Storage of Filters between Use

There are many types of RVing.   Some RVers are full time, which makes care of the filtration system very straightforward.   You use them until they need to be replaced and then replace them.   It is not so straightforward if you are a part time or vacation only RVer.   This type of RVing is the reason people get filters with KDF.   KDF is added to carbon filters to make them bacteriostatic, which allows them to stay in water indefinitely.  Ceramic filters are also bacteriostatic, so no worries if you leave it in water forever.

The most critical aspect of storage of any filters is DO NOT FREEZE.   If a micron rated filter freezes, it can and usually does destroy the integrity of the mechanical makeup of the filter.  This means that your ceramic, carbon block filter or sediment filter can have a microscopic crack, which makes the micron rating moot.  If you have a crack that is 10 microns wide, you no longer have a 1 micron or 0.5 micron filter and you may not know it.

Most of our filters can be dried and reused.  The RV-SED1 (A1103) and the F1PB (A1209) are our most popular filters and they are the ones that come with the Essential System (System_essential).   When you are going to be away from your RV for several weeks, you risk stagnation of the water if you don't take care to avoid it.    With the filters in the essential system, they are somewhat resistant to stagnation. 

I recommend that, if you are going to be out for up to 3 weeks, you can leave any of our filters in the canister with water with little risk whether they have KDF or not.   I base this on almost 30 years of history, and never seeing stagnation with these filters.   If it is more than 3 weeks, and your filter is not ceramic or has KDF, then you should dump the water out of the canisters so you don't have stagnant water in the cans.   You can store the filters in the empty canisters between trips as long as it is not going to be freezing.   The safest way to store them is to allow them to completely dry before putting them back in the canisters.  

Resin filters like the metal trap, BIRM, or phosphate filters can also be dried.   The trick here is to make sure the resin doesn't clump while drying.   To do this, periodically shake the filter as it dries.   Once it is dry, you can either put it back in the canister or in a dust free environment in the house.  

One last point.  When you are done for the winter and in a cold climate, bring your filters into a non freezing, dust free environment and you can use them next season.