beermaker
01-08-2013, 10:32 AM
Just wanted to share my thoughts on this millbank style water filter bag, supplied by Bilmo Bushgear on Ebay, which my missus bought me the other day.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Millbank-Style-Water-Filter-Bag-/200947407622?pt=UK_SportingGoods_HikingEquipment_R L&hash=item2ec9661b06
First impressions on opening the package were that it was well made and felt good quality. The canvas is heavy weight and densely woven, the stitching seems in good order and the brass eyelet at the top is well fitted.
I tried it out in the bath (I wasn't in it at the time!!) mostly to use the hot water to rinse out any loose fibres and such. Following the instructions I read on another thread on this forum I manipulated the canvas under the water for a couple of minutes to ensure it was well saturated, before filling it up. I expected a long wait but I was pleasantly surprised! The flow rate from the bag was reasonable and it took about 5 minutes to drain two thirds of the bag before the flow rate slowed appreciably.
The next day I tried it again with cold water from the tap. I filled a billy can up and used the water in it to saturate the bag again. It was then tied to the washing line (very bushcraft!) and filled. Again, the flow rate was reasonable and it took about five minutes again to get two thirds of the water into the billy can again, which was just about right for filling my kelly kettle for a brew!
It takes a while to dry out properly, which I'm putting down to the weight and density of the canvas and taking to be a good thing! I'm sure it could be stored in a plaggy bag if you're on the move and dried properly when you set camp when on the move.
I've yet to test it on the murky stuff, but living within spitting distance of the River Tees I'm sure it'll not take me long! Might have a wander into Yarm this week to try it out again! All in all, I'm really impressed with the product both in terms of quality and performance, and at £7.50 including postage I feel that we've definitely got excellent value for money!
Wassail!
Phil
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Millbank-Style-Water-Filter-Bag-/200947407622?pt=UK_SportingGoods_HikingEquipment_R L&hash=item2ec9661b06
First impressions on opening the package were that it was well made and felt good quality. The canvas is heavy weight and densely woven, the stitching seems in good order and the brass eyelet at the top is well fitted.
I tried it out in the bath (I wasn't in it at the time!!) mostly to use the hot water to rinse out any loose fibres and such. Following the instructions I read on another thread on this forum I manipulated the canvas under the water for a couple of minutes to ensure it was well saturated, before filling it up. I expected a long wait but I was pleasantly surprised! The flow rate from the bag was reasonable and it took about 5 minutes to drain two thirds of the bag before the flow rate slowed appreciably.
The next day I tried it again with cold water from the tap. I filled a billy can up and used the water in it to saturate the bag again. It was then tied to the washing line (very bushcraft!) and filled. Again, the flow rate was reasonable and it took about five minutes again to get two thirds of the water into the billy can again, which was just about right for filling my kelly kettle for a brew!
It takes a while to dry out properly, which I'm putting down to the weight and density of the canvas and taking to be a good thing! I'm sure it could be stored in a plaggy bag if you're on the move and dried properly when you set camp when on the move.
I've yet to test it on the murky stuff, but living within spitting distance of the River Tees I'm sure it'll not take me long! Might have a wander into Yarm this week to try it out again! All in all, I'm really impressed with the product both in terms of quality and performance, and at £7.50 including postage I feel that we've definitely got excellent value for money!
Wassail!
Phil