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Thread: Diatomaceous Earth filtering question

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Location
    Merrimack, NH
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    593

    Default Diatomaceous Earth filtering question

    So I am curious about using this stuff.....how does it work? Does anyone have a tutorial about how they use it?

    My questions revolve around, how does it actually help with filtering?

    Why couldn't I just take a 5 gallon bucket of syrup, I only made 28 gallons last year, add some DE to the syrup and let it settle, then strain and bottle? From what Ive read the DE somehow helps by absorbing or attaching itself to the Niter?

    Has anyone done this?

    Does it work?

    am I way off? LOL

    Thanks!!
    2022 4x40" RO, Welch 1397 Vac Pump, 3 Guzzler Pumps, Lapierre Releaser, 1100 taps
    2021 Twin Baby Boys, Close to 650 taps
    2020 Upgraded RO to 2 post and 7GBS Pump. 265 taps
    2019 Smoky Lake 2x6 raised flue, Autodraw system, Maple Jet Filter Press, a beautiful new bride to be my sugaring partner :-)
    2017 Expanded Sugar Shack, new 2x6 with float box, NEXTgen Maple RO, 250+ taps, still on sap sacks
    2016 Sugar Shack, 2x6 evaporator, 160 taps, all on Sap Sacks
    2014 110 taps
    2013 35 taps

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Oct 2011
    Location
    Vermont
    Posts
    167

    Default

    Here's some good reading:

    http://www.uvm.edu/~pmrc/filter_press_brochure.pdf

    The diatomaceous earth (DE or filter aid) does not "adsorb" suspended particles in the syrup so your bucket method won't work. The DE becomes the "filter" as it is captured on the surface of the paper filters in the filter press by the flow of syrup being pumped through it.
    Last edited by CharlieVT; 11-17-2016 at 01:06 PM.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Location
    Merrimack, NH
    Posts
    593

    Default

    So unless you have a filterpress or one of those canister filters, its basically useless in other applications.

    Thanks!
    2022 4x40" RO, Welch 1397 Vac Pump, 3 Guzzler Pumps, Lapierre Releaser, 1100 taps
    2021 Twin Baby Boys, Close to 650 taps
    2020 Upgraded RO to 2 post and 7GBS Pump. 265 taps
    2019 Smoky Lake 2x6 raised flue, Autodraw system, Maple Jet Filter Press, a beautiful new bride to be my sugaring partner :-)
    2017 Expanded Sugar Shack, new 2x6 with float box, NEXTgen Maple RO, 250+ taps, still on sap sacks
    2016 Sugar Shack, 2x6 evaporator, 160 taps, all on Sap Sacks
    2014 110 taps
    2013 35 taps

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Feb 2016
    Location
    Peru, Maine
    Posts
    1,044

    Default

    All I have to say is we only made 30 gallons last year and I would rather give my right leg then give up our 7" short stack filter press. Search around for a used one if you want to save some $$$ but do yourself a favor and get one!

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    Oneida NY
    Posts
    11,547

    Default

    A few producers, and some of them who make hundreds of gallons or even 1000+ do not use a filter press, but some do infact use DE or filter aid. They mix it in, then use flat filters and prefilters. Check some posts from a few years ago by mountainvan. He used DE and flat filters and he does lots of syrup.
    Dave Klish, I recently ordered a 2x6 wood fired evaporator from A&A Sheet Metal which I will be converting to oil fired
    Now have solar, 2x6 finish pan, 5 bank 7x7 filter press, large water jacketed bottler, and tankless water heater.
    Recently bought another Gingerich RO, this one was a 125, but a second membrane was added thus is a 250, like I had.
    After running a 2x3, a 2x6, 3x8 tapping from 79 taps up to 1320 all woodfired, now I'm going to a 2x6 oil fired and a 200-425 taps.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2015
    Location
    Western New York
    Posts
    52

    Default

    Someone somewhere may have done that for whatever reason but try both methods and 9 of 10 people will use the filter press!!!! I know I would ....

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Location
    Suamico, WI
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    Default

    I did as Flats said and used DE with flat filters with very good but slow results for 2 years before getting a press. 30-40 gallons/year was the most I would do that way. It did work well.
    custom made 2x7 intensofire
    With SL pans
    250 deer run
    300 3/16 (new 2016)
    500 sacks around the neighborhood

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Location
    Barrie
    Posts
    36

    Default

    If you want clear syrup a pressure filter press is a must.
    4x14 Force 5
    1,800 on Wet/Dry more come
    30x50 Sugarhouse

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    Andover NH
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    2,074

    Default

    we did 155gal in the last year BP (before press). wondering why it took so long. we used another producers press once in the BP era and were immediately convinced
    Eric Johnson
    Tucker Mountain Maple Co-op
    1400 taps in 2013
    2.5 x 8 CDL pellet arch and Smokey Lake pans
    Lapierre 600 RO
    Member of Andover/Salisbury Maplehaulics anonymous
    www.tuckermtn.com
    pALS

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Location
    Suamico, WI
    Posts
    1,175

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Maple Ridge Farm View Post
    If you want clear syrup a pressure filter press is a must.
    This is not true. As I said, I used filter aid and flat filters prior to using a press and had crystal clear syrup with the " polished" look to it. The bad part was the wasted syrup, and very slow filtering.
    custom made 2x7 intensofire
    With SL pans
    250 deer run
    300 3/16 (new 2016)
    500 sacks around the neighborhood

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