Re-filtering bulk syrup

[Hal]

When I am boiling I just run my syrup through the filter press into barrels to get it stored and out of my way. After the season I pump it out, re-heat it and fill my retail containers. I re-heat about half a drum at a time and filter it all before it goes in the canner.

So the question is, how much filter aid should i use? The syrup is basically clean, I am just making sure that there is no new niter, or lumps and curds of whatever, that might have snuck into it. I have been using about two cups for a fifteen gallon batch, and it seems to work all right.

Should I use more? Will it work better if I do? Can I use less? Is there a point at which it won't work if I skimp too much?

The pressure never goes much above twenty pounds, even at the end of the day. It does try to spike a little at the beginning of each batch, but I bypass it until the plates heat up again, and it goes right back down.

[PerryW]

I reheat and filter my bulk syrup 5 or 10 gallons at a time. I used to use just use a prefilter, but occasionally I would get some cloudiness so now I just use a regular filter w/ no prefilter.

I have never used any filter aid for reheating syrup, but then again I have never used it in 30 years of sugaring, even when filtering off the evaporator. Just the 2' x 3' flat filters.

[markcasper]

In a 20 gallon batch i usually put in about 6 cups not knowing the same question you asked. I block off all the plates in the full bank 7" except the first 2 and works good. I maybe could get by with less aid, but never wanted to risk finding out, didn't want cloudy syrup.

[bison1973]

what do you guys mean by bypassing the plates or blocking off plates in a filter press?

[sapman]

what do you guys mean by bypassing the plates or blocking off plates in a filter press?+

Bypassing is setting the valve(s) so that the syrup goes back into the the hot unfiltered syrup, and opening the valve a little at a time to send it to the bottling tank. This is necessary if the press has cooled down between batches, so as not to blow a paper.

You would block off plates if you know the syrup is clean, but just "polishing" it up. This way you save powder by not having to fill all the plates. You might get by with just 2 or 3 plates. Usually when I try that, there seems to be more impurities than I thought and I about end up blowing a paper anyway!

[maple flats]

As I re pack I use 3 cups/15-18 gal batch. It works good. Trying to save an extra cup was never a thought, I just want crystal clear syrup, it's good insurance.

[markcasper]

what do you guys mean by bypassing the plates or blocking off plates in a filter press?
i just use a square piece of thin stainless and put it wherever i think its best. you have to put it between a thin and thick plate in the press, your basically creating an artificial end so the syrup can't go through any more plates then you want. i used to take plates out and put cut off water pipes over each rod, but it was too much hassle and you had to have 5 different lengths x 2 on hand dependant on how many you wanted to block, now just use one piece and can block as many or as few as needed.

[lpakiz]

Now Mark, That is a good, simple idea!!!
On the subjuct of filter presses, I wonder how it would work to use 5 Micron SS screen instead of filter paper? They could be rinsed and re-used indefinately. Once the DE gets them coated, I don't see any difference in filtering efficiency.

[jmayerl]

Is this where you would put the SS block off sheet. I have times when I only have a few gallon order but I want to refilter after taking out of the drum.

[markcasper]

Yes jmayerl that is where you put it. I have never tried just one plate though. I have did 2 before and its alright. just make sure the clamps are tight, I have had it leak badly if their not extra tight

[jmayerl]

well that didn't work7853
lots of filter aid some how made it through.

[markcasper]

Are you sure blocking it off was the problem? Did you recirculate a few gallons to allow the DE to coat the papers? As I mentioned, I have never tried just one plate. My minimum batch is 15 gallons. Maybe just using one is not enough area in relation to the pump?? Was the syrup 200 degrees? Was there cold syrup in the line before turning pump on? Were you using new papers? Or ABU papers? I have always had good results doing it with mine, course my pump is shot, but I can't see that causing it not to work.

On a side note, did you get an RO for this past season?

[jmayerl]

Yup did everything the same. Warmed up press with hot water, put in new paper, recirculated for about a minute, syrup looked clear so set to bottler. Not sure where it might have passed but maybe I will try again later. Maybe need more filter aid to make it work, only used 1.5 cups.

Never got an RO this past year. Would have been nice since we collected 10,000 gallons and had to sell 1/4 of it. I'm cutting way back on taps for next year and will be buying sap instead. Looking like a 250 RO will be in the sugar shack by fall.

[markcasper]

How many gallons were you trying to do? I do not have any answers. I have at least put in 3 cups of aid, but thats been with 2 frames and 15 gallons. Good luck!

[maple flats]

[QUOTE=jmayerl;225653]Yup did everything the same. Warmed up press with hot water, put in new paper, recirculated for about a minute, syrup looked clear so set to bottler. Not sure where it might have passed but maybe I will try again later. Maybe need more filter aid to make it work, only used 1.5 cups.

If you put hot water thru to warm the press, that water then had to be boiled away or your density was screwed up. In the re-boiling you created new niter is my guess. Was the bottler totally clean?

[jmayerl]

No flats. I warm the press with hot water and no papers in it. Crack it apart and all the water drains away. Back together with papers and recirculate for a few minute with the syrup then send to bottler.

[lpakiz]

Jeff,
Only once this year did I get cloudy syrup thru the press. Upon disassembly, I noticed one of the ports on the clear (outgoing) side had a trail of DE from the big window plate thru to the out-bound channel. The paper looked OK but dirty syrup must have blown thru there somehow. Thats a pretty small sealing area, probably a 1/4 inch or so wide. Reminded me of a blown head gasket......

[markcasper]

If your press is not that old and the pump is in excellent condition, then with only one plate you probably blew a 1/4" hole or something as Larry mentioned. I used to blow a lot of papers when the machine was new and didn't know what a bypass valve was for. Did you "ease" the syrup into the one frame? Since my pump is wore out, I haven't blown a paper in quite awhile.
I know from experience that starting and stopping the press alot during a batch will cause the syrup to be more cloudy and there was never a blown paper. I try to prepare and not shut it off other than to switch from the heating tank to the bottling tank and sometimes I can even manage that without stopping, but I have had a few accidents doing that before.