Newbie filtering question

[Benny8]

I will be boiling sap for the first time on Friday. I have about 55 gallons to boil. When I am finished and ready to filter, I need some clarification on the cone filtering. I have a orlean filter with 3 prefilters coming in the mail. Do the 3 prefilters just set inside one another inside the fabric filter? Your advice is greatly appreciated.
Aaron

[raptorfan85]

Yes, the prefilters sit inside one another and then inside the actual cone filter itself. They keep the niter from clogging the filter up. As filtering slows down take one prefilter out and pour the syrup into the next prefilter, being careful to keep as much niter in it as possible.

[wnybassman]

Also keep a pair of kitchen tongs or something handy because those prefilters are mighty hot when dumping into the next filter.

[buckeye gold]

Also keep a pair of kitchen tongs or something handy because those prefilters are mighty hot when dumping into the next filter.

amen to that ....I have a saying, "it isn't whether a syrup maker gets burnt it's just how bad". You can not rinse hot syrup off fast enough, so take this good advice and get some tongs. Even the steam will burn you when handling filters. I have tongs right on my filter bench and they never leave it except to wash. My whole family knows...Don't move the tongs!

[3% Solution]

I will be boiling sap for the first time on Friday. I have about 55 gallons to boil. When I am finished and ready to filter, I need some clarification on the cone filtering. I have a orlean filter with 3 prefilters coming in the mail. Do the 3 prefilters just set inside one another inside the fabric filter? Your advice is greatly appreciated.
Aaron

You do know about Bascom Maple Supply ... right!
They are 20 minutes from you .....
You can save postage ....
And it's a nice drive up there ...

[Haynes Forest Products]

Keeping the syrup hot is part of the equation Patience is the other. You should end up with a gallon of syrup and who knows how much niter/sand so if your planning on going the entire season you will be doing this often. You don't want to be washing 10% of your production down the drain by washing the filters before they dip clean. Rig up a holder or a old refrigerator rack (we all have one) and put it over your evap. to steam the syrup out of the filters.

Keeping the filtering pot and filter warm will help to keep the syrup flowing. I found that playing with 3 prefilters over a hot stove is is akin to watching your 2 year old play with a piece of double sided carpet tape when your wife ain't around.

[Benny8]

Rig up a holder or a old refrigerator rack (we all have one) and put it over your evap. to steam the syrup out of the filters.
Haynes-can you explain how to do this? I have a couple old fridge racks. Thank you
Aaron

[Benny8]

You do know about Bascom Maple Supply ... right!
They are 20 minutes from you .....
You can save postage ....
And it's a nice drive up there ...
I do know about Bascoms. LOL. I have been there. It is about a half hour from my house, unfortunately I'm not able to get there, so mail order is my next best option.

[Haynes Forest Products]

when your done filtering just store the filters until you cook and put the rack over the steam until they are free of syrup. I do this with my flat filter from the finisher. my filter holds about a 1/2 gallon so its worth it.

[Benny8]

when your done filtering just store the filters until you cook and put the rack over the steam until they are free of syrup. I do this with my flat filter from the finisher. my filter holds about a 1/2 gallon so its worth it.
Ok, being a cone filter, would I stand it up like a hat, or just lay it flat on the rack? I appreciate the help very much. This is my first year and tomorrow will be my first boil.

[Sugarmaker]

Have fun and make some good syrup! Filtering can be a pain. dont forget if you have patience you can just let the niter sink to the bottom of a container and draw the clear syrup off the top. May take a week or so?
Regards,
Chris

[Benny8]

Have fun and make some good syrup! Filtering can be a pain. dont forget if you have patience you can just let the niter sink to the bottom of a container and draw the clear syrup off the top. May take a week or so?
Regards,
Chris
Thanks Sugarmaker!