Red Stained Prefilters

[snoskier16]

This is definitely more of a “I wonder if other people experience this” kind of post rather than a troubleshooting one, but we’ve now filtered with a new type of prefilter (cellulose type) and noticed that after filtering the material has been stained red. Not talking brown, but red!

The orlon filter does not take this color, nor do the old type of prefilters. Anyone else see this?

19475

[maple flats]

No, but what kind of maples are you tapping. I've seen a reddish hue on Box alder which is a maple.

[snoskier16]

No, but what kind of maples are you tapping. I've seen a reddish hue on Box alder which is a maple.

I didn't want to lead the witness, but we are indeed tapping a majority of red maples so perhaps that's the cause. That would be too simple....

[tcross]

i noticed that last year. i used leader prefilters and had the same experience. i tap 50/50 red and sugar maples. i couldn't figure it out either. i have a handful of the prefilters left so we'll see if it happens again this year. it did not affect the syrup flavor or quality for me!

[maple flats]

Red maples will do it too, but not as much as if you tapped a bunch of Box Alders.