Filter Aid / DE

[CTguy923]

so this year i,m going to be going from gravity cone filtering to a 16x16 steam filter/bottler, my question is can i, and would it be worthwhile to add DE to my syrup before i filter it thru filters on the bottler ???, or wont it make a difference seeing how its not being filtered under pressure

[Cjadamec]

I'm currently wondering the answer to that same exact question. I picked up some flat filters and have it setup on an old 6" steam pan. Also got some DE to add to see if it helps or not.

Have a small batch on the stove finishing up to give it a try this morning.

[wobbletop]

My experience is that DE requires pressure otherwise it will clog any gravity filter and make it unusable.

[CTguy923]

That’s kinda what I thought but figured it couldn’t hurt to ask

[maple flats]

I've read where some producers have improved their gravity filtering considerably by adding filter aid to the syrup. Be sure to use filter aid for maple, no other is good to use in syrup. FA does not need pressure to work, but is does filter faster with pressure. The main point is that the filter, mostly the thick main filter if never wrung out (which breaks the fibers) will catch the FA. Don't try to reuse FA, once used, spread it in your garden to control slugs, dry it first.