filtering with a vacuum tank

[flyzone13]

Has anyone filtering by creating a vacuum to pull the syrup through the filters? Seems like a system that should work.

[DrTimPerkins]

http://mapletrader.com/community/showthread.php?29983-Vacuum-Filtering

http://www.lsbilodeau.com/en/Catalog/Maple-Equipment/Maple-Syrup-Press/Vacuum-Filter-Press.shtml

[flyzone13]

Looks promising, thanks for the links. Any other thoughts or opinions on this? I know its not the industry norm, so I am curious if anyone may have any other insight into this.

[Fyreaway]

Yep, it works great. I made a plastic bucket thingy at the end of last year and it works a treat. I draw a vacuum on a five gallon bucket with a modified refrigerator pump. It's definitely an idea to explore.

[flyzone13]

Instead of using another tank to use as a vacuum tank do you think you could just hook a vacuum pump directly to the pot that is pulling the syrup into?

[Fyreaway]

Yeah, that's the way I do it. Have to be mindful of steam being drawn into the vacuum pump. I run the tubing from the bucket in a loop that drops to the floor to let condensate collect instead of being drawn into the pump.