Cleaning water filters

[Passion Hiker 73]

I use my water filter for section hikes in the fall and spring and seats idle for the summer. I read you should soak the filter only in a glass of water with a pinch of bleach, rinse and shake dry, and finally place in a freeze bag and place in freeze until next use.

1. Is this true or false information?
2. If true, how many times can I do this before I need to buy a new filter?
3. If false, how can I save from buying a filter after every trip?

I have a "Hiker" water filter.

Thanks

[toegem]

Originally Posted by Passion Hiker 73

I use my water filter for section hikes in the fall and spring and seats idle for the summer. I read you should soak the filter only in a glass of water with a pinch of bleach, rinse and shake dry, and finally place in a freeze bag and place in freeze until next use.

1. Is this true or false information?
2. If true, how many times can I do this before I need to buy a new filter?
3. If false, how can I save from buying a filter after every trip?

I have a "Hiker" water filter.

Thanks

My suggestion would be to back flush if applicable, then remove cartridge from housing let completely air dry, store in zip-loc bag, do not treat with bleach and do not freeze.

[babbage]

I run bleach through my ceramic filter after every trip - I think it was suggested by manufacturer (msr). The reason I do it is to prevent moisture in the ceramic from molding during the drying process. The filter goes on most trips, almost every weekend, and I have never had a problem. I use a 50/50 bleach water mixture. Not sure how much a "pinch" (from original post) of bleach would be - can you pinch bleach?

[toegem]

Follow this link for advice from Katadyn filters concerning cleaning and maintaining their ceramic filter.
http://www.survivalequipment.net/ins...nsminicer.html

[fredmugs]

I love posts like this because I'm sure there are lots of innovative ways to take care of your gear. My first filter was a Hiker Pro and I never did any preventive maintenance to it. Before each trip I pumped a liter of water through it from my toilet and I make sure it is pumped dry after every use.

I also try to do 100 - 150 mile section hikes twice a year. The filter on the Hiker Pro has a 750 liter life and after 4 years I simply replaced it. I lost it on a hike and replaced it with a Katadyn Vario because it has a faster throughput and I can connect a nalgene bottle directly to the pump. The Vario also has like a 2000 liter life.

Here are the preventive maintenence procedures for my current filter:

Long-Term Storage (After Your Trip is Over)

Disinfect your Vario microfilter before storage to prevent microbiological growth within the
pump. Do not use any alcoholic detergents, since it will damage the surface of the filter.

1)

Fill a liter container with tap water and add 2 tablets of Micropur (if not available use
2 tablespoons of ordinary household bleach).

2)

Place prefilter into solution.

3)

Pump entire amount of solution through unit (into sink or container).

4)

Remove prefilter from the solution and continue pumping another 5 to 10 strokes to
remove remaining water from the pump body and hoses.

5)

Remove and clean the ceramic prefilter by brushing with the supplied cleaning pad.
Allow to air-dry completely.

6)

Remove cartridge and allow to dry.

7)

Rinse the black plastic housing and remove any dirt.

8)

Lubricate the o-rings with silicone lubricant provided.

9)

Re-assemble the filter.

10)

Wrap hoses around body and store in carry bag.
Note: When removing unit from long-term storage, flush the system with one liter of water

to remove any stale tasting water.

[Jonnycat]

From Katadyn:

How do I store my Hiker/ Guide water treatment system?

Between trips, run a liter of water with two teaspoons of household bleach through the pump. Pump the unit, remove the cartridge from the housing, dry and store. Before next use, pump a liter of fresh water through the system to flush. See use-and-care manual for field tips and detailed instructions.

-----------------------------------------

Personally, I don't always bother with the bleaching any more, the main thing is to unscrew the filter cartridge and allow it to dry out for a few days (or less time if you aim a desk fan on it).

[Tinker]

I've read that freezing can damage some filters.
Check manual carefully first.
I have a First Need. No cleaning. I pump a liter or so of diluted bleach water through it and pump it dry after it sits overnight between trips. It is one of the filters that supposedly can take freezing, but I wouldn't do it on purpose. I even sleep with it when the temps get much below freezing so it works in the morning.

[Passion Hiker 73]

Well thanks all for the help. I just read somewhere that freezing the filter after cleaning would prevent bacteria growth. All the information posted makes sense and I will put it to good use.