Water Filtration Systems have a set lifespan. After a while the filters just get worn out. You can use coffee filters to extend the life of your water filter.
Zack and I did a quick demonstration of this system in Mason jars to show how effective it can be. (Click for larger pictures)
Pre-filtering water through coffee filters removes all of the larger debris and a lot of dirt too. This can go a long way towards extending the life of your water filter because it doesn’t have to work nearly as hard.
Not to mention coffee filters are small and light enough for your Bug Out Bag
Dirty Water
Dirty Water
Standing rain water from outside the house. We added some dirt to emphasize the effects. In a survival situation you may have to rely on whatever water you can find and chances are in won’t be very clean.
Filtering
Filtering
The easiest way to get water to drain through the water filter was to push it down into the container and let gravity do it’s thing. It takes a few seconds for the water to drain.
Results
Results
Here is a before and after shot of the coffee filtered water that is ready to put through your water purification system.
Filters
Leftovers
We only used regular old coffee filters for this, but I poked around and found these Micro-Filters that are for espresso makers.
The description says: “The Micro-filter removes grit, unlike other press-type coffee makers” So I am assuming the filter is even more fine.
It might take longer for the water to work through, but they could be that much better for filtering out tiny grains of dirt. Find them here on Amazon: Micro Coffee Filters.
If a reader wants to test them please let me know and we’ll publish your results.
Save your Bottles
In a survival situation you might only have a few bottles. Don’t contaminate them with dirty water. Use a collapsible bucket to collect water, then coffee filter, then really filter. 6 Great Uses for a Backpacking Bucket
Check out our new Survival Store – Forge Survival Supply
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My Mr. Coffee came with a fine wire mesh permanent filter It is supported by a plastic frame. I am sure I have seen these sold seperately at Wal Mart. It could be carried and protected in a pack by placing it a Tupperware and the void space in the filter could be used to nestle other items so as to not waste space.
aj,
That sounds pretty cool, like a permanent reusable filter. I wonder if the mesh is really as fine as a paper filter though? or if it even matters?
If you give the pre-filter system a try with it let me know how it works out.
The permanent filters don't strain out as much as the paper filters but using both together can have positive results. Filter through the permanent filter then the paper filter as sort of a two stage filtration system. Drink the result through your filter straw.
I want to throw my "worst case scenario" butt-saver out there. All survivors know the "RULE of 3's". In the worst case where all you can get is water (no food what so ever) You can still have an edge! I call this edge my "lyte-paks". I make these with this formula: 7 potassium tablet/ 3.5 teaspoon salt/ 7 Tablespoon sugar. This will suffice for a weeks worth of 1-day supplies. I crush the tabs and mix it all together (this will make a 7 day electrolyte supply). I divide it out into 7 equal parts, then vac-seal. In an emergency where you cant get food, you can dump 1 of these per day in drinking water and replace vital supplements or just eat it dry. You can drink all the water you want but without the sodium and potassium the muscles will quickly get fatigued. After a few days without food and electrolytes you mental capacity, heart, an other muscles will be effected. Its the poor mans gator-aid. REMEMBER the brain runs on sugars, but the muscles/heart MUST have sodium and potassium for electrical function.
Just picked up a 100-pack of Melitta filters for about 3 bucks from the store, talk about a cheap and light thing that could really be useful!
My two cents worth on this subject, I have a PUR Scout model filter, used it for years backpacking and love it. I have had great success with the coffee filters as a "pre-filter" on the pick up tube end. Small 4 cup sized Mr Coffee filters doubled and a rubber band, and nice clean drinking water is provided. Yes, the scout is slow with the added chemical filter section attached, but I have not had a single issue with water related discomfort. The only real maintenance I've had besides cleaning was replacing the orings after a couple years use. Weighs about as much as a standard bottle of Ozarka.
I've heard that dust masks work well for filtering sediment out of water too.
I have used dust masks and they work better than the coffee filter and hold up better when pouring water but they aren’t as cheap as the coffee filters. I keep 5 dust masks in my BOB for the vehicle and a box of 20 in the home BOB as well as the coffee filters.
The coffee filters work well, cheap and for the cost you can’t beat its ability to be packed and not take up the room. I may try both together and see if changes anything in the results.
I've heard that dust masks work well for filtering sediment out of water too.
I'm looking into buying 2 water filtration units. One smaller, lighter one for my BOB and one to keep around for a base camp filter in case I'm able to return home but local water sources may be contaminated. I'm finding it difficult to determine which ones are the best. Anyone with experience using them have any feedback?
i take two coffee filters and charcoal and glue then together to make a filter that is worth its weight in gold for filtering water ..i use it for fifty gallons of water and dispose of it. i use gorilla glue
because it wont fall apart and forms a plastic seal ..good luck and good hunting
I ordered the Berkey water filters and ordered a spigot and some bucket to make my own water filter/collector. I have given a lot of thought to a simple inexpensive way to try and extend the life of these expensive filters and what I came up with was to purchase the small pool filters available at Walmart, Target,…etc. I bought the two pack that had filters are 4" tall and have a 1.75 hole. There is a plastic mesh inside the filter that can easilt be cut out with a knife. I remove the mesh and then I cut the rubber seal on both ends at the 12, 3, 6, znd 9 o'clock positions so that the cheap paper pleated paper filter will fit snuggly over the Berkey filter. I think this will stop a good deal of debris from ever even coming in contact with my filter. The cost of the filters was $6 and I might be able to do better once the summer is over. I posted a picture in my Skydrive "Prepping Folder" here is the link if anyone wants to see. https://cid-269aef6040832a62.skydrive.live.com/re…
Oh the picture name in the folder is Water Filter Extender.
I have had coffee filters in my BOB for some time now. They can also be used for fire making in a pinch. Also, it isn't a bad idea to put a small ziploc bag of coffee grains or tea in your BOB. You got to remember some of the small pleasures in life in hard times. Waking up on a day of the SHTF a cup of coffee just might pick you up a bit….also it might literally pick you up, the caffeine giving you an extra boost if your feeling a bit tired.
I try to always wrap my water filter intake with coffee filters.
Excellent idea!
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