diaphragm pump care

[sapman]

Just converted to a diaphragm pump on my press. To those who use one, do you treat it any different than a gear pump when done filtering? I'm assuming not. Any need to purge with hot water between boils or anything? I'm imagining a lot of crap buildup inside, but I suppose it will clear with the next use.
Thanks,
Tim

[BAP]

When you are done filtering for the day you should run 4-5 gallons of hot water threw your press to flush out the remaining syrup before changing the filters. Collect the water after going threw the press and dump it back in your evaporator because it will have a lot of sugar in it. This will also clean out your pump.

[sapman]

Great reminder! I was doing that last year, and forgot this year. Actually used the hot sap left in the steamaway regulator box. Only downside would be having to keep pump from freezing or drain if water is left in it.

Thanks,
Tim

[wiam]

I only run water through mine at the end of the year. Would be annoying to have draw off tank full and have a frozen pump.

[BAP]

If you change your filters without flushing them out, you are throwing away quite a bit of sugar over the coarse of a season.

[Asian Long Horned Beetle]

what i do is after running how water through the press, i turn the 3 way valve thats located right after the pump so the water that's trapped runs out. never had a problem with a frozen pump and been using the press for 10 years.

[wiam]

If you change your filters without flushing them out, you are throwing away quite a bit of sugar over the coarse of a season.

Not if the press is packed full of de.

[Asian Long Horned Beetle]

are u sure about that William? unless you ran water through your press packed full of de and checked the sugar content i would say your just guessing. i would say theres plenty of syrup mixed in with the DE. do u think if u take 20 gallons of syrup thats been filtered then add however much DE to "pack full" your press you would get back 20 gallons? if that was true your de would be probably be white still. the syrup mixes with the DE.

[wiam]

are u sure about that William? unless you ran water through your press packed full of de and checked the sugar content i would say your just guessing. i would say theres plenty of syrup mixed in with the DE. do u think if u take 20 gallons of syrup thats been filtered then add however much DE to "pack full" your press you would get back 20 gallons? if that was true your de would be probably be white still. the syrup mixes with the DE.

I don't break down my press till syrup won't go through. Water is not going to go though either.

[Asian Long Horned Beetle]

what kind of press do you have? i would be worried about blowing a paper if you wait that long. do you start the next day with a cold press full of syrup from the last boil?

[wiam]

what kind of press do you have? i would be worried about blowing a paper if you wait that long. do you start the next day with a cold press full of syrup from the last boil?

Yes. I have blown a paper once in 8 years. Does not concern me. I run hot waster from the preheater over the press until I need it then start pump very slowly.

[Russell Lampron]

I run hot water through mine when I am done filtering. The sweet that I flush out of the press goes back into the draw off tank. When I boil again I draw off a little heavy to compensate for the diluted syrup. I then leave the press and pump in the RO/canning/filtering room to keep it from freezing.