Heavy Niter?

[Squaredeal]

Anyone else getting a crazy amount of niter. Since the rains started our syrup seems to be about 1/2 white sand niter. I can only filter about 10-12 gallons with my 7" press before I have to change filters. The syrup looks quite milky when I draw off, but looks and tastes awesome after filtering.
I hope this is a phase, it is quite a PIA to change filters 3-4 times in a day.

[VTFarmer]

Yes, we are heavy on niter this year as well. Our spare pan sprung a leak too so we're running on one:mad: We added an extra cup of diatomite (5 cups total on a 10" press) to our press and it seemed to help some. We get between 60 and 75 gallons through it before we have to change it out. On a "normal niter" year we'll get at least 90 through it before it even starts to slow down.

[wdchuck]

Same here- We switch sides every day and the stuff just explodes off the pan when we fire up. Then we use the skimmer to scoop it all out a couple times a day. The press was doing about 35 gallons before needing to be broken down, now its 20 gallons.

[maplecrest]

washing flue pan every day, sand so heavy. but able to get 80 gallons thru press between break downs. not so lucky if flue does not get cleaned

[Squaredeal]

Glad to hear I'm not alone. I'm only having niter in the front, front pan (cross flow pans) so I'm able to swap that one out every day. Gotta find a market for the niter if this keeps up.

[Thompson's Tree Farm]

I had really heavy niter for the first 2 weeks. Now I am getting almost none. Early on, I was getting 75 gallons through my 7" press, now down to about 40. Not complaining 1 bit. I remember all to well the days of trying to get this stuff through a cone before the next batch came off!!!!

[Squaredeal]

Yes man, I'd rather have syrup w/ niter than no syrup and no niter.