MSR MiniWorks Ex Water Filter

Hey Max,



So this is a great filter. I've had this filter since around 2008 and as long as I clean the filter and store it properly after each use, it will continue to last me for years to come.



It has an inner charcoal filter (for tastes and odors) and an other ceramic filter that filters out particles above 0.2 microns in size. So that is almost everything. The one thing this does not filter out are viruses. This is why you saw those people using the UV light (most likely a SteriPen) as a final step to kill any viruses that could be in the water source. Personally I'm not a huge fan on the UV pens as they do not kill everything in the water as there are certain parts of the water that do not come in contact with the UV light.



An alternative to the UV lights (SteriPens) are tablets such as (Item # CAS0775). The tablets meet EPA purifier standards for the neutralization of viruses, protozoa, bacteria and giardia cysts. So those will work great for treating your water. Only down fall is there is a 30 minute wait time after putting the tablets in the water and then there can be a bit of an odd taste to the water.



Shoot me an email if you have any questions at all!



Jared D.

Expert Gearhead

801.736.4336

jdowns@backcountry.com

Karen, I just came in to post a review and this was going to be a point I would make. I had the same difficulty, except it was after I had initially used it at home. It worked great at home and for a few liters in the backcountry, then became frustrating as I couldn't get much water through it.



It turns out that after my first use at home, I should have used the green pad with water on the ceramic filter after flushing it clean for the first time. I guess it was dirty, not from water, but maybe dust or w/e during the manufacturing of the ceramic disk. Now it seems to work properly, but only time will tell.

No, unfortunately it will not. The ceramic element is so molecularly "huge" compared to even viruses that it will most definitely not remove sodium ions, which are wayyyy smaller. The carbon filter may help with a lot of solids and even some minerals, but once things are well dissolved in water, the carbon won't do much.



Bottom line, it will be good for gargling but not drinking.



You would need a desalinator to make it drinkable, and those will run you ~250 to upwards of 2,000. (google Katadyn Survivor 35 and 06).

The only problem is that this (and nearly all) filters are not effective against waterborne viruses, which may be of concern in untreated water in undeveloped countries. It would be a great first step, but you are probably well-advised to treat the water for viruses as well, after its been through the MiniWorks. A UV treatment or some sodium chloride drops/tablets would get you really in the clear.

This FILTER filters out many things including bacteria. But if you have things like virus in your water source, you would be better off buying a water PURIFIER which can be found sold alongside many FILTERS. They are somewhat more expensive but if you are in an area where the water in your environment is so contaminated; I would go for a PURIFIER instead of a mere FILTER.

http://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/water-treatment-backcountry.html This article will be very helpful in understanding the difference between filters and purifiers.

We sell the ceramic filters, item #CAS0484.

Hi Sid,

The AutoFlow is more of a camp type of filter system than one for the trail (see some of the photos of it in use below). That's not to say that it wouldn't work (especially if you're filtering for the whole group at once as you travel), just that the MiniWorks is more suited to just getting to pumping water on the fly. The Autoflow needs to hang or be held up...dependent on gravity, not mechanics.

Either of the MSR filters use 3/8" tubing. So does the Hydroform. A couple of sets of quick connect fittings strategically placed in the
lines should give you full compatibility with any of the systems you mentioned. hope this helped.

Very helpful Phil! I'm progressively leaning towards the MiniWorks for the durability and flexibility, speed/multi-tasking be damned.

Should these 2 bits let me mount a small section of tubing w/ the male bit of the quick connect kit semi-permanently to the nipple so I can still fill stuff w/ the right threading and use the other section of the tubing w/ the female end of the quick connect for filling narrow mouth bottles/other bladders/etc?

http://www.backcountry.com/camelbak-pureflow-replacement-tube
http://www.backcountry.com/camelbak-quick-link-conversion-kit

I got the MSR replacement hose. This fits on the clean end nipple and you can use it to fill the platypus bottles. The Hydraform's cap is too big for the filter, but the hose works just fine. I have had this filter for years with no issues.

No it does not come with one, input hose and the standard wide mouth nalgene size output

The MSR replacement hose will work fine. I use it to fill up other bottles besides a Nalgene.

Hey there, this filter doesn't come with an extra hose, I am not sure if a water bladder hose will fit to the nipple/output on the bottom or not... MSR says this on how to filter water:
Place a clean container under the filter OR attach an MSR® Dromedary™ Bag onto the bottom of the filter...

So basically a water bottle or MSR's specific water bladders...

I personally use the Katadyn Vario for all general needs and just pull the bite piece from my water bladder, insert this into the bottom of the Vario and then fill the bladder while its still in my pack...

I use the Katadyn pocket for the nastiest water and then a Steripen when I know the water is clear...

available from MSR's website

http://cascadedesigns.com/msr/water-treatment-and-hydration/water-treatment-and-hydration-accessories/miniworks-cleanside-cover-w/-gauge/product

It's a ceramic filter so you might try cleaning it out if you have never done so. It traps all the grime and cuts down on water flow. I clean mine after every trip, but thats probably a little excessive

I clean mine after every trip too. The part that I question is why the chamber that feeds into the filter doesn't fill completely.

Use the silicone lubricant in the maintenance kit to keep the rubber o-ring sealed more tightly to the chamber walls. It should be applied when you clean it after each trip. Replace the o-ring if that doesn't help.
Also, when pumping I like to pinch the hose against the housing on the inward push to help force the water down through the ceramic filter instead of letting it escape back out the hose.

I have found after pumping in pout your finger over the plastic piece were the hose and filter meet and that makes shear that all the water is pumped through the filter and not tout the hose agen.

I have found after pumping in pout your finger over the plastic piece were the hose and filter meet and that makes shear that all the water is pumped through the filter and not tout the hose age.

All water bottles have slightly different threads. I doubt these would be the same.

Yes, but only on the wide-mouth models with the cap that fits outside the threads.

I've noticed it fits well onto my Sigg wide mouth bottles

If you're going with the US military, you don't need either one. Water bulls are everywhere.

In any event you don't generally need to treat water before you filter it. You use either the tablets or the filter.

I dont think you need iodine tabs. I use it to filtter brown and green water from the jordan river and the water go ut clean!

Viruses are usually not found in backcountry water sources in the US though they are not nonexistant. So chances are you could could probably use the Miniworks or another filter for years and never have a problem but it is always a possibility. Viruses are killed by just about any means other than just a filter. Some of the different means are: boiling, chlorine or iodine, mixed oxidants, purifiers and UV light.

So for your situation if you wanted to get a filter like the Miniworks you could pair it with chlorine or iodine for a good effectiveness. I personally wouldn't recommend using boiling to kill viruses just because I'd rather prefer a method that I can use to kill viruses without having to stop and get out the stove and boil water. While looking at the MSR website too, they make the SweetWater which does cover everything including viruses and is actually a hair lighter than the Miniworks EX.

I generally use the MSR Miox just because thats what I own and learned to use but I have used some of the other MSR water treatment devices so I would recommend any of them for you. Like I said too, you would probably be fine with the MiniWorks but if you ever plan to go outside the US or just want the peace of mind you might try combining it with another form or getting a different water treament device.

On MSR's Site they claim it'll filter down to .2 microns... so you should be in business.
http://www.cascadedesigns.com/msr/water-treatment-and-hydration/expedition-water-treatment-and-hydration/miniworks-ex-microfilter/product

It's working exactly as it should! That's the good news. Often what is looked at as a disadvantage to many filters is really the key to having a filter work properly. Because the filter element is taking very small stuff out of the water, the pumping action gets harder and harder. The reasons for this is that there are very small, microscopic voids that trap these small microbes that can make you sick (think shoving a basketball through a chain link fence). By default these objects also clog the small passageways that the water needs to get to your bottle. As a result you get a slower filter.

But because you bought the MiniWorks EX, you're in luck:). All you have to do is simply clean the filter element by, first, taking a good hold of it (if you drop this element on something hard, it will shatter like a porcelain doll). Next take the green bristle pad and lightly scrub it completely. This should only take a few minutes and only a very light scrub is needed. The last step is to re-install the filter element and start filtering away. You should notice a huge difference in the volume of water coming out of the hose. In fact, it should perform as it did when you first bought it.

The pressure release you experienced is simply the pressure built up while you pumped it. The MiniWorks EX operates using this pressure to force the water through the element. This is known as the 'Airspring Accumulator' molded to the outside of the body of the filter. This is what allows the MiniWorks EX to be the fastest ceramic filter on the market currently. No need to worry about the pressure...

Yes they are. Actually the new MiniWorks EX filter element will increase the speed of the old Miniworks by 20%.

any of the msr filters are excellent. i use the sweetwater because it's pretty light and filters nasty water no problem. they are also easily servicable in the field.

Agree with Gabe- MSR makes first rate filters. However, internationally, viruses become a greater concern, and simple filtration won't do the job of removing them. You're then talking about purification. Boiling, chemical, or UV treatment is the only way to go. SteriPen or Miox (with extra batteries), and chlorine dioxide (MicroPur tablets) is what I would be bringing along.

No need to worry about the black specs. The ceramic element will accumulate foreign particles from time to time. If you're still concerned, follow the cleaning instructions in your owners manual. Remember it's better you're seeing these specs than not. At least they're on the outside. Here's the owner's manual just in case you don't have one:

http://media.cascadedesigns.com/pdf/msr_miniworks_ex_manual_en.pdf

You only clean the outside of the filter, and only use clean water to do so. Soap is a cloggy substance and will be unforgiving to the carbon granules inside the element. The filter is designed to last between 1000L - 2000L (264 - 528 gallons) of use. If your usage is less than this range, you might want to clean other parts of the pump to see if that will give you any improved water flow:
http://media.cascadedesigns.com/pdf/msr_miniworks_ex_manual_en.pdf

If the duck bill valve gets silt in it, you'll loose the back pressure causing the slow fill. Keep a bandanna around the in take to prevent silting. Found this out five days in canyon lands.