Ideas for recovering from DE screwup?

[wobbletop]

So in a quest to get clearer finished syrup, last year I tried using DE (Diatomaceous Earth) in my vacuum filter. I foolishly tried it on my big (for me) last batch of syrup. It has resulted in extremely cloudy syrup. The DE is just floating in the syrup.

I tried using a 1 micron filter in the vacuum filter (regular says 5 micron) but the syrup went right thought the filters without even having to turn on the vacuum.

Any ideas for resolving this besides throwing everything out?

This is exactly the stuff I bought:
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00KPXGNTO
I just read the label today and, surprisingly, people eat this stuff? So I guess I could still use the syrup? It has a slight "minty" smell to me.

On another note, I did leave a small bottle in the fridge for 10 months and it has settled out. The remaining 20L that I stored in the freezer did NOT settle out. Maybe the colder syrup is too thick to allow it to settle? I used a couple larger clear wine bottles in the fridge to see how long it would take to settle, and after a couple of months, I didn't see a change.

I was even thinking of building some type of larger home built centrifuge to try and get the stuff to settle.

[Father & Son]

Might want to try DE purchased from a maple equipment dealer. If my memory serves me right there are different size particles of DE that might be why it is passing through the filter.

[fred]

I agree with the de. Also use filters made for syrup, there is a difference

[MISugarDaddy]

Maybe you can find someone with a filter press who will allow you to run your syrup through to remove the DE.
Gary

[johnallin]

22334
I agree with the de. Also use filters made for syrup, there is a difference

I think you may have over-paid for that DE and it looks way too course to work in a filter press.

I purchase mine for about $1.10 per lb. Looks like the Amazon “stuff” is $91 for 5 lbs.

DE for Maple is extremely fine - think talcum powder- plugs up the paper filter, and builds up a cake.
Yours looks way too course to do that. The pic attached will give you an idea of what it should look like.

Fred knows what he’s talking about...Even if he can’t see how superior a Clear Press is :o:o

[wobbletop]

It was $27 when I bought it.

So what happens to the syrup before the cake gets built up? Does the DE pass though?

[johnallin]

It was $27 when I bought it.

So what happens to the syrup before the cake gets built up? Does the DE pass though?

DE is mixed into the syrup, which is then run through the press but discharged Back into the mixing tank until the syrup is crystal clear.
I'm not sure if any DE gets through the paper or not until the cake is formed but some of the "nano" sized pieces may.
DE is skeletal remains - really small with really jagged edges.
When it hits the paper a log jamb forms, eventually building up in thickness to form a cake with extremely small passageways.
Due to the really small size and rough edges - anything that can't get through gets snagged.

[DrTimPerkins]

Maybe you can find someone with a filter press who will allow you to run your syrup through to remove the DE.

This is probably the best option.

[wobbletop]

Unfortunately it's unlikely I would find someone who would want to filter my syrup.

From the few responses, it almost sounds like I should add more DE to the syrup and try to cycle it through the vacuum filter as many times as possible. That is, there was not enough DE to form a cake to produce a filter. It would depend on whether I could produce enough vacuum to pull it through the the cake.