CDL 7 inch press

[Tapper705]

I am currently setting up my new 7 inch filter press and have never used one before. The instruction say to charge the press with a mixture of hot water and DE. I have been reading many posts on this forum and people are saying they charge the press with syrup and DE and dump the first bit back into the pot to be filtered.
Seems like more syrup would be wasted by using water. Is there a benefit to using water first or is hot syrup sufficient. Any opinions are appreciated.

[West Sumner Sugar]

I don't know why you would want to use water? That would thin out your syrup. We and I believe everyone adds the DE powder to hot syrup, charges the press by running the filtered syrup back into your pan. Once its charged, push everything through the press and into your bottler.

[Tapper705]

Thanks West Sumner, I don't know why they say water either, that's why I posted. I will use just syrup, it makes more sense.

[tuckermtn]

check out the uvm press instructions.

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

i put DE in finisher, mix in with 20-30 gal of hot syrup, recirculate for 3-4 minutes to charge press, and then send it to canner or keg.

[Super Sapper]

Do you heat up the press before running syrup through it? This is my first year using one also and I used hot water to heat it up first. I tried using some DE in the hot water to charge but did not see a benefit and just added it to the syrup to charge.

[tuckermtn]

i just have syrup around 200-205 deg before running it and DE mix through press for 3-4 minutes.