Cone versus Flat Filter Tank/Bottler

[Joust7.1]

I was already to purchase a single cone filter tank/bottler but I've seen language on a few threads that suggest that the flat filter tanks may be an upgrade. I currently use cone filters in my system that includes a coffee urn for the bottler. I've had decent luck with that but I need something with a big larger capacity, that is stainless steel and one that I can install a thermometer. Can anyone explain to me the pros and cons of a cone style versus a flat tank. It appears that the cost is more for the flat style but only marginally. Is it just a preference thing or is there better efficiency/quality with one over another. I'm not ready for a filter press or water jacketed unit at this time. I would like to filter from the evaporator initially then on the bigger days just add my draw off pail to add to the filter tank when I start bottling.
P.S. I will likely never be more than 100 gallons/year.

[spencer11]

A flat filter will filter faster than a cone filter and won't plug up as fast, here's the one I got

http://wegnermetalworks.com/cart/add_to_cart/5?quantity=1

[nymapleguy607]

I was already to purchase a single cone filter tank/bottler but I've seen language on a few threads that suggest that the flat filter tanks may be an upgrade. I currently use cone filters in my system that includes a coffee urn for the bottler. I've had decent luck with that but I need something with a big larger capacity, that is stainless steel and one that I can install a thermometer. Can anyone explain to me the pros and cons of a cone style versus a flat tank. It appears that the cost is more for the flat style but only marginally. Is it just a preference thing or is there better efficiency/quality with one over another. I'm not ready for a filter press or water jacketed unit at this time. I would like to filter from the evaporator initially then on the bigger days just add my draw off pail to add to the filter tank when I start bottling.
P.S. I will likely never be more than 100 gallons/year.

My neighbor and I both use cone filters, some years he makes over 100 gals. The thing to remember with cone filters is before using them they should be damp and if possible hot. I usually let the filters sit on the syrup pan dividers as the evaporator comes up to temp. Buy some of the paper prefilters and changethem out after you draw some syrup. These usually catch 90% of the sugar sand. I usaully stack 2 or 3 prefilters together then if one plugs you can dump the remaining syrup into the next filter. The prefilters can usually be cleaned easily but after the third time reusing them I throw them out and get a fresh one. I filter into some 1-1/2 gallon pots then I can recheck the density and adjust if necessary, then it goes into my canner.

[bowtie]

i recall a thead, i think last year about a guy that made upwards of 1000 gallons using a flat fliter tank. what ever you use, i can only give you my experience that the more you filter the better it is. i filter my sap into my haul tank, then again into my holding tank, then again into my evap, after getting the sap close to syrup i use a cone style pre-filters usaually 2-3 when i draw off, then i use my flat filter into my"finisher/canner", make sryup and then filter it again before bottling it, it may be overkill but it gives me peace of mind knowing that i am doing what i can to produce as "clean" as of a finished product as possible.flat filter can be helped along by "pushing the sap/sryup through it with a flat spatula where as cone filters are a little harder to do this. i purchased a mason finisher/flat filter and it works well for me around $500 with stand.

[Joust7.1]

Alright, thanks for these helpful suggestions. Between these responses and watching the thread on filter preferences, I'm trying to get an idea of what direction I should go. It seems like the cone style might be best for me at least for now since I'm familiar with using those and it sounds like it is a bit simpler to use. Would it make sense to draw off the evaporator directly into a single cone style tank, with filters of course then check for density/temperature then bottle directly from the filter tank? I'm curious if anyone else is doing this and if I should be aware of any issues that could arise with this process. I'm still trying to figure out how I would go about reheating the syrup to bottling temperature from the tank. I like the idea of putting a small propane burner on a stand that would be sized to hold the tank for heating and bottling. Is this what people do with the cone style tanks? I haven't seen enough small operations to know how this process should go. I think I can get a stand built and mount a small propane burner on the cheap. I just need some more info before I purchase a particular style of tank.

[Flat47]

In a previous operation I worked in, we drew-off at syrup density right into a 12"x20" canner with a flat filter and 4 pre-filters in place, and we'd bottle it. As said before, the filters and pre-filters were all wet and hot. Worked great. Sometimes we'd have to do some adjusting to get the density spot on after it was filtered, but it cut down on handling and storing. On real big days, we'd pack into 5 gallon containers.

[SevenCreeksSap]

Alright, thanks for these helpful suggestions. Between these responses and watching the thread on filter preferences, I'm trying to get an idea of what direction I should go. It seems like the cone style might be best for me at least for now since I'm familiar with using those and it sounds like it is a bit simpler to use. Would it make sense to draw off the evaporator directly into a single cone style tank, with filters of course then check for density/temperature then bottle directly from the filter tank? I'm curious if anyone else is doing this and if I should be aware of any issues that could arise with this process. I'm still trying to figure out how I would go about reheating the syrup to bottling temperature from the tank. I like the idea of putting a small propane burner on a stand that would be sized to hold the tank for heating and bottling. Is this what people do with the cone style tanks? I haven't seen enough small operations to know how this process should go. I think I can get a stand built and mount a small propane burner on the cheap. I just need some more info before I purchase a particular style of tank.

Joust, you may have an issue with sugar sand redeveloping. I dont have a cone filter tank but right now use a cone filter into a water heater with a thermostat, picture coffee urn. the problem we've had is the syrup goes so slowly through the cone filter, even hot, that by the time it all gets through, its too cooled to bottle properly, so the thermostat kicks in and some sand develops back in the bottom of the urn. Your idea may create the same issue. The way I understand a water jacketed bottler is it doesnt create the hot spots that make the sand develop. Maybe you could figure a water pan under your filter tank an reheat that.
This year we're going to try flat filters into a large stock pot, and just let it filter at its leisure, then set that pot into a larger one with water in it, to reheat and then bottle. Maybe settle the issue of rushing to bottle and getting the sand.

[Flat47]

This year we're going to try flat filters into a large stock pot, and just let it filter at its leisure, then set that pot into a larger one with water in it, to reheat and then bottle. Maybe settle the issue of rushing to bottle and getting the sand.

My current procedure is to draw off at correct syrup density or just before it right into a 5 gallon stock pot with a flat filter and 3 or 4 per-filters. Once the density drops considerably and I stop drawing off,Ii put the lid on over the filters and the heat from within kind of sucks it through. The only time it doesn't is when the pre-filters is clogged. When that happens just dump what's in that one into the next and keep on going. When the pot is full, it goes onto a gas burner, reheated to 180 to 190, density checked/corrected, and then bottled. Sounds more complicated than it is. I can bottle within 20 minutes of drawing off.

[adk1]

I might try the same as Flat47 this year rather than transporting my syrup to the house. I have a decent Coleman 3 burrner propane stove that Icould use.

[Dill]

My first couple years I did the bring the syrup into the house and used a cone filter. Seemed that I lost as much syrup as I got out of it.
Going to a flat filter seemed like a major upgrade, I can filter while the syrup is hot, and more surface area means it filters faster.