Chemical Taste from Synthetic Cone Filters

[sherwoodm]

We have a small operation making 40 to 50 gallons of syrup each year. Filtering of the syrup has always been our biggest problem. We take great care to properly store filters and boil them in a stainless pot before each use. We add nothing to the water and rinse filters in cold water and wring them out. Our syrup always tastes great until we filter it. Last batch we filtered had a chemical taste so yesterday I tried experimenting with a new synthetic filter. While boiling it the steam from the pot had a strong chemical smell. I saved water from the boil and it had a strong chemical smell and taste. I did three boils of the same filter rinsing it in cold water and wringing it out between each boil. After the third boil taste and smell of the boil water was still there but better. I did the same with two used filters with the same results. I boiled a pre-filter and it had no problem with taste or smell. This is driving me nuts. We have purchased all of our filters from the same local supplier and am wondering if we need to try a different supplier. I am also wondering if a wool filter would be better. Thanks in advance for any suggestions. I am sure I am not alone in having this problem.

[maple flats]

You somehow have picked up that smell. You say you wring the filter out, NEVER WRING them, just squeeze them, wringing breaks fibers which ruins the filter. When you store the filter are you sure it is 100% dry before putting it in storage. My guess is that it one time was not perfectly dry and some type of mold grew on it or you got something in your water without realizing it. Do you possibly use an RO? If yes, boil the filter in permeate, if not maybe you need to buy distilled water for that cleaning.

[sherwoodm]

Thanks for the reply. This was a brand new filter straight from local dealer. Boiled it a total of 5 times and still has a chemical smell and taste to the water from the boil.

[Atgreene]

We had that issue once, we found it was the storage container. The plastic box we used gave the filters an odor/flavor. We now store them in plastic bags. Be careful what they're stored in or near. Any odor will transfer. Are you on city water?

[Atgreene]

Also, try a different pot or pan to boil them in. You may have something wrong with that pot.

[Sugarmaker]

I never boiled mine I just rinsed/ soaked them in very hot tap water. I had a similar problem and finally narrowed the off flavor to a filter. Got new cone filter and the flavor in the filtered syrup was gone.
Maybe the place your getting them is storing them in something that is transferring the odor/ objectionable taste.
Try another supplier for the filter.
Regards,
Chris

[sherwoodm]

Thanks for all the ideas. Problem may be solved. I stopped at a local farm and garden store to see if they carried filters. They had one marked "Orlon"which looks totally different from the ones I have been getting from the maple supply store. Boiled it the same as the others and things are totally different. Steam had very little odor. I saved the boil water so I could smell and tast it. Water from the boil tasted a little different from tap water but no where as bad as when the others were boiled. I don't think this filter will affect the flavor of my syrup. I have been getting my filters from the same maple supply store for several years and we have had many problems from them messing up taste of the syrup. I don't know if it has to do with their source for these filters or their storage of them during summer months. Thanks again

[sherwoodm]

Just a quick follow up. Orlon filter has a yellow tinge instead of being pure white and fabric is different from the others

[Sugarmaker]

Sounds like you got it! Yea you just have to keep checking on these types of things! We are making and selling flavor! It needs to be the best! You may want to alert the place you were getting filters!
Regards,
Chris

[sherwoodm]

Thanks Chris,
I suspect I am too fussy about taste. This morning I had some of the suspect syrup on French toast and it tasted great and my family tells me I am nuts that there is nothing wrong with it. Thanks again and Happy Sugaring!