New year with a Filter Press

[GSCampChris]

Hello! Drew off a beautiful light syrup today, added the DE and put it through the filter press, then 5 prefilters and an orlon filter.... still super cloudy. What did I miss?


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[stoweski]

You shouldn't need any filters after the press.

Most common problem I've had with a press is the plates are in the wrong way. I had one backwards and all syrup was cloudy.
If you're using Daryl's hand pump press, the plates have a bump on the output side. These all should face the back of the press, opposite side of the handle.

Hope this helps!

[Sugarmaker]

The filter press needs to be "charged"! You need a little extra DE for the first batch. Papers in the press should have been wet when placed in the plates. Then run the hot syrup syrup through the press, putting the syrup back into the DE/syrup mix untill the output from the press runs clear. Take a sample if you need to. Let the press continue to re-process the syrup until you are sure its clear. At that point you can move the output hose to the container that is going to hold the bulk syrup. You should not have to run the syrup through any additional filtering.
Have fun.
Regards,
Chris

[Daryl]

The best way to get an answer is to call the dealer or manufacturer of the press.

[BAP]

What is your filter press? It will help get better advice.

[GSCampChris]

What is your filter press? It will help get better advice.

I am using the new Smoky Lake stainless press. I will reheat and then circulate it back through until it is clear and see how that does. So many new toys!


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[BAP]

Make sure you tighten the press bolts down good and tight.

[maple flats]

The most common issue for those new to a filter press is how to use it. Be sure all of the plates are in correctly. Then have the syrup being filtered hot (I like to filter at 200-205 but 190 can be ok too. Start with 2-3 gal in the pot or other vessel you are mixing the DE into the syrup with. Many say wet the papers first, but I get excellent results with dry papers, in fact I put dry papers in (be sure the right edge is up, so the holes line up) just after cleaning my press. Then they stay there until I need to use the press again, might be an hour up to several weeks, but it is ready to go. Then turn on the press and start running the mixture thru the press and discharge the syrup back to the mix pot. Let it run until the flow is so clear it sparkles. Then I use a SS pitcher and catch the flow while I move the flow to my bottler or a barrel without shutting off the pump. In the past I have sometimes noticed a slight cloudiness at the instant the pump is again turned on which is avoided by leaving it on.
While in this initial recirculating don't be in a hurry, if in doubt, let it run an extra minute or three after it looks sparkely.
DE, where did you get it? It must be made for maple syrup. How much did you use? In my initial charge I use 2 heaping cups in 3 gal of syrup early in the season, as the season moves to late season an extra half cup may be needed.
After that initial press charge, if you have more to filter, use about 1/2 as much DE as you used the initial time.
On mine, I start with about 3 gal, mix in 2 cups, mix it well, and start as described. Then I use about 1.5 cups DE in each 6 gal batch until finished or the press is full and I need to clean the press and then start new again. Late season, those DE amounts rise 50 and even 100% as needed.

[Urban Sugarmaker]

Email Smoky Lake or call. They should be able to tell you the exact volume of a window plate. I know the 7" press short bank has three window plates that hold 3.25 cups each. That means 9.75 cups of DE is the most it will hold.

You can also read this http://www.uvm.edu/~pmrc/filter_press_brochure.pdf

[GSCampChris]

The most common issue for those new to a filter press is how to use it. Be sure all of the plates are in correctly. Then have the syrup being filtered hot (I like to filter at 200-205 but 190 can be ok too. Start with 2-3 gal in the pot or other vessel you are mixing the DE into the syrup with. Many say wet the papers first, but I get excellent results with dry papers, in fact I put dry papers in (be sure the right edge is up, so the holes line up) just after cleaning my press. Then they stay there until I need to use the press again, might be an hour up to several weeks, but it is ready to go. Then turn on the press and start running the mixture thru the press and discharge the syrup back to the mix pot. Let it run until the flow is so clear it sparkles. Then I use a SS pitcher and catch the flow while I move the flow to my bottler or a barrel without shutting off the pump. In the past I have sometimes noticed a slight cloudiness at the instant the pump is again turned on which is avoided by leaving it on.
While in this initial recirculating don't be in a hurry, if in doubt, let it run an extra minute or three after it looks sparkely.
DE, where did you get it? It must be made for maple syrup. How much did you use? In my initial charge I use 2 heaping cups in 3 gal of syrup early in the season, as the season moves to late season an extra half cup may be needed.
After that initial press charge, if you have more to filter, use about 1/2 as much DE as you used the initial time.
On mine, I start with about 3 gal, mix in 2 cups, mix it well, and start as described. Then I use about 1.5 cups DE in each 6 gal batch until finished or the press is full and I need to clean the press and then start new again. Late season, those DE amounts rise 50 and even 100% as needed.

Turns out that I had the plates on correctly, but some of the filters backwards. I cannot believe the difference. Last year we were using a drip filter.... https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170204/46916ed97ed0283bd1a4ced677cd5700.jpg


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[adk1]

Anyone have any advice for the amount of de a short bank Wes fab press will hold

[Sugarmaker]

Chris,
Congratulations on the crystal clear syrup!
Regards,
Chris

[Urban Sugarmaker]

Where can I get tubing like that? I need something like that which will work with SS cam lock fittings meant for 1/2" ID tubing.

[GSCampChris]

Where can I get tubing like that? I need something like that which will work with SS cam lock fittings meant for 1/2" ID tubing.

I got it from Bascom. It is the hot syrup tube on their filtering page. I am pretty sure this is half inch.


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[Urban Sugarmaker]

Hey thanks. I wound up buying it from Hamby Dairy Supply.

[BlueberryHill]

How do yu determine if the papers are backwards or not? I am new to a filter press this year and I have been lining up the holes, but had no idea that it mattered which way the papers were put in? Could you elaborate please?

[stoweski]

I've never looked at the papers enough to notice a difference in sides. I just pick them up and put them in. Syrup has come out crystal clear after initial priming with DE. It doesn't matter, at least with the filters I got from Bascoms.

[wiam]

How do yu determine if the papers are backwards or not? I am new to a filter press this year and I have been lining up the holes, but had no idea that it mattered which way the papers were put in? Could you elaborate please?

There had to be some other issue. I have used filter presses for 20 years and never paid attention to paper oreientation. And I guarantee I have not put them accidentally the correct way that many times.