Does the straw mechanism work without the filter? Or do you always have to have a filter to use?
1716646
The straw is attached with the filter.you cannot drink without the filter...it is a great bottle..
1716647
The straw is part of the filter system. If you remove the filter/straw you can still drink from the bottle if you tip it.
343961
Yes, you can. I've been frustrated with this straw because I have such a hard time getting a good flow going (lol), and just now tried it without the straw after reading these answers. Never thought to try it before.
1398374
Yes it is possible to use the machine without filter. There is included with the machine water tester and you set up the machine according water softness.I love this machine.
2180929
There is not a filter required on this particular model. It works fine, I've had for several months at work but it's a half gallon so it's goes through the water a bit faster than the ones I have at home but I've been quite happy with this one. Good luck!
1840887
No, the family version does not use additional straws, it has it's own primary and secondary filter that provides enough filtration for the total of 18000 liters. The difference between the two is, you have two pieces separated by a hose and gravity is what pushes the filtered water through instead of suction like the straw.
621232
I did sometimes, but I realized it was user error. If the mouthpiece is not fully opened and the straw isn't all the way on, you can't get anything out of it. Hope it helps!!! That seemed to help for me :)
101428
mine did not have a straw, just a spout to drink from . This type works better than straw ones for me.
872058
No, no filter is required. However, mine came broken... I do not recommend.
1921967
If you're putting clean water in there's no need for a filter. The bigger problem is that the weight of the water from the upside down water container deforms the "lid" where the filter is and that keeps water from freely flowing into the dish (with filter or without. You actually have to tilt the whole unit to get the water to flow. It's a horribly designed product.
856591
The one I got does not have a straw or any way to use a straw, but the insert that came with it in the package said the company was working on a sport top for it, so this might be that kind of design.
453289
It's perfectly fine to operate with no filter. You may need to clean the foam screen on the intake pump (which disassembles for cleaning) a little more often - and even that's negligible - but using this product without a filter doesn't cause any problems. In truth, the primary function of the filter is to make the water "taste better" to your pet, much as Brita brand filter pitchers do for us humans. If you wanted to, you could even put a mesh bag with activated carbon filter media (available in aquarium supply) into the filter reservoir space, but there's really no need.
258990
Although I always use the straw with it you could definitely use it without one as well. The spout has a sliding plastic cover that does not seal liquid it as well as some of the other cups if turned on it's side or upside down it is sure to leak out. For that reason I always use the straw and keep it upright at all times. If you have a hot beverage in it, I don't know how you would use the straw to drink without scolding yourself, so it was designed to be used both ways. Hope this helps.
1635443
I do both and it depends on where you live, whether you need a filter. When I was visiting San Diego (their tap water is not so great) so I used it there. I have used it without the filter as well and can barely tell the difference. I hope this helps you. :)
130783
Nope. No filter required. Nothing required but water. We love ours! Works well.
1827645
It will not work without the straw. Even if the straw is misaligned or not fully inserted it does not work.
430798
The hole is very large you can drink out of it without a straw. I say just about any straw will fit. I don't understand the question about what side the hole is on. My daughter uses hers everyday.
2147508
No filters needed. The water container must be cleaned out periodically which has a built in filter (screen).