Coffee Urn gurus, I need help!

[Cake O' Maple]

Got my coffee urn today, read the instructions, washed it and set about finishing/filtering/bottling. Finally remembered to check the temp coming out while filling the 3rd bottle--it was 160. :mad:

There are 2 things I think could have caused it, and I'd like feedback, because the bottling was going wonderfully!

1)The syrup came to the right brix before I thought it would, so I shut it off but left it on the electric burner while the coffeepot heated water. I left it uncovered until I moved it near the urn to scoop panfuls of syrup into the filter.

2)I only filled the 40-cup urn about an inch above the minimum fill line.

Do I need to fill the urn to the maximum to heat it completely??

I have a fry basket that is the perfect size to fit down into the top of the urn, and cut my flat filters in quarters, which stuck up quite a bit. I did put the urn's lid on top of the filter corners sticking up (1 orlon and 6 pre, I hoped to filter 2-3 gallons tonight).

[GramaCindy]

Hello Beth…I usually have my coffee pot all preheated before I even finish the syrup out on the turkey fryer. Only because you just don't know when it will be done.

I take the finished syrup quickly into the house, pour all of the (190* candy thermometer temped) water out, using some to preheat my bottle lids, and immediately filter through the basket contraption that you spoke of with 3-4 prefilters, no orlon into the pot, keeping the filtering syrup covered to preserve as much heat as possible.
I see nothing wrong with just having what syrup you have in the pot, I bottle after each day's drawoff, (if I have one) so usually my pot is only 1/3 to 1/2 full. Just make sure the pot is really hot, temp that water when the percolator says it's done. Keep the pot lid on while bottling to keep it all hot. Keep it plugged in to. Once that pot is hot, water is dumped out and 200*+ syrup is put in, there won't be any percolating or bubbling on the bottom like some people state, it's already way past "coffee temp" so it doesn't need to COOK, just keep warm. Try to make sure that you are ALL ready with everything BEFORE that syrup is placed into the pot for bottling. Worked like a charm for me last year, the only change that I am making this year to that process is I got a large canning pot to preheat my washed bottles in so that I don't have 4 pots on the stove.

Best of luck Beth. Cindy

[wnybassman]

I used my 30 cupper for the first time yesterday. It took A LOT longer to go through the brew cycle than I thought, and will certainly start that earlier the next time. Fortunately though, my syrup came the the right brix within 30 seconds of the urn being ready. I got lucky! The best thing I read here a while back was not to unplug the urn at that time. Have it on an extension cord so you can (carefully) move about your space to dump the water and set up for bottling. I finish in the kitchen, so I emptied the urn into the sink, then set it on the stove right next to the still heavily simmering, nearly boiling syrup. I used only three prefilters, with the first one clothspinned to the urn. Scooped a bunch of syrup in then started filling jars as it was going through the filter. Added more syrup as needed. When I started my probe was reading 193º and the second to last jar was reading 184º. The last jar fell below 180º, but it was only partially full and that went right into the fridge anyway. Besides, the probe was barely in the syrup anymore so it still could have been plenty hot enough.

I was amazed at my syrup clarity with using just prefilters. All but the last jar were crystal clear. When I have both glass and plastic to fill, I'll do the glass first then the plastic as the potential for imperfect syrup will be at the end.

[sugarwoodacres]

Thanks for a great idea !!!!:)

[adk1]

does anyone on here filter their syrup when the yare drawing off the evap? OR is everyone bascially getting to syrup then drawing everything off? I do small draws off of the evap right into multiple prefilters and a synthetic filter. Once done, I brought my syrup into the house, brought up to 180 degrees and used a glass measuring cup to fill my jugs..Only made just over 3 quarts so it was pretty easy..So, a long winded question but is everyone only filtering once like i am?

[wnybassman]

I have been drawing off near syrup and finishing in the house. I take it in the house just the way it comes off the pan. Bring it to syrup, then filter it into the urn. That's the only time I filter.

[Paddymountain]

We just started prefiltering off of the evaporator. We've found out it's a snap to filter then with our coffeepot. it's much faster and less sugarsand blocking your
prefilter. We always start with 6 prefilters in our orlon filter, dump about 2 or 3 gallon through, then pull the first prefilter up and pin it on the side and pour the next batch through the 5 prefilters. don't go below 3 prefilters if you are bottling glass or you''ll get a slight film on the bottom. We've done 35 gallons so far this year and almost 50 gallons last year, and it's really not that bad a way to do it. It's best to have about 5 or 6 gallons to filter/bottle, that way the clean up is the same as for little batchs.

[sugarwoodacres]

adk ... I filter out of evaporator ( almost done syrup on 1st year evaporator then filter before bottling inside.

[sugarwoodacres]

paddy , paper filters or synthetic ?

[Paddymountain]

I'm not sure,but I get them from Sugarbush Supplies,Mich