RO Bucket filter system

[MRFNY]

Is anyone here using RO Bucket's version of a filter press? Thinking about giving it a try.

[octane]

I ordered one to try out this year. Has to be better than the orlon filters I have been using previously.

[MRFNY]

I ordered one to try out this year. Has to be better than the orlon filters I have been using previously.

I triple filter when pouring into our finishing tank. But reheating it to bottle of course causes more niter. I like the price and setup of this system, I'm probably going to order one as well.

[madmaples]

Any reviews so far? after some filtering mishaps over the past couple of days, I am _very_ tempted to order one.

[DRoseum]

I didn't know they made this until until after I built something similar. I have a smoky lake filterpress in my finishing kitchen in my house but wanted a filtering system for keeping my pans cleaner and cutting down on niter in the evaporator.

I used a large stainless inline filter (https://a.co/d/dYwrobJ) with sanitary fittings. I made an orlon sleeve that slides over the inside perforated cylinder and clamps in place with a single hose clamp. I use DE with it and a guzzler hand pump and it works amazing. It works under the same concept as a filter press, but just cylindrical instead of flat plates....and WAYYYYY cheaper.

One of the biggest differences in using the inline filter vs a stainless water cartridge filter housing like they use is that the inlet and outlet are on opposite ends of the filter canister, allowing you to use gravity to your advantage and reduce the amount of residual syrup inside.

I find that it also works way better than my vacuum filter I built and equally well as my SmokyLake press for at least 3 gallon batches (max i have tried). Really seems ideal for smaller producers who struggle with filtering and dont want to spend the money on a press.

Bottom line i think the RO Bucket filter would work well and be cheaper than a traditional filter press. However, I do think you could build it very easily for far less. I also wonder about how much residual syrup is left in that hanging canister (I'd recommend flipping it upside down at least during operation) and if that pump can handle cavitation so you can push air through at the end and get the most syrup out as possible. The heating units look great as well.

[madmaples]

I didn't know they made this until until after I built something similar. I have a smoky lake filterpress in my finishing kitchen in my house but wanted a filtering system for keeping my pans cleaner and cutting down on niter in the evaporator.

I used a large stainless inline filter (https://a.co/d/dYwrobJ) with sanitary fittings. I made an orlon sleeve that slides over the inside perforated cylinder and clamps in place with a single hose clamp. I use DE with it and a guzzler hand pump and it works amazing. It works under the same concept as a filter press, but just cylindrical instead of flat plates....and WAYYYYY cheaper.

One of the biggest differences in using the inline filter vs a stainless water cartridge filter housing like they use is that the inlet and outlet are on opposite ends of the filter canister, allowing you to use gravity to your advantage and reduce the amount of residual syrup inside.

I find that it also works way better than my vacuum filter I built and equally well as my SmokyLake press for at least 3 gallon batches (max i have tried). Really seems ideal for smaller producers who struggle with filtering and dont want to spend the money on a press.

Bottom line i think the RO Bucket filter would work well and be cheaper than a traditional filter press. However, I do think you could build it very easily for far less. I also wonder about how much residual syrup is left in that hanging canister (I'd recommend flipping it upside down at least during operation) and if that pump can handle cavitation so you can push air through at the end and get the most syrup out as possible. The heating units look great as well.

Thanks for sharing, that inline filter would be nice, though I don't currently any pump to transfer syrup, so I may just bite the bullet and see how it goes.

Relatedly, I'm almost certain the heating unit is the same as this one from vevor (https://www.vevor.com/beer-brewing-system-c_11816/vevor-electric-brewing-system-8-gallon-brewing-stock-pot-all-in-one-home-beer-brewer-304-stainless-steel-brewing-supplies-with-panel-includes-glass-lid-handle-spigot-electronic-panel-control-p_010579611984)

[MRFNY]

Mine is shipping today after a little wait until they were back in stock!

[littleTapper]

I didn't know they made this until until after I built something similar. I have a smoky lake filterpress in my finishing kitchen in my house but wanted a filtering system for keeping my pans cleaner and cutting down on niter in the evaporator.

I used a large stainless inline filter (https://a.co/d/dYwrobJ) with sanitary fittings. I made an orlon sleeve that slides over the inside perforated cylinder and clamps in place with a single hose clamp. I use DE with it and a guzzler hand pump and it works amazing. It works under the same concept as a filter press, but just cylindrical instead of flat plates....and WAYYYYY cheaper.

One of the biggest differences in using the inline filter vs a stainless water cartridge filter housing like they use is that the inlet and outlet are on opposite ends of the filter canister, allowing you to use gravity to your advantage and reduce the amount of residual syrup inside.

I find that it also works way better than my vacuum filter I built and equally well as my SmokyLake press for at least 3 gallon batches (max i have tried). Really seems ideal for smaller producers who struggle with filtering and dont want to spend the money on a press.

Bottom line i think the RO Bucket filter would work well and be cheaper than a traditional filter press. However, I do think you could build it very easily for far less. I also wonder about how much residual syrup is left in that hanging canister (I'd recommend flipping it upside down at least during operation) and if that pump can handle cavitation so you can push air through at the end and get the most syrup out as possible. The heating units look great as well.

Those housings are priced well enough that you could have two in parallel to handle much larger batches. This is making me rethink getting a filter press.

Or, have a few and swap out when the DE/element are exhausted...

[DRoseum]

Those housings are priced well enough that you could have two in parallel to handle much larger batches. This is making me rethink getting a filter press.

Or, have a few and swap out when the DE/element are exhausted...

Exactly. The scalability and price point is awesome. Most days I produce between 2 to 3 gallons of syrup. It was enough to get me to buy the press before I found these amd experimented with it. Honestly if I were my size or smaller, this is what I would start with instead of a vacuum filter or a press. And to your point, just adding more in parallel increases your filter capacity.

[littleTapper]

Exactly. The scalability and price point is awesome. Most days I produce between 2 to 3 gallons of syrup. It was enough to get me to buy the press before I found these amd experimented with it. Honestly if I were my size or smaller, this is what I would start with instead of a vacuum filter or a press. And to your point, just adding more in parallel increases your filter capacity.

I also just realized one might be able to wrap the screen with a 15" filter paper instead of orlon too....not sure if a 10" would be enough.

[DRoseum]

Yes, I tested a 10 inch paper i got from another producer. They wrap around it perfectly with a bit of overlap. You would need more hose clamps to hold it in a few places. The 15 inch paper would have even more overlap. I had planned to use the 10 inch ones and food grade silicone caps to put over the end of the perforated cylinder: https://a.co/d/6Yf8fDd

Either approach works. I just ended up liking the reusable orlon since my press is 7" and I didn't feel like ordering separate 10 in papers.

I don't use the screen sleeve that comes with it at all FYI.

[82cabby]

Relatedly, I'm almost certain the heating unit is the same as this one from vevor (https://www.vevor.com/beer-brewing-system-c_11816/vevor-electric-brewing-system-8-gallon-brewing-stock-pot-all-in-one-home-beer-brewer-304-stainless-steel-brewing-supplies-with-panel-includes-glass-lid-handle-spigot-electronic-panel-control-p_010579611984)


Does the return hose just run through the hole in the lid?

Seeing as how I’m a home brewer as well, might be a good investment….

[madmaples]

Does the return hose just run through the hole in the lid?

Seeing as how I’m a home brewer as well, might be a good investment….

Yes, I think so. I don't have one of these filters just yet, but I already had one of these for bottling. It super convenient I filter directly into it and set it to 185-190 and just bottle. No more ladles and funnels for me :lol:

I checked the temps with my thermometer and it stays pretty consistent. The temp probe is ~2" from the heating element, so you do get some variability, but at most about 5-7F.

[CTguy923]

Yes, I think so. I don't have one of these filters just yet, but I already had one of these for bottling. It super convenient I filter directly into it and set it to 185-190 and just bottle. No more ladles and funnels for me :lol:

I checked the temps with my thermometer and it stays pretty consistent. The temp probe is ~2" from the heating element, so you do get some variability, but at most about 5-7F.

isnt a 5-7 degree variability kinda big when it comes to bottling temps ?

[octane]

I have used the ro filter 3 times now. Way better the the orlon filters of the past. To answer a few questions that have come up, when done with a batch I pour the leftover syrup from the filter back in the 1st pot and mix it with the next batch of syrup I am going to filter. If your pump is and lines are cold you will need to warm them up before filtering, I had to stop and clean the filter part way through due to slow output, once everything was warmed on after cleaning it took a few minutes to run the remainder of the syrup through. The temperature has been right on in the canner when checking with a thermometer. I set the temp on the high end of the bottling range so if off 5-7 degrees I am still above the minimum bottling temp. If you are looking for a better way to filter I would recommend this.

[MRFNY]

Update on the RO Bucket filtering / canning system: it is pretty freakin awesome! I had 5.5 gallons in the canner and brought it up to density without any issues. I was worried about a potential boil over but the canner easily holds 8 gallons so I was well below that. It's very easy to control temps and the boil. Once the syrup was up the density, I let it cool to 200 degrees then added the filter aid and ran it through the filter. After 20-30 seconds the syrup made it's way through the filter and out of the exit hose. As the instructions state, just run the syrup back into the canner until it runs clear, so once I saw that I then started filling up canning pots with crystal clear syrup. Once the canner was rinsed, I poured the syrup back into the canner for bottling. Maintaining proper bottling temps was a lot easier than the pervious method of using a Leader finishing tank controlled by propane.

I thought I was making pretty clear syrup until today. It's awesome looking syrup and I give all the credit to the new system. It did take some planning since my sugar shack doesn't have power so I had to transport near syrup to the location I will now be bottling. Not a big deal at all. I also did order the hobby canner from Roth so I could save a little time by not having to rinse the RO canner in between filtering and canning.

Overall a very impressive unit for the price! Props to Carl at RO Bucket too. Pretty sure I drove him nuts with a lot of questions but he was always available and even offered to facetime to watch the process.

[MRFNY]

I have used the ro filter 3 times now. Way better the the orlon filters of the past. To answer a few questions that have come up, when done with a batch I pour the leftover syrup from the filter back in the 1st pot and mix it with the next batch of syrup I am going to filter. If your pump is and lines are cold you will need to warm them up before filtering, I had to stop and clean the filter part way through due to slow output, once everything was warmed on after cleaning it took a few minutes to run the remainder of the syrup through. The temperature has been right on in the canner when checking with a thermometer. I set the temp on the high end of the bottling range so if off 5-7 degrees I am still above the minimum bottling temp. If you are looking for a better way to filter I would recommend this.

Just posted my update after first time using! I highly recommend it as well.

Wish we could post photos on this site!

[madmaples]

isnt a 5-7 degree variability kinda big when it comes to bottling temps ?

The 5-7 degree difference is only while it's in the middle heating from cold. If it's just keeping syrup warm the difference isn't as much.

[Vtmbz]

How much syrup can you process between cleanup. Knowing that syrup quality varies!
Also: I make about 5 gallons of syrup daily, drawing 1-2 qts every 30 minutes. Will,this system work that way? I.e. lots of small batches.

[MRFNY]

How much syrup can you process between cleanup. Knowing that syrup quality varies!
Also: I make about 5 gallons of syrup daily, drawing 1-2 qts every 30 minutes. Will,this system work that way? I.e. lots of small batches.

If you make 5 gallons daily, I would just buy an extra filter or two. That way you give the one filter enough time to dry between filtering.

[CTguy923]

The 5-7 degree difference is only while it's in the middle heating from cold. If it's just keeping syrup warm the difference isn't as much.

oh ok, gotcha, i,m picking one of these filters next week and cant wait to try it, hopefully i'll have as good results as the others ive read

[jhasenberg]

Hello, I have a question. I bought and put together a filter system based on DRoseum's post. I purchased a Dernord inline filter, sewed up an orlon tube to fit over it, and got a wort/beer pump similar to the used by ROBucket. I used 1/4 cup DE filter aide per gallon of syrup. When I started the pump, it ran good for 30 seconds or so, but then quickly slowed to a tiny stream and eventually almost nothing. Less than a gallon had been run through and the Orlon was plugged. After disassembly and cleaning of the Orlon, the same thing repeated. Why is it plugging so quickly? Is the pump not strong enough to push more syrup through? Or might I be doing something wrong? I expected to maybe get 4 or 5 gallons through between cleanings, but not only 3 or 4 quarts. Any ideas or help? Thanks in advance.

[Super Sapper]

Sounds like you need to add more DE.

[jhasenberg]

Sounds like you need to add more DE.

Forgive my lack of understanding. This is my first year making syrup. It's all been great, except for the filtering. How would more DE change it?

[Hillcrest Maples]

Probably the wrong DE. If you got food grade from Amazon or your local pet or health store it’s the wrong grit. You need Dicalyte they sell at maple supply or industrial or restaurant supply. Store grade DE is too fine of a grit, made for eating or adding to food. The Dicalyte is food grade but a much coarser grit designed for filtering in commercial food prep operations, ect. I learned the hard way too.

[jhasenberg]

Probably the wrong DE. If you got food grade from Amazon or your local pet or health store it’s the wrong grit. You need Dicalyte they sell at maple supply or industrial or restaurant supply. Store grade DE is too fine of a grit, made for eating or adding to food. The Dicalyte is food grade but a much coarser grit designed for filtering in commercial food prep operations, ect. I learned the hard way too.

Shouldn't be the wrong DE. I bought the DE Filter Aide from Smokey Lake Maple Products.

[Super Sapper]

The amount can vary depending on your niter. If it plugs the filter easily, you will need add more the next time. I would try at least 1/2 cup per gallon if not more.
et

[jhasenberg]

The amount can vary depending on your niter. If it plugs the filter easily, you will need add more the next time. I would try at least 1/2 cup per gallon if not more.
et

Will do. Thanks for the help. I'll give that a shot this weekend hopefully and report back on results.

[jhasenberg]

Will do. Thanks for the help. I'll give that a shot this weekend hopefully and report back on results.

I filtered and bottle two batches today. The first 5 gallon batch was cleaner than the 2nd batch. I used 1/2 cup of DE per gallon in the first batch and it pumped thru the filter quickly and flawlessly. The second 6 gallon batch was had more sediment in it so I used a heaping 1/2 cup of DE per gallon. It also pumped thru the filter quickly and flawlessly. So more DE solved my issue. I'm not sure I understand why more DE is so much better. Thanks all for the suggestions.

[Super Sapper]

The DE basically creates a 3-dimensional filter instead of just a flat surface. If you do not have enough DE for the amount of niter it will get plugged up.

[DRoseum]

In general, the more DE the better, but do not over fill your syrup with a volume of DE that cannot fit in the filter cavity. That inline filter i recommended holds ~6+ cups of DE.

[eustis22]

so curious thing today with the RO....a brand new 400 GPD MES membrane with about 60 gallons run thru it at approx 130 PSI....2% going in, 2% going out, and broke out to 45 gallons concentrate and 15 gallons permeate coming out. I would have thought 1:1 at worst, not 3:1 concentrate to permeate. Checked the sugar on the permeate bucket, it was 0. I considered that I may have had the ports on the membrane housing swapped out but left is concentrate, center is permeate, right?

[DRoseum]

Normally with ports down, permeate is center and concentrate is slightly up to the right.

[DRoseum]

Finally made a video about the stainless inline filter version I built:
https://youtu.be/TZPiSihC5_Y

I normally use this for filtering whats in my evaporator pans, and my Smoky Lake filter press (in a totally seperate building) for finished syrup filtering and bottling.

However this does work great for filtering finished syrup as shown in the video.