Still figuring out this filter press.

[madmapler]

I posted a while ago about not getting much through this new-to-me 10"press and it was determined I wasn't using enough DE. Problem solved mostly. Now we are getting DE through the papers once the pressure starts to rise a bit. It runs clear for a while then starts getting cloudy. We find ourselves changing papers as much if not more than my old (Bulletproof) 7" press. We thought it could be the papers but they look fine and we did try some from another box. Any tips or suggestions? Is anyone finding the syrup difficult to filter this year? One thing I have noticed is we are getting very little niter build up in the pans. Does this mean more niter in the filter press? Thanks.

[jmayerl]

Niter only forms when heat is put directly to syrup, so unless you have a heated press, there is no way for it to form in the press. Are you circulating the syrup long enough to get good clean syrup coming out? Perhaps a full break down and cleaning of the press is needed. If the papers are not torn and you use enough DE, it can't really start passing. Only thought is that if you don't use enough to charge the press, perhaps as you begin to filter, one of the plates are filling up and as the syrup is forced into the next plate and maybe there isn't much of a DE cake built up there.

[madmapler]

Niter only forms when heat is put directly to syrup, so unless you have a heated press, there is no way for it to form in the press. Are you circulating the syrup long enough to get good clean syrup coming out? Perhaps a full break down and cleaning of the press is needed. If the papers are not torn and you use enough DE, it can't really start passing. Only thought is that if you don't use enough to charge the press, perhaps as you begin to filter, one of the plates are filling up and as the syrup is forced into the next plate and maybe there isn't much of a DE cake built up there.

I was just thinking the niter may be passing through to the press. The papers are not torn and that's the mystery. It's definitely DE getting through. I tasted it and it was gritty. Once it starts to happen, the DE in the press actually seems to decrease. The pump is brand new so it's capable of really good pressure but that shouldn't matter. I did open the bypass valve a little last night and it helped but it doesn't seem that I should have to do that so soon. We charge it with 8 cups DE in 6 gallons and add 5 to the next and 1 to 1.5 after that. Seems like it should be enough. It's way more than my 7" ever used to need and we would run that one until there was a full cake.

[jmayerl]

Are you recirculated the first charge for a few minutes to coat all the papers? Remember that the papers don't do the filtering they only hold the DE cake. The DE does the filtering and needs to have a sufficient build up against the papers to filter. A 10" plate is exactly twice! The size of a 7" plate so you will need to double all the amounts that you used with the old press. (7x7=49/ 10x10=100)

[BAP]

How high is your pressure getting to? Also, have checked to make sure it is put together correctly?

[madmapler]

Are you recirculated the first charge for a few minutes to coat all the papers? Remember that the papers don't do the filtering they only hold the DE cake. The DE does the filtering and needs to have a sufficient build up against the papers to filter. A 10" plate is exactly twice! The size of a 7" plate so you will need to double all the amounts that you used with the old press. (7x7=49/ 10x10=100)

I do recirculate and I understand how a press works. I've been using well over double what my old one used. This is why I'm so puzzled.

[madmapler]

How high is your pressure getting to? Also, have checked to make sure it is put together correctly? The pressure is not getting that high really. 40lbs. or so. I am going to replace the guage though. It's a little ratty looking. My 7" would get to 80. It is put together correctly for sure.

[JoeJ]

From my 13 years experience with 2 different filter presses. there is only 3 ways DE gets into the syrup. 1. Plate is in backwards. (done that) 2. One filter paper is missing (done that). 3. Blown paper (never had that happen.)

If you ad enough DE to pre-charge the press on the first filter batch, after re-circulating for a few minutes, coating your filter papers, your syrup coming out should be crystal clear

[madmapler]

From my 13 years experience with 2 different filter presses. there is only 3 ways DE gets into the syrup. 1. Plate is in backwards. (done that) 2. One filter paper is missing (done that). 3. Blown paper (never had that happen.)

If you ad enough DE to pre-charge the press on the first filter batch, after re-circulating for a few minutes, coating your filter papers, your syrup coming out should be crystal clear

I agree. Thanks all for your input.