refiltering syrup with DE in it

[Danaputnam]

I had some issues filtering at a couple points this year and have some DE in my bulk syrup. I know I need to refilter the syrup and have been with mixed results on actually getting the DE back out. I am using a 7 inch filter press with 5 plates (3 hollow). I am not sure if I should be adding more filter aid as if the syrup was unfiltered or not be adding any more and hope the paper catches what is in it. I have tried it both ways and still am not getting all the filter aid back out.

Any advice appreciated.

Dana

[maple flats]

Add more DE just like you do for an initial charge on the filter papers. What makes you think you have DE and not just sugar sand in the bulk?
To properly clear it up, heat the syrup to between 200-210, Put 2 cups of DE into the first 3 gal or so of the hot syrup and start recirculating it all back into the mix pot or tank. When the discharged filtered syrup looks crystal clear, start discharging it into a clean pot (or canner) to pack it, or into a clean bulk container. I find it works best if I never shut the filter press off when moving from one discharge place to another, just either catch the discharge into a small pitcher or pot while you move it, or open the recirculate (filter bypass) valve, move the discharge hose and then re-close the bypass valve. It found that the instant the pump starts the pressure surge actually forced a little cloudiness thru. I then added a shutoff ball valve for the pressure hose and I already had a bypass valve. Now to change the discharge from the pump I open the bypass and close the pressure valves at the same time, move the filter discharge to the new location, then I open the pressure valve and close the bypass valve. Before I had the valve on the pressure side of the, I just caught the discharge in a 2 qt SS pitcher while I moved the discharge hose then what I had caught in the pitcher I dumped back into the pot I was drawing the syrup/filter aid blend from. Before I started using this method it seemed the syrup was not always crystal clear, now it is.

[lpakiz]

I add one extra step.
When I think the syrup is clear, I catch a sample in a pint or quart jar-just an inch or so. Hold it up to the light to be sure the syrup is clear. Then switch the hose from the draw pan to the canner.

[maple flats]

That won't hurt, but I find just looking at the filtered discharge is all I need, it will sparkle. If in doubt, just let it run a few extra minutes while you get some more containers ready or something.

[OldManMaple]

I'm sure you've checked, but are your plates and the end plate on the right way? Mine has hash marks that all line up. I was passing de until I noticed I had put the end cap on backward

[Danaputnam]

Thanks gentlemen. I believe it is DE but not 100% sure it is not sugar sand. Would the steps below be different if it was sugar sand ?

[gmcooper]

Same process rather you have sugar sand or DE. If your still getting some after refiltering you have something set up incorrectly. Are you using standard filter press papers? Make sure all plates are lined up correctly as there should be some type of hash marks. If you try again and have DE passing thru take a pic of the press set up before you break it down. That might help

[BreezyHill]

Dana, We had this issue when we added a new pump to the press with a variable speed drive. We had a couple of pressure spies and we must have ruptured a paper. The amount of DE was not seen until glass sat for several weeks. We heated to 185-190 charged the press with DE and filtered from the bulk drums to the canner. This corrected the issue and all was fine.

Good Luck!

Ben

[WESTMAPLES]

hey i thought someone mentioned in another thread that if you use ( pool ) DE it passes thru the standard papers and only the (food grade) DE stays on one side of the papers under normal pressure conditions idk if it will help but i read this quick and thought of the other discussion about it this topic

[maple flats]

Never use pool DE, it is NOT food grade.

[WESTMAPLES]

well i think everyone is smart enough to not use pool DE, but i read the thread and no one mentioned that as a problem in the case of passing anything thru the filter papers under otherwise normal conditions proper charging, pressure spikes, clogging and so on