $10 more and no shipping costs. DO NOT BUY THIS FILTER!
I have purchased 3 of these filters for my fridge. The first time I purchased 2 at one time so I could have a backup. 1 day after installing the first one, the plastic part of the filter broke and water QUICKLY started leaking from the filter onto the floor. I figured it was just a 1 in a million thing and put the other filter in. It worked fine for the 3 months until my little light told me it was time to order a new one. I ordered one and replaced the filter. One week later, pop, the plastic seal broke yet again and water again was all over my floor. I was very, very lucky to be at home and in the kitchen BOTH times they broke, otherwise I would have come home to a flooded house as the water comes out at full force. I would recommend spending the extra money for a different filter. I know I will from now on.........
Like DigitalMan's review, I too decided to try to save some money and get the cheaper AquaFresh brand filter. I ordered a 3-pack in October 2008 from another online vendor for about $76 (about the cost of 2 by Pur). I also noticed the black particulates (maybe charcoal?) when installing the first filter. I ran several gallons of water through it (much more than is recommended) and it seemed to clear up, although I forgot to check later on. Today, I installed the second one and I'm not going to try the third. I must have run about 4 gallons of water through the line. After noticing some particulates in the water of the large gallon pitcher I was using, I switched between tap water and the refrigerator multiple times using a wine glass, allowing for the air bubbles to clear out. The tap water was clear, but the water coming from the Aquafresh filter had black particulates and a few white fibers as well. It may not be harmful (who knows), but the Kenmore/Pur brand filters I used before never had that problem. I'm going to order the more expensive brand filters again and will drink pure Schuylkill Punch (what we call the tap water in southeastern Pennsylvania) until the new filters come. I still believe that many times you CAN save money by shopping around for a cheaper brand with equal or better quality, but in this case that's not my experience which is why I'm taking the time to write this review.
This product is the worse thing i have every purchased in Amazon. There is a bad after taste from the filter. After about a month im going to have to purchase a new filter, this time im going to buy a brand name.
Sorry to say but it's true - these just are not very good filters. In fact, I have one in my hands now brand new from the box and it's so filthy (& it rattles -???) that I refuse to even install it. It's no fun to hassle with the return/exchange but it's either go through that headache or throw $23 in the trash.
I bought this AquaFresh WF285 filter as a replacement, specified by this web site as "AquaFresh Replacement Filter for Whirlpool 4396508". When it arrived and I pulled out the old filter from the fridge, (a Whirlpool 4396508 filter) the new one would not insert into the fitting. I compared both filters side by side and, although both are the exact same diameter and length, the valve fitting at the end with the o-rings is completely different. It would not insert or allow me to rotate it 90 degrees into operating position. Be very careful, look at your existing filter and compare it carefully with the zoomed-in views of the one you're buying. They are NOT direct replacements. - Whirlpool Water Filter - Refrigerator Water Filters - Fridge Filter - 4396508'
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