Advice on Filtering

[bowhunter]

I plan to stay around 100 taps +- 25 and I'm planning to invest in a better filter system. I sell about 2/3 of my production. I'm using the felt cone filters now into a turkey frier. I'm thinking about getting one of Smokey Lake's small filter/bottlers with the steam pan, but thought I'd better get some advice about a small press as another option. I did have a couple of questions about the press? I need a tank or container to mix the filter aid into the syrup and a container to bottle from, correct. And it seems like I still need a bottler with water jacket or steam table to prevent niter?

Thanks for any advice.

[Bruce L]

I looked at Smoky Lake's small units, too small for me but would work for your set-up. I am not sure if you would also need the steam pan, depends on how much syrup you take off and how quickly you would pack it into a bottle or can. You will find a big difference in filtering with a flat filter, you will need a paper prefilter on top, will take out your niter problem, no need for filter aid. I filter several hundred gallons of syrup through a flat filter with paper on a tank measuring 20 " x 20", never an issue with niter as long as you don't move the filter while the syrup is going through.

[maple milker]

I got one of Jim's steam tray's last year for the 16x16 canner he makes and it really made filtering easy. I didn't have to hurry to bottle while the syrup was still hot and even to the very end of the batch the temp stayed at 190. It kept the syrup warm that was slow to go through the filter at the end too.

[jmayerl]

At your size a bottler with the filter tray will work but a press would make it work better. The hand presses seem nice( never used one). All depends if you don't mind the added cost. As far as needing another container a SS pot on a turkey fryer would work just fine

[steve J]

I just went to smokeys web site to try and look at this filter your talking about but found only a partial picture. Can anyone give me an idea how it works and rather its pricey or not. I would love to upgrade from wool cone filter but always found filter presses to be expensive for my small operation.

[jmayerl]

Here. There are about 8 pictures on sugarbush ad.
http://www.sugarbush.info/forsale/showproduct.php?product=363&title=gas-fired-steam-bottler-2ffilter-2ffinisher&cat=29

[SeanD]

I got one of Jim's steam tray's last year for the 16x16 canner he makes and it really made filtering easy. I didn't have to hurry to bottle while the syrup was still hot and even to the very end of the batch the temp stayed at 190. It kept the syrup warm that was slow to go through the filter at the end too.

Do you pour from your draw off pail right into the basket on top with the filter or do you draw off right into the top of the filter? I'm asking because it doesn't look like you can dump a lot of syrup on top or it will go around the sides of the filter. It has to be poured in a stream. Is that right?

Sean

[maple flats]

Filter presses are nice but not necessary. Even a wool (actually a synthetic) with a few pre filters on top work OK and some producers actually mix filter aid into the syrup and then run it thru a flat filter set up for excellent results. At your size I wouldn't get a filter press, Id get or 3 flat filter pans with covers to help hold the heat. Then filter it as hot as you can, right off the evaporator is best if you can draw fast enough to keep the filter hot.
If you want to look into a small filter press, click on New equipment at the top of this page and search for Filter Presses. They have one for $520 that is designed and made by our sponsor. It has a hand pump. This will do a real good job, but then you need a canner of some sort. If you get a canner with filter rack, on a propane arch, you will have everything needed to filter and bottle the syrup. The Smokey Lake one is $750 + S&H.

[SevenCreeksSap]

We got the Smoky Lake finishing pan with steam tray last season about halfway through and what an improvement over the cone filter into the coffee urn system. Use a couple of prefilters on a felt filter and just let it drain for a while. zero nitre got through, very clean syrup. I didn't usually bottle right then, but did several batches finishing and bottled a couple gallons at a time. it holds about 12 gallons I think but never had it completely full. ( maybe a little off on capacity but a lot). fill the steam tray with water and reheat to 190. I do need the right thermometer for bottling though. I'd recommend this setup to anyone at our size ( 180 taps) . May also look at the hand filter press but this season probably stick with this, until I get enough return from sales to buy the press next year.

[Sugarmaker]

We have tried the small filter presses and they work great on small several gallon batches. We are still using the cone filters and prefilters for making about 200 gallons per year. Our clarity has been judged very good at various competitions.
Regards,
Chris

[bowhunter]

A big thank you to everyone who's providing feedback to my question. I'm leaning more to the canner/filter with the steam pan for now. I can continue to use it even if I get a filter press later. I'll probably talk to Daryl about his 5 inch filter press because it sounds really interesting. I worked in the chemical/oil processing industry for over 40 years and the first time I saw a filter press operation they were these huge machines used for removing wax from motor oil. Each plate probably weighed over a ton. I'm fascinated with some of the miniature processing equipment being built today.

[bstewar]

I picked up one of Bill Mason's 12x20 filter/canners last month. Haven't used it yet but will be a huge upgrade from the cone filter. I really like the built in kick stand to aid in draining every last precious ounce out. Here is his site. http://www.wfmasonwelding.com/finishersbottlers.html. Good price at $500 too.

[steve J]

So this finisher of Bills the tray I see in the picture you would put a flat filter in is that correct?

[bstewar]

Yes, the filter tray holds your flat filter and per filters.

[steve J]

I have his evaporator and a cone filter unit but that looks like my next investment. If my 3/16 lines run as well as they say than I am going to need both a bigger evaporator and a better filtering system for sure.

[stoweski]

His 12x20 finisher works great. Only issue I've had is the smallish burner size creates a bit of a hot spot in the middle of the finisher. The dial thermometer on the front might read 180 while the syrup in the middle of the finisher might be around 190. I was considering adding a second burner to the finisher and moving the other so they are off center and hopefully can evenly heat the syrup.

Add a hands-free bottler too - it's a handy device!

[vikingHB]

Just some clarification, are you guys pulling off the evaporator, and filtering into the finisher, then bottling?
If so, how are you getting the syrup to 66 brix?

[bstewar]

I'm drawing off the evaporator at correct density and pouring the syrup into the filter unit. I make sure I heat back up to 180+ and bottle.

[stoweski]

Yep, pull off at 66 brix... Sometimes a bit over then let the syrup run to just below. Some people prefer to leave a trickle running once it's up to the correct brix. Remember, you can add sap or even concentrate to your syrup to bring it back to 66. Check out the info in the Producers Manual. I don't finish in the finisher... Use it as a canner/bottler only. I don't like finishing separately because of the additional niter after boiling again.

[bowhunter]

I like you're approach. I want to pull off heavy and blend back with sap so I only have to heat to bottling temperature in filter/bottler.

[bstewar]

I second stoweski's comment. I want to use it as a canner as well. Why take the extra step when you can do it on the evaporator.

[Snowy Pass Maple]

His 12x20 finisher works great. Only issue I've had is the smallish burner size creates a bit of a hot spot in the middle of the finisher. The dial thermometer on the front might read 180 while the syrup in the middle of the finisher might be around 190. I was considering adding a second burner to the finisher and moving the other so they are off center and hopefully can evenly heat the syrup.

Add a hands-free bottler too - it's a handy device!

I have the same one and really like it - but I have also found you do have to keep the heat really low to avoid niter formation. Even at a low flame, I find there is more than enough heat to get it to 195 from the freezer - just takes a while.

I have thought about just putting in a thin steel disc to diffuse the heat directly over the flame - anything that would create even a small air gap to the pan would probably eliminate any risk of niter formation at the center much like the idea of the water baths, and it could help direct more of the heat to the outer sides of the canner. Has anyone tried anything like this?

-Colin