Cone prefilter hack

[deepwoods]

I use the orlon cone filter with 2-3 synthetic prefilters inside to remove most of the sugar sand from the syrup hot off the evaporator pan before it gets finished. One of the frustrations is that sugar sand plugs the fibers at the bottom of the prefilter, even though there is lots of unused filter available at the top.

Here is a very simple suggestion that works well. Simply sew a sturdy string to the bottom of the prefilter sock. When the bottom starts to plug, lift up on the string and the syrup is now filtered through the upper sides of the cone. Keep lifting and you can utilize the entire filter. If you need to, pull out the first prefilter and do the same technique with the next filter inside the cone.

Photos below shows the sequence. Replacing the filter stand is for next year, thinking a sturdy tomato cage might do it.....

223062230722308

[Gord]

Excellent idea!! Once I switched to the thick felt like cone filter, I had the clearest syrup I've ever had with zero niter in the glass bottles. For the little bit lost in the filter, it's worth it not to have to wait for it to settle, pour off the clear syrup, and reheat it all again.

[aamyotte]

That is genius! You win the filtering award this year. I will be doing this with my prefilters, heck even my filter.

[DrTimPerkins]

That is genius! You win the filtering award this year. I will be doing this with my prefilters, heck even my filter.

http://mapletrader.com/community/showthread.php?29404-How-to-use-ALL-of-a-cone-filter/page3&highlight=filter+rack

https://www.facebook.com/Sheldon-Brook-Sugarhouse-1516709771950255/videos/introducing-the-optimizer-20this-second-generation-cone-filter-rack-is-manufactu/222450688676403/

https://bascommaple.com/products/fcrack

[johnallin]

http://mapletrader.com/community/images/misc/quote_icon.png Originally Posted by aamyotte http://mapletrader.com/community/images/buttons/viewpost-right.png (http://mapletrader.com/community/showthread.php?p=395332#post395332)
That is genius! You win the filtering award this year. I will be doing this with my prefilters, heck even my filter.



http://mapletrader.com/community/showthread.php?29404-How-to-use-ALL-of-a-cone-filter/page3&highlight=filter+rack

https://www.facebook.com/Sheldon-Brook-Sugarhouse-1516709771950255/videos/introducing-the-optimizer-20this-second-generation-cone-filter-rack-is-manufactu/222450688676403/

https://bascommaple.com/products/fcrack

As Dr. Tim points out; this is a proprietary product and may well be protected by a patent (or two)

[aamyotte]

As Dr. Tim points out; this is a proprietary product and may well be protected by a patent (or two)
I am aware of the optimizer wire rack. The string trick however allows the bottom to be lifted to use up even more of the filter area than the optimizer.

[Sugarmaker]

Good ideas can always be improved. Add my name to the patent improvement with a spring loaded feature that as the weight of the syrup is less in the filter, the center is lifted as mentioned to move the syrup to the upper portion of the cleaner section of the filter.
Regards,
Chris