Drawing/filtering process

[Windy Acres]

This year we are ramping up our production a little, we purchased a new RO and a 10" half bank filter press. We previously drew off into a stainless pail, and filtered into a large canner, then once we had enough, I would correct the density, and hot pack into a keg, this year I know I don't want to be doing it that way , so I'm looking for some input on what other producers our size are doing.( draw tank hooked to filter press, or draw into finish pan, etc.) We run a 2x8 with preheated and hoods, with auf and aof that averages around 75-80 gph, I am planning on running 8-10% and will have somewhere around 1500 3/16 taps of our own, and may take in sap from a neighbor also

[Wanabe1972]

Im quite a bit smaller than you but is sounds like a similar operation. I draw off through flat filters over a 10 gallon ss pot. The pot sits on a propane burner. When i get 5 gallons I fire up the burner and correct if needed. After up to temp i run through the press and send it to a five gallon jug or to the steam canner to bottle up. I found it takes way too long to heat 5 gallons of cold syrup in the bottler. When im done for the day I fill the draw off tank with 5 gallons of hot water and clean the tank then send it though the pump bypass to the bottler. This cleans eveything but the press and is ready for the next boil.

[Windy Acres]

Another question, I'm assuming you turn off your press between batches,do you ever get any sediment in your syrup from turning off your press, or am I over thinking tjings

[mainebackswoodssyrup]

Start each batch with a fresh set of papers. Just let the waste from the paper change sit in the tank and pump it through next batch with the hot syrup. Don't let syrup sit in your press for long periods of time, more than 2-3 hours. That's what we do it anyway.

[maple flats]

As long as the filter press has not set idle more than 3 hrs, there is no issue. If it has set longer, but never over 6 hrs, just put the discharge hose in the mix tank, add a little more DE and let it run until it looks crystal clear, then shut the pump off, move the discharge hose to the canner or a barrel and pump. Before leaving for the night, open the press, clean the plates and install new papers.
Did you read the Filter Press info at Proctor UVM? they have a good paper on there, print it out and save in the sugarhouse as a guide. You will only need it the first few uses and after that it will all be second nature.

[wiam]

I usually go 2 days on a set of papers in my 10” full bank. I let hot water off the preheater run on the plates until I’m ready to filter. Then recirculate till syrup comes out clear. I just run my air pump very slow at first.

[Windy Acres]

Thanks for all the info guys!