press leaving de

[hounder]

Help! Been Trying To Filter And Getting De In Filtered Syrup Have Redone The Press Twice. Any Suggestions

[nymapleguy607]

Okay basic stupid question, did you check to make sure all of the waffle plate holes are on the opposite side as the inlet holes? Did you load the papers? Try recirculating the syrup until it is clear. You might not be getting the papers coated good.

[hounder]

I Have Had Three People Check. I Redid The Press After Trying To refilter . Still Crap. Redid All The Press . Reheated Syrup And Added EarthTo First Batch AndStill ComingThrough.

[nymapleguy607]

Have you looked at the papers when you have broken down the press? Sounds like a hole in one of the paper. You might have a high spot on on one of the waffle plates, or there is a misalignment between the papers and frame. What pressure are you running?

[hounder]

I looked at all the backsides of the papers and there are no holes that are seen. The second time I did the press I payed attention to the pressure and it stayed steady at 10. Because we were up to about 20 gallons that I had to reheat and refilter by then, it should have gone higher and at least spiked and dropped. That is the only weird thing that I noticed. Recleaning the press to filter I have to add more DE in order to charge the papers and that is adding more that I can't get out...the papers are slimy with very little earth on them. When I drain my bottler there is a solid layer of DE on the bottom of the pan. Weird that it is getting the dirt but sending the DE through. Press was brand new last year and we made about 250 gallons no problems. This year we sweetened our pans and drew no syrup. I ended up filtering both front and back pan a week or two ago to get the crud out of the sweetened pans. I did not look at the finished filtered stuff cause it just went back in the evaporator.

[BreezyHill]

Had the same issue last season. My case there was some DE in the line after the unit was put together wrong and I had to hot wash the entire unit to get every last spec out. Then she was fine. Had to rebottle 100 bottles that had a tiny amount of sediment the next day.

Good Luck!

Ben

[nymapleguy607]

I looked at all the backsides of the papers and there are no holes that are seen. The second time I did the press I payed attention to the pressure and it stayed steady at 10. Because we were up to about 20 gallons that I had to reheat and refilter by then, it should have gone higher and at least spiked and dropped. That is the only weird thing that I noticed. Recleaning the press to filter I have to add more DE in order to charge the papers and that is adding more that I can't get out...the papers are slimy with very little earth on them. When I drain my bottler there is a solid layer of DE on the bottom of the pan. Weird that it is getting the dirt but sending the DE through. Press was brand new last year and we made about 250 gallons no problems. This year we sweetened our pans and drew no syrup. I ended up filtering both front and back pan a week or two ago to get the crud out of the sweetened pans. I did not look at the finished filtered stuff cause it just went back in the evaporator.

It really sounds like a plate is in backwards since the papers aren't getting coated with DE.

[hounder]

9140
This is the second time I redid the press. I see nothing wrong with the plates or filter papers. There is no right way to face the paper? Both sides seem the same to me. It is really annoying me. I will filter with our flat filter tonight and hopefully that will clear it out.

[maple flats]

I don't see a paper in the near side of the last hollow plate. Am I missing it, or did you miss one? How much DE are you starting with and do you let it recirculate long enough to get the filter cake established before sending filtered syrup to canner or barrel? If it is there, maybe it slid too low, also one other shows some on the left but not on the right, maybe that slid too low too.

[sdixon8]

is your end plate on right our wes fab has a bump that lines up with the rest of the plates?

[hounder]

I can't check until I get home, but could be that last plate. Seems like it only goes on one way by my memory but Lord knows that could be wrong. I will let you all know if that is it. Thanks for all the help.

[wiam]

It is not the last plate. You can see the loop on top. I doubt there is one on the bottom.

[markct]

Maybe look for a porous spot in the castings? particularly around where they are drilled. It is a pretty strange situation assuming all the papers are in right which im sure you checked repeatedly!

[BAP]

Are you tightening the press enough? I always dump some hot water over the press after putting new papers in to wet them a little and tighten it some more. We have done it that way for many years. Also, you do have the correct papers for your press? If you can't figure it out, try posting some more pictures from different angles so we can get a better look at it.

[hounder]

It is the last plate! Annoyed that I didn't see it and the loop is what tricked me. There is a bump on the left side that should be showing. I just pulled the last plate and the hole is on the top, not on the bottom. At least I know and will not have to filter by hand. Thanks everyone for the help. I am chalking it up to something along the burning a pan theory. Not a sugarmaker until you do... :emb:

[gmcooper]

Glad you found the plate in wrong. As Maple Flats mentioned earlier I do not see any sign of a paper between the end plate and the first hollow plate.

[hounder]

There was a paper there. Went and reheated everything and refiltered tonight. Crystal clear, although a little darker than when we started. I was trying to put the press back together and hubby went to gather the last load of sap. So needless to say I was watching floats, head tank was getting low, firing and keeping track of when to draw. Not complaining but may be making excuses! We got the best we have ever gotton for gph yesterday - 190. Didn't burn the pan though!