Finding the right filter
How do I know which filter my refrigerator takes?
Read the part number printed on the cartridge you are removing. That number is the only reliable guide. Appliance model numbers are not, because a single refrigerator model can ship with different filter housings across production years. If the old cartridge is missing, check the inside of the fridge door or the owner manual.
My old filter has several numbers on it. Which one matters?
Any of them. Manufacturers list the same cartridge under multiple catalogue numbers, so EDR3RXD1, 4396841, 4396710 and 46-9083 all describe one physical part. Match whichever number you can read.
Will a cheaper aftermarket filter damage my refrigerator?
A correctly dimensioned cartridge will not. Problems come from poorly moulded cartridges that do not seal, which causes weeping around the collar rather than appliance damage. Every cartridge we stock is machined to the original dimensions.
Certification
What is the difference between NSF 42 and NSF 53?
NSF 42 covers aesthetic impurities, so chlorine taste and odour. NSF 53 covers contaminants with documented health effects, such as lead and certain volatile organic compounds. A filter certified only to NSF 42 has not been tested for the second category. NSF 53 is the one worth looking for.
What does NSF 401 mean?
It covers emerging contaminants, including pharmaceutical residue, pesticides and detergent compounds. It confirms reduction of at least one of fifteen listed substances, not all fifteen.
What is NSF 372?
It certifies that the cartridge components and housing are lead-free. It says nothing about filtration performance, so a cartridge carrying only NSF 372 has not been tested for what it removes.
Installation and replacement
Do I need tools?
No. Every cartridge we sell is hand-fitted, either a quarter turn or a push fit. You do not need to shut off the water supply.
Why is my water sputtering after fitting a new filter?
Trapped air. Run two to three gallons through the dispenser and it clears. The water may also run slightly grey at first as loose carbon flushes out, which is normal. Discard the first batch of ice.
How often should I replace the cartridge?
Every six months, or at the gallon figure stated on the product page, whichever comes first. Carbon media loses adsorption capacity over time regardless of how much water has passed through it, so the calendar matters even on light use.
The dispenser has slowed down. Is that the filter?
Almost certainly. A spent cartridge restricts flow before it affects taste, so a slow dispenser is usually the first symptom rather than a change in flavour.
Orders, shipping and returns
How much is shipping?
Shipping is free on every order to all 50 states, with no minimum. See our Shipping Policy.
How quickly will it arrive?
Four to six business days to the contiguous United States, six to nine to Alaska and Hawaii. Orders placed before 2:00 PM Central Time on a business day go out the same day.
Can I return a filter I have already fitted?
Not unless it is defective or we sent the wrong part, in which case we cover everything. A cartridge that has had water run through it cannot be restocked for hygiene reasons. Unopened filters are returnable within 30 days. See our Refund and Return Policy.
I ordered the wrong filter number. What now?
If it is unopened, return it for a full refund and order the correct one. Email us the model number of your appliance and we will identify the right part before you reorder.