MSR MiniWorks EX Ceramic Water Filter

2024-07-30T20:00:00

I purchased this filter back in 2011 or 2012. I was introduced to them in Boy Scouts (as a leader) and purchased one for my own and family backpacking treks. I still use the original filter and cartridge although considering replacing the ceramic cartridge. I'm sure I have surpassed the 2000 liter mark by now. I have never had a problem with my filter. I drain and clean it after every trek. During treks if I filter murky water, I do clean it the best that I can in the backcountry and dry it out. I recommend this model to my clients. I have had issues with other brand filters clogging and being tricky to use, especially in low flowing water sources, but not with this filter. It's great for small group filtering.

Susan T.

Originally posted at

2024-07-24T20:00:00

I have had and used this filter extensively while backpacking over the last 25 years (yes, I still use the original one). It has provided a family of four with enough clean water for drinking and cooking, during weeks at a time. It is slower when the water is murky, but it still works, and when too pluggeg, it can be cleaned on site. I gave my brother one when he started backpacking and it was very hard to pump, so he followed the instructions to take it apart and back together, and it worked perfectly after, so try that if needed ;-) Just carefully follow the cleaning and maintenance instructions, and you'll pass this down to your grandchildren!

Caroline

Originally posted at

2024-07-18T20:00:00

Just received my MSR filter for my expedition next week, looks great and durable. I only have a question about the filtration speed; the description tells 1 liter per minute. When I tested the filter after the first cleaning I only got 200-300ml per minute, maintaining the pumping frequence of 60-70 strokes a minute. Am I doing something wrong, or is this normal when using the filter for the first time?

Dirk

Originally posted at

2024-06-27T20:00:00

I purchased my miniworks back in 1998 or 1999. Used it with no issues while working for a summer camp for a couple of years. Life took over and have been vehicle camping for years where I could take fresh water along. Fast forward to June 2024. Did a short notice 3 day hike and pulled the filter out of storage. Gave it a test the night before leaving and was having issues....but, I followed the field maintenance tips and BOOM, worked like a dream. Had no issues during the trip and was very happy with the performance! Will keep this filter as long as possible!! Thanks MSR.

Andrew

Originally posted at

2024-01-23T19:00:00

Bought several years ago, my not be a full liter a minute but close. I did find that i needed to take it apart and lube the o rings, and the antisyphion valve was folded over from the factory. That resulted in poor proformance out of the box. I used lip balm( beeswax based) to lube the o rings and it works well. If you have multiple bottles to fill, you may have to clean the filter while doing so. That simply means the filter is doing it job. Drain the water from the filter after use, good time for another scrub of the filter. I have used the gravity bags and will use them in camp, but who wants to carry 6l of water on their back. To be honest i have never gotten the rated number of gallon/ liters from a gravity filter, always clog up even with back flushing and very clean river/ stream water. Have a maint kit on hand, and a spare filter for long trips, as well as a back up filtration system. With a little TLC this is a great filter.

Al B.

Originally posted at

2023-11-05T19:00:00

I bought this product in 2004 to hike part of the Appalachian Trail. Now older with young kids that want to camp I pull this thing out (always cleaned and dried after previous uses) and it worked flawlessly. No one is sick, water tasted great, and I'm glad to see this product still on the market!

Mark J.

Originally posted at

2023-10-15T20:00:00

Great product for a weeklong backcountry hike.

Richard G.

Originally posted at

2023-08-14T20:00:00

Its light, packable, fits wide mouth Nalgene bottles. Worked great for 6 day trip into the interior. No issues just clean water. I recommend this product. FYI purchase and prepare a backup filter just in case.

Kevin

Originally posted at

2023-07-16T20:00:00

Worked great once I was shipped the missing hinge. Excellent customer service

Steven W.

Originally posted at

2023-05-02T20:00:00

How can I buy a replacement hose?

Randy C.

Originally posted at

2023-05-01T20:00:00

this is a back up for a unit that I have been using for over 15 years straight to filter all of my water, the original is still going strong but now I have a back up too, its a great product and you can bet your life on it.

william f.

Originally posted at

2023-05-01T20:00:00

this is a back up for a unit that I have been using for over 15 years straight to filter all of my water, the original is still going strong but now I have a back up too, its a great product and you can bet your life on it.

William F.

Originally posted at

2023-04-07T20:00:00

Had mine for 20 years. Great product. Cons- Unless water is fairly clear, you can find yourself removing the cartridge and scouring the surface clean every 2lts. Pros - easily maintained and well made, better that than something with a faster flow rate that eventually slows and you can't do anything about it in the field.

Lee

Originally posted at

2022-12-25T19:00:00

Hi. I've had this for over 5 years. It has worked amazingly well for me on my extended outdoor adventures. Recently, while cleaning it out I had a bit of an accident-i lost the small plastic ball that's at the top of the filter to prevent the backflow of water.

JobJ

Originally posted at

2022-12-25T19:00:00

Hi. I've had this for over 5 years. It has worked amazingly well for me on my extended outdoor adventures. Recently, while cleaning it out I had a bit of an accident-i lost the small plastic ball that's at the top of the filter to prevent the backflow of water.

Job J.

Originally posted at

2022-11-30T19:00:00

cant beat it!

Kyle B.

Originally posted at

2022-10-11T20:00:00

Great filter. Had the same one for 20 years and just got a new one.

Kaitlin K.

Originally posted at

2022-09-26T20:00:00

We were on a hike in Adirondacks and once we went like ten miles deep in a trail we ran out of water. I literally pumped water out of the mud puddle.

Igor

Originally posted at

2022-07-16T20:00:00

Good product, but I need a new piston o ring, where can I bueno it?

Alonso

Originally posted at

2022-05-09T20:00:00

Amazing product. Light, reliable, works as advertised. Pumps 20+ litres from northern Ontario lakes before it starts to slow down. A quick filter scrub and it's good to go again. Avoid heavily stained (tannic) water as this seems to clog the filter much quicker. Way better than the Seychelle (clogs easily, unreliable) and is way less expensive than the Katadyn. Definitely recommend!

Jeff L.

Originally posted at

2022-02-21T19:00:00

Great

Nick M.

Originally posted at

2022-02-06T19:00:00

Filter works great. No fuss no muss

nathan h.

Originally posted at

2022-02-06T19:00:00

Filter works great. No fuss no muss

Nathan H.

Originally posted at

2021-08-30T20:00:00

I?ve had my filter better than 10 years...... I don?t use it but for 1 or 2 canoe trips a year...... most of the problems I see people having in their reviews are directly related to the ceramic filter getting debris on the outside of the filter element, a quick scrub with a brillo pad and a rinse solves all these problems 100% of the time. This might frustrate some, but at least you have the peace of mind in knowing the bad stuff is not getting through. Over all a great product.

Trent

Originally posted at

2021-08-23T20:00:00

I'm a few months from 65 and still like to test myself. I normally hike in the Missouri Ozark area but most enjoy the Tetons. My drinking water many times comes from where most people step over looking for water. I'll get out as much larvae as possible and fill my bottles and move on. I highly recommend this product to carry in every pack.

Test t.

Originally posted at

2021-08-23T20:00:00

I'm a few months from 65 and still like to test myself. I normally hike in the Missouri Ozark area but most enjoy the Tetons. My drinking water many times comes from where most people step over looking for water. I'll get out as much larvae as possible and fill my bottles and move on. I highly recommend this product to carry in every pack.

Test T.

Originally posted at

2021-05-30T20:00:00

I'm a few months from 65 and still like to test myself. I normally hike in the Missouri Ozark area but most enjoy the Tetons. My drinking water many times comes from where most people step over looking for water. I'll get out as much larvae as possible and fill my bottles and move on. I highly recommend this product to carry in every pack.

Bill

Originally posted at

2021-05-23T20:00:00

I purchased this filter about 15 years ago and it works every time. Others in my group end up using it as well because it ends up performing better than their filtration system. Yes you need to manually pump (it's not gravity feed), but as long as you choose a decent water source, It works every time. Best of all it attaches security to a number of bottles.

Ct H.

Originally posted at

2020-10-08T20:00:00

This particular MSR Miniworks is easily 20 plus years old. We used it extensively on a 4 day canoe trip on the Green River. We pumped a lot of water every day which was extremely silty (there is a reason it is called the Green River). it provided clear water, two plus gallons a day every day, no clogs, no problems. I also have a Katadyn water filter which is about the same age but did not provide the same water clarity. The real reason for this review is the MSR support. We have an old style relief valve assembly that uses a Inlet Valve Ball and is no longer manufactured by MSR. Somehow after the last use this ball came up missing. I didn't want to buy 100 6mm silicon balls so I sent an email to warranty and support to see if I could purchase this item. It took a little time but 4-5 weeks later I get a new ball and spring in the mail. No fee, no questions asked. In the days of Limited Warranties and throw away consumer designed product this outstanding service deserves a mention. Hopefully this will give us many more years of service.

Dave

Originally posted at

2020-10-04T20:00:00

I inherited this unit from a family member who was also a backpacker. Not sure how much use it got before it fell into my hands, been using it for two seasons. Easily filters 20-30 liters of water per trip without cleaning. I'm lucky to live and hike mostly in the PNW, read easy to find clear water sources. Likely would require more maintenance with cloudier water sources. If you read and follow instructions It should provide years of dependable service with easy field cleaning. I have hiking partners who have faster filters but I feel like I get a safer, better quality water with a little more effort. I plan on ordering a backup filter and a maintenance kit as this is the last filter I think I'll ever need. Love my MSR stove too.

Cascades H.

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