I bought this filter and used it for a week long canoe trip to the Boundary Water in MN. We also had a Sweet water filter. The Sweat Water pump broke after day three and we had to rely on my filter for the last 3 days. It worked great. It pumped a lot of water. nobody got sick and it was easy to clean in the field. Great filter!!
you only need to clean it when it get hard to pump. It depends on how dirty the water is. On lakes with a lot of silt you may have to scrub the ceramic after filling a couple Liter bottles. On other clear lakes I could go all day. After your trip or for long term storage you should boil the element for 5 minutes and let it sit in the hot water until it is cool. Then leave out for 4-5 days to air dry. Its a great filter. Read my comment.
Roughly how long should the filter be scrubbed for a cleaning? Like is 1 minute of gentle scrubbing about right? Also, the flow rate went from about 1 liter per 2 minutes to 1 liter per 10 minutes over the course of 4 liters. Is this normal? The lake was not particularly dirty.
There is no recommend time frame for scrubbing the filter. You should make even, uniform, and gentle strokes with the scrubbing pad going up and then down (end to end), while cleaning all around the element. If the flow rate has decreased significantly, clean around again, possibly even doing a sterilization of the ceramic element. Decreased flow rate over time is normal and expected as the ceramic/carbon element is removing particulate and bacteria from dirty water. For more info, see owner’s manual.
Hello, Thanks for reaching out. From the product page, there is pdf link of the MSR MiniWorks schematic showing how the Duckbill valve is inserted. It’s horizontal, there isn’t room for it to go vertical. d1l67pfsx3wblg.cloudfront.net/pdf/msr_miniworks_ex_schematics.pdf Best, Mackenzie
is filtered water supposed to be soapy (bubble with whitish)? I just found older model of this (black body with green pump) cleaned and lubed all the part and sanitized the filter. I tried to filter tab water and water was soapy.
Unless soap was used to clean the filter, there shouldn’t be the presence of soap in the filtered water. Sometimes filtered water can appear frothy, but usually that is due to agitation of organic materials in the water and then usually only appears when the water source is outside, like a stream or pond. If the bubbles dissipate after filtering, then the water should be fine, but if the bubbles persist, then we would recommend purchasing a new filter element.
I did every thing this video described and the filter still isn't working. the pump works fine on its own but when connected to the filter no water gets through.
Hi Brendan, Sorry to hear about the issues you are having with your filter. We would be happy to troubleshoot this issue with you. You can call 1-800-531-9531.
I’ve had this filter for years and it had some ups and downs. On a recent backpack trip as I was pumping water into it, it would also pump the water back out the way it came in. I had to pinch the intake tube near where it connects to the pump in order to force the water through the system. Any ideas on how to resolve this?
I would bet your filter is clogged, you should have the scraper as shown in this video to remove the blocked carbon from the outside of the filter so it requires less pressure to pump through.
I have a new Miniworks EX and for waterer reason the flow rate is atrocious. I've used them in the past and I know how awesome they are so I'm wondering what I should check to fix it. I've taken it apart and cleaned it but like I said it's new. It looks to me like there is a huge pressure build up and some of the water is exiting via the hose every time I pump. The water only drips/trickles out of the clean end.
+C Atter Hi and thanks for reaching out. We would love to find a solution for you. If you could please email consumer@cascadedesigns.com that would be great.
Sorry I totally forgot about this post. As it turns out the filter was just new and needed to be broken in. I boiled it to purify it and I guess the filter opened up a bit, now it runs beautifully
Hey, I recently got one of these and am having some issues. When I pump, the water is just expelled back out the inlet hose rather than going through the filter. I cleaned and lubed everything as outlined in the video, but it still wont pump. Thanks
i have used this filter for many trips. however i just used it for section hiking the georgia AT. on day 4 it started having alot of back pressure in which the pump handel pushes out and only fills up with 1/3 of the water. it still filtered just very slowly. any suggestions? ive cleaned it and taken apart several times. without the filter attatched the pump works great! but as soon as the filter is attatched it only fills up with 1/3 the water. any suggestions would be great!
If you have’s tested the filter without the body attached, and it works properly, then the filter is clogged. You should use the supplied ScotchBrite pad to scrub the outer layer of material off of the ceramic filter element. Many people don’t scrub hard enough, or thoroughly enough…don’t be shy, scrub that sucker good and hard. Once the filter is clean and clear, you’ll get proper flow back.
Thanks for the question macuser1232! The filter element doesn’t need to be sterilized, but it is a good idea to scrub the filter with the 3M pad just to be certain that the outer glaze from the firing process has been completely eliminated. When the ceramic is fired in the kiln, there is a glaze left after that process which covers and clogs the pores of the filter element. We have a step in production where somebody scrubs that outer layer off, but it’s a good idea to scrub it down before 1st use, just in case.
Hi Alex, Only the ceramic element should be boiled for five minutes, not the entire MiniWorks Filter. We assume that users are filtering cool water from a stream when in the field.
I don't see how this can work without cross contamination. In the field the inside of the filter and the ceramic element are both covered with contaminated water. I would be concerned that this water has touched the outlet in the maintenance process. Just rinsing with some clear water appears unlikely to kill bacteria or parasites.
octavian77 The video shows that the outlet is covered by the clean side cover until one pulls the filter element out of the body. At that point the video shows the guy holding his thumb over the outlet and the voiceover says “hold a finger over the outlet port and rinse element with clean water, always washing away from the outlet port”. The rinsing itself only clears away the debris from having scrubbed the filter, but using clean water to rinse and rinsing away from the outlet will keep bad water from mixing with clean water. Let us know if you have any other questions. Thanks!
I bought this filter and used it for a week long canoe trip to the Boundary Water in MN. We also had a Sweet water filter. The Sweat Water pump broke after day three and we had to rely on my filter for the last 3 days. It worked great. It pumped a lot of water. nobody got sick and it was easy to clean in the field. Great filter!!
Just getting home from a 3-day backcountry trip where I used my MSR Mini multiple times a day. What a fantastic addition to my kit.
I've had mine for several years and used it with no problems on Colorado streams.
Thanks for this video. My filter has always worked well, but had become slow and hard to pump. Also I had ruined my instruction manual.
I suggest you watch any of the videos on cleaning the MSR water filter
Thanks, solved my issue. My umbrella was keeping me dry yet dehydrated.
you only need to clean it when it get hard to pump. It depends on how dirty the water is. On lakes with a lot of silt you may have to scrub the ceramic after filling a couple Liter bottles. On other clear lakes I could go all day. After your trip or for long term storage you should boil the element for 5 minutes and let it sit in the hot water until it is cool. Then leave out for 4-5 days to air dry. Its a great filter. Read my comment.
Awsome little filter, we have a review on it coming out soon!
Roughly how long should the filter be scrubbed for a cleaning? Like is 1 minute of gentle scrubbing about right? Also, the flow rate went from about 1 liter per 2 minutes to 1 liter per 10 minutes over the course of 4 liters. Is this normal? The lake was not particularly dirty.
There is no recommend time frame for scrubbing the filter. You should make even, uniform, and gentle strokes with the scrubbing pad going up and then down (end to end), while cleaning all around the element. If the flow rate has decreased significantly, clean around again, possibly even doing a sterilization of the ceramic element. Decreased flow rate over time is normal and expected as the ceramic/carbon element is removing particulate and bacteria from dirty water. For more info, see owner’s manual.
Do I need to clean and dry the filter after each use
Thanks for this vid! Wondering if there is a correct/incorrect way to orient the flat end of the duckbill valve. Horizontal or vertical please?
Hello,
Thanks for reaching out. From the product page, there is pdf link of the MSR MiniWorks schematic showing how the Duckbill valve is inserted. It’s horizontal, there isn’t room for it to go vertical.
d1l67pfsx3wblg.cloudfront.net/pdf/msr_miniworks_ex_schematics.pdf
Best,
Mackenzie
@@MSRGear tks and much appreciated!!
quick question:
How do I get rid of the taste of soap from the filter? don't ask how it got there...
For sanitizer, please refer to the manual for each filter.
is filtered water supposed to be soapy (bubble with whitish)? I just found older model of this (black body with green pump) cleaned and lubed all the part and sanitized the filter. I tried to filter tab water and water was soapy.
Unless soap was used to clean the filter, there shouldn’t be the presence of soap in the filtered water. Sometimes filtered water can appear frothy, but usually that is due to agitation of organic materials in the water and then usually only appears when the water source is outside, like a stream or pond. If the bubbles dissipate after filtering, then the water should be fine, but if the bubbles persist, then we would recommend purchasing a new filter element.
I did every thing this video described and the filter still isn't working. the pump works fine on its own but when connected to the filter no water gets through.
Hi Brendan, Sorry to hear about the issues you are having with your filter. We would be happy to troubleshoot this issue with you. You can call 1-800-531-9531.
I’ve had this filter for years and it had some ups and downs. On a recent backpack trip as I was pumping water into it, it would also pump the water back out the way it came in. I had to pinch the intake tube near where it connects to the pump in order to force the water through the system. Any ideas on how to resolve this?
I would bet your filter is clogged, you should have the scraper as shown in this video to remove the blocked carbon from the outside of the filter so it requires less pressure to pump through.
I have a new Miniworks EX and for waterer reason the flow rate is atrocious. I've used them in the past and I know how awesome they are so I'm wondering what I should check to fix it. I've taken it apart and cleaned it but like I said it's new. It looks to me like there is a huge pressure build up and some of the water is exiting via the hose every time I pump. The water only drips/trickles out of the clean end.
+C Atter Hi and thanks for reaching out. We would love to find a solution for you. If you could please email consumer@cascadedesigns.com that would be great.
Sorry I totally forgot about this post. As it turns out the filter was just new and needed to be broken in. I boiled it to purify it and I guess the filter opened up a bit, now it runs beautifully
Hey, I recently got one of these and am having some issues. When I pump, the water is just expelled back out the inlet hose rather than going through the filter. I cleaned and lubed everything as outlined in the video, but it still wont pump.
Thanks
I just looked at a schematic and the pump is missing the Duckbill Valve & Washer #459198.
Hi Ryan,
If you email me at daniel.tomlinson@cascadedesigns.com we can get you set up with the replacement pieces you need!
i have used this filter for many trips. however i just used it for section hiking the georgia AT. on day 4 it started having alot of back pressure in which the pump handel pushes out and only fills up with 1/3 of the water. it still filtered just very slowly. any suggestions? ive cleaned it and taken apart several times. without the filter attatched the pump works great! but as soon as the filter is attatched it only fills up with 1/3 the water. any suggestions would be great!
If you have’s tested the filter without the body attached, and it works properly, then the filter is clogged. You should use the supplied ScotchBrite pad to scrub the outer layer of material off of the ceramic filter element. Many people don’t scrub hard enough, or thoroughly enough…don’t be shy, scrub that sucker good and hard. Once the filter is clean and clear, you’ll get proper flow back.
Do I need to sterilize the ceramic element before using it for the first time?
Thanks for the question macuser1232! The filter element doesn’t need to be sterilized, but it is a good idea to scrub the filter with the 3M pad just to be certain that the outer glaze from the firing process has been completely eliminated. When the ceramic is fired in the kiln, there is a glaze left after that process which covers and clogs the pores of the filter element. We have a step in production where somebody scrubs that outer layer off, but it’s a good idea to scrub it down before 1st use, just in case.
MSRGear
Great! Thank you very much! So, would I not need any water applied to it while scrubbing it with the pad?
Manual says high hit can damage filter, but they advice boiling for 5 minutes. Kind of confused.
Hi Alex, Only the ceramic element should be boiled for five minutes, not the entire MiniWorks Filter. We assume that users are filtering cool water from a stream when in the field.
Thank you. @@MSRGear
I don't see how this can work without cross contamination. In the field the inside of the filter and the ceramic element are both covered with contaminated water. I would be concerned that this water has touched the outlet in the maintenance process. Just rinsing with some clear water appears unlikely to kill bacteria or parasites.
octavian77 The video shows that the outlet is covered by the clean side cover until one pulls the filter element out of the body. At that point the video shows the guy holding his thumb over the outlet and the voiceover says “hold a finger over the outlet port and rinse element with clean water, always washing away from the outlet port”. The rinsing itself only clears away the debris from having scrubbed the filter, but using clean water to rinse and rinsing away from the outlet will keep bad water from mixing with clean water. Let us know if you have any other questions. Thanks!
MSRGear Got it. Thanks for clarifying.