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Much like backpacking stoves, water filters need some regular maintenance as well. Below, we’ll discuss extending the life of your filter, cleaning your filter, and when to replace your filter element.

Each new filter should come with a complete set of instructions explaining the maintenance process, many of which may vary by manufacturer, so we’ll use the MSR MiniWorks and Katadyn Hiker as examples.

Extending The Filter Element Life:

• Try to filter the clearest water possible.
• If you must use murky water, collect water in a container and allow particles to settle, then filter from container
• Keep mouth of inlet tube off the bottom of water source
• You can wrap a coffee filter around the mouth of the inlet tube for improved filtration
• MSR recommends bringing along a maintenance kit or spare filter on long trips
• MSR also recommends that you air dry their filter elements before storage
• Katadyn recommends you pump a solution of 1 liter of tap water and 2 teaspoons of household bleach through your filter, and allow to air dry before long term storage, then pump about 1 liter of clean water through the filter when you’re ready to use it on your next trip
• Again, complete instructions will be provided in the box with any new filter

When To Clean An MSR Filter:

• When little or no water flows while pumping
• Anytime you cannot achieve a 1 liter/minute rate of flow

How To Clean The MSR MiniWorks:

This technigue can be used on several MSR models.

• Unscrew pump head
• Remove filter
• Scrub filter with brush included in maintenance kit
• Rinse with clean water and replace element

When To Clean The Katadyn Hiker:

• The filter element in the Hiker uses a no-clog design, no cleaning is required

When To Replace The Filter Element

There is no exact number of gallons (liters) filtered to determine the timing of replacement. Replacement will depend entirely on the quality of water filtered. The MSR Ex Element contains a gauge. If the gauge slides easily over the element, it is time to change it.

The catridge capacity of the Katadyn element is approximately 200 gallons. When the pump operation becomes difficult, it is time to replace the filter.

Maintenance Kits

MSR manufactures a field maintenance kit for their filters, which includes the following:

• Replacement O-rings
• Silicon lubricant
• Cleaning brush

The Katadyn Kit includes:

• Replacement O-rings
• Silicon lubricant
• Cleanable filter protector

Information for MSR water filters can be found at MSR Corp, or you can visit Katadyn.com for more information about their products.

You may like to read our article ’To Purify, or Not To Purify’ to help determine your correct water treatment needs.

This article was written by Mark Allen of Hiker's Corner.