To go with the vest I reviewed I picked up a pretty nice hydro bladder separately, but am having trouble getting it dry.
I saw a pic on the HMRS site of a piece of PVC with holes in it - is this a good idea or bad?
Other ideas? Anyone used some of those other systems they sell?
I just hang it upside down, and bend a coat hanger into a shape that holds it open. I leave it about an hour, usually dry by the time I get back to it.
I just pulled the bladder out of mine (after 4 years). Digusting.
I cleaned it out (still gotta do more) but to air it out I stuck a pair of springloaded tongs I had (kinda like these: http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?SKU=106672) inside and they spread apart and held it open to dry out. Nice
The tube is another matter. its gross and disgusting.
Awesome idea!
I was pleasantly surprised to see that the tube on mine comes off with an auto-shut valve. Very impressive for a $15 generic bladder.
Other ideas?
Camelback makes a kit specifically for this type of duty. It comes with a plastic thingy to help dry and hang, a large brush for cleaning out the inside of the reservoir and a smaller and more flexible brush for cleaning out the tube. Google it or check out your local outdoor store, they should have it. Replacement is definitely an option if it is really that nasty. I only know about the cleaning kit because I let one of my bladders "ferment" for far too long once!
I originally thought the plastic thingy stupid, but after using the bent hanger and ending up with rust on it and inside the bladder (due to humidity - NO, I didn't put it in their wet), I found it to be a good idea.
Quote from: NIN on August 02, 2010, 09:17:03 PM
...I stuck a pair of springloaded tongs I had (kinda like these: http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?SKU=106672 (http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?SKU=106672)) inside and they spread apart and held it open to dry out. ...
Dude...seriously...Bed, Bath and Beyond? :o
Quote from: shorning on August 03, 2010, 06:59:11 AM
Dude...seriously...Bed, Bath and Beyond? :o
Thats where I *knew* I'd find a pic of similar tongs. :)
Quote from: shorning on August 03, 2010, 06:59:11 AM
Quote from: NIN on August 02, 2010, 09:17:03 PM
...I stuck a pair of springloaded tongs I had (kinda like these: http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?SKU=106672 (http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?SKU=106672)) inside and they spread apart and held it open to dry out. ...
Dude...seriously...Bed, Bath and Beyond? :o
Man Card....Revoked!
To be honest, if your bladder is good enough quality and you use it fairly often (once every two months), then I wouldn't worry too much about gettin' it 100% devoid of dirt and bacteria. I use a Camelbak bladder, and this is my cleaning routine after a hike/backpacking trip:
Dump remaining water out. Rinse bladder by putting more water in and draining out of hose. Repeat. Then I put tongs or a couple of spatulas in the bladder to hold it open, and then I put it away when it's dry. Nothing more, and it usually takes 3 minutes tops. Hope this helps.
Denture Tabs (unflavored) for cleaning. Bottle brush for bladder.
I have a baffled bladder, I've found that (2) water bottles with holes are about perfect.
Quote from: IceNine on January 25, 2011, 05:16:15 AMDenture Tabs (unflavored) for cleaning.
I prefer the minty ones.
Quote from: Mustang on August 03, 2010, 07:19:44 PM
Quote from: shorning on August 03, 2010, 06:59:11 AM
Quote from: NIN on August 02, 2010, 09:17:03 PM
...I stuck a pair of springloaded tongs I had (kinda like these: http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?SKU=106672 (http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?SKU=106672)) inside and they spread apart and held it open to dry out. ...
Dude...seriously...Bed, Bath and Beyond? :o
Man Card....Revoked!
Ok..THAT was seriously funny. I'll be back after I clean the Diet Coke off my monitor!