Cirkul water bottles have become increasingly popular in recent years as a convenient way to add flavor and nutrients to water. One of the most common questions about Cirkul is how long the cartridges last at different flavor levels.
What is a Cirkul?
Cirkul is a water bottle system that allows you to customize and flavor your water. The main components are:
- The water bottle itself – This is a BPA-free plastic bottle with a twist-lock lid.
- Flavor cartridges – These small cartridges clip into the lid and contain concentrated liquid flavors and nutrients.
- The lid – The lid has an adjustable dial that controls the flavor intensity from 1 to 10.
To use a Cirkul, you simply fill up the bottle with water, clip in a flavor cartridge, twist the dial to your desired flavor intensity, then drink! The cartridge will release just the right amount of flavor for each sip. The flavors range from fruits to teas to energy and immunity boosting options.
Cirkul Flavor Levels
Cirkul lids have a dial that allows you to control the flavor intensity level from 1 to 10. Level 1 is the minimum flavor and 10 is maximum flavor. The different levels allow you to customize how subtle or strong you want the flavor to be. Here is a brief overview of the levels:
- Level 1-2: Very subtle flavor, mostly just lightly flavored water.
- Level 3-4: Light flavor, equivalent to about 25% flavoring.
- Level 5-6: Medium flavor, equivalent to about 50% flavoring.
- Level 7-8: Strong flavor, equivalent to about 75% flavoring.
- Level 9-10: Maximum flavor, almost like drinking the concentrate.
How Cartridges Work
The Cirkul cartridges use a controlled release technology to precisely dispense flavor. The cartridges contain a spongy membrane that holds the concentrated flavor liquid. When you sip from the bottle, a small amount of liquid is released from the membrane into the water flow path on its way to your mouth. The dial on the lid controls how much of the membrane surface is exposed, thus controlling how much flavor is released. The tighter the twist, the more membrane is exposed and more flavor is dispensed.
How Long Does a Cartridge Last on Level 5?
On level 5, you get a nice medium strength flavor, equivalent to about 50% of the full flavor concentration. At this setting, most Cirkul cartridges will last approximately:
- 30-40 gallons for sticker cartridges
- 40-50 gallons for clip-on cartridges
This can translate into about 2-3 months for regular use. However, there are many variables that affect cartridge life, which will be explained next.
Factors That Impact Cartridge Life
There are several key factors that determine how many gallons or days a Cirkul cartridge will last:
- Flavor level/dial setting – The main factor is what flavor intensity level you have the dial set to. Lower settings preserve cartridges much longer than higher settings.
- Frequency of use – How often you use the bottle each day. Drinking from it regularly depletes cartridges faster.
- Intensity of sipping – Small frequent sips release less flavor than big chugs. Gulping depletes cartridges faster.
- Personal perception – Everyone’s flavor sensitivity is different. You may taste “empty” before someone else.
- Cartridge type – Clip-on cartridges generally last a bit longer than sticky versions.
- Cartridge size – Larger 1.5oz cartridges last longer than 1oz options.
- Water source – Some minerals in tap water can impact flavor release.
- Cleaning – Keeping your Cirkul parts clean helps cartridges last.
Estimating Cartridge Longevity
As a general estimate, here is how long Cirkul cartridges tend to last at level 5 flavor setting:
| Use Frequency | 1 oz Cartridge | 1.5 oz Cartridge |
|---|---|---|
| Light (1-3x daily) | ~1 month | ~6 weeks |
| Moderate (4-8x daily) | ~3 weeks | ~1 month |
| Heavy (8-12x daily) | ~2 weeks | ~3 weeks |
| Extreme (12+ x daily) | ~1 week | ~2 weeks |
With light use of just a couple times a day, 1oz cartridges can last around 4 weeks and 1.5oz may go 5-6 weeks. With extreme heavy use of over 12 times daily, cartridges may only last 1-2 weeks. Most people fall somewhere in the moderate use range.
Tips to Make Cartridges Last
Here are some tips to help extend the life of your Cirkul cartridges:
- Keep the dial on a lower flavor setting like 3-5 when possible.
- Aim for smaller, more frequent sips rather than big gulps.
- Try alternating between a few different flavors during the week.
- When flavor seems weak, try cleaning the bottle and changing your taste buds by switching flavors.
- Store partially used cartridges in a sealed bag in fridge to preserve flavors.
- Purchase larger 1.5oz cartridges for greater longevity.
- Use flavors sparingly if you don’t drink much water daily.
- Rinse bottle and clean lid regularly for optimal performance.
Replacing Cartridges
Once you notice the flavor becoming weak or “empty” tasting, it’s time to replace your Cirkul cartridge. They are designed to be disposable and single-use. Here are some signs your cartridge needs changing:
- Water tastes plain, even on high settings
- You need to crank dial higher to taste flavor
- Flavor tastes diluted or watery
- Bottle has been used for many gallons
- It’s been many weeks or months of use
Cirkul cartridges are affordable convenient replacements – just unclip your old one and insert a fresh new cartridge. They cost just a few dollars per cartridge. Reordering replacements regularly is the best way to stay stocked with flavors you love!
Maximizing Cartridge Life
To get the most value from your Cirkul cartridges, focus on these habits:
- Use lower flavor settings like 3-5 when you can.
- Store partially used cartridges sealed in the fridge.
- Clean bottle and lid frequently for best performance.
- Don’t over-tighten dial which can flood flavor.
- Sip gently rather than gulping to conserve flavor.
- Switch flavors periodically to keep tastebuds fresh.
Avoiding flavor overload preserves cartridges. Be mindful of your personal flavor sensitivity as well. Follow these tips and you’ll keep your Cirkul cartridges lasting longer!
Conclusion
At a medium level 5 setting, most Cirkul cartridges last around 30-50 gallons depending on size and frequency of use. Many factors like sip rate, dial intensity, cartridge care, and personal taste impact how long a cartridge will last before needing replacement. With reasonable use, cartridges can last 1-2 months. Take steps to use the dial minimally, store cartridges properly, clean your bottle, and sip gently. Follow these best practices to maximize cartridge life and keep your Cirkul flavors flowing!