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salish
Member
Joined: 17 Dec 2001
Posts: 2304 | TRs
Location: Seattle
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Hello, I broke out my Sawyer Mini filter today and noticed it had a faint mold smell in the filtered water. I took a few sips and noticed a slightly moldy taste. The filter has been sitting unused for about two years and I thought I had put it away dry, but maybe not. I used the large syringe that came with it to back flush it several times, but the odor remains. My next task will be to mix some bleach with water and back flush it, but I also read that you can use boiled water that has cooled to about 140 degrees and flush it that. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thank you.
Cliff
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My short-term memory is not as sharp as it used to be.
Also, my short-term memory's not as sharp as it used to be. |
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Malachai Constant
Member
Joined: 13 Jan 2002
Posts: 14921 | TRs
Location: Back Again Like A Bad Penny
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I cut open a Sawyer mini that I had used for a couple years that had the same smell. It was incredibly gross inside full of black mold. They are cheap so I would just toss it.
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"You do not laugh when you look at the mountains, or when you look at the sea." Lafcadio Hearn |
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salish
Member
Joined: 17 Dec 2001
Posts: 2304 | TRs
Location: Seattle
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Hi Mal, long time no see. Good point, maybe I'll just upgrade to the Squeeze. Thanks.
Cliff
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My short-term memory is not as sharp as it used to be.
Also, my short-term memory's not as sharp as it used to be. |
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InFlight
coated in DEET
Joined: 20 May 2015
Posts: 705 | TRs
Location: Seattle area
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I’m a former Sawyer user.
I switched to the Katadyn BeFree filter, which filters way faster. You can directly see the filter media inside so no hidden nastiness.
I’d also suggest just keeping a some chlorine dioxide foil tabs in your backpack. Backup water treatment for a fraction of an ounce.
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“I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately...” ― Henry David Thoreau |
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salish
Member
Joined: 17 Dec 2001
Posts: 2304 | TRs
Location: Seattle
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Thanks for the heads up, In Flight, I'll check that one out, too.
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My short-term memory is not as sharp as it used to be.
Also, my short-term memory's not as sharp as it used to be. |
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alpendave
F-Bomber Pilot
Joined: 01 Aug 2008
Posts: 867 | TRs
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Guess I’ll open the unused one I have and toss the other. While I like the idea, not impressed with the ease of use. Been thinking the bulk and weight of my other MSR ceramic filter is worth it. Easy to clean and filters way faster. Plus, I don’t have to have a designated dirty water container.
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Life is too short to take too seriously.
Being afraid of dying is not synonymous with being afraid of not living. The former is so occupied with avoiding death that he never truly lives. The later would rather risk death in the hope of truly living. |
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Slugman
It’s a Slugfest!
Joined: 27 Mar 2003
Posts: 16573 | TRs
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The Sawyer Mini can be had for less than $20. I have always been a little paranoid about them, replacing them if dropped, or if I think it might have frozen, or been put away wet. I’ve probably gone through 5 or 6 in 10-12-15 years (?).
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“The jerking motion of a knee does not reflect the operation of a mind” Slugman, January 24th 2020 |
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salish
Member
Joined: 17 Dec 2001
Posts: 2304 | TRs
Location: Seattle
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Hey Sluggo, its hard to ignore that sub-$20 price tag on the mini, no matter how slow the flow rate is. I'm still debating on whether to upgrade to something different or stay with the mini.
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My short-term memory is not as sharp as it used to be.
Also, my short-term memory's not as sharp as it used to be. |
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Chief Joseph
Member
Joined: 09 Nov 2007
Posts: 5767 | TRs
Location: What Verlot Forgot.
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I second the recommendation for the BFree filter, the flow rate is amazing. I had a Sawyer Mini, and hydrating while losing a lot of fluids was a pain.
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Go placidly amid the noise and waste, and remember what comfort there may be in owning a piece thereof. |
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salish
Member
Joined: 17 Dec 2001
Posts: 2304 | TRs
Location: Seattle
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Thanks.
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My short-term memory is not as sharp as it used to be.
Also, my short-term memory's not as sharp as it used to be. |
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alpendave
F-Bomber Pilot
Joined: 01 Aug 2008
Posts: 867 | TRs
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| Slugman wrote: |
| The Sawyer Mini can be had for less than $20. I have always been a little paranoid about them, replacing them if dropped, or if I think it might have frozen, or been put away wet. I’ve probably gone through 5 or 6 in 10-12-15 years (?). |
That’s what originally sold he mini for me. I warped the valve on my MSR Miniworks and the repair kit costs $20. I was intrigued by the idea of a complete filter for the same price and extra space in my pack to boot. Camped at Spike Camp a couple weekends ago and finally concluded that having to try to make the Sawyer Mini work takes more effort and time and usually means I’m buying bottled water at the store so I have something the Sawyer fits (really hate having to stop and unscrew it to vent the bottle). I purchased a 6L collapsible MSR water bag and I’m pretty sure the MSR Miniworks will fit the mouth if that is the case, the $20repair kit will be well worth the money so I can pump 6L of clean water with much less effort than what the Sawyer would take. BTW, the Mini will fit the small opening on the water bag, but there is no way in hell one can get enough squeeze to filter through it. And then you wind up with a contaminated really nice 6L water reservoir.
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Life is too short to take too seriously.
Being afraid of dying is not synonymous with being afraid of not living. The former is so occupied with avoiding death that he never truly lives. The later would rather risk death in the hope of truly living. |
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Navy salad
Member
Joined: 09 Sep 2008
Posts: 1667 | TRs
Location: Woodinville
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