a method of cleaning polymer residue from a polymer melt filter formed of a sintered powdered metal includes pyrolyzing the polymer residue - contaminated filter within a heated chamber at a temperature within the range from about 400 ° to about 600 ° c . and for a time sufficient to pyrolyze substantially all of the polymer residue . simultaneously with such treatment , the heated chamber is flushed with steam to prevent combustion of the polymer residue . the pyrolyzed filter is then treated with a solvent and back - flushed with a pressurized fluid stream by passing the fluid steam through the filter in a direction opposite to the polymer melt flow therethrough .