Wes fab short bank press

[devils11217]

How much syrup do you need to run a batch. I am wondering if I even make enough at a time to consider purchasing a filter press. Been looking at the Wes fab for a while

[MISugarDaddy]

We have run batches as small as 4 to 5 gallons with our 7" short bank press.
Gary

[maple maniac65]

Press holds about 3 pints

[mainebackswoodssyrup]

We do 3-4 gallons at a time.

[lpakiz]

The best way to mimimize wasted syrup is to be sure that your press is plumb full of DE when the last of the syrup enters the window plates. Figure out how much DE your window plates will hold, and if you only filter a gallon, use only one or two window plates.
You can slip a piece of tin, SS or plexiglass in your press to isolate how many plates you need.
It might be considered wasted DE for only a gallon, but DE is pretty cheap. Then chase the last of the syrup with about a pint of water. Not much wasted syrup.

[mainebackswoodssyrup]

We filter and bottle the syrup, then the next time we boil we push boiling concentrate from the evap through the press and back in to the evap to minimize wasted syrup. Let it run for a while, 10 minutes at least. Change the papers and ready to go again.

[lpakiz]

Mainebackwoods system works perfect if you are in the boiling season. In my case, I do the reheating and filtering after the season is over, hence I have no source of boiling sap.
So I guess you get to pick which method matches your process.

[mainebackswoodssyrup]

We made about 30 gallons this year in 9 or 10 batches. My partner and I both agree that the press was the best investment we ever made. You'll never want to be without one again. Look around for a used one and save some $$$.