Sawyer Squeeze, filtered water tastes a bit moldy. Wash or replace?

Had to filter some water and it came out tasting weird almost like moldy. Checked the actual water source and no problems there, was definitely the filter.
I'd not had to use it in a while before this, as i've carried in water instead, but likelihood is its sat with some water in it for a good month or more.

Should i wash it out somehow, or just cut my losses?

If the latter, what are people using currently? The Be Free looks good and priced competitively as well

id replace, if you dont flush them through with a bit of bleach prior to storage allsorts will grow in them. Im impressed with my beefree. Wont be going back to sawyer. Much easier to process quickly and the filter is easy to dry and store

Only use my Sawyer for summer hols outwith Scotland so it gets stored for 10 months without issues.
After use I'll filter Miltons fluid soluion, backflush then pop in the airing cupboard for a couple of weeks to dry for long term storage. Found it good to 'refresh' the filter by running though a couple of litres of water before a trip.
You could try flushing with Miltons to see if the taste improves.

paul said:

id replace, if you dont flush them through with a bit of bleach prior to storage allsorts will grow in them. Im impressed with my beefree. Wont be going back to sawyer. Much easier to process quickly and the filter is easy to dry and store

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Sounds like the befree's flow rate is about twice as quick? Is it purely gravity driven, or do you squeeze with the befree too?

The 3l version looks good to be honest, whats the deal with the screw top sizes? are you stuck to using their bags/bottles for it? i like the 2l evernew bag with the roll closure so would like to continue using that if poss

liamarchie said:

Sounds like the befree's flow rate is about twice as quick? Is it purely gravity driven, or do you squeeze with the befree too?

The 3l version looks good to be honest, whats the deal with the screw top sizes? are you stuck to using their bags/bottles for it? i like the 2l evernew bag with the roll closure so would like to continue using that if poss

Click to expand...

you squeeze the bag but there is no real resistance so it just flys out. you can use in gravity mode too but slower. Thread is 42mm so fits all the hydrapak bottles. I bought the 1l unit and a 3l hydrapak seeker bladder. You wont use evernew with it.

The Miltons is worth a try. I always drain my Swayer straight after use - never know how long till next use, risk of freezing etc. Shake out a few times or suck from the outlet tube (or squeeze air throu...)

Yes Milton is good.

I’ve got an MSR trailshot and really like it; easy to pump with one hand and fill bottle or bag. When I get back home I’ll squeeze a little Milton/water solution through it, quickly disassemble it, rinse all the bits in the solution (as you do with babies bottles), air dry for a day or two and re-assemble for storage.

I never did get on with the Sawyer system, always seemed a bit of a faff with the bags to me.