Topic: MSR MiniWorks water filter review.

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This topic has 5 voices, contains 10 replies, and was last updated by ESPwaterproducts 262 days ago.

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July 31, 2009 at 1:22 pm #33374
MotoMike	http://www.songofthepaddle.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=18079 I picked up a MSR MiniWorks water filter. Had only used it locally to see that it worked. Recently I took it with me for a trip of several days in the Wisconsin North Woods. The water there was the color of weak tea with a visibility of about 4 feet. Particulate matter was not really visible in the water. the surface would routinely have floating May Flies and other dead bugs in the morning, but be mostly clear by noon. Just for good measure, I wrapped the inlet cage with a Melitta coffee filter and fastened it there with a wire bread bag tie. I left it hanging on the line when not in use unless it was in the canoe with me. Sorry I did not photo the bottle and filter mated, but these Nalgene bottles thread onto the bottom of the filter when the clean side cover is removed. I probably went through about 1.5 gallons of water a day for all uses. I would either drop the inlet over the side and pump it while in the canoe mid lake, or I would wade into the lake and drop the inlet about 1 foot below the surface in 3 foot deep water in an effort to prevent it sucking up the bugs or other debris on the surface. I was surprised that in this location I needed to clean the filter after about 4 gallons of water. Again no photos but the attached link shows disassembly. The included green cleaning pad easily abrades the surface layer and restored the filter to full flow with the whole cleaning process taking about a minute. The most pleasant thing was that the water this filter produced tasted great. Like the best bottled water. I guess it is probably more to do with the water than the filter, but it really was good water. Probably takes about a minute of pumping to fill a one-liter bottle. When it starts to plug, you sense harder pumping, if you pump too fast the pressure will override the check valve and you will see the bubbles in the intake line going the wrong way. When I got home I disassembled and cleaned all the parts. No tools required. I then boiled the filter for 5 minutes as the manual describes, let cool and then dry for 3 days before reassembly. I have read a few filter reviews that complain about their filters being irreparably plugged and I wonder if it is due to bacteria growing in the filter after the trip is finished. The filter works great and is much lighter than hauling large quantities of water on the trip. Thanks for looking.
August 2, 2009 at 3:13 pm #33375
Dennis	Thanks for the review MM. I bought a PUR water filter a while back and I don’t think I have ever gotten around to actually using it other than a quick test in the kitchen sink.
August 3, 2009 at 6:15 pm #33376
MotoMike	thanks Dennis I looked at the Katadyn filters and actually considered the Vario, but when at Canoecopia, I decided on the MSR. If it lasts a long time, I will be happy. the water it produced was super good tasting. Might be the North Woods lake that is responsible more than the filter, but it was good. Regards, Mike
August 12, 2009 at 4:46 pm #33377
davyjones	I have the same filter you do, and one thing I do to help it out is I carry a five gallon bucket with me. I gather water in the evening in the bucket, and filter in the morning. The time spent in the bucket allows silt or sediment to settle. I pack my MSR stove, filter, and kitchen stuff in the bucket while travelling. Something to consider anyways. You got a great filter, enjoy.
August 12, 2009 at 8:02 pm #33378
Dennis	I’ve heard of people doing the same thing on the Colorado river. Sounds like a great tip.
August 12, 2009 at 8:53 pm #33379
MotoMike	Thanks Davy. I will take it to heart.
July 5, 2010 at 2:25 am #33380
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May 17, 2011 at 5:10 pm #33381
ESPwaterproducts	That sounds like quite a process! (I keep thinking about the floating bugs… and how to avoid them) Depending on the size of your canoe and your camping plans, you might consider other water filtration systems such as The Outback Water Purification System.
May 17, 2011 at 5:16 pm #33382
ESPwaterproducts	Hmm… those floating bugs… if one can avoid those, all the better. You might also consider a water filtration system such as the The Outback Water Purification System. It has 4 phases of filtration and provides 6 gallons of purified water an hour–great if you like having plenty of clean water.
May 17, 2011 at 5:23 pm #33383
ESPwaterproducts	Hmm… those floating bugs… if one can avoid those, all the better. You might also consider a water filtration system such as the The Outback Water Purification System. It has 4 phases of filtration and provides 6 gallons of purified water an hour–great if you like having plenty of clean water.
May 19, 2011 at 4:41 pm #33384
ESPwaterproducts	Hmm… those floating bugs… if one can avoid those, all the better. You might also consider a water filtration system such as the The Outback Water Purification System. It has 4 phases of filtration and provides 6 gallons of purified water an hour–great if you like having plenty of clean water.