Pentek Big Clear 20in Filter Housing - Heavy Duty Whole House

In this review the Pentek Big Clear 20in filter housing is examined for whole-house and high-flow sediment or carbon filtration systems; the bottom line is that it is a straightforward, heavy duty replacement housing for anyone who needs visible cartridge monitoring and easy service. The reviewer found the clear sump and robust cap construction make routine checks and cartridge changes simple, while the pressure relief button noticeably reduces the effort and mess when replacing a 20' x 4.5' cartridge in high-pressure lines.

Key Features

• Heavy duty construction: Reinforced polypropylene cap and Styrene acrylonitrile sump provide durable service in large-capacity plumbing and resist cracking under normal whole-house conditions.
• Clear sump housing: The transparent body allows on-site visual inspection of cartridge condition and flow without disassembly, helping to catch clogging early.
• Pressure relief button: The built-in relief button simplifies depressurizing the housing for cartridge changes, reducing spills and making maintenance faster.
• Compatibility: Accepts any standard 20in x 4.5in Big Blue style sediment or carbon filter cartridge so you can choose cartridge type and micron rating to suit water quality.
• 1in NPT ports: The 1in NPT inlet and outlet fittings work with common plumbing runs in larger residential or light commercial systems for high flow applications.

Who It's For

The Pentek Big Clear is aimed at homeowners and small facilities that need a heavy duty, visible filter housing for whole-house prefiltration or carbon polishing. It suits installers and DIYers who value easy inspection and straightforward servicing on a 20in cartridge platform.

Those with very compact installations or who require integrated bracketry, specialty materials beyond reinforced polypropylene and SAN, or port sizes other than 1in NPT should consider alternate housings tailored to those constraints.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Clear sump allows quick visual checks of cartridge life without opening the housing.
• Sturdy cap and materials provide reliable service in high-flow, large-capacity setups.
• Pressure relief button makes cartridge replacement easier and cleaner.
• Compatible with common 20in x 4.5in heavy duty cartridges for flexible filtration choices.

Cons

• Clear plastic sump can show staining over time and may require cleaning to maintain visibility.
• 1in NPT sizing may be larger than needed for small point-of-use applications.

Specifications

Our Verdict

The Pentek Big Clear 20in housing is a practical, cost-effective choice for whole-house sediment or carbon systems where visual monitoring and easy service are priorities. It delivers durable construction and convenient maintenance for larger residential or light commercial installs and represents good value for anyone standardizing on 20in cartridges.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use any 20in cartridge in this housing?
Yes, it accepts any standard 20in x 4.5in Big Blue style sediment or carbon cartridge.

Is the pressure relief button reliable?
Yes, the integrated button safely relieves pressure to simplify cartridge removal and reduce splashing during service.

What are the connection sizes?
The housing uses 1in NPT inlet and outlet ports for common high-flow plumbing connections.