Filter press recommdations that were in the recent Maple News

[Homestead Maple]

I read an artcle in the recent Maple News where a person contacted a specialist on filtering and they increased their press capacity by precoating their papers ( which most sugarers do now) then using some sort of 'direct injecting' of the DE to be able to filter 3 barrels between press tear downs. Anyone understand what part of the press they were 'direct injecting' the DE? The filter press in the article pictures looks to be a 7" but maybe it's a 10".

[batsofbedlam]

I read this article also, and am confused by the direct inject statement.
But what I found more interesting was the suggestion that the maple industry is using to fine a grade of DE and that we should be using coarser DT. The article implied that the fine DT we are now using is also filtering out flavor factors that alter the taste of the syrup.
I hope the industry picks up on this and changes the DT grade as suggested.

[highlandcattle]

We read it also. I've called twice. No one answers. We all need the formula for our own set ups!

[Amber Gold]

Homestead, you beat me to it. I read the article last nigth and was going to post the same questions. If this is true, I hope the maple companies will sell the proper DE formula, although I'm sure it'll come at a premium.

When we run the press, we charge the press with 1.5 cups of DE, then add a cup or so for every draw. That's what it sounded the like article was describing, but I wasn't sure.

[DrTimPerkins]

The article implied that the fine DT we are now using is also filtering out flavor factors that alter the taste of the syrup.

The article said several things that I don't necessarily agree with. I felt like the company was implying the maple industry didn't have any clue about what they were doing -- which is absolutely incorrect. First off, filtering is not voodoo. Yes, there can be a steep learning curve, but there are some (free) resources to help get on track and understand how to use these tools properly. You just need to read them and follow the advice. Precoating the press is actually common already, and is a suggested practice for filtering maple with a pressure press. Seems like the company was trying to reinvent the wheel to some degree. Secondly, not sure I agree that the DE used in the industry is too fine. The article seemed to imply that we were removing too many of the "fines", and that you didn't need to remove stuff that wasn't visible. The problem with that is that they might not be visible immediately, but if there is very much in there, and the syrup sits on the shelf for a period of time, even these fine particles will settle out and leave a thin film on the bottom. So it seems like the company was suggesting an immediate fix (coarser DE to allow more syrup through the filter press) that might have some negative effects a little down the road (niter settling out during storage). Before I changed DE, I'd want to see considerable more testing done. Finally, there is absolutely no empirical evidence that I am aware of that filtering with DE negatively alters the flavor profile of maple syrup -- other than it removes the niter, which can impart an undesirable "niter" off-flavor.

[Gary R]

Here is a link to the instructions from the wonderful folks at UV. Thanks Dr. Perkins!

http://www.uvm.edu/~pmrc/filter_press_brochure.pdf

[ennismaple]

Here is a link to the instructions from the wonderful folks at UV. Thanks Dr. Perkins!

http://www.uvm.edu/~pmrc/filter_press_brochure.pdf

I had not seen that article before - thanks for sharing! We'll definitely try some of the recommendations for our Siroflter because the principals are the same.

[wiam]

Here is a link to the instructions from the wonderful folks at UV. Thanks Dr. Perkins!

http://www.uvm.edu/~pmrc/filter_press_brochure.pdf

Yeah and they could not find instructions? Did they look? I read articles like this and consider canceling my subscription. I am surprised it took this long to come up here.

And thank you good Doctor

[batsofbedlam]

The article also stated that the DE was a proprietary formulation. So much for sharing information.

[Homestead Maple]

They show using more than 3 times the amount of DE for the precoat, which is something a little different but the 'body feed' suggestion has me wondering where that is introduced to the press. I wonder if some how they are introducing more DE to the press without adding the additional DE to the filter tank? I wonder if an additional pump is plumbed in somewhere so that DE is injected right to the press? We'll have to wait and see if more info is forth coming. I know that there are different grades of DE because I bought some DE through what used to be North Country Malt. They supply products for brewing and finishing beer and bought some different DE that is made by the same company that supplies the DE you can buy at different maple equipment dealers. This company that makes the Celite DE. I tried looking up North Country Malt and I see that they have changed their name. I checked their web site out but they don't have an online catalog like they used to. They used to sell a lot of products to home brewers but I don't see that being available now. Maybe someone here will be able to contact Aftec Inc. in Rochester, NY eventually and get some help with other filter media.


Homestead, you beat me to it. I read the article last nigth and was going to post the same questions. If this is true, I hope the maple companies will sell the proper DE formula, although I'm sure it'll come at a premium.

When we run the press, we charge the press with 1.5 cups of DE, then add a cup or so for every draw. That's what it sounded the like article was describing, but I wasn't sure.

[wiam]

They also say to add the "body feed" ( I think they are just adding it to syrup like the rest of us do) after the pressure spikes. This is too late. You need to keep a fresh surface of DE if you are not just running one large batch

[maplecrest]

after having a trying time filtering syrup this year.i understand everything that was stated in that article. i started season as every one ,2 cups aid to charge press and 1/2 cup per 8 gallons after.(using 10 inch press) pressure spiked could not get 20 gals thru press. as written in maple news, but shared with me by another producer. i charged press with 4 to 6 cups or until the syrup changes color. like cream in coffee. then add a cup and 1/2 per 8 gallons. maybe alittle more until the syrup changes color. took some time to see it. after using this method i went from 20 gallons to 120 . late syrup was 70 to 80 gals. because the press was full of filter aid. packed full. pressure stays low until the press fills with aid. when full of aid the pressure goes up fast. when hits 50 -60 psi it is full. plates packed so tight you need to punch the used aid out. also very little syrup in pan under plates. in the beginning of the season was changing presses 16 times to make 300 gals. with alot of wasted syrup and filter papers and filter aid. not to include the work involved changing and washing plates. the article was not written well. but did touch on one thing that was said to me by a d and g sale rep. the formula of 1 and 1/2 cups of aid in reference to the size of the surface area of the plates in your press. when thinking about a 15 inch 10 plate press. that is 2 and 1/2 times the size of the 2 ten inch presses combined i am running now.i need to figure that formula out.for if you do not use enough filter aid , press plugs easy and you get alot of syrup back out of press. if amount of aid is right. plates are packed and you get a tablespoon of syrup out of press when taking apart.once figured out! this saved alot of stress in the sugar house. i will say that my filter aid use when up. a 50# bag to 300 gals.

[DrTimPerkins]

...if you do not use enough filter aid , press plugs easy ...

That pretty much sums it up. If the press is plugging, generally you need to add more DE. Many people just naturally think they are plugging the press with DE, and cut back, which only worsens the problem. It is counterintuitive in some respects, but generally when the syrup is filtering is hard....add DE.

[Amber Gold]

Jeff, that was essentially what I was doing. This season, I used way more filter aid than usual...50 lbs for 540 gal, but I'd get 25-30 gal of syrup through a 1/2 press. I did find this season I had no premature plugging issues and also got less syrup out of the press at the end of the night. Operating pressures were generally pretty low this year, even towards the end. 50#'s per 300 gal is a lot of DE, especially at your scale. Maybe I'll start adding more.

[maple flats]

My filtering went very well this year and at 334 gal I only used about 20-25# filter aid. My only batch that plugged too soon was my last batch from cleaning the pans and doing in the front pan then the finisher. I plugged a set, so I changed the papers and increased the FA. Then it filtered well. My first try I only added about 2 cups of FA to 6 gal syrup and it plugged before I got half thru the 6 gal. Then after changing the papers I added 3 more gal to the pot and added 3 more cups (now likely about 4 cups in 6 gal). Then it filtered well and I finished about 14 gal on that set of papers.

[lew]

I have to say that our syrup filtered the easiest it ever has. Usually we charge our old cast iron 7 inch press with 3 1/2 cups DE then add 1 1/2 cups when the pressure starts to rise. This year we only charged it once and ran syrup through it until it plugged the rings with niter. We used less than 50# for 1545 gallons.

[Homestead Maple]

[QUOTE=wiam;224479]They also say to add the "body feed" ( I think they are just adding it to syrup like the rest of us do) after the pressure spikes. This is too late.


I wondered about that part also. "after the pressure spikes". Is that 50 psi? I tried adding more DE when my pressure hit 40 psi the first time I used the press and yup, too late.

[jrgagne99]

We read it also. I've called twice. No one answers. We all need the formula for our own set ups!

They give a formula: charge your press with 1.5 cups per cubic foot of filter press volume. Measure the size of your press in inches, then divide by 1728 (12*12*12) to convert to cubic feet.

I didn't see the "direct injection" statement that several of you referred to. Only comments about adding more DE, which they call the "body feed" step. Pretty lame name for something everyone does anyway...