You turn on the fridge dispenser. You expect to get clean and fresh water.. Have you ever thought about what is happening inside that small filter cartridge? Refrigerator water filters are actually pretty simple. They do a lot of work every time you get a drink. Let us go through how they work one step at a time in language.
What Activated Carbon Does
The main part of every refrigerator water filter is activated carbon. This is not the same as the charcoal you use for barbecues. It is carbon that has been processed to have millions of tiny holes which makes a big surface area. When water goes through some bad things stick to those holes. It is like a sponge that catches the things you do not want in your water.
The Adsorption Process
The important thing that happens inside the filter is called adsorption. This is different from when something soaks up water like a paper towel. In adsorption the bad molecules like chlorine and sediment stick to the surface of the activated carbon. The more surface area the carbon has, the bad things it can catch before it gets full.
How Water Flows Through the Filter
The water from your homes water pipe goes into the filter cartridge. It goes through layers of activated carbon. Sometimes a screen that catches sediment. As it moves the activated carbon catches the things. The clean water then goes to the dispenser or ice maker. This all happens quickly which is why the filter needs to be replaced because it can only catch so much before it gets full.
Why Filters Eventually Clog Up
After a while the holes in the activated carbon get filled up with the things it has caught. In areas with water minerals make it happen even faster. When the holes are full the filter cannot catch bad things as well. That is when you start to notice that the water is flowing slower or it tastes like chlorine again or the ice is cloudy. A clogged filter can also make the fridges water system work harder.
Choosing the Right Filter for Your Needs
Not all filters work the way. Some are better at catching sediment. Others are better at making the water taste good. If you know how your filter works you will know when it is time to replace it and if you need a kind of filter for your water.
For information about all kinds of refrigerator filters see Refrigerator Water Filters: The Complete Guide.
If you want to know what your filter can and cannot remove, check What Contaminants Do Refrigerator Filters Remove?.
For an explanation of the main material inside most filters take a look, at What Is Activated Carbon Filtration? (Simple Explanation).
Conclusion
Refrigerator water filters work in a way using activated carbon and adsorption. They make the water taste better. Remove some bad things but they have limits. If you know how they work it is easier to decide when to replace them. If they are doing enough for your household. A new filter usually makes the water taste better and flow better after a few glasses of refrigerator water.