water filter getting dried out---still good?

[path1]

We one of these filters about 6 months ago.

http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/tastepure-kdf-carbon-water-filter/18478

Used it and now back home for about a month. I'm sure it has dried out sitting in a storage bin and wondering if it's OK to sanitize just like rest of water system?

If not what do you do with yours when you don't use it for awhile?

[Dave2001]

We use that filter, but we use the bottled water for cooking, dish washing, and drinking. After a trip, I stand it up in the sink strainer and let the water run out. After several days of air drying, I put the caps on it and store it in the camper for the next trip. Last year we used one the whole season. Ours is mainly used to filter out large debris that can harm the plumbing.

[path1]

Op here... I should worded my post differently.

Right on the label, (like someone said) stuck to the filter itself it states "Average life 3 months" Never noticed it before.

And I should of posted...

Once the filter is wet and then dried out (from lack of use) can I sanitize it to make sure any stuff is dead or cleaned out. Even though label says...

"Store capped in cool place"

[1775]

I use the same filter. If you are travelling a lot in six months then you should replace the filter after six months. We replace this filter once a year as we are not out travelling that regularly and the filter does not get very much use.

[westend]

The mfg states in the "question" section of the Camping World ad that the usable life of the filter is three months.

I have some experience with a GE whole house filter at my house. It does an excellent job of removing sediment, mineral, and any taste or odor issues. The regular spun filters are fairly cheap and they do make a carbon filter that is a bit more expensive.

I recently saw that someone had a stand for this filter and it looked like a seamless way to attain good filtration, two hoses connected to the filter.

[jolooote]

We used to use filters but stopped after trying to learn if we can reuse a stored filter. The only ones that are considered safe to reuse contain a certain substance derived from silver that actually kills germs. Go to a backpacker or hikers site and search for filter info about this silver filter. If one doesn't contain the silver substance you are storing a 'Petri' dish of germs.

[myredracer]

Good question. Maybe okay, probably not. It has KDF in it to reduce bacterial growth on and in the filter, but it won't prevent 100% of it. The KDF does NOT prevent bacteria or microorganisms from passing through. You probably can't tell if it's dried out inside or not because it's sealed. As it sat there for many days slowly drying out, it would be at temps. suitable for some bacterial growth and it's likely to have enough moisture still in to support growth. It only takes a single bacteria colony to multiply....

I wouldn't recommend these filters to start with. For one thing, with carbon in them, you are removing chlorine from the piping system inside your RV and leaving it unprotected against bacteria and microorganisms. And if only one "bad" bacteria colony were to get through, it will happily multiply inside your piping system. You just won't know for sure what the water quality is like when out camping somewhere.

I would suggest replacing it. Not worth the risk IMHO. Then next time, store it in your fridge when not in use. Toss it away annually at the end of each season.

[rockhillmanor]

Well, The label on my brita filters which are carbon says do NOT let filter dry out.

I personally would not use an old filter left to dry out and use it again. Just saying.

[nomad297]

You should replace it. There is no telling what has grown inside of it, but bacteria and mold are almost positively present. Sanitizing it with your system is not good enough because you will never know if it is clean or not.

Bruce

[austinjenna]

I use the same kind but when I am done using it I drain it a bit, put the end caps back on and bring it home and put it in the fridge until next time we head out.

[Campinghoss]

I get mine from Wally World for ~17.00. I throw mine away prior to winterizing and buy a new one each year.

[americanrascal]

Good question and hope we see more here. I read somewhere (brain doesn't remember where) these filters were good for 6 months.

I run mine that long- intermittently , and change out 2X per year.