You put it on too tight. Trust me, even though it's hand tightened, you still put it on too tight. Just put it on till you get ever so slight resistance, then another 1/4 to 1/2 turn and then leave it. Then check for leaks. Rather have it leak a little than spend hours trying to get it off. I **** you not, happened to me before, and all that was left was a cookie shaped top of the filter than was a cm thick where it screws in. Nearly impossible to grip...