interesting filtering and bottling method

[markct]

in this video on youtube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDyHvnfL2IA&feature=related

it appears that they are drawing off right into a filter tank and then they lift up the tank and bottle right from it, seems to me you wouldnt be gauranteed right on density, and hard to assure you have the syrup hot enough as it will cool as it sits in the tank, or is there a step im missing here?

[Haynes Forest Products]

Well it looks like he was checking it and trusting it. Looks as though its cone filters only. I didnt see any prefilters at all. Looks like a nice tidy operation.

[maplwrks]

Good to see someone doing it right---Notice he doesn't use a finisher!!

[Haynes Forest Products]

I also noted he didnt warm his bottles, dumped cold syrup in the tank, didnt monitor his syrup temp, spoke some crazy language.

[TapME]

If that's a full canner at 219* how long do you think it would take for it to cool to 180*? Looked to be a 30gallon one at that. They have a nice clean operating and seam to know what's is what.

[maple flats]

It looks like a very efficient operation and the syrup looked clear. Might be they know how long the have to bottle before the temp is too low.

[Flat Lander Sugaring]

Thats how my brother-in-law did it for the 3 or 4 seasons I helped him. He was very good at checking it then as soon as it was done he would dump it in cone filter and I would start canning it asap. Never had any syrup go bad or complaints about it.

[Flat Lander Sugaring]

spoke some crazy language.

Think that was pig latin, hehehehe

[adk1]

That is quite the operation for sure, once heck of an evap with some big wood you need to feed that thing. I dont know even on my 50 acres I would have enough to feed that beast.

[markct]

so whats the big deal about using a finisher? never heard anyone say that was the wrong way, i dont realy use mine to finish syrup realy, its usualy more just to get a whole batch up to filtering temp and at a consistent density, some draws a little high or low, alot easier to get it exact once than on 20 different small draws

[Homestead Maple]

Hey, that's what I use my finishing pan for, is to standardize and filter 20 gallons at one time, rather than put 3 gallons or so at a time through the press and into a drum. I just use the finisher to keep the syrup at 180 degrees until I filter the whole batch.

[farmall h]

Where are you folks buying your cans/jugs from? I have not seen any advertised in Leader or CDL. Leader has some round? cans ...qts. I believe but I do not see anywhere any 1/2 gal. or 1 gal.

[gmcooper]

Farmall H
Link to leader jugs http://www.leaderevaporator.com/c-11-regular-sugarhill-maple-syrup-jugs.aspx

[Brent]

I'm taking a lesson from this guy.
Boiling a bit over density.
Ordered a two hole filter tank for coarse filtering. Pumping from that thru our fine filter and directly into a water jacket canner where I'll tweak the density if needed adding sap or distilled water. Going to warm bottles on top of the hoods and bottle a bit between firings.

Should be a good flow until about 2:00 am when the peter principle will kick in.

[spud]

I was wondering how much syrup you can run through a 7 or 10 inch filter press before changing papers? I'm just planning for the future. Thanks.:)

Mike

[WESTVIRGINIAMAPLER]

I get about 10 to 15 gallons thru my Lapierre 4 bank press. Probably get a little more early in the season and sometimes less late in the season.

[70 Buick]

BTW that piglatin is french LOL

Lancaster is a small rural community in Ontario along the Quebec boarder

[Thompson's Tree Farm]

Spud,
Last year with early season syrup, I was easily filling a 55 gallon drum with my full bank 7" press.

[spud]

Thanks for the comments. One last question though. If i'm drawing off 20 gallons of syrup per hour will the full bank 7 inch press be good enough? Also i plan to have auto drawoff but was wondering how quick is it to change filter papers. Even know i plan to have my kids help me out i still want to set my operation up so i can do it all myself if needed.

Mike

[Thompson's Tree Farm]

Sometimes I am drawing off at that rate. I use an auto draw to help me and there are times when finding an opportunity to change filters is difficult. I fire with wood and I think it would not be difficult if firing with oil. I always set the press up before I get going in the AM and try to have another set of papers handy ready to go. I use my finish pan to accumulate syrup if I get behind and wait for the wife to get home from work:) I have considered a second bank for my press, almost bought one last Spring at the open houses.

[Haynes Forest Products]

Changing out the papers and cleaning the filter press is not all that time consuming.......IF you have a few handy items. 1) Hot water not just a bucket of it 2) Dedicated area for the press 3) good drainage so all water and filter cake will wash away. good size trash can for garbage. 4) You take a sharpie and run some lines on the top of all the filter papers to indicate UP so your not wasting time rechecking your filters.

I can change out the filters and be up and running in 5 min