Whirlpool 4396841 PUR Push Button Side-by-Side Refrigerator Water Filter

by Whirlpool

• NSF certified refrigerator water filter retains beneficial fluoride in water while reducing chlorine taste and odor
• Also reduces particulates, lead, and mercury
• This model (4396841) can be used to replace filter models 4396842 and 8212650
• Does not reduce the amount of fluoride
• Replace every six months

Product Description

Amazon.com

Make sure the water and ice from your refrigerator is as clean and fresh tasting as possible by replacing its water filter. This Whirlpool PuR water filter is used in Whirlpool, KitchenAid, Maytag, Amana, and JennAir side-by-side refrigerators with filter access in the base grille.

It's NSF-certified to reduce cysts, particulates (class I), lead, mercury, and more. (The contaminants or other substances removed or reduced by this water filter are not necessarily in all users' water.) While it effectively removes contaminants from your water and ice, this filter also lowers the taste and odor of chlorine while retaining beneficial fluoride.

For the highest quality water and ice, your refrigerator's water filter needs to be changed over a period of time as its effectiveness at cleaning the water is reduced. For optimal results, you should replace this refrigerator water filter every 6 months to ensure clean, safe drinking water and ice.

Your refrigerator will even remind you when to change its filter, turning on an indicator light found near the water dispenser. Changing the filter is easy--just locate the old filter, twist and turn it until it becomes loose, then pull the old filter out and replace with the new filter.

This model (4396841) can be used to replace the following models of water filter:

• 4396842
• 8212650

Replacing Your Water Filter

For side-by-side refrigerators with filter access in the base grille, follow these instructions for replacing your filter:

1. Push the eject button, then pull the filter cap. Do not twist cap.
2. Remove the filter cap by turning it counter clockwise. Set aside cap. Discard old filter.
3. Remove the packaging and O-ring covers from the new filter.
4. Align arrows on the cap and new filter. Turn clockwise to snap in place.
5. Push filter into the base grill until the eject button pops. Gently tug on cap to ensure it is snug.
6. Flush the water system until a total of 3 gallons (12 L) has been dispensed.

From the Manufacturer

This PuR Fast-Fill Refrigerator Water Filter is used in Whirlpool and KitchenAid Fast-Fill side-by-side refrigerators with filter access in the base grille. Simply press the release button to remove and replace the Refrigerator Water Filter. While retaining beneficial fluoride, this NSF Certified Refrigerator Water Filter reduces chlorine taste and odor, particulates (class I), lead, and mercury. Replacing this Refrigerator Water Filter every 6 months ensures clean, safe drinking water.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

195 of 207 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Filtration But... January 7, 2007

By Lonnie E. Holder HALL OF FAMETOP 500 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Size Name:1 Pack

We purchased a new Whirlpool refrigerator earlier this year. The new refrigerator has all the marvelous improvements developed in the last ten years for refrigerators, including a water filter.

The water filter really does deliver better water. However, the water filter seems quite expensive to me. Whirlpool, and other manufacturer's that use this type of filter, recommend the filter be replaced twice a year, whether you need to replace the filter or not.

The filter is relatively easy to replace, but be aware of what happens when you pull the filter. To remove the old filter you push a button next to the filter, typically to the left of the filter. Then pull on the cap covering the filter and pull the filter out. Make a note of how the filter was oriented when you pull it out.

The filter will now begin dripping water, so have a paper towel or small bowl available to let the water drip into. You can either let the filter finish dripping into a sink, or throw it into a plastic bag that you can seal to keep the water from dripping out of the bag. Be sure you remove the cover from the filter before you toss it. On our Whirlpool the cover twists counterclockwise for removal.

Install the filter cover onto the new filter. It takes just a twist to lock it into place. Holding the filter so that the two straight pieces on the end of the filter are vertical, with the open portion of the filter cover oriented on the bottom, slide the new filter straight into the filter cavity until the button on the left clicks to let you know the new filter is locked into place. Note that these instructions are for a Whirlpool, but I believe most other refrigerators are similar. You should be ready to go!

Had I known refrigerator water filters were so expensive I might have gone with a refrigerator without one, though our local water has a lot of chlorine in it (which is filtered out by the filter).

As with many modern conveniences, this water filter represents a convenience that you did not know you needed until you had it. Now that I have it, I am wondering whether I want it since I have to spend a chunk of change each year in filter replacements. Oh well. I guess I can sleep more soundly knowing that the water filter is now removing a bunch of stuff from my water that my body either did not want or need.

Good luck!

71 of 74 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great filter, but don't go by the light... February 26, 2011

By Jeffrey S. Foster

Size Name:2 Pack|Amazon Verified Purchase

Overall we have found this to be a great water filter. But we have had our water tested by a professional, both at the tap, and at the filtered tap on the refrigerator. Both waters tested the same for chlorine content, however, the particle contaminants were greatly reduced by the filter on the refrigerator.

Something to note on your water filter.

The light is merely a timed indicator of when they want you to replace the filter. Think of it as a "countdown timer" that starts as soon as you reset it. It is in no way measuring the amount of water you are consuming... Personally, I used to change out the filter every 6 months when the indicator light came on, but we rarely use the water/ice now, so I haven't changed it (or reset it) in over a year although I probably will soon. I actually cut the first one in half to see how "contaminated" the filter was and to my surprise, it looked like a brand new filter...

The life of a filter depends on a couple of things.
1. The amount of contaminants in your water (well water is typically the worst)
2. The amount of water that passes through the filter

If you have low contaminants and/or use very little filtered water, your filter will last much longer than 6 months. If you pay attention to the amount of water flow and the size of your ice cubes, you can more accurately determine the proper time to replace the filter.

I have county water and we also have installed a "whole house" water filtration system, so I can probably get closer to 2 years out of a filter. Obviously, not everyone has these installed though, just use common sense on when to replace your filter and you'll be fine.

P.S. Why is it more expensive per unit to buy the 3-pack than it is to buy the 2-pack? Am I the only one that found this odd?

44 of 47 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars These filters are wonderful! December 8, 2007

By D. Martin

Size Name:1 Pack

Since I had had previous experience with Pur water filters, we purchased a side-by-side water and ice dispenser Whirlpool fridge over a year ago that uses these filters and they have made a huge difference in the quality of our water. We live in Riverview, FL, a suburb of Tampa, and the water here is so foul that I sometimes wonder if I have an odor from it after I shower. Since it smelled that bad coming from the tap I knew I was not going to drink it, cook with it, nor give it to my cats. So, to save us the expense of buying bottled water, we bought the fridge. Yes, the filters are expensive, but they are Pur water filters which, in my opinion, are better than Brita. I would rather have the expense than get sick drinking nasty water. Since I use the filtered water for just about everything, I have to replace my filter more frequently, but it is well worth the cost.

To save a few bucks, I order my filter online and three at a time; this usually saves me $3-5.00 per filter. Just search for the item number of the filter and you will find several places that sell it either as a single, a three-pack, a four-pack or a six-pack. Obviously, the more you buy, the more you save.