Sawyer mini problems

[Floorguy]

I haven't heard anyone else have a problem with them but I have had two issues with two seperate mini's. The first one was last year I bought one for a trip I was going on. Put it in line with my hydration bladder filled the bladder and it started leaking where the intake end cap meets the body. I threw it away. Purchased a second mini used it without issue, this year I grabbed it put it back in line and filled the bladder with water the mini was leaking from both endcaps. I'm wondering if I'm the only lucky one here or if others have had issues.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G870A using Tapatalk

 

[Stid2677]

I haven't heard anyone else have a problem with them but I have had two issues with two seperate mini's. The first one was last year I bought one for a trip I was going on. Put it in line with my hydration bladder filled the bladder and it started leaking where the intake end cap meets the body. I threw it away. Purchased a second mini used it without issue, this year I grabbed it put it back in line and filled the bladder with water the mini was leaking from both endcaps. I'm wondering if I'm the only lucky one here or if others have had issues.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G870A using Tapatalk

I had no luck with the mini,, too small I think. Mine lacked enough flow and clogged too quickly, I went back to the full size and have no more issues.

Are you sure it did not freeze???

Steve

 

[Backpack Hunter]

I can't say I have had any leak out of the end caps, but I have let one freeze.

 

[freebird134]

Zero issues with mine, except when I overtightened it and popped the o-ring out.

I've been using them for about 3 years now. Love them.

 

[Floorguy]

I had no luck with the mini,, too small I think. Mine lacked enough flow and clogged too quickly, I went back to the full size and have no more issues.

Are you sure it did not freeze???

Steve

The first one was brand new. The second one was never exposed to freezing temps so I don't think that was it. I was surprised fto see it. I guess its just another reminder to check gear before heading out. I meant to switch to the regular sawyer for the reasons you mentioned but by the time I got around to it they were sold out.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G870A using Tapatalk

 

[Becca]

I had no luck with the mini,, too small I think. Mine lacked enough flow and clogged too quickly, I went back to the full size and have no more issues.
Steve

This was our experience as well. I wanted to like the sawyer mini, but never could get it to gravity flow like the standard inline. About turned my lips inside out trying to drink through it. We have gone back to the standard inline filters and haven't looked back.

I do backflush with the adapter on the sink after almost every trip. I also find the are prone to vapor locking, you have to be sure to purge all the air out to get a good gravity flow going. They are still the best solution to the filtration issue for backpacking trips, IMO.

 

[epfd217]

I have a standard Sawyer inline filter and it progressively got slower and slower despite repeated backflushes using the sink adapter. I went to Sawyer's website and they offer an additional cleaning solution for the filter to help break up encrusted sediment as well as mineral buildup.
Vinager soak and hot water in rotating cycles. It took a handful of rotations, but the filter improved flow with each cycle. After a half dozen soaks and flushes, the filter was running like new with a flow that ran almost unimpeded.

While the filters are not expensive, they are rated for more gallons than you'll ever use. Easy maintenance will keep you going strong.

 

[colobow]

no problems for me.

Was the end cap leaking within the sawyer or on the connection? I have had connection leaks when i haven't tightened enough.

I'm using my mini with a platy big zip for a squeeze bag and/or gravity bag. Also, i back flush it after every trip always and haven't let it freeze, store it in the house.

 

[Gunnersdad49]

Used a Mini and a Squeeze back and forth for a year, never any issues. I haven't tried it as an inline though. Just fill and squeeze and repeat.

 

[FlyGuy]

Used the Sawyer (regular size) for the 1st time last week. Went through the long term storage process (bleach water) and noticed the body as leaking terribly around the mid-body seem. Can't imagine it was doing me much good at all!

On another note. The bags turned out to be surprisingly harder to fill than I thought? I never had access to water more than maybe 4-5" deep. The bags just didn't want to fill up, the outside water pressure just kept collapsing them. I ended up using a large smartwater bottle instead to capture water with.

Sent from my SM-G610F using Tapatalk

 

[Jardo]

No problems for me. The one I am using now is 4 years old. It's not really designed to be an inline filter. It would work but the flow would be very slow. It's meant to have water squeezed out of a bag through the membrane. Weird to see it leak from the seals. Never had one leak on me.

 

[bluetick78]

I've had the same problem as FlyGuy above. Two weeks ago with a brand new Sawyer squeeze, last week with a Sawyer mini. It's back to the Katadyn for me, never should've tried to switch. Wasted a lot of hunting time with those 2 POS products.

 

[Floorguy]

No problems for me. The one I am using now is 4 years old. It's not really designed to be an inline filter. It would work but the flow would be very slow. It's meant to have water squeezed out of a bag through the membrane. Weird to see it leak from the seals. Never had one leak on me.

The use as an inline filter would actually have less force being exerted on the filter than squeezing the bag.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G870A using Tapatalk