Platypus big zip w/ sawyer mini inline – back flushing question

You mean blowing with your mouth?

First of all, any water you get through the filter should be suitably clean for back flushing. That aside, Sawyers concern with back flushing is that weak flow and pressure can create permanent channels in the filter media.

My take of the concept is that low flow and pressure will only clear the least clogged areas. Then you use the filter, piling up yet more stuff on top of the clogged areas. When you back flush the next time, you will only clear those areas you unclogged with the previous weak flush and it will continue to compound and clogged area will be permanently plugged. So they want a good squirt from the 60ml syringe to get as many tubes cleared as possible.

I'm planning on rigging up a faucet adapter for cleaning each time I get home.

aren't they concerned that people will accidentally put water through the filter in the wrong direction?

Then, particles would tend to get clogged and backflushing wouldn't work so good. When you backflush it expands the hollow tubes and the pores.

Or if you did it one way one time, and the opposite another, you would get contaminated water

Thanks Dale,

Yeah I was talking about blowing water into the hose after pulling water into it. Figured if I did it multiple times it would work, but I think I'll just pull of bite valve and use the syringe as recommended .

Hey Jerry,
I am sure I can get the big arrow on the filter pointed in the correct direction without error. I would definitely Not reverse the filter for any reason. I think the syringe will work for back flush. Just trying to figure out a way to leave it behind.

I'm with you, I can see that arrow

I'm just saying what Sawyer thinks

So this is my new filter/hydration system. This is cool because the flow is still great when pulling through bite valve and this will work as a gravity filter in camp. Also, the rubber part of the bite valve pops of with ease, allowing the syringe to fit perfectly in the opening in order to back flush properly. And it only weighs 8 oz total including the blue safety clip (not including syringe) which isn't super light, but it's good enough for me! Bwaaahaha!